2 Experimental Projects in the Economy

Alternative economic systems include everything else that follows the principles of self-interest or mutuality.  These are usually experimental projects, although some have been around for many years.

Credit Unions

Credit Unions are a mutual bank that makes loans to people who need small amounts of money. Small loans are very expensive and so conventional banks are not interested.

Credit Unions also find small loans expensive and their interest rates show this. However, they are nowhere near as high as rates charged by loan sharks, the amounts owed are low because the principles are small and the way they administer their loans supports the person who takes out the loan.  Consequently, credit union repayment rates are frequently higher than conventional banks.

Micro-credit

[amazon_link asins=’B01JXT2MD6′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’markettogether’ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’186ff57c-0034-11e8-b421-dbf57a1e2b03′]Micro-credit is similar to credit unions and found in disadvantaged parts of the world. Usually, the bank makes a single loan to a small group of business start-ups. The members are jointly and severally responsible for the loan and so it is in their interest that all the participants are successful. Mohammed Yunus is the founder of micro-credit and his auto-biography, “Banker to the Poor: The Story of the Grameen Bank” is a good introduction to the topic.

The Grameen Bank, founded by Mohammed Yunus has made significant inroads into poorer communities.  However, I find it difficult to see how micro-credit might work in the UK.  I’ve heard of a few attempts but nothing that has proved significant.  One major problem is equipment and raw materials are more expensive in the west.

Local Economic Trading Schemes

Local Economic Trading Schemes (LETS) are an alternative currency. In Sheffield, where I live, they trade in Stones, which sadly were not named after the late lamented local Stones brewery! A group of people who know each other, trade in stones. You gain them for offering a product or service and give them away for receiving a product or service. A healthy LETS is where most members often cross zero stones. There is no central bank (apart from a record of transactions) and everyone starts with zero stones. Accumulation of stones in either direction tends to reduce the activity in the LETS.

I’m sceptical about similar alternative online currencies. Once people don’t know the others involved and the currency can be converted into conventional currency, I think it is much easier for trust to be lost.

However, LETS might work online, so long as it is within a small group of people who trust one another. For example, website designers might meet online for mutual support. A LETS might work where they do work for one another. I’ve no idea whether any groups of designers have tried this.

Do let me know of other alternative economic systems you encounter, off or online.

3 My First Video

I have at last produced my first video!  It is a part of my series of posts about website reviews and uses the same criteria to look at 5 websites.

The big difference is this video looks at 5 sites from 5 similar organisations.  My idea is that by comparing similar organisations we can begin to get a better idea about website good practice.

The title is “The 5 Worst Intermediate Body Websites” and there will be a second video with the 5 best.  The video explains what an Intermediate Body is but the point is their mistakes are all too common online.  Many organisations need to scrap their sites and start over because they have made poor decisions in the past.

This may seem harsh but the benefits of following basic standards of good practice are immense.

Next week I’ll write about how I planned and produced the video.  I still have some issues to resolve and so I’ll go into the problems I’ve met and how I’m addressing them.

One issue is the size of the video!  I’ve adjusted this so that it fits in the available space.  You may find it best to view it on full screen.

It is worth following on by summarising the main points.  Bad decisions about your content management system (cms) can create problems as you develop your site.  These sites have issues about their content too but there is no point in trying to add good content to sites that are not working.  A quick checklist from the video:

1. Make sure you have standards of functionality comparable to WordPress.  Some of the these cms are lacking basic functionality such as a blog.
2. Don’t publish on someone else’s url or use their logo.  It is your website and you need to control the content so that your site visitors can see at a glance what you’re about.
3. If you have a reasonable cms, make sure your content is good.  And do the basics such as proof-reading!  I spotted another spelling mistake on the Surrey site after I finished recording.  Did you?
4. There is no need to fear cascading style sheets.  Do fear sites structured by tables or framesets.
5. Your visitor does not want to know about the geographical boundaries of your organisation or the vacancies on your committee.
6. There are conventions and it pays to follow them.  Hiding the navigation is not clever or witty.  Put your energy into telling me stuff I didn’t know I wanted to know.

Do tell me what you think!  Also tell me if you have any problems viewing the video.  I’m not planning to use this system forever and hope to migrate to YouTube soon once I’ve sorted some technical issues.

1 Managing Your Email Lists

Social media has value but an email list is a better way to grow support for your website.  What is an email list?

