@oac_cao: We calc grp influence from engagement #s culled from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, @Klout, blogs, podcasts, etc http://ggg.ms/abt-in2 hours ago
@MadMenFodder thanks for the shoutout and congrats again. we love madmen too. what'd ya think of episode 1? 3 hours ago
When we built Groupable, we wanted to build a platform that could be useful to any group. How’ve we done so far? Let’s pluck a few potential groups out of left field and see if they could use Groupable effectively.
The Montana Militia Here in the states, the right to organize private militias is not just protected by the Bill of Rights, it’s actually encouraged. The militia system is here to stay. But what would a group of rugged, independent-minded warriors gain from Groupable?
If the militia decided to completely eschew corporate influence, then their militia could use Groupable to collect and organize donations from private citizens sympathetic to their causes. Even though the militia would remain independent, they could still stockpile supplies.
At Groupable, we’d suggest they team up with small businesses around the state. The local sporting goods shop might pay to sponsor their active email list, or perhaps local saloons would be willing to cater their events.
If you have the ability to haul yourself to a remote desert in Nevada, you’re invited to burn some dude in effigy at Burning Man. The popular ritual draws everybody from hippies to frat boys, free-spirits to cubicle jockeys. And even though it’s become a multi-million dollar enterprise, it’s managed to shun nearly every form of corporate influence.
At first glance, one might think Groupable would be useless to a group of thousands of people looking to avoid corporate sponsorship. We believe precisely the opposite.
At Groupable, groups always have the final say over sponsorship. If a group leader thinks a sponsorship offer would damage a group’s ideals or principles, the group can always choose not to sell out. We prefer to give groups the opportunity to negotiate sponsorships they find tasteful and beneficial.
So what would it look like if Burning Man used Groupable? They could use their Groupable profile as an emblem to show off that they had never accepted a sponsorship offer, while still being able to make use of Groupable’s internal messaging system to connect with other groups around the world. Nothing to lose, plenty to gain. Just as all guests are welcome to Burning Man, Burning Man is welcome at Groupable.
The U.S. Senate This one’s tricky… who in their right mind would think to sponsor a corrupt group of philanderers, lushes, and criminals? With constant in-fighting, low esteem from the public, and poor attendance records from its hundred members, you’d think they’d rank pretty low on our Groupability Index.
However, there’s a catch. Over the course of their two hundred plus year existence, they’ve crafted thousands of opportunities to do business with companies. They’ve given very large brands the ability to profit from nearly every branch, department, and building in DC. While most groups judiciously weigh every offer they receive from companies, the Senate has thoroughly sold itself out backwards and forewards.
We’re a little concerned that with Groupable’s useful array of features, the Senate would become too powerful. We think they might be one of the only groups we wouldn’t want on our system, as they would probably find shocking ways to abuse it.
For the time being, we’ve decided to block them by pre-emptively creating a Groupable page for the US Senate. If they want it back, they’ll have to take us to court to get it back… which is admittedly a playing field that gives them the advantage.
As of April 16, 2009, there were approximately 12,900 videos found on You Tube under the search phrase “sponsor us.”
Many of these are non-profit causes urging donations. Some are legitimate extreme athletes, skateboarding, bmx, etc., while an awfully disproportionate number are kids looking for sponsors of their “finger-boarding” teams. Not to be believed, mini skateboards called Tech Decks are “ridden” with fingers, moving the board back and forth, flipping it with - fingers. Hey, we at Groupable think that virtually any activity is sponsorable - even the annual hot-dog eating contest at Coney Island…but take a look at this video and watch the sheer athleticism required to perform these tricks. Sponsors, we’re calling you all to get involved in this burgeoning “sport.”
If you are not already registered with Groupable, You might be thinking, “Find a Sponsor at Groupable? - but who would sponsor our book, wine or puppy-lovers’ group?
Take 40 seconds to see how Groupable was made for you, even if you don’t think you’re “sponsorable”:
#1. You’re part of a group that doesn’t have sponsors.
Do you know how easy it can be to get sponsored? Groupable does! Whether your group is a meetup, magazine, gaming group, newspaper, sports league, band, student group, orchestra, performing group, record label, support group, or other “group,” if operating your group requires stuff, consider getting sponsored through Groupable.
Examples of stuff:
Location: A place to have meetings. AKA Venue, Meetup Spot, Coffee Shop? Take note: Sponsors give groups places to meet and group about their groupy ways.
Food: Eatable Stuff: Stuff you pay for…that probably doesn’t last very long. Consider: Sponsors provide food and drink.
