What is your charity’s name and Mission?

The Museum of Florida Art, Inc.

The Museum of Florida Art offers a venue where:
-  creativity is fostered.
-  appreciation of art is nurtured.
-  all people are welcomed.

The mission of the Museum of Florida Art is to promote and showcase Florida Art and emerging and established Florida Artists through exhibitions and educational and interpretive programming made available to a diverse statewide audience of all ages; to collect and preserve works of art for this purpose; to publish books and other materials concerning the foregoing; and to make such resources available for the public.

How long have you been using Twitter and who's idea was it?
Since September 11, 2008.  We began seriously using it as a marketing tool as the popularity of Twitter began to increase over the past year.  It was my idea – I had been keeping our Web 2.0 presence up-to-date and really turning more and more to the internet as our advertising budget began to dry up.  A lot of nonprofit arts organizations have had to tighten their belts this year, and using Web marketing has been a great resource for many of us.

What have you enjoyed so far whilst using Twitter?
What has been so enjoyable about using Twitter over this period has been the ability to interact with people who had never heard of us or had just never been here, allowing them to see what we have to offer.  We have been able to share TwitPics with them of upcoming exhibits, announce openings and special events, and answer any question they might have about an artist or a show.  It has been a valuable tool in giving us the ability to interact with other Museums and arts organizations as well.  We have been able to chip away at the idea that Museums are elitist organizations which cater only to a certain demographic; and to instill in people that art is for everyone.

Have there been any incidents of followers doing something wonderful for you?
Followers have been very kind and very complimentary.  They have also recommended us on #FollowFriday, #FollowArt and #MuseumFollow.  They have ReTweeted our conversations and have even done some marketing for us!  Interaction with people who appreciate our mission and our message is about as wonderful as you can get.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Finding the time to keep up with all of our followers and all the tweets that come in.  Also, just finding the time to tweet lately has been very difficult.   I want to be sure to keep our tweets personal, though.

Do you have a Twitter tip for other charities?
Quality about quantity.  You can have 5,000 followers, but if they aren’t reading your tweets, or interacting with you at all, it isn’t doing you any good.  Tweet about something besides yourself once in a while.  If it is all about you all the time, you become boring and nobody pays attention.  Interact with people.  Get to know them.  It isn’t just good for business advice, it is good advice anytime.

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