Why charities should be excited about the iPad

Newsletters and magazines can raise huge amounts of money and be fantastic engagement tools.

They can also be boring justifications of a charity's existence that do little more than turn people off.

The boring kinds are often summed up in research in a similar fashion:

"I don't really look at it, but it's nice to have just in case I do."

It's why I'm so excited about the iPad. I think it could soon be the most exciting way that charities will communicate with supporters.

Take a look at this demo piece from Sports Illustrated. Rather than football players throwing footballs (in a USA style), imagine seeing a new well being dug and – in one click – watching people talk about it's impact.

Rather than seeing shots of baseball, you might see a group of disadvantaged children having their first trip to the seaside or a cancer researcher showing you a cell being disrupted in microscopic scale.

With a few sweeps of the finger, donors will see how their money is being used and be able to share details on a favourite project with friends via Facebook.

With another sweep, they could be sending a campaigning message to the prime minister.

As you'll see, even the ads will be interactive. Upgrades could be a joy for donors.

And, most excitingly, readers can construct the magazine that works for them. Policy statements and items of high internal importance can be included and the donor can promote or relegate them according to their interests.

Take a look and just think what your charity could do.

Comments

[Jackie Mendoza]

Yes, totally agree, the opportunities are near to endless and also we'd be targeting a niche audience, wouldn't we? I for one can't wait to get my hands on one but I'm not your typical donor - or at least I like to think I'm not!