Facebook Phenomenon

[gogogadget55]

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to tell you about the great success. Facebook recently created global groups that allow you to invite anyone on the Facebook network to your group...something never done before. Thus, I had the idea of beginning a group for LGBT rights. We now have "The Human Rights Campaign, Global" group. It currently contains close to 5000 members...that's in less than ONE WEEK. There is no telling how many people could join and show their support.

One of the great things is we have support from one of the sites co-founders, who joined our group. His partner is also a member and wants to help invite people! It's amazing how when you are doing the right thing, that things just seem to fall into place.

This brings me to the topic of the generation that Facebook serves - those currently in college. They, I think, will be the generation to turn the tides. Stereotypes and hate is dieing out among this generation, so it is time to take hold and bring the effort together.

This facebook group shows that LGBT students and their supporters want a community (even if online). However, most LGBT groups do not market them directly. I am telling you, the BEST thing you can do is market the crap out of this generation. But you must be tactful about it. Most won't listen, so you have to make it enticing. Why do you think they watch MTV? It's because they are marketed to in a manner that makes them want to watch.

All that said, I urge you to look into how you can effectively get the attention of this generation. Make a cool, hip website for LGBT teens/college students and supporters that is right up there with mtv.com, facebook.com, and myspace.com. Then you will see amazing results!

facebook group link:

http://mercer.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204526090

Thanks!

Ryan

[sbonser04]

sounds great, i shall join it

[Mia14]

These online communities are all the rage with the youth these days. Someday when we have lots of money to spend on bandwidth and moderators, we should create a giant network of LGBT youth. I'm not sure if Soulforce would do it just yet because the focus is on the 3-D communities, but its something to think about.


I'm sure there are some small sites out there trying to do this now. Maybe some of us can find some and share?

[NathanATX]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060718/wr_nm/media_myspace_comedy_dc_1
"As of the week ending July 8, Murdoch's site [myspace.com] became the single most-visited U.S. Web site according to Internet traffic measurement firm Hitwise."

I did a presentation on starting young adult ministries at MCC's regional conference. The first quarter of the presentation was about how to identify and reach young adults. I demonstrated how to use myspace to determine how many glbt 18-30 year olds are in a specific city.
San Antonio, TX = 8,000+
Omaha, NE = 2,900+
San Francisco, CA = 30,000+
Phoenix, AZ (where the conference was) = 16,000+

We need to develop specific & targeted outreaches to wherever young people are. And believe me, they are online... on myspace, facebook, etc...