“So that anyone, anywhere can try Idealist at no cost.

Usually, job postings on Idealist cost only $60, but this month we are inviting all nonprofit organizations, as well as vendors and consultants who serve the nonprofit sector, to post all their job openings for free. (Volunteer opportunities, internships, and jobs posted outside the United States are always free.)

If you have never tried Idealist, or if you have used us only for entry-level jobs, we hope you’ll try us for all your positions. 60,000 people come to Idealist every day, and many of them are seeking high-level jobs.

And if you are looking for a job, our goal this month is to get you as many job openings as we can, but to do this we need your help. If you know anyone at an organization that is not currently using Idealist, please invite them to join us. And if you have a way to get the word out to friends and colleagues across the sector – through a mailing list, a blog, or any other way – please tell them that Idealist is free for the whole month of June.”

So, if you’re recruiting for a position, be sure to post the announcement on Idealist.org. And if you’re looking…well, we can keep a secret!

So, should your nonprofit have a blog? That question was recently answered on the WildApricot.com blog. Their post, 10 Reasons Why Every Nonprofit Must Have a Blog presents an excellent argument for starting a blog today. From great search engine optimization (SEO – the ability to find your website on a search engine, like Google) to maximizing your fundraising efforts, WildApricot tells you how blogging can help you achieve your mission.

How do you get started in blogging? First, I recommend reading a few good blogs and possibly an ebook about blogging. For some great examples of nonprofit blogging, visit SOS Children’s Villages – USA and LA’s Homeless Blog. When you want to learn more about blogging, visit Blogging Startup or any of the other blogs listed in 7 Must Read Blogs for New Bloggers.

Finally, if you’re looking for a book on how to start a blog, it’s not easy to find one. But here’s the short list of books I would recommend:

• Clear Blogging: How People Blogging Are Changing the World and How You Can Join Them (2008) by Bob Walsh
• The Secret Power of Blogging: How to Promote and Market Your Business, Organization, or Cause with Free Blogs (2007) by Bruce Brown
• Blogging for Dummies (2008) by Susannah Gardner and Shane Birley [There is also an older Blogging for Dummies book by Brad Hill. It's a good book, but already a couple years old.]
• WordPress for Dummies (2007) by Lisa Sabin-Wilson and Matt Mullenweg [WordPress is the most popular software used for blogging. And it's free.]

And, if you want a free book on blogging, download Bryan Clark’s ebook, Bigshot Blogging. This is a great book for beginning bloggers with lots of great advice and instructions.

Finally, if you just want to ask some questions about blogging or need some guidance, contact me and I will gladly assist you. I’m a dedicated blogger (currently managing and writing for four blogs) and love to assist new bloggers.

[PhotoCredit:Antigone]