It isn't just access to videos of cute cats and bad singers that may be gained using social media. Much good can be achieved here. Its true power in fact is the way it engages a wide audience. And the best use for its power is by way of causing people to feel good about themselves through nonprofit fundraising campaigns launched using the social media.
Here are some simple ways to spread the work about your fundraising campaign:
1. Consider your campaign. It's important to think through the fundamental elements of the fundraising campaign before diving into social media. What are your goals? Who is your target audience? Learn where your donors, advocates, and volunteers are and what social media platforms they prefer. Start the conversation there, rather than trying to be everywhere at once.
2. Tailor your messages. Social media channels come individually unique thus fitting for you to write posts suitable for each audience. "Cut and Paste" approach should be done away with. Try tailoring posts to fit different channels. Take note: be brief in your posts on Twitter as it comes limited to 140 characters, as opposed to Instagram which calls for visual presentations and YouTube requiring videos to make.
3. Be excited, so that the enthusiasm is contagious. Social media to begin with is indeed a two-way street which requires someone to be on the wheel in terms of the conversations. Each donor interacting should be recognized by even just simple thanks or any other response. Be "into it" by sharing or retweeting also the posts of those in the community whom you find quite influential to you. Join in the likes of Facebook and LinkedIn groups or Google+ communities in order to find companies or organizations you can connect with.
4. Experiment with different types of content. Try different approaches to see what works. If you see a particular day of the week, time, or type of post garners more response, continue in that direction. Pay attention to feedback you get from followers and adjust your posts to fit what inspires or engages them. Most social media platforms now include some type of free analytics that can be used to gauge response and measure effectiveness.
5. Suggest urgency. The present is being addressed by social media. You need to present updates on real-time for followers to know how the campaign is going and how much more until the goal is reached. It should be inspiring for some to donate when they read a post stating that with just a few more dollars from willing donors your campaign would then be realized and they can be part of it.
6. Share your results. Social media can be used to thank donors and volunteers and include how their gifts will be utilized. They could clearly see the impact of their "giving" when you present to them what would really happen like "donating $50 will give children in need about 5 pairs of shoes". A thank you video from recipients should also be in place. Maybe volunteers and donors sharing their testimonies on how their participation in your campaign actually affected their lives can be highlighted as well.
7. Include a call to action. Don't forget to add a call to action in some of your social media posts asking your followers to take the next step. Chances are, they want to help share your story, but they might need a reminder such as "click here to donate now", "share this", "help spread the word", or "get your tickets here".
8. Transform you network into an army. The efforts you put into building a successful network of volunteers, donors and ambassadors in the real world may be linked to your efforts to use social media for your fundraising. Ask followers to share testimonials and their own ideas too. They can very well raise funds and scatter information about your campaign using their own individual links. It could also work if you launch contests to expand your list of contacts. Your fundraising campaign can gain much exposure the moment more people under you will share it to people under their own umbrella of network.
Nonprofit fundraising is possible through the powerful tool that is social media. Just remain conversational and not really aggressive. You can always opt to create a conversation evolving around your campaign which people may be willing to share over directly asking something from them. Because of this, you and your followers could form a certain connection as they learn more about your organization and consequently give your campaign the "edge" over others.
InstaGive makes online donations a truly social experience because campaigns and donations are easily sharable on all popular social media channels. Registration takes just over a minute, and you can find out more about this service at Truist.
Here are some simple ways to spread the work about your fundraising campaign:
1. Consider your campaign. It's important to think through the fundamental elements of the fundraising campaign before diving into social media. What are your goals? Who is your target audience? Learn where your donors, advocates, and volunteers are and what social media platforms they prefer. Start the conversation there, rather than trying to be everywhere at once.
2. Tailor your messages. Social media channels come individually unique thus fitting for you to write posts suitable for each audience. "Cut and Paste" approach should be done away with. Try tailoring posts to fit different channels. Take note: be brief in your posts on Twitter as it comes limited to 140 characters, as opposed to Instagram which calls for visual presentations and YouTube requiring videos to make.
3. Be excited, so that the enthusiasm is contagious. Social media to begin with is indeed a two-way street which requires someone to be on the wheel in terms of the conversations. Each donor interacting should be recognized by even just simple thanks or any other response. Be "into it" by sharing or retweeting also the posts of those in the community whom you find quite influential to you. Join in the likes of Facebook and LinkedIn groups or Google+ communities in order to find companies or organizations you can connect with.
4. Experiment with different types of content. Try different approaches to see what works. If you see a particular day of the week, time, or type of post garners more response, continue in that direction. Pay attention to feedback you get from followers and adjust your posts to fit what inspires or engages them. Most social media platforms now include some type of free analytics that can be used to gauge response and measure effectiveness.
5. Suggest urgency. The present is being addressed by social media. You need to present updates on real-time for followers to know how the campaign is going and how much more until the goal is reached. It should be inspiring for some to donate when they read a post stating that with just a few more dollars from willing donors your campaign would then be realized and they can be part of it.
6. Share your results. Social media can be used to thank donors and volunteers and include how their gifts will be utilized. They could clearly see the impact of their "giving" when you present to them what would really happen like "donating $50 will give children in need about 5 pairs of shoes". A thank you video from recipients should also be in place. Maybe volunteers and donors sharing their testimonies on how their participation in your campaign actually affected their lives can be highlighted as well.
7. Include a call to action. Don't forget to add a call to action in some of your social media posts asking your followers to take the next step. Chances are, they want to help share your story, but they might need a reminder such as "click here to donate now", "share this", "help spread the word", or "get your tickets here".
8. Transform you network into an army. The efforts you put into building a successful network of volunteers, donors and ambassadors in the real world may be linked to your efforts to use social media for your fundraising. Ask followers to share testimonials and their own ideas too. They can very well raise funds and scatter information about your campaign using their own individual links. It could also work if you launch contests to expand your list of contacts. Your fundraising campaign can gain much exposure the moment more people under you will share it to people under their own umbrella of network.
Nonprofit fundraising is possible through the powerful tool that is social media. Just remain conversational and not really aggressive. You can always opt to create a conversation evolving around your campaign which people may be willing to share over directly asking something from them. Because of this, you and your followers could form a certain connection as they learn more about your organization and consequently give your campaign the "edge" over others.
InstaGive makes online donations a truly social experience because campaigns and donations are easily sharable on all popular social media channels. Registration takes just over a minute, and you can find out more about this service at Truist.
About the Author:
Sebastian Troup loves writing about philantrophic solutions for businesses and non profit organizations. To get more information about company charitable giving campaigns, or to find help setting up a charitable fund, please check out the Truist.com website today.
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