Above: Tracey Clark and Kristen Doyle discuss how they were able to raise money and awareness about the Shot@Life campaign through their #Shot4Shot campaign. Shot@Life educates, connects and empowers Americans to champion vaccines as one of the most cost-effective ways to save the lives of children in developing countries.

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Last Saturday the UN Foundation and its Shot@Life campaign sponsored a session at EVO social media conference for women entitled Using Your Storytelling Powers for Good.

Speaking on the panel were Devi Thomas, Director of Shot@Life, Tracey Clark (traceyclark.com), Kristen Doyle (dineanddish.com), Chrysula Winegar (whenuwakeupamother.com and millionmomschallenge.com) and me (socialgoodmoms.com).

The overarching theme of the session centered around storytelling and how to effectively incorporate social good into one’s blog. Using the power of authentic stories, causes and non-profits can be successfully amplified on a personal blog especially if the cause or non-profit is something you deeply care about.

Devi Thomas, Director of Shot@Life, drove home the importance of storytelling to better discuss weighty issues.

Working with non-profits, whether they are local, national, or global, is quite easy. Many of these organizations are limited and cash-strapped. Any help a blogger can offer them will always be well-received. Do not hesitate to contact non-profits via traditional email or even via social media (especially Twitter) if they are active on the medium.

If you are going to write about and support causes be sure to stay around for the long haul. You don’t simply want to write about a cause and forget about it. Choose causes carefully and be fully invested in them.

Also, be sure to educate yourself as much as possible about the cause you care about and bring your readers and followers along on your journey.

Once you have identified a cause that you care about it becomes easier to discuss them on your blog by sharing stories that relate to the cause. It helps your readers become more interested in the cause and helps relay your passion for it.

Chrysula Winegar discussed hooks and anchors she used to write about Shot@Life from her mother’s friend who has polio to meeting Nelson Mandela.

Learn more about Shot@Life at ShotatLife.org.

Photo of Devi Thomas: Kim Orlandini Photography

All other photos: Jennifer James

I was invited by the UN Foundation to be a panelist on the Storytelling Powers for Good Session and received a stipend to cover travel and expenses.