Here at [Dundee Social Enterprise Network](https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwiU_6PV_YHPAhXjIMAKHeFQDssQFggiMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdundeesen.org%2F&usg=AFQjCNHM0M894sp53PgA1fsyalemmpFiCA&sig2=29jaK2ZaSCdi3XjDMvvJMA) we put a lot of work into supporting and developing our member social enterprises. So we always love it when our efforts are rewarded by progress, especially when our members go digital. We had the pleasure of working with and learning from SCVO, both as a [One Digital](http://digital.scvo.scot/onedigital/) anchor organisation and a digital champion participant. The experience gave us a better understanding of one of the most important third sector programmes for digital learning and engagement in Scotland.

#### **The digital landscape**

The online wilderness is dominated by huge brands that tower over a landscape scattered with small enterprises and organisations trying to get by. So how we can have our share? It’s all about trust. That’s why communication is essential. Small organisations have the advantage of being able to personalise their offer and build ongoing, relationships with people, whereas big businesses simply can’t. Small teams get to know their customers, service users and client base well, allowing them to build trust through regular communication. Trusting a big, established brand is different to trusting a small team. We trust a big brand because we assume it can provide a product or service without failure, and if not, it will offer some kind of compensation. The lesson: small organisations should communicate their human side and avoid clinical, sterile text.

#### **Understanding and reaching out**

One Digital made me aware of the need for digital tools in the third sector. Not all organisations are tech savvy. Some lack knowledge, skills or confidence, while others may not see how digital tools fit their line of work. But they’re usually keen to hear about the benefits of keeping up-to-date with the online environment. I am fortunate that the team at Dundee Social Enterprise Network is so digitally minded (and I am not just saying this, because they will most likely be reading!) Two very useful tools for me are the online graphic design platforms [Canva](https://www.canva.com/) and [Piktochart](https://piktochart.com/). They let me share visually striking updates with our stakeholders, and are very effective. The number of likes on our Facebook page has doubled in the last few months, with an increase of referral sources and visitors to our web pages. And this has not gone unnoticed - we’ve had organisations asking for website advice! Along with implementing web monitoring, search engine optimisation and [Google ad word tools](http://static.googleusercontent.com/grants/pdf/external-nonprofit-guide-2014.pdf), One Digital has helped us determine the value of each web and social media page we create. This in turn has influenced how we approach creating new content, especially with a personalised touch.  For us, pages with a higher quality and quantity of visually relevant information are much more likely to engage web users than pages with only text. Knowing who your audience is an important aspect of any form of marketing. It is actually getting easier to do this online. Whilst it may not feel like the most proactive thing to do because you’re not making something or publishing something, it helps you to focus on communicating with the right people in the right way. Otherwise you’ll become lost in the online jungle.

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored, learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)