CauseWired: Plugging In, Getting Involved, Changing the World (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: online causes, social graph, online organizing, Mukhtaran Bibi, United States, New Orleans (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“In his timely book, CauseWired: Plugging In, Getting Involved, Changing the World (Wiley, 2008), Tom Watson tracks the growing trend of activists creatively using online media to generate new forms of involvement, support, and fundraising. Watson presents a series of case studies and anecdotes from his personal experience to analyze networked activism and provide a set of principles, as well as a few words of caution, for effective online organizing. All in all, the book provided a great read.” (FliptheMedia.com, February 2009)

"It's a fascinating read, not least because the principles he outlines for effective online organising are based on his own experiences. He has clearly identified the ways in which the network (Kiva.org) is making a difference, and given us a valuable primer in the ways in which those who want to change the world can make effective use of the tools and services now available." (BBCNews.com; 11/4/08)

"Journalist Tom Watson explores where technology and social action meet in this new release. Coining the phrase "CauseWired", Watson describes a movement that's tapping the web in creative ways to generate interest in activism-from organizing to raising funds." (The Business Review; 1/9/09)

"The campaign would not have happened if I hadn't read CauseWired. It is that simple. I think I knew everything I needed before the book, but CauseWired gave me something that I hadn't given it credit for in my earlier review: detailed, specific inspiration. The examples in that book gave me some confidence and momentum I would otherwise have lacked. If its effect on my life is the measure of a book's worth, then CauseWired ended up as the most valuable book I read in 2008." (additiverich.com, January 14, 2009)

"Watson, veteran consultant, journalist, and entrepreneur, gives us CauseWired: Plugging In, Getting Involved, Changing the World, published last month by Wiley. It's an important book. Why? Because what Watson analyzes here is a trend that will affect the entire non-profit sector and has implications for how change will happen in the future. His personal reflections speak to a deep engagement in the sector, which lends color to this book and makes for an engaging read. Watson provides an excellent road map of understanding about this new, wired (and wireless) approach to generating support. Anyone interested in the future of philanthropy should read this book, because the future has arrived." (The Green Skeptic Blog, December 8 2008)

"Anyone interested in using online activism against the death penalty should take a look at the new book, CauseWired: Plugging In, Getting Involved, Changing the World. It is about using online activism to change the world. The author, Tom Watson, also has a blog that is worth a look." (Grits for Breakfast Blog, November 2008)

"It is required reading. Not just because of the importance of the subject matter, not just because increasingly your business demonstrably has to stand for something, but also because it is filled with lessons in low cost marketing and you just know you're going to be expected to market smarter in the coming years." (makemarketinghistory.com, 10/24/08)

“In sum, this is a must-read for anyone in this burgeoning social-media-for-social-change space. It is recommended reading for anyone who wants to better understand what’s taking place on the social web in general. We’re officially adding it to our sidebar of recommended reading. And we look forward to hearing about your reactions to CauseWired…and which pages you were compelled to dog-ear for future reference.” (maxgladwell.com, October 2008)

  “I want to change things, and some things really need changing. If you have ever felt like that, then this is a book for you. It is not a "how to" book in the way of thousands of other pointless pages of lists. This is a down in the dirt, first hand reportage on some of the largest social movements on the Internet and what made it work for them.” (blog.david.bailey.net, 10/5/08)

  “If you’re in the nonprofit world and haven’t yet taken advantage of the online space, then this book is full of great ammunition for you to take to your executives to persuade them that it’s the right thing to do.” (endlessplain.com, 9/23/08)

"Causewired is the first book focused on making sense of social media in the nonprofit world. Watson not only gets it—but he also explains why social media matters in understandable terms. Tom Watson’s Causwired, is must reading for anyone in the nonprofit world." (Blackbaud.com, September 17, 2008)

