This Wednesday, April 15th, you can participate in a free online event and webinar from TechSoup, Basics for Beginners: Getting Started with Social Media Tools.

So you've heard about Facebook, Twitter, and other online social networking sites. You know your organization should use social media, but you're not sure where to start. If this sounds familiar, you won't want to miss TechSoup's free online event and webinar: Basics for Beginners: Getting Started with Social Media Tools.

Join hosts, John Haydon, social media coach for nonprofits, and blogger and internet marketing consultant, Chris Garrett, as they demonstrate how to get started with social media and the value this can bring your organization. They'll explain the best first steps for getting started and help beginners understand how these emerging technologies can help libraries and nonprofits conduct outreach, raise funds, create community, and share ideas.

Register now for the live webinar, Wednesday, April 15th, 9 AM Pacific Standard Time.

Following the webinar, TechSoup will host a free, day-long online event, where you can post additional questions to the expert event hosts in the TechSoup Community forums:   http://www.techsoup.org/go/web2_basics. The forums event is asynchronous (not live) and no registration is required, just show up and post!

Dive into the discussion in the TechSoup online forums where we'll discuss such topics as:

• How can you make the most of social media with very little resources (time, money, staff)?
• Smart ways to use social media to engage new and existing supporters
• How much time should you devote to social media each day?
• What is the best way to fundraise with social media?

This free event is ideal for beginners who are looking for simple steps they can take to effectively use social media to enhance their missions. Whether you're brand new to Web 2.0 tools or looking to share your social media successes and lessons learned, please stop by and add your voice to the conversation: http://www.techsoup.org/go/web2basics

Have any questions? Please email: community@techsoup.org.

About TechSoup.org

TechSoup.org is a trusted technology resource that offers a variety of information and services for the nonprofit sector. In addition to accessing articles and worksheets, social benefit organizations can connect with a lively online community of peers for hands-on help, or receive product donations from major vendors through its product philanthropy service. This popular program has enabled organizations to save over $1.2 billion in IT expenses as of September 2008.