Social media has served Kiva well. Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn allow the microfinance organization to gain product insight by interacting with clients, and reach diverse types of audiences - from industry professionals and philanthropists to technically savvy individuals.
Twitter, for one, provided a venue for people to defend and show support to Kiva amid a growing controversy following a blog by David Roodman. The Center for Global Development research fellow said Kiva’s microlending is “partly fictional.”
One Twitter post read: “I’m a little surprised at the ‘uproar’ about kiva lately. didn’t we all already know the $ goes to MFIs? Kiva just tells the story better.”
Such involvement by Kiva supporters is what Chelsa Bocci hopes to spread even more. As director of community marketing, Bocci manages community growth and engagement through Kiva’s lending teams, social networks and events.
