Local charities get tech savvy

Midrand’s New Jerusalem Children’s Home, Race Against Extinction and Cluny Farm Centre based in Kyalami were three of the 13 organisations which attended a free digital and PR therapy session on 17 November.

The session, hosted by Firewater, a digital marketing and public relations agency, was aimed at equipping non-profit organisations in Johannesburg.

Co-founder and chief digital officer at Firewater, Alon Berman said the session was arranged after he noticed a massive gap between what organisations were doing with limited resources and what their actual potential was.

“There are so many organisations that do not understand digital. No one has taken the time to show them the basics and equip them. It was an honour to be able to take these organisations – which do so much good in our communities – and help them.”

The session was focused on forming digital strategies, understanding search marketing, crowdfunding, social media and how organisations should be managing their public relations.

Caroline van Rooyen from Cluny Farm said she found the session very interesting. Van Rooyen said, “It is a reminder that in order to be effective, one has to move with the times and remain relevant.”

Sharon Salomon from Race Against Extinction said the session brought home just how much is involved in digital marketing. Salomon said, “It also inspired some ideas which I am quite excited about.”

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