Product Description

"The title of the book is not only intended to describe the movement toward networked social and political action, but like The Long Tail, Groundswell, and Tipping Point, it’s predisposed for buzzword status. Which is to say it’s potentially a term that transcends the book itself and becomes a part of the language we use, where the entire meaning of the book can be conveyed in a single word: CauseWired…" (MaxGladwell.com, October 7, 2008)

"Tom Watson’s book, CauseWired ... is a must read for nonprofits, community organizers, social entrepreneurs and advocates looking for motivation and examples of social media at work." (Lucy Bernholz, November 13, 2008)

"CauseWired is the first book focused on making sense of social media in the nonprofit world. Watson not only gets it-but he also explains why social media matters in understandable terms. Tom Watson's CauseWired, is must reading for anyone in the nonprofit world." (Blackbaud.com, September 17, 2008)

"It’s the perfect book to hand an executive director or board member or Communications VP who may not be as hands on with these tools as we are - and needs to understand the big picture." (Beth Kanter, November 3, 2008)

"A fascinating chronicle of the way in which social media and connectedness is changing the face of philanthropy and activism." (Cased.com, October 19,

2008)

"Some books come and go very quickly. Others are stickier and crystallize and capture a moment in time. CauseWired by Tom Watson fits perfectly into the latter category…At first glance the ribald, roiling world of online activism can feel overwhelmingly chaotic - and that’s exactly why CauseWired is so important. Watson makes sense of this new world by using real-world people and stories and creates a fun, fast read — go and get yourself a copy!" (Allison Fine, Social Citizens, October 23, 2008)

From the Foreword by Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation:

"From every direction, new opportunities to get involved are being presented and developed by a new breed of civic leaders and entrepreneurs.

And though the debate over how best to blend business models and nonprofit missions continues, the integration of entrepreneurial thinking and online tools into philanthropic ventures and the equally important integration of giving and nonprofit sensibility into corporate cultures are well underway.

"CauseWired does a wonderful job chronicling exactly that — the imaginative and bold ways people have chosen to make their voices and their causes heard using new tools, new technologies, and new social relationships.

"What is more, it provides an instructional narrative for anyone who wants to play a role in building this new culture of giving."

An eye-opening guide to the massive societal impact of online social networks

For today's super-wired, always-on, live-life-in-public young Americans, the causes they support define who they are. Societal aspirations have so permeated the "net native" population that causes have become like musical tastes. CauseWired illustrates wired causes in action, bringing real-world stories to readers.

The first book to track the massive societal impact on causes of online social networks--from blogs, to video, to the rise of social networks, CauseWired reveals the extraordinary influence of online social networks--in raising money for charity, in changing the political climate and electing candidates, and in raising consciousness for causes.

From Facebook causes and campaigns on MySpace, to a raft of new startups and innovative projects, and political movements like the Obama campaign and Save Darfur, this immensely relevant book delivers actionable research and recommendations to help readers launch their own successful wired social campaigns.

Tom Watson (Mount Vernon, NY) is the publisher of onPhilanthropy.com and founder of newcritics.com, an online journal of culture. A contributing writer to the Huffington Post with a 25-year professional career that includes the founding of two companies and several popular online publications, he is Chief Strategy Officer of Changing Our World Inc., a national philanthropic services company.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (November 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470375043
• ISBN-13: 978-0470375044
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #129,523 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is your cause wired for '09, December 29, 2008

By	B. Crawshaw "Aussie Marketer" (Canberra Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It probably happens to you once or twice a year.

A well known charity knocks at your door during its annual fund raising appeal. You make a donation and in return get a receipt. This brief encounter speeds your money off somewhere to help someone somehow. Or you might donate regularly to an aid agency that sends out an annual letter about a sponsored child in the third world.

This remote control philanthropy - where your donation helps someone but you're unsure who or how - is set to change according to US author Tom Watson. In his book Cause Wired he argues that Web2.0 technology is arming not for profit organizations with "weapons of mass collaboration" and transforming how people support good causes.

