The Read/Write Web

I was intrigued by Richardson's Toolbox this week. I have been pondering expanding ways to reach my clients that would be more interactive and replace some of the face-to-face time that is now priced out of range. I publish a twice a month training and technical assistance tool called On-the-Go eTA (http://onthegoeta.net/mail/.) It includes articles, tips and ideas to enable nonprofit programs to become sustainable. The issues usually have something to do with fundraising, since that is the biggest sustainability concern for nonprofits, but I also write about board development, communications and marketing, volunteer recruitment, and other issues relavent to nonprofits. This publication is sent as an email to approximately 3,000 subscribers who are primarily AmeriCorps, VISTA and Senior Corps program directors. I have been producing this journal for 3 years, now. I have added a few bells and whistles to make the publication more usable. A print view option has been added and there is a mechanism to enable readers to add friends and colleagues to the distribution list.

What is missing, however, is a satisfactory way to get readers to respond to what they have read. I have tried to get some dialogue going without success. The way I do this is to ask a question and give readers the option of responding to me at a dedicated email address (LeadLine@CampaignConsultation.com.) I get very few responses. What I would like to do is provide an option for people to respond right at the bottom of the publication, and make the comments accessible to everyone who is reading the training tool. I want it to perfom like a blog. Can I send my publication to a dedicated list as a blog? If I just invite people to read the blog, they will never do it. The publication works because the information is handed to the clients by means of an email. These are "digital imimigrants" (Richardson) who avoid technology unless they are forced to use it. I'd like to figure out how to expand my readership and also give readers the opportunity to participate in the learning.