Build a Social Media Strategy for Your Nonprofit
Social media is a powerful tool that nonprofits can use to spread awareness about their mission, attract volunteers and supporters, and raise funds. But with so many different platforms and approaches to consider, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ll walk you through the steps of developing a social media strategy for your nonprofit and provide tips for ensuring it’s a success.
Benefits of Building a Social Media Strategy
Social media offers a number of benefits for nonprofits, including:
- Increased brand awareness. Social media allows you to reach a wider audience and get your organization’s name out there.
- Improved communication. You can use social media to connect with supporters, share important information, and build relationships.
- Increased website traffic. Social media can be a great way to drive traffic to your website, where people can learn more about your organization and donate.
- More donations. Social media can be used to encourage donations and raise funds for your cause.
Steps to Craft Your Nonprofit Social Media Strategy
- Define your goals. What do you want to achieve with social media? Some common goals for nonprofits include the benefits mentioned above. Or maybe your goal is to connect in a more meaningful way to your community. Understanding your goal in using social media will help you to know how to proceed in your next step.
- Determine the platforms you’ll use. There are a number of different social media platforms to choose from, each with its own benefits. While it may seem to make sense to broadcast your content on every social media platform available, doing so will require more time and energy. It’s important to decide which ones are right for your organization. Consider your target audience and the type of content you plan to share when making your decision.
- Create a strategic content calendar. A content calendar will help you plan your social media posts and ensure that you are consistently posting high-quality content. Your content calendar should include the date and time you will post, the platform you will use, and the type of content you will share.
- Develop a social media policy. A social media policy will help you outline how your organization and its staff and volunteers should use social media. This policy should cover things like responding to comments, sharing passwords, and interacting with supporters on personal accounts.
- Analyze social media metrics to improve your strategy. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things on social media. Use social media analytics to track your progress and see what’s working and what’s not. Then, you can make adjustments to your strategy as needed.
Social Media Content Ideas
Here are some ideas for creating engaging social media content for your nonprofit:
- Posts. Share stories about your organization’s impact, infographics, quotes, and other attention-grabbing content.
- Videos. Use videos to share information about your cause, accomplishments, or events. Keep your videos short and engaging.
- Images. Use powerful images to stand out on social media. Include pictures that highlight the impact your organization is making in the community to make your posts more relatable.
- Stories. Share stories of perseverance and hope to connect with your audience and encourage involvement.
- Hashtags. Use hashtags to participate in conversations and reach a wider audience. Create a branded hashtag to encourage supporters to get involved with your organization.
Tips to Make the Most of Social Media for Your Nonprofit
- Respond to comments and messages from your supporters. This shows that you care about their feedback and that you are engaged with your audience.
- Use social media groups to encourage supporters to connect with each other and build a community around your organization.
- Partner with influencers to promote your cause and reach a wider audience.
- Use social media to recruit new donors. Many social media platforms make it easy to share your donation forms with your posts. Use this opportunity to engage with new donors and let them support your cause. — Did you know that links donation forms made with Donor Wrangler can be shared on your social media accounts?
By following these tips, you can develop a social media strategy that will help your nonprofit achieve its goals and make a positive impact on the world.