I tried to start a social movement.
I failed,
but I still won the contest.
Social Movements are really complex to start. The points I have learned around how to/how not to start a social movement are more valuable than my social movement.
This is not the only guidelines but it should help get anyone started on a better foot.
1. Simplicity
You need to be able to pitch your idea in 30 seconds or less. The longer your pitch is the less impact you can have.
2. Urgency
If your movement isn’t urgent you can’t expect people to just start caring.
Urgent movements revolve around things like earthquake relief, trying to get a bill passed in an upcoming election, stopping removal of a large wooded area for development.
If your movement isn’t urgent there has to be other motivation. It has to be fun, enjoyable, easy, routine and provide feedback. Getting people interested and keeping interested needs something unique, catchy and viral.
3. Power of Groups
The reason you start a social movement is to get groups of people to make impact together. You can’t expect to get enough people to reach a critical mass when you invite people 1 at a time. Also a random group of people isn’t helpful, you need to get a group of people who know who is going to see their actions.
Get a group of people, who care like you do, to be in it together. Get a class of students, an existing organization, a meet-up group, people who take the same train. Whatever group is the most obvious to care about your movement is who you want to join, and you want to get them to join together.
4. Get Offline
Online platforms are a great place to get people organized and on the same page (literally). You probably aren’t making the next twitter though so don’t think your site is going to make the impact by itself.
Think about what you are asking people to do for your social movement. Think about actions and real world experiences then think of how to make that experience better. Be creative, think big and don’t be afraid to tackle complex social situations. People need to have a conversation started to talk about your movement, share it and help other be active. Give them that tool…
5. You aren’t Going to Get it Right the 1st Time
The worst thing you can do is become so attached to your movement you aren’t willing to change it, reshape it or refocus it. When things seem to be going poorly, step back, look at what is working and what is stopping you. If one little bit of it has gotten traction, focus on it! Make that little piece that stands out the starting point for the movement.
Be ready to fail, regroup and keep going.
Don’t give up. Perseverance trumps all.
Now…go change the world.