The NCF wants a new logo. Rather than roll out a new logo fait accomplis, it posted ideas on its Facebook page and asked “Fans” of the page to comment. Ted Kahn, Executive Director of the NCF and who founded its Facebook Fan page, posted the logo to the page’s photo album and wrote “I created a new logo for NCF. I value your input. Do you like it? Or add a comment, let me know what you think, don’t be shy.”

Indeed the Fans were not shy. Users posted more than 60 comments to various iterations of the NCF’s logo. Even better, once folks had commented, Ted tagged people in the logo so they could get credit for contributing.

Draft NCF logo posted on Facebook for comment by users

Such “crowd-sourcing” via social networks is an effective and inexpensive way for organizations to develop practically anything new, whether products, programs, or marketing materials such as logos or taglines.

From day one you get buy-in and engagement from users who feel their opinion is valued. At the same time you are reducing the costs associated with developing something entirely in-house or contracted out. And when the result is rolled out, a positive response is more likely because you have had input from those who are most likely to have a stake.

Conservation organizations should look to examples like the NCF’s to learn how to better get our message out and connect with non-scientists.