If you're a nonprofit organization, then you know that social media is an important part of your marketing strategy. It's a great way to connect with your target audience and promote your cause. But how do you make sure that you're using social media effectively? In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for using social media to grow your nonprofit organization.

The advantages of using social media for non-profits

The ability to conduct social media marketing for non-profits allows you to distribute your message across the world and locally. These are the top advantages of employing social media in non-profit organizations:

Reach a Wider Audience Through Awareness

There are many advantages to using social media for non-profits. Perhaps the most obvious is that it allows you to reach a wider audience with your message. With billions of people active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, you have the potential to connect with people all over the world. In addition, social media provides you with an opportunity to connect with your local community. You can use social media to raise awareness about your organization, share upcoming events, and solicit donations. Plus, social media is a great way to build relationships with potential and current supporters. By engaging with people on social media, you can create a sense of connection and community that can be invaluable to a non-profit organization.

Create communities of support

When it comes to building supportive communities, social media can be an effective tool. By creating channels and groups where individuals can communicate and share information, you can help create a sense of connection and belonging. This is especially important for charities, as staying up to date on topics that matter to their supporters is crucial. In addition, by providing a place for discussion and collaboration, you can help build stronger relationships between individuals and groups. Ultimately, by creating a supportive community, you can help make a difference in the lives of others.

Create inspiration

Regardless of the social issue, you are passionate about, it is important to remember that change starts with inspiration. If you can tap into what motivates people and gets them excited, you are more likely to rally support for your cause. One way to create inspiration is to organize events that raise awareness and get people talking about the issues you care about. You can also encourage people to take action in their everyday lives, whether it is something as simple as being more conscious in their purchases or taking steps to pressure businesses to be more ethical. Of course, fundraising is another essential part of any social movement, and there are a variety of ways to run successful campaigns. By being strategic and purposeful in your actions, you can create the inspiration needed to effect real change.

Make a difference

At any given moment, there are countless opportunities to make a difference in the world. But how can you know which cause to champion, and how can you be sure that your efforts will have a lasting impact? One way to increase your support is to show people what your NPO can accomplish. By celebrating minor and major achievements, you can keep things moving forward and attract more support in the process. Contributors need to know that their efforts are valuable, so be sure to let them know just how much help they've given. Thanks to their generosity, you'll be one step closer to achieving your goals. Optimism is key in moments like these - with support, anything is possible!

Top social media best practices and tips for nonprofit organizations

Follow these best practices for promoting your nonprofit organization and social media objectives.

There's no denying the power of social media. When used correctly, it can be an incredibly powerful tool for nonprofit organizations, helping them to raise awareness, engage with supporters, and even generate donations. But with so many different platforms and best practices to keep track of, it can be tough to know where to start. Here's a quick guide to some of the top social media best practices for nonprofits:

1. Keep your goals in mind

What do you want to achieve with your social media presence? Whether it's raising awareness about your cause or engaging with your supporters, make sure your goals are front and center when crafting your strategy.

2. Identify your target audience

Who are you trying to reach with your social media efforts? Once you know who your target audience is, you can tailor your content and engagement strategy accordingly.

3. Create shareable content

If you want people to share your content, make sure it's interesting, informative, and visually appealing. That could mean creating infographics, videos, or simply well-written blog posts that focus on your cause.

4. Use calls to action

Asking people to take specific actions - whether it's sharing a post or making a donation - is a great way to increase engagement and generate results.

5. Make sure your social media strategy aligns with your overall marketing efforts and vice versa

Your social media presence should complement the other marketing channels you're using to promote your nonprofit organization.

6. Share stories about people

There are all sorts of stories you can tell with photos of people. You can share heartwarming stories of kindness and compassion. You can feature people in inspiring stories of overcoming adversity. You can even share lighter stories that will make your audience laugh. No matter what type of story you want to tell, images of people will help you to connect with your audience on a deeper level. So next time you're looking for a way to engage your followers, consider sharing a story about someone. It just might be the most impactful thing you post all day.

A recent study conducted by Twitter found that videos that feature people in the first few frames are more likely to be watched all the way through. The study, which analyzed over 700 million tweets, found that videos with people in the first three seconds were 32% more likely to be viewed until the end. This is in contrast to videos that start with other images, such as landscapes or buildings, which are less likely to hold viewers' attention. The study's authors suggest that this is because humans are naturally attracted to other people and that seeing a face at the beginning of a video makes us more likely to want to watch it. This research has implications for NPOs who use Twitter to share video content and suggests that including people in the first few seconds may help to ensure that more people watch the entire video.

