Free Range Studios

As members of the social change community, we're eager to share what we know with other passionate changemakers. Our strategy and creative teams regularly post our best thinking into this section as one way of giving back to our clients and peers.

We also often present at conferences and workshops — find out more on our calendar page.

A process for website success

This paper outlines the process Free Range follows when planning out the architecture and designs of a website. We illustrate each phase with actual documents and designs from our own website redesign process.
Read More | Download the PDF

Simple tips for overhauling your website

For those just getting started, 12 things to look for when overhauling the look of your site.
Read More | Download the PDF

WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY GLOSSARY

If web tech terms have you scratching your head, check out this short glossary where we define and illustrate basic terminology. 
Download the PDF

Know thy audience

Before redesigning a website (or creating a movie, or launching a campaign) it is crucial to gain a concrete sense of the people you are addressing. This short paper introduces the basics of audience research.
Read More | Download the PDF

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

by PicNet
Looking to improve the quality and quantity of traffic to a website? Then you’re interested in search engine optimization. Search engine optimization is a techie term referring to steps used to ensure that a site appears earlier, or “higher”, in the results when end users search the web using Google or other search engines.
Download the PDF

Picture New York... Without Pictures of New York

How a group of fast-acting artists and activists prevented the City of New York from strangling independent media.
Download the PDF

Getting your message beyond the choir

Through years of experience with viral marketing successes like theMeatrix, Grocery Store Wars and the Story of Stuff, Free Range believesgetting your message out to the public is less about reaching out tothe masses and more about “arming your choir"of supporters.
Read More | Download the PDF

case study: It's our healthcare's Text messaging campaign

How can mobile technology be integrated into your organization'sadvocacy efforts? Read this case study to learn how Matt Lockshin ofIt's Our Healthcare used text messaging to pressure GovernorSchwarzenegger and California state legislators.
Read More | Download the PDF

Viral Web Activism 101

We share our knowledge of what has worked and what has not when doing viral movies for social change.
Read More | Download the PDF

Documentary Film on the internet

Musings by Free Range President Jonah Sachs on the opportunities forcreating online social campaigns around traditional documentary film.
Read More | Download the PDF

Twitter for Social Good

Learn how to use Twitter as a Fundraising and Grassroots Organizing Tool.
Read More | Download the PDF

Blogs Matter!

Get started learning about the blogosphere, joining conversations,and starting your own blog with this tip sheet.
Read More | Download the PDF

Connecting with Bloggers

Best practices for making meaningful and lasting relationships with bloggers who can help you promote your cause.
Read More | Download the PDF

ONLINE Fundraising Basics

Some thoughts on the basics of online fundraising.
Download the PDF

We welcome and encourage your feedback on these musings. We alsoencourage you to pass our work around, but we do ask that youcontact us for permission first. To reach us, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it