If you run any kind of organisation, the chances are you will have one or more lists. You may have distribution lists in your email account for various committees and meetings. To call a meeting, distribute minutes or circulate information, you simply call up the distribution list and away you go.

They can be very powerful. So, let’s assume you have one organisation that runs several meetings, with distribution lists for each meeting. Some people will appear on more than one list. Sometimes you may find that joining one group means, they need to receive emails from several groups. And of course, when they leave they need to be removed from all the groups. Perhaps you are familiar with the problem; keeping lists up to date can be a real drag.

Where do You Keep Your Lists?

Distribution lists can be stored by your email account manager or you can keep lists in a spreadsheet such as Excel or you can add a database to your website and keep your lists there.

The latter is a popular option. Some database plug-ins on WordPress, for example, have a lot of functionality. However, they have certain disadvantages, when it comes to sending emails:

So, the best option is to use an email list service and I’ll write about them next time.  You can find details of other posts in this series on the page about website design.

What issues have you met using email lists?

0 Taxonomy of Conversation: Debating

Debating is the second of four types of conversation. How do we  experience each type online?

Here is what I wrote two Wednesdays ago:

Debating is where we listen from outside, dispassionately weighing evidence.  It is a marked improvement on downloading.  It requires debaters to think about what they are saying and what the other person is saying.  It is a gateway to types three and four because it requires listening to others and marshaling our arguments to meet theirs.  The problem is that like downloading it admits of nothing new.  This is why so many debates go on for years because neither side can ultimately hear what the other is saying.

I am a part-time theologian and enjoy debating with other theologians.

I find debates about God increasingly frustrating. This started some years ago, when Richard Dawkins and others stirred up the debate with books such as “The God Delusion” and of course the atheist bus campaign.

What tends to happen is the new atheists pick debates with fundamentalist Christians. I’ve found they share a concept of God I do not share. I don’t believe in the God of the fundamentalists and so agree with the atheists about that.

But the god they don’t believe in is the same god I don’t believe in. I find both fundamentalists and atheists tell me I am a liberal and not a proper Christian!

Well, thanks for that it’s as well to know where you stand!

What is Going on Here?

It is a good example of debate, where neither side need back down because they depend on the other for the integrity of their own view. Neither side can see the immense amount of common ground between them. The only thing they disagree about is whether they believe in this false god.

The God delusion is on both sides. This is common where debates reinforce both sides. It is very seductive. I’m sure friendships develop, sometimes people change sides but the debate never moves on. Debates reinforce both sides of the argument.

Instead of downloading material that supports my worldview, debating is about listening to your opponents to respond to their points in support of your own worldview. The opposing view therefore reinforces your view. Both sides become entrenched.

Debating online can be exciting and educational. But is it possible to go deeper? Have you been involved in an online conversation that has gone beyond debate?

1 Types of Site Visitor

Who are the right people?  The people with whom it is important to build relationships? Last Tuesday I reviewed the purpose of the copy on your site. Your copy should aim to build relationships with the right people.

So, it is important to know your market, find the people who belong to it and build relationships with them. This is essential whatever your site is about. There is little point in running a site if it does not address the needs of your market.

Three Types of Visitor

People not interested in your site

People arrive through all sorts of accidents and so you need to manage expectations. You don’t want the wrong people to waste their time or yours on the site. Some will leave almost immediately. Others may take longer to work out your site is not for them. Some may start a relationship and then work out your site is after all not for them. Mostly these visitors are not a problem unless you get someone who takes up a lot of time by trying to persuade you to change your purpose to meet their needs. In the extreme these people are known as trolls. A very small number of visitors will be so extreme, so it’s helpful to know they exist!

Visitors who become faithful supporters or customers

The evidence is if someone makes a purchase they are more likely to make a repeat purchase. This does depend upon them being satisfied with their purchase of course. The same applies if they respond in other ways, eg by joining in your campaign.  To turn visitors into customers or supporters you need to build trust through your site. This may not be easy where communication is largely one way, from you to them.

The second customer

These are people who never make a purchase or do whatever it is you want them to do. They sign up to your email list and take part in the free activities on your site. If you want visitors to write to their MP, for example, second customers will sign up to your email list, make return visits, read your material but never write. However, they may publicise your site on social media, tell their friends about it and generally market your work. This can be immensely helpful. Encourage it!

So, the message is ignore type 1, design your site for type 2 and encourage type 3. The good news is you do not need to worry about losing the visitors who are not interested in your site purpose.  You do need to worry about losing your type 2 visitors though!  If you attract type 2, the chances are you will also attract type 3.