When sharing stories about the people your nonprofit serves, be sure to get their permission first. If you're featuring a client or beneficiary in a video or blog post, make sure you have their consent before sharing anything publicly.

If you're ever in doubt, be on the side of caution and get explicit permission. Once you have that, you can start sharing powerful stories about the people your nonprofit exists to help.

7. Create shareable material and post it

Creating shareable content for social media can be a great way to reach a new audience and promote your cause. When creating content, be sure to offer something of value that will make people want to share it. You can also team up with like-minded nonprofits or corporate partners to amplify your reach. Use tags and encourage engagement with your posts to boost your visibility. By following these tips, you can create content that is more likely to be shared, helping you reach a wider audience.

Aim to use statistics, quotes, and data to back up your statements whenever possible. This will make your content more credible and trustworthy.

Quotes are another great way to add substance to your content. If you're writing about a particular issue, find an expert or thought leader in the field who can offer their insights. Including a quote from someone with authority on the subject can help to validate your own opinion and give readers something new to think about.

8. Use a hashtag campaign to promote an event

Hashtags can be a powerful tool for nonprofits looking to promote an event or raise awareness about an important issue. By creating a catchy hashtag and using it consistently across all social media channels, nonprofits can reach a wider audience and build buzz around their cause. Of course, choosing the right hashtag is essential.

A good nonprofit hashtag should be short, relevant, and easy to remember. It should also be unique enough to help your organization stand out from the crowd. Once you have settled on a hashtag, make sure to use it consistently in all your marketing materials and social media posts. With a little bit of planning and creativity, your nonprofit can use hashtags to make a big impact.

A great example of a nonprofit hashtag campaign is #GivingTuesday.

This global day of giving was created in 2012 as a way to encourage people to donate to charitable causes after the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The campaign has been hugely successful, with millions of dollars raised for charities around the world each year. If your nonprofit is looking for a way to promote an event or raise awareness about an important issue, consider launching a hashtag campaign.

9. Start a fundraising campaign

Facebook and Instagram are two popular social media platforms that support fundraisers for nonprofits. With a few clicks, you can set up a fundraiser that will collect donations from your supporters.

Both platforms also allow people to create personal fundraisers for your nonprofit. In addition, you can add donate buttons next to posts on both Facebook and Instagram. By utilizing these tools, you can step up your social media marketing for nonprofits and collect more donations for your cause.

10. Tags and partners can help you boost your signal

As any social media strategist knows, partnerships are key to reaching a wider audience. By teaming up with similar organizations or corporate partners, you can share platforms and connect with new potential supporters. And when you tag other organizations in your posts, you open yourself up to engagement from their followers as well.

Of course, not all partnerships are created equal. It's important to choose partners that align with your mission and values, and that has a following that would be interested in what you're doing. But when you find the right partners, working together can help you boost your messages and reach a whole new group of people.

A great example of this is the partnership between TOMS and (RED). Through their #EndAIDS campaign, the two organizations have been working together to raise awareness about the fight against AIDS. The partnership has been hugely successful, with over $100 million raised to date. If your nonprofit is looking for a way to reach a new audience, consider partnering with another organization.

Another example is the #MyGivingStory campaign, which was created by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and featured stories from various celebrities and influencers about why they give to charity.

The campaign was a great way to reach a new audience and get people talking about philanthropy.

11. Organize an online event

Organizing an online event is not much different than organizing a traditional event. The main difference is that you need to be aware of the capabilities and limitations of different platforms. For example, LinkedIn Events is great for business networking events, while Twitch is better suited for gaming tournaments.

Once you’ve selected a platform, you need to promote your event. Create a landing page on your website, and use social media, email, and other marketing channels to spread the word. It’s also important to create a hashtag for your event, so people can follow the conversation online.

Finally, make sure you have a clear plan for the day of the event. This includes having a moderator or host, as well as engaging speakers or performers. By following these tips, you can successfully organize an online event that will engage and inspire your audience.

Some great NPO online events such as #HackForChange, #CodeForAfrica, and #MozFest host annual events that bring together changemakers from around the world. In addition to this, the statistics show that global online giving increased by 9% in 2021, so it’s clear that nonprofits are increasingly turning to the internet to reach their supporters.