Quick Thoughts on Digital Strategy

Great post (as always) but I'm just thinking if having no strategy is a good idea? Mainly as some charities I work with don't have any strategy for online, so therefore don't do much online. By having a strategy it enables them to stay focused on what needs to be done, and use their time more effectively.

Though, on the other side, too much time spent on the creation of that strategy can have as much a negative effect (as you mention above). Perhaps the key is to have a balance, a 'top level' strategy for the whole organisation – 'this is who our audience are', 'this is what we need to achieve', 'this is the message we want to get out there' etc. – something that everyone understands and can get behind, but leaves room for trying new things out rapidly as and when required.

That way charities can move fast and experiment online, but also keep focused on what they are doing and ensure that is relevant for their cause.

Anyway, hope you guys are good, and sorry I couldnt make it to the IOF this week – Enjoy London!

Hi Aj, saw you at the convention, spoke to you afterwards and owe you a huge thank you for all your drive and inspiration. I spent three days at that convention and heard a lot about what other people have done. There were some good moments but I work with some unique people, helping unique people and we needed building blocks rather than someone's good idea to copy. Which is what you provided, so thanks again. As someone with no expertise in social media, I find myself placed in an organisation full of hugely talented people who have all the tools to create a real buzz – though they are all homeless. We are lucky in that our lines of dialogue with our clients are very good, and I am now speaking to these guys to create a media group who will lend drive and direction to our media offering.

I learnt a lot yesterday, and am excited about what is to come. Some simply incredible people with uplifting stories will now be heard and I can't wait. I know you spend a lot of time in England, come and see the New Forest, bring your wife, see some inspirational people – you'll always be welcome.

Jon, GREAT thoughts!! I think the top level strategy should be less about tools and more about story. I see .orgs get all wound up deciding what platform they will be using and how as opposed to what stories are they telling and distributing. I'm totally with you on this one.

It would been great to see you bro! Next time

Hey Peter, first of all thanks SO much for taking the time to stop by the blog. And thank you so very much for the kind words.

I can hear your passionate through this laptop screen, and I am so excited for you, my friend. Remember you can do this, just start experimenting often and early.

I am in the UK often and would love to stop by, where exactly is New Forest anyway?

Sorry for taking so long to reply, have been on a three day break in Amsterdam with my wife (with our young boys being looked after by family), what a weekend! The New Forest is on the South coast of England, between Bournemouth and Southampton and has hours of fantastic walking and mountain biking with coastal views for miles. Well worth a mini break – the weather is usually kinder than other parts of the UK as well.

Sounds like a beautiful place, must make a stop soon!

Sorry for taking so long to reply, have been on a three day break in Amsterdam with my wife (with our young boys being looked after by family), what a weekend! The New Forest is on the South coast of England, between Bournemouth and Southampton and has hours of fantastic walking and mountain biking with coastal views for miles. Well worth a mini break – the weather is usually kinder than other parts of the UK as well.

Sounds like a beautiful place, must make a stop soon!