Nine Reasons Why Associations Should Be Posting Content to Wikipedia

What is Wikipedia?
"Wikipedia is a multilingual, web-based, free content encyclopedia project. Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers from all around the world. With rare exceptions, its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the Internet, simply by clicking the edit this page link. The name Wikipedia is a portmanteau of the words wiki (a type of collaborative website) and encyclopedia. Since its creation in 2001, Wikipedia has grown rapidly into one of the largest reference Web sites ." ~~Wikipedia's Website~~

Eight Reasons Why Your Association Should Be Posting to Wikipedia? 

1. Your association is the most credible voice for the industry you serve.
2. You have an opportunity to reach and educate millions of people - for some industries, this means saving lives.
3. It's free to contribute content and articles.
4. By demonstrating your authority on industry subject matter, your articles and content become indirect (pull) marketing tools for prospect members.
5. Wikipedia in one of the top ten most visited websites on the Internet.
6. Wikipedia appears at the top of Google searches.
7. Contributions remain the property of their creators.*
8. Wikipedia wants you to “be bold” and “fix problems, correct grammer, add facts, and make sure the wording is accurate.” It not only allows you to do it, “it wants you to do it.”
9. This is a HUGE opportunity for associations that should not be missed.

I highly recommend that your association's management team and attorney read through the rules for contributing to Wikipedia and the *GNU Free Documentation licensing terms before posting any content.  Because this is a relatively new medium, the process of uploading content should be strategic and well thought out.

Visit Wikipedia today and conduct a few test searches for your association and the industry you serve. See what the public is finding when they do a search. At the bare minimum your association's name should be listed with the most important facts. Beyond that, the possibilities are endless!

Comments

[Ben Martin]

In what sense do you mean that contributions remain the property of their creators? As I understand it, Wikipedia content is offered under GNU Free Documentation License, so anyone who contributes to Wikipedia is basically giving anyone the right to reuse their content. That's not really a bad thing. Just thought I'd seek your clarification on this point. I agree that there is promise for associations who use Wikipedia to extend their reach, but based on my experience, associations shouldn't just jump into this.

Ooooh, I feel a post brewing: Eight reasons why associations should NOT be posting content to Wikipedia. Because I'm actually in favor of the strategy, I might have trouble coming up with eight reasons, but I can think of 3-4 really good ones off the top of my head. :-)

Link to GNU FD License: http://tinyurl.com/cmb7c

[Joe Grant]

Good question Ben, I can see how this might be tricky.

Text on the Wikipedia Statistics page states: "All of the text in Wikipedia, and most of the images and other content, is covered by the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL). Contributions remain the property of their creators, while the GFDL license ensures the content is freely distributable and reproducible. (See the copyright notice and the content disclaimer for more information.)"

You are right - this is NOT equivalent to a copyright.

I strongly advise associations to read through the GNU Free Documentation Licensing terms and be selective in the content that is uploaded.

To go one step further, have your association's attorney review the license and get his/her thoughts what they deem appropriate for uploading.

I still think there is an opportunity here albeit one that must be well planned and well thought out.

Many associations have been trying to reach the general public with educational content for years. In some cases they may be trying to protect the consumer from fraud and in others, it may be to save a life from improper procedures or equipment.

Associations have limited financial resources and the idea of a national campaign just isn't feasible. I see this as a possible solution to their problem. The ability to more effectively reach the masses at a relatively low cost.

[Joe Grant]

Fellow blogger Ben Martin has provided some great food for thought on his blog regarding the learning curves and challenges associated with Wikipedia.

Link: http://caeexam.blogspot.com/2007/06/six-reasons-for-assns-to-steer-clear-of.html

Moral of the story - do you homework and understand the rules before jumping in - but don't think that if you ignore the tool it will go away, it's here to stay. Someone will tell your story, it may be your association or it may be someone else – but either way, it will be told.