Idealware seminars are designed to give you the tactical advice you need to make software decisions. They are capped at 22 participants, to ensure we can answer your specific questions. Each is just $40, and all you need is an internet connection and a phone line to participate.

New!  Considering Social Media for Your Organization
Thursday, Oct 23rd 1:00 - 2:30 EST
There's a lot of talk these days about social media - blogs, RSS, YouTube, Flickr, social networking, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, oh my!  What are these things, and how do they fit into the communications methods you're already using?  We'll take a hype-free look at how social media tools and techniques can help you to engage your constituents and spread the word about your organization.

FREE! Online Communications on a Shoestring
Wednesday, Oct 29th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST
Websites, email blasting, and social media can provide a small organization with big benefits without a huge investment. In this special FREE online seminar, we'll talk through the best practices and the low cost tools that can help you take advantage of the internet to better serve your mission - without breaking your budget.

Getting Started with Online Donations
Thursday, Oct 30th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST
What online donation tools are available? How do they work? How do you know which one is right for your organization? We answer these questions, and discuss some of the specific tools that are available, such as Network for Good, PayPay, Click & Pledge, eTapestry, MemberClicks, AuctionPay, and more.

Choosing a Low Cost Constituent Database
Thursday, November 6th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST
There are a number of affordable options to track your donors, volunteers and other constituents. How should you choose? We'll walk through considerations and the pros and cons of commonly used databases like GiftWorks, DonorPerfect Online, eTapestry, Salesforce, DonorPerfect, and Democracy In Action.

Choosing eNewsletter Software
Wednesday, November 12th, 1:00 - 2:30 EST
How do you effectively setup, send, and track hundreds or thousands of emails? We discuss desirable features and some of the reliable and affordable tools most commonly used for mass emailing, such as VerticalResponse, EmailNow, ConstantContact, NPOGroups, CampaignMonitor, Emma, Topica, and more.

See more information and more seminars online>

Do you provide services to a group of nonprofits - perhaps your members or grantees? Help them choose software with short but meaty Idealware Tips of the Month, designed to go in your own newsletter.  See past tips at www.idealware.org/tips.  The Tips are free to anyone who serves a group of nonprofits, and there's no commitment.  Interested?  Contact laura@idealware.org

Here are some of the best posts and resources from the Idealware blog last month.

How Much Does a Nonprofit Website Cost? (Idealware)
To help you in your quest to figure out what you should budget for your next redesign, Laura Quinn provides some thoughts as to what you can get for various levels of investment.

New Metrics for Online Success (NTEN)
NTEN provides a thoughtful look at the online metrics they're using to measure their own efficacy.  Want more on metrics?  Take a look at
e.politic's Measuring the Effects of Social Media Marketing.

Smartphone Follies (Idealware)
Trying to figure out which smartphone will most easily integrate with your current environment?  Peter Campbell advises, with a lot of help from folks in the comments.

Overview of Social Networking Sites (Work Literacy)
Detailed introduction to a number of different social networking tools (FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, many more).

We Are Media: Social Media Tools (We Are Media)
The We Are Media project - by NTEN, and facilitated by Beth Kanter - is in the midst of creating "toolboxes" of tools that can be used for social media purposes. Check out the categories that the group has completed so far, or join in to help define tools for future categories.

Building Intranet and Community Network Sites (Idealware)
Steve Backman discusses the common requirements for a private online collaboration space - and some of the types of tools that can meet those needs.

Comparison of Email Newsletter Tools - Updated for 2008 (ONE/Blog)
Update of ONE/ Northwest's terrific, detailed comparison (with matrix and all!) of a number of blast emailing tools.

Young People Will Switch Online Channels as They Age (e.politics)
Will email die out as a communication media as Gen Y gets older? Or will Gen Y switch communication mediums? Colin Delaney explores.

Salesforce 101: Fun with Campaigns and Workflows (A View from Judi Sohn)
Great case study of how the Colorectal Cancer Coalition is using campaigns in Salesforce to support less obvious processes - like event registration and memorial gifts.

7 Ways To Stay Informed And Up-To-Date Online (MakeUseOf.com)
Nice overview of tools that help you monitor what's being said about you or a topic online.

Managing Documents on Your Macintosh (Idealware)
Eric Leland - and a number of blog commenters - provide an overview of options for managing documents on your Macintosh computer.

YouTube Nonprofit Campaign Tip Sheet (YouTube)
From YouTube, a nice tip sheet about how to use your online video as part of a larger campaign.