Watson believes that social networking applications like Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin etc are evolving from personal promotion into important fund raising, activist and political tools. And it seems internet users of all generations are welcoming the change. Members of Generation Y find that digitally supporting the issues they believe in is a natural extension of living their lives in public, online. And Baby Boomers are attracted because the new ways of online giving allow them to be personally involved and see results for themselves.

Watson explains how pioneer charities are beginning to use the power of Web 2.0 to gather, sort and distribute information to donors in a way once reserved for only their very wealthiest supporters. kiva.org is probably Cause Wired's best example of online fund raising. This digital not for profit allows small scale donors to use their credit cards and laptops to help struggling entrepreneurs in developing countries. For a $25 upwards you can join with others to loan money to specific individuals in specific countries such as a group of women needing sewing machines for their garment start-up or impoverished taxi drivers urgently after car repairs. Kiva works through established non government organizations (NGOs) and the web to provide the loans, monitor repayments and continually report back to donors through reports and images from the field.

Watson also cites other cases where digital philanthropy is achieving equally impressive results but he tempers his enthusiasm. While a campaign on a social networking site like Facebook may raise awareness of an important environmental, human rights or other issue, the actual fund raising figures for many charities still remain modest.
Cause Wired also explores how Web2.0 can empower political organizations and community movements to connect with citizens and consumers. Perhaps Barack Obama's Presidential election campaign is among the most powerful example of new media technologies helping to win a cause.

While Watson's 236 page book is enthusiastic about the new possibilities it acknowledges its limits. Online causes can get tens of thousands even millions of people talking. But they still need online leaders. Just like the bricks and mortar world committed individuals who can organize, coordinate, administer and generally keep things moving are still at a premium. And transitioning this digital attention to real world results is still the acid test. Once you have raised awareness you still need to motivate people to take out their cheque books and man the barricades.

Cause Wired is a very good, easy to read book.

It is a must for marketers in not for profit and community organizations who want their fund raising efforts to remain competitive in the coming year.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely and Inspirational, January 3, 2009

By	Bosco (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

CauseWired by Tom Watson describes an ongoing revolution in philanthropy sparked by the Internet's social networks. Sites like Kiva, DonorsChoose, and Change.org allow people to choose the global or local causes that matter most to them, to donate even small sums according to their preferences and passions, and often to see how their efforts benefit those causes.

A fluid and engaging writer, Watson, who knows the entrepreneurs behind these sites, and has participated in charitable and online start-ups from the Web's early years, describes how even Facebook and My Space allow people to add causes to their profile pages, making causes like AIDS/HIV awareness or cancer research part of their "identity." By advocating these causes with badges and inviting their "friends" to join, they raise awareness and passion even if they're not contributing money, because of youth or (temporarily) insufficient means. While major philanthropists like Warren Buffet will always play the biggest roles, a multitude of friends can make a big impact on any number of causes, from stopping genocide in Darfur to promoting women's health to education or cancer research--whatever issue hits closest to one's heart.

Watson also describes "Flash Causes," where millions of people blog, petition, and phone politicians and bureaucracies, such as insurance company Cigna, which denied Nataline Sarkisyan a liver transplant until she died; or Mukhtaran Bibi placed under house arrest by her native Pakistan for speaking out about human rights; and even the victims of hurricane Katrina. Using the Internet's social networks, people can call up virtual storms of outrage. These can, and have, pressed higher powers into action.

In the wake of the online groundswell that helped to elect Barack Obama, this book is timely and inspirational. Causewired is a phenomenon that is still in its infancy, but is already changing the world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CauseWired Makes Good Sense -- and Good Reading!, December 23, 2008

By	Scott Freiman "FrotSkyman" (Irvington, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

CauseWired is a cogent roadmap of today's activist sector. This book is a fun overview of how the world of activism and philanthropy has changed during and because of the digital age. Find out what is working in social change activism and why, who is doing great work, and how you can join in the action. I highly recommend CauseWired - buy it, read it, share it.