Shortened URL for this page: http://bit.ly/sa-10Ways

(to learn the basics about My Social Actions, click here)

1. Find actions

First and foremost, Social Actions is an open database of opportunities to make a difference gathered seamlessly from 65+ action sources. To find actions in Social Actions' open database, please visit our search engine. You can also find opportunities to make a difference by entering your keyword in the search form in the sidebar of My Social Actions.

2. Share actions

As you find world-changing actions created on our 65+ action sources, we encourage you to share them with others. To add an action to your profile, click on Actions in the menu and then click Add an Action.

Social Actions maintains a directory of widgets and web applications that help people share actions with their friends on the websites and social networks they visit everyday. To add a Social Actions-powered application to your website, click on Share actions in the sidebar of My Social Actions.

3. Customize your profile

As you get more involved in Social Actions, you'll want your profile to reflect all the ways in which you are making a difference. By default, your page on Social Actions includes your picture, your responses to the profile questions, a free form box which you can customize, and links to your blog posts, actions and events. To view and modify your profile page, click on My Page in the menu. To change your profile picture or change your response to the profile questions, click on Settings in the right-hand column. To make use of the text box, simply click on 'Edit' in the top right corner of the text box, insert your text or HTML, and then click 'Save'. The text box will not appear until you have added something to it.

4. Connect with like-minded people

My Social Actions members are some of the brightest and most passionate people working at the intersection of technology and social change. To find like-minded people, click on Members in the menu and then search for the keywords that describe the people you want to meet. You can also search by name or location using the Advanced member search.

5. Reflect on the actions you are taking

My Social Actions is an open forum to reflect on the actions you are taking. We encourage you to use our community blog to reflect on actions big and small. Whether you're launching an organization or donating virtual coins in a hat, we want our entire community to learn from your reflections. To post a blog entry with your reflections on an action you are taking, click on Blogs in the menu, and then click on Add a Blog Post. When publishing this kind of blog entry, tag it as Reflections.

6. Share your wisdom with others

My Social Actions can also be used to share your expertise on making a difference. Our team is regularly summarizing the best practices it has learned on the job. We encourage you to do the same. To post a blog entry with your expertise on making a difference, click on Blogs in the menu, and then click on Add a Blog Post. When publishing this kind of blog entry, tag it as HowTo.

7. Get expert advice

Many of our members have experience to share on how nonprofits can use social media to engage people in making a difference. We encourage you to post blog entries with your questions and tag it as GetAdvice. We'll feature your question on the homepage and encourage the community to share their wisdom with you. To post a blog entry with your question, click on Blogs in the menu, and then click on Add a Blog Post. When publishing this kind of blog entry, tag it as GetAdvice.

Some questions cannot be adequately addressed in a reply to a blog post. For help planning, implementing and maintaining a social media program, please consider our social media consulting monthly plans and one-time introductory packages.

8. Post events

We encourage you to use the Events feature to tell the Social Actions community about an upcoming event that's important to you. To post an event, click on Events in the menu, and then click Add an Event.

9. Invite your friends

It's very simple to invite your friends and colleagues to join Social Actions. The larger our community, the more relationships we can build and the more impact we can have as a group. To invite people you know to join My Social Actions, click on Invite in the menu and then follow the instructions. At any point, you can share a specific page on Social Actions with your friends. To forward a webpage to your friends, click on the 'Quick Add...' pull down menu in the right-hand column, and then select 'Share this page'.

10. Be Nice

'Nuff said. :)