Saturday, October 25, 2008

What Can Texting Do for Your Social Venture

South Africa is using text messages to stamp out the spread of HIV. This program called Project Masiluleke is developed and funded by a group of technology firms namely, Nokia Siemens Networks, a variety of HIV charities, and several design firms. Even National Geographic is assisting on the education. Project Masiluleke is having amazing results.

How the system works:

A message is sent using what is know as "Please Call Me" (PCM Service)

PCS is a free form of text messaging across Africa, allows someone without any phone credit to send a text to asking for a call. Similar to the "page" this person option on most American VoiceMail systems.

Each sent PCM message says "Please Call Me," and the phone number of the caller. There is also space for an additional 120 characters.Extra space is used for advertising helping to offset the cost of running the service.

Text messages are sent asking individuals to call HIV Help Centers.

Results:

So far calls to counselors at the National Aids helpline increased by 200% when messages were broadcast. Small pilot projects showed that calls to the National Aids helpline rose from 1,000 to 4,000 when the system was in use.

Apply:

He have know for a while that text message are a great way to advertise. Text messages have the better Click Through Rate than print media, calls, and email. Using text messaging in your social venture to communicate with donors, activists, and clients will do great things. Leverage this great technology to increase donations, sells and man hours.

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