[smartads]
Japan is still recovering from its worst ever natural disaster – the massive earthquake and tsunami that rocked the world’s most tech savvy nation last Friday (11th March). To make matters worse, the nation is still reeling under the threat of nuclear radiation leaks and the seeming never ending series of aftershocks.
Social media has lent a major helping hand in most natural disasters – be it the Haiti earthquake or the Australian bushfire. It’s fair to say that when disaster strikes, citizens the world looks up to social media for the rescue act.
In case of Japan, social media has emerged as the primary tool to spread news, cry for help, pass information to family and friends, and even search for the missing. As a social media user, here are 5 ways in which you can help Japan on the path of recovery after the deadly tsunami and earthquake.
#1 – Contribute
The who’s who of technology world including Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter have joined hands to help donate to Japan’s recovery efforts following the massive earthquake and devastating tsunami. You can donate through iTunes, Red Cross Facebook campaign, Twitter and several other online sources.
If you are an avid gamer, contribute to Zynga’s efforts to raise $2 million for Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake Tsunami Emergency Fund. You can donate money through the purchase of virtual goods in CityVille, FrontierVille, FarmVille and its other games. You can also donate directly to Redcross right from your cellphone by Texting REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.
#2 – Promote
If you don’t have the money to donate, the next best thing you can do is promote these noble relief efforts through your social media presence – Facebook profile, Twitter page and in-person video requests through YouTube. In many cases, a simple click will allow users with limited funds to promote the site on their walls thereby encouraging friends and family to give what they can.
#3 – Be cautious
Unfortunate as it is, scammers use such natural disasters to mint money from unsuspecting public. Most such scams follow familiar patterns: requests for money, messages offering big bucks to help bogus heirs, subverted Facebook links to tsunami videos, and the like. It’s crucial to adopt a cautious approach and to educate others about such potential scams.
For example, if you’ve come across a scammer who’s trying to fool people to make donations for personal gains, it’s a good idea to update such info on your social media profiles to spread awareness.
Offer an exclusive discount or bonus to your followers if they purchase one of your products or events. This also helps track how many people are signing up as customers from your social media efforts.
#4 – Help
Japan has nearly 10 million active Twitter users. A large number of Japanese are still seeking help on Twitter to reach out to loved ones as the country’s telecommunication system virtually shutdown after a number of mobile phone networks and some telephone landlines collapsed in the hours following the 8.9 scale earthquake.
If you have any Japanese nationals amongst your Twitter followers, make sure to lend a helping hand in whatever best possible manner.
#5 – Pray
When nothing else works, prayers do.
May God be with Japan!
what a pity the poor Japanese
Your advice amounts to Jack all. One you are ignorant to think that the RED CROSS can personally solve the epic catastrophe facing Japan. #2 to tell people… Just assume anyone asking for money are scammers… the fact is your donation to RC DOES NOT guarantee that money will go do Japan. RC doesn’t show money-in and money-out… To bring you out of the clouds and into perspective… let me give you some. Go go Google.com select the JP Tsunami update and then select the shelter view on the map to get a figgin clue. The bottom line is we better damn well HOPE other groups will be getting into the fray raising money for the needs of Japanese because if they aren’t God help Japan… U see unlike your cushy little hamlet with 500 npos and church groups Japan has like 5 such groups that are ALL very much tied into the “system” Reality check #2…. the Japanese media would NEVER tell the truth and go against the status quo… so Japan would lets people suffer and die and go without food in order to save face.
I am an serial entrepreneur and CEO of Foundups Corp., a Delaware c-corp and have launched HelpJapan.co and are looking for investments NOT donations… we WILL invest 100% of all net profits back into the recovery efforts… we may even become a npo or ngo… our lean startup seeks to innovate and compliment the institutional relief npos and ngos and bring about a collaborative, grassroots solution that can be duplicated and delivered to every community in Japan… we will test our solution in one small 100-500 member community and see get it on its feet faster then a institutional and gov methodology that hasn’t change much in 100 years.
