Social Media Training For Nonprofits
If you’re working in a nonprofit organization, you need to understand how to use social media to reach your goals. In this article, you’ll learn about some of the basic rules of social media, tips for getting started, and how to measure your success.
Basic rules for effectiveness on social media
A social media policy is an essential component of any nonprofit’s digital presence. It’s a document that spells out the rules, responsibilities and tone of your organization’s accounts.
While a policy might seem like a daunting task, it’s easier to create a policy when you have a firm grasp of your mission and a good sense of your audience. Use your social media presence to build your credibility and engage your followers. The guidelines you put in place will guide your team on how to behave.
Keeping your posts relevant to your nonprofit’s goals is key. For instance, posting about a recent fundraiser or campaign will spark conversation amongst your followers. On the other hand, a light-hearted post about your staff’s behind-the-scenes photos will make your organization seem more personable and relatable.
You can email me for suggestions on the mix of serious vs fun content.
In addition to a policy, nonprofits should also have a system for managing their online activities. Some nonprofits may have a team that posts daily, while others post only when there’s a big event.
We use a post scheduler tool to make sure posting doesn’t get missed during the week. A few hours effort, and the week is set.
Instagram vs. Facebook
Facebook and Instagram are two of the biggest social media platforms in the world. These platforms allow businesses to share their content with a wide audience. However, it is important to know which one will work best for your business.
The first step in determining which platform will be best for your business is to determine your target audience. This will help you choose the right medium for your content.
Facebook’s user base is larger than Instagram’s. Although the latter is largely visual, Facebook has a variety of text-based features as well. It is also a great place to post videos and events.
Creating a profile on Facebook takes a bit more time. A small nonprofit may want to skip that and focus on posting once or twice a week.
However, if your nonprofit has a large following, posting daily can make sense. Nevertheless, most nonprofits should aim for posts between two and five times a week.
Twitter vs. TikTok
For nonprofits, figuring out which social media platform to use can be a daunting task. The key is to find the platforms your supporters and stakeholders are most likely to be on. A few popular options include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The TikTok app is a Chinese video based platform designed for digital creators. Users can create 15-60 second videos set to music. Unlike viral marketing videos, TikTok is less about direct promotion for an organization and more about joining the latest trends. TikTok is not allowed on most US government computers, as the data is known to be used by the Chinese.
It is also a social network that offers access to the personal user data of millions of Americans. This can help nonprofits reach the right people and the right demographics. Some of the more notable TