Five Tips about Charitable Writing

Emily Yakashiro reports:

"A blog itself is an excellent platform for writing on something you are passionate about; as we blog and grow as people, writing about things that matter to you is a great way to connect on a personal level with your readers...No matter your intentions, however, sometimes charities and campaigns are not all they seem to be, and [it] is important to think critically about the causes you are involved in promoting...Blogging with integrity about something you truly care about isn’t nearly as hard as you think–if you’re passionate about something, the words will always follow...If you can only say a couple [of] stock sentences about one issue, but speak from the heart on another, go with the latter. It will catch people’s attention more, and you will feel better knowing that you can answer readers’ questions more readily, and back up your statements with your own personal experiences and research...Also known as ‘due diligence’, investigate your cause. Even though the vast majority of charities are reputable and reliable, the horrible truth is that some people aren’t honest about a charity’s work or beliefs. Just do a quick search online and see what comes up...Remember, most organizations are not exactly forthcoming about their involvement in a scandal or controversy (if such a history even exists), so you’re going to want to look at sources other than the actual organization’s website for an unbiased story...One misconception about blogging about your involvement with a social cause or charity is that you have to talk about it constantly. You don’t...You can mention your work in small snippets. For example, after talking about your day at the farmer’s market and the cute sundress you wore, try [to] weave in other information...If you collaborate with a charity that sends you a bracelet symbolizing your commitment to, say, animal rights, wear it for more than one post! For each time you wear it like you would a normal bracelet, you don’t even have to say anything about it–just do a [closeup] photo of the bracelet that’s piled on with your other bangles, and put a link below to the cause...Wearing your cause even semi-regularly is a way to keep your audience aware and focused, without seeming like you’re constantly ranting about a cause...It’s good to finish up a blog post about your involvement in a charitable organization or social cause by offering links to more information. For example, say you write a whole post about the violence against women you have witnessed on your college campus. For all you know, this might actually be the first time your readers have heard about this issue. If you want them to learn more, list a few reputable online sources of further information. You could include a couple [of] links to local women’s centers, or even online resources for women who have experienced violence...If your town or city is doing an event, like a fundraising run or [citywide] campaign, blog about it! Blogs give us a peek into life around the world, and while there’s endless coverage of international events like New York Fashion Week, coverage about a smaller event, like the Calgary Pride Parade, is just as intriguing. A relatively small event like this can even be a breath of fresh air for people who are [oversaturated] with articles about the latest couture collection."