Thanks for the rant and plug. I wish your organization success with its intended goodwill.
Great post Douglas. Here’s another option to help Japan. Start using the Hello Bar (a simple notification bar on the top of your website) to drive awareness for the Japan earthquake and promote donations for several organizations. Follow this link to learn more:
http://www.dtelepathy.com/blog/telepathy/how-to-help-japan-with-aid-and-awareness/
Thanks for the reminder Juan! Time to re-activate my Hellobar.
.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸PRAYER WAVE¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸
Going out to all those affected in Japan, the Pacific and everywhere else affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Keep this going ♥
Great post! Just wanted to recommend PEACE for Japan… find support here: http://peaceinjapan.posterous.com/
Thanks for the post. Good to see Promote, Help and Prayer on your list. I also saw http://bit.ly/gAi0Yp which lists ways to help without giving any money. There’s plenty of other news and advice on the #jpquake hashtag too. If the nuclear fallout worsens let’s hope our governments can help much more with logistics. Peace.
Helping Japan should be a high priority for those of us fortunate enough to live on firm ground and inland. My personal favorite for donations is the humanitarian fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know money sent through them will go where it belongs with nothing skimmed along the way. You can find more info for donating at http://secure3.convio.net/ldsp/site/Donation2?df_id=1240&1240.donation=form1&mboxSession=1299097125978-191591. Other ways you can help are with toiletries for their hygiene kits. If you have questions or would like additional information, you can contact Humanitarian Services by phone at 801-240-1201 or by e-mail at lds-charities@ldschurch.org.
The part about praying is the most powerful source of help there is!
I just want to mention I am just beginner to weblog and absolutely enjoyed your web site. Most likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You actually have great article content. With thanks for sharing your blog.
very valuable stuff, overall I imagine this is worthy of a book mark, many thanks
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
This website has a lot of really useful stuff on it. Thanks for helping me.
When are you going to post again? You really inform me!
This site has a lot of very useful info on it! Cheers for helping me!
Whilst I truly like this publish, I think there was an punctuational error shut to the end of the third section.
This blog site has lots of very helpful info on it! Thanks for sharing it with me.
Im getting a small problem. I cant get my reader to pick-up your feed, Im using google reader by the way.
An interesting talk about casino and betting agencies is worth my comment. I think that you ought to publish more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people do not talk about such issues.Casino internet betting it really is the most effective and safe way to place your bets at the moment. The bonuses and promotions are often an attractive feature for online poker. You will never obtain these options in any conventional casino.
This website is very cool! How can I make one like this .
Amazing article, thanks, I will bookmark you now!
Have you considered adding several social bookmarking links to these sites. At the very least for bebo.
Have you considered including some social bookmarking buttons to these sites. At the very least for facebook.
Fantastic Stuff, do you currently have a youtube account?
Although I genuinely like this publish, I believe there was an spelling error close to the end of your third paragraph.
http://www.localseoforlawyers.com/
Hahahahahahaha, this politics related YouTube video is actually so humorous, I liked it. Thanks designed for sharing this.
I have got one idea for your web page. It looks like right now there are a number of cascading stylesheet issues while opening a selection of webpages within google chrome as well as safari. It is working alright in internet explorer. Probably you can double check this.
Awesome post ! Cheers for, commenting on my blog page dude. I shall message you soon. I didnt know that.
Jesus Christ there is plenty of spammy feedback on this site. Have you actually believed about trying to eliminate them or installing a plugin?
This site has lots of extremely helpful stuff on it. Thanks for helping me.
100% natural solution to thyrois issues & having a baby issues. Should you be worried about the unborn new born’s wellness this is the remedy to suit your needs
Easy Methods To Grow Hair Efficiently And Also The Fastest Way Likely
Mira Your Hair Oil Scam — Does This Product Meet Its Claims
Hello. impressive job. I did not imagine this. This is a remarkable story. Thanks!
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also consult with my web site =). We can have a hyperlink change contract among us!
I enjoy your wp format, where did you get a hold of it?