This was one of the messages from Steve MacLaughlin, director of Internet solutions at Blackbaud, during the session “What Social Networks Should Be Doing for You” at The Blackbaud Interactive Internet Symposium held recently in the Big Apple.

“Experiment first. Plan later. It’s that simple,” he said, adding that it’s a really good idea to just get out there and see what it’s like to use a social network: “Stop waiting for it to be perfect. It’s not going to be. Just try it.

…The organizations that will succeed will be those that transform their mission into personalized experiences for constituents.”

For more, check this conference roundup from Fundraising Success Magazine:

Understand Social Networks and Make Them Work for You

Not all social networks are created equal. And nonprofit organizations need to know the differences between them before they can get one to work for them.

Online Communications — Pipeline to More Revenue

Charities that want to see an increase in donations or boost their donor bases should embrace online communications.

Web 2.0 — A Buzzword Demystified

Blogs can be especially helpful to nonprofits for a number of reasons. They build and brand an organization, help to engage customers in conversation, and encourage organizations to find out what other nonprofits or individuals are talking about.