Next time I’ll explain how to find type 2, your potential customers or activists.

How do you design your site for type 2 visitors?

5 Self-Interest

What are the values behind the co-operative principles? I call the cooperative ethic is self-interest, which may come as a surprise. Bear with me.

Self-interest is understanding that by helping others, I help myself. The patron saint of this ethic is St Martin of Tours. The story goes that he shared his cloak with a beggar, by slicing it in half. God approves because God loves Martin and the beggar equally.

We must not confuse self-interest with selfishness. The latter is where I act solely out of what I perceive to be my own interests. Many people on the right believe “Greed is Good”. They confuse self-interest with greed. Self-interest understands putting the interests of others first to be most beneficial to me.

Altruism is not morally superior to self-interest for several reasons. It does not seek mutual benefit but assumes moral superiority of the altruist. However, self-interest accepts we all have mixed motives and it is effective because it seeks the benefit of all.

Self-Interest in the Marketplace

Self-interest actually applies to the conventional market, not just mutuals.  A mutual is a formal type of organisation, designed to embody self-interest. However, you don’t need a mutual organisation to act out of self-interest. A small business builds relationships with its customers because all concerned benefit from that relationship. As it grows a mutual business structure may help it to maintain its ethical basis.

The marketplace at its best embodies the principles of self-interest. The exceptions are fraudulent operations and larger businesses that accumulate massive wealth in the hands of very few people.

Accumulated wealth does not benefit everyone because it restricts money flow (trickle down was always a myth). The current UK government’s austerity policy restricts the flow of money and so everyone suffers apart from those who hold onto mountains of wealth. In these circumstances trust breaks down and the market can no longer function.

The internet contributes two contradictory trends. First, capital concentrates into fewer hands. Think of the big players such as Google, Facebook or Amazon. On the other hand it has undermined the old marketing methods, such as advertising. Online marketing gives away information to build trust with potential customers. The earliest people to cotton on to this, sometimes known as gurus, have made massive fortunes. I don’t see how this can continue for everyone. On the other hand, it does suggest it is possible for more people to make a living from online marketing based on self-interest.

Do you agree self-interest is a superior ethic in the marketplace? If not, what would you suggest is the best ethic?

0 Launching a New Page

2017: This is an old post about a long ago change to my website.  I leave it available but please note the links lead to old pages that are no longer current.

So, what have I been doing over the last fortnight?  Three Fridays ago  I suggested taking time off is a good idea.  I took some time out of course.

I also took the opportunity to review my website.  It launched in November and so has run for five to six months.  I always knew it would take time to get it to how I want it.

My approach with my clients is to show them how to set up a simple site and then to develop it at their own pace.  For many voluntary organisations, regular posting can be challenging.

Many people don’t understand how website development has changed in recent years.  They don’t appreciate how dynamic websites are or how easy it is to do things that were impossible, difficult or expensive a few years ago.  They don’t know what is possible and need help to figure out how they’re going to maintain and grow their website.

So, my plan is to report changes I make to the site, why I’ve made them and what I hope will happen as a result.

Over the break I made small changes to various pages.  I also added a new page about the web consultancy services I offer.  The reason I’ve added this is to help visitors understand my Community Web Consultancy offer.  (If the truth be told, it amazes me how slow I am working out my offer myself.)  This new page outlines the types of things I offer my clients.  I shall develop this further as I find out what customers value.

I’ll draw attention to the changes I make so that you can see what I’m doing and perhaps adapt them for your own site.  My aim is to help you figure out how to make your site work for your organisation.  The best way I can do this is by showing you how I’m doing it for my site.  In time and with their permission I may write about how I’ve worked with customers to help them optimise their sites.

Remember, this is not always about selling things.  For many organisations, their message is more important but there’s little point in having a message if it is not reaching its target audience.  So, marketing is important for your organisation, whatever it is you’re trying to do.

Anyway, do have a look at the page and let me know what you think.  What could I do to improve it?  Would you contact me for more information?  If not, why not?

1 Linking your Website to Social Media

This sequence about guiding your web designer or consultant as they set up your website, aims to help you identify the issues you encounter as you develop your site together.  (All the posts about building a WordPress site can be found in the CMS category.)

There is a lot you can do on your own. You ask for help because you’re not technically minded, or you want help from someone more skilled than you are or else you don’t have the time. Whatever the reason, you need to understand what is going on.

