Social Media And Marketing for Charities
Let’s face it; if you are a new- or small – non profit organization, chances are you do not have a lot of money set aside for marketing and public relations. Both of these things are vital to grow a non profit organization.
With the ease and access of the Internet, social media is an excellent way to start building your public and media image within the community. Social media, like Twitter and Facebook, have taken off in the last few years and almost everyone is using one or both. As a non profit, you too can use these platforms to build and generate a buzz about your organization in your area.
Social media allows you to develop relationships and share ideas. The whole premise behind social media is the sharing – whether it is photos, information, or opinions. You are sharing this content often and actively.
Conversation
Remember that there is more to social media than just making a statement. If all you do is make status updates on facebook or tweet your 140 character update on twitter, you haven’t really accomplished your goal. The whole point is to engage others. You want to encourage others to respond to your updates and your comments. You want people to “like” your pictures and comment on your events. The whole reason you want to create a buzz about your organization is to create awareness of your organization and the services you provide.
Be Responsive
Don’t exist in a vacuum. If you placed photos of your most recent event on facebook and someone asks you something; answer them. Do it in a way to engage them further. Create continued interest in not only that picture but on other events. By the same token, those that follow you are sharing as well. Take an interest in what your followers are doing and exchange dialogue. Marketing and public relations are a two way street and you have to give and receive.
Be Personal
Just like “People Give To People”, people talk to other people. No one ever had a conversation with a brand or a logo. Talk to your followers. Let them like they are part of a real change going on in their community. Your logo or brand isn’t doing the tweeting or the facebook posts, you are. Be you. Be real. In the long run your followers will more active the more authentic you are.
Sharing
If you share something and your followers share something and their followers share something… you get the point. This can create amazing circles of people who share an interest in your mission and your events. These friends, and friends of friends, can be an awesome asset for you when you get ready to plan your next event. Use your social media to “call out the troops”. People want to give back and sometimes the most valuable thing a person has to give is their time. It all starts with the sharing of an idea, a piece of information, a photo. Use these opportunities to share as opportunities to create additional conversations that lead to new friends and supporters.
Feedback
Use your social media as a way to learn important pieces of information on how to make your content or your event even better. This lets you and your organization know what others on the outside think of you. This is essential information to ensure that you are creating the best organization you can.
Written as a means to encourage nonprofits as they embrace new technology and edited using Grammarly grammar checker.
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by .a_dit.
Posted in Social Networking. Tags: charitable donations, charities, charity, non-profits, using social media with charities
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