A few tips on using photos in cause campaigns:

-Create a campaign hashtag. Most social sites now support hashtag searches, making it easier to quantify and collate your campaign images. Make sure the hashtag represents the cause and brand, if possible. J&J's photo app uses two separate hashtags: #jnj and #donateaphoto

-Provide incentives beyond donations. Whether it's rewarding the most creative photo or using each photo as a contest entry for a prize, consider upping the motivation level. In their campaign, E.B. Horn also staged a scavenger hunt around Boston, incentivized with jewelry.

-Keep it familiar. Engage consumers where their photos "live" - typically well-traveled social sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as the campaigns above did. Asking consumers to upload photos to a separate website can be perceived as too large a barrier to participation.

From the Cause Marketing Forum team, we wish you and yours a very happy holiday season!

Sincerely,

David Hessekiel
President
Cause Marketing Forum

P.S. Speaking of pictures...picture yourself meeting all the right people at the 2014 Cause Marketing Forum Conference. Register by the end of the year to use that remaining 2013 budget AND get the lowest price available!