# Giving in a digital world – about THIS blog

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/07/01/giving-digital-world-about-blog/
- Published: 2007-07-01T19:34:30+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

As I write this introduction it is July 2007. But, with the ever faster advance 
of digital technology and the news every day of a recently launched web company 
being snapped-up by investors for amazing amounts of money, it feels more like the
digital gold rush of 1999 to 2000. Just before the market dot-bombed.

 

The difference about today’s digital gold rush is that now consumers have caught-
up with the technology. We have 70% of UK households online with over 80% of them
now on broadband, and mobile phones in almost everyone’s pockets. More people go
online during the day than watch TV and online advertising spend has passed outdoor
and press levels and is fast approaching that of dear old direct mail.

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According to the [ePhilanthropy Foundation](http://www.ephilanthropy.org/site/PageServer),
in the US online donations went [up by over 50% between 2005 and 2006](http://www.imakenews.com/ephilanthropy/e_article000838375.cfm?x=b9Lgdjb,b7r7t9y8,w)–
to $6.87 billion. Whilst I can’t seem to find anyone reporting the equivalent data
for growth of UK online donations, I’m sure it’s seen the same sort of stepchange.
[Justgiving.com](http://justgiving.com) alone has reportedly seen the income it 
has raised go from £500k in 2001 to [£73m in 2006](http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2062436,00.html).

 

All of which makes it an incredibly exciting time for anyone interested in using
digital communications to help charities more effectively engage with consumers.

 

And that’s why I agreed to write this blog. Because I am genuinely excited by the
opportunities available and I’m keen to share my excitement and get other people
excited too.

 

The future of effective digital communications is all about collaboration – taking
advantage of the interactions made possible through digital channels to enable people
to connect and engage more actively with things they’re interested in – including
charities.

 

So, with this in mind please do feel free to collaborate in the creation of this
blog.

 

I’ll publish posts about things I feel might be of interest to fundraisers and other
charity marketers who want to make more of digital communications. And, if you happen
to come across something you think people should know about – then let me know.

 

It’s a very big digital world out there – but if everyone chips-in we’ll at least
have a chance to keep tabs on what’s going-on.

 

 * **[Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year](https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/07/03/volunteer-fundraiser-year/)**(
   3 July 2007)
 * **[Donor abuse is rife in the sector](https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/07/03/donor-abuse-rife-sector/)**(
   3 July 2007)
 * **[Where are the new leaders?](https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/07/03/where-are-new-leaders/)**(
   3 July 2007)