Using Social Media

Social media may be one area where you feel you don’t need a lot of help. Indeed you may have already set up a Facebook page, for example, and used it to test your market. Some businesses seem to use social media and don’t bother with a website.  This is not an approach I recommend.

Alternatively, you may be bewildered by social media.  As an older person, I find I don’t have an instinct for social media.  I suppose having lived most of my life without it, it is harder to add it into the natural rhythms of life.

On balance my view is social media has its uses but there are limits.  Whether you are a natural user or struggle with it, you need to understand its limitations.

Disadvantages of Social Media

So, let’s start with the disadvantages of social media. They explain why I would always have a website. I’ll then go on to the advantages of evolving a social media strategy with your website at the centre.

Advantages of Social Media

So, what has been your experience? How have you used social media successfully?

Next time, I shall show you a better way!

0 Taxonomy of Conversation: Downloading

Last time I outlined four types of conversation. Today and the next three Wednesdays I shall look at each type in turn. My question is: how does each type of conversation find expression online (if it does)?  Today’s is about downloading.

I wrote:

The first kind of conversation is downloading.  This is where we listen from within our own story and consequently hear only what supports it.  I suppose this can be a bad habit of highly creative and motivated people where I listen for anything that supports my view. This can be healthy but where the listener listens in this mode only, they cease to hear other points of view as valid.

The word ‘download’ is presumably fairly recent and usually refers to transferring data from a server to a local computer. Whilst this type of conversation is named after this online practice, it has always been around.

The analogy with downloading from a server is helpful. Think about why you choose to download a file. You do it because you have an interest in the file. You are very unlikely to randomly download stuff. What would be the point?

You have a purpose and select what you download to meet that purpose. Your download might challenge your purpose but broadly your intention is to support your purpose.

This is perfectly legitimate; you do it when undertaking online learning, for example. You might download a video, watch it and perhaps act on its content. There is no obligation to act and that is the point.

Downloading does not have to be a conversation. You can show approval by liking something. You may be able to comment and a simple note of approval may be all you offer.

The owner of the information may value your approval but it doesn’t move their thinking along; many consumers of information never say a word.

And that is what downloading is: conversation as consumption of information. The recipient does not contribute anything other than approval or disapproval. There’s no community of learning, just individual consumers.

Clearly there is value in downloading for online learning but ultimately it’s limited. In your experience, what else do you need besides the download to take conversation to a higher level?

2 How to plan copy

Today I shall dig deeper into how to plan copy. Some businesses pay copy-writers vast sums of money because they generate massive returns. It is unlikely you have such skills but bad copy is very easy to write. You can learn to write better copy, even if it is not the best possible!  The best way to learn is to start writing and respond to feedback.

I’ve already written about copy for donations (follow the link and scroll down to find the first in the sequence) and you will also find my posts about the awareness ladder helpful. Today I shall discuss the purpose of copy and then on future Tuesdays offer some pointers to effective copy.

There is one purpose to writing copy online; to get the visitor to your site to do something.  (If you don’t want them to do anything, why do you have a site?)  Not everyone who visits your site is going to do it. You do not want them to! All sorts of people may turn up but only some are likely to take a long-term interest.

You need write only for the people you want to reach. The others soon understand your site is not for them. You want to be sure the right people do respond to your site.

So, who is the right person? More about this in my next post. Let’s for the moment assume you know who the right person is. The next question is: what do you want them to do and why will they want to do it?

The first question is important. What do you want the right people to do? Here are a few ideas:

Note I do not include reading documents or watching videos. Content can be freely available and your visitor might take a look, then disappear forever.  You may however be able to persuade them register on your email address so that you can keep them up-to-date with changes on your site.  One option is to offer more content once your visitor has registered their interest.

Content is the most important material on your site. It is what makes or breaks your site. People will visit to read your content because it offers something they want.

Working out what content to make freely available and what is subject to certain restrictions, is a big challenge for any site owner.  If you want to sell content, then you need to be clear what is free, what is in exchange for information, eg an email address, and what is subject to a charge.  Free stuff helps people understand what you can offer but why should they buy more of it from you?

Be careful about social media.  If your visitor clicks on a social media icon, they leave your page and possibly never return.  Social media can drive visitors to your page.  However, if they choose not to register for your email list, they might at least follow you or like you, and this may have some value.

How do you marshal the material on your site? How do you build a relationship with your site visitor?