Membership:It takes time to organize and run a group. It probably even takes money. Sponsors help with that, too (”Minor detail”).
Equipment and Services: Consoles, internet, pamphlets, brochures, furniture, vehicles, organizational and logistics assistance. Stuff you might need or get anyone just so your group can do its group thing.
Ideas: Believe it or not, Sponsors sometimes educate groups and introduce them to resources and new ways of operating. It has been known to happen!
Here we are. Come sponsor us.
Can your group be a bigger, better group if it focuses more on its mission and less on logistics and finances? Of course.
Somewhere over the rainbow, your group can sidestep the coffee shop or the group organizer’s musty basement, or at least streamline membership by reducing costs.
#2. You’re part of a group that already has sponsors.
Sponsors will sponsor you through Groupable — and may prefer to do so. Why? We’re ohsoglad™ you asked:
It’s easier and faster to sponsor through Groupable! Sponsors can see your sponsorship opportunities, pay or commit online, and easily see all the records they need to quickly authorize the sponsorship and make things happen for your group. Everyone saves time!
Online sponsors can instantly sponsor online. Offline sponsors can use the Group Sponsorship PDF to easily sponsor by fax, mail, or in person. Some (many? most?) sponsors require documents, and Groupable makes this easy and automatic.
Your existing Sponsors get to see your new sponsorship opportunities immediately.
More Sponsors will see your group on Groupable, and you may find Sponsors locally or nationally who will rock your Group’s socks off ( **Figuratively** ). Keep in mind that Sponsors on Groupable are already actively considering groups to Sponsor. Complete your Groupable Profile, rack up Groupability points and you’re in good shape.
More Sponsors will see your group. Period. Groupable is growing, growing, growing…and working and networking to give Groupable groups better access to Sponsorship. Magnify your sponsorship effort. Register your Group at Groupable!
You do fund raising. Anywhere. Ever.You might be a non-profit, or a school, or otherwise support a cause. You may not call yourself a “group” but the sponsors who find you through Groupable won’t mind one bit.
You advertise. Anywhere. Ever. First, a concept: Some Sponsors are Groups that receive Sponsorships. Some Groups, in turn, Sponsor other Groups. Cue BizSpeak:
Sponsoring a group is an excellent way to increase awareness of your services, brand, or group. By sponsoring a group, you often gain unparalleled access to direct feedback, instant focus groups, or even wide distribution to introduce or test adoption new services and products.
You host events, rallies, races, classes, courses, or competitions. Sorry. We’re feeling a little verklempt, here. Talk amongst yourselves? Consider registering as a Sponsor. “Support our Groups!“
In fact, there are so many mind-boggling opportunities here, that even summarizing would make this “Quick” list much less quick. We encourage you to first register with Groupable then contact us to see how Groupable can help you.
All of us at Groupable would love to hear from you and encourage you to register, as a Group, as a Sponsor, or both!
Web Poet pens a poem that’s near and dear to our hearts.
Gather round, we people do;
Right there, meeting once a month.
Benefactor has gone out.
What for broken belly’s be?
Our group, much more than able.
Come sponsor, tea and the chips.
Just a few years ago, the thought of getting a sponsor in exchange for a poem would be silly. Thanks to Groupable’s new take on sponsorship, it could be a reality.
Unfortunately for Web Poet’s empty tummy, she hasn’t yet registered for a Groupable account.
It’s Spring and crazy micro-sponsorship is in the air.
Kentucky Fried Chicken has been busy preparing a new recipe - one for asphalt. That’s right. As part of the “Fresh Tastes Best” campaign initiated first in Louisville, KY, KFC has agreed to fill 350 potholes in exchange for the oppt’y to stamp “Re-freshed by KFC” on the roadway. It’s estimated that $3,000 will be required to fix 350 potholes in the city.
KFC and Colonel Sanders Sponsor our Nation's Potholes
The pilot infrastructure program is offering road-repair grants to cities across the country if mayors allow KFC to sponsor freshly repaired potholes with the temporary chalk, branded message.
So far, the cities of Louisville, Cleveland and Birmingham have bitten.
Mayor Daley of Chicago is also interested in the windfall and declared that he is amenable to the idea if KFC is willing to pay $25 million. That would be about $500k for the potholes and another $24.5 million to help fill the budget gap that Chicago is reeling from.
Sorry Mayor, the Colonel won’t fix all your problems - which is what KFC said to the City of Chicago, leaving a very bad taste is the mouths of Chicago citizens. Well, at least it tastes like chicken.
The U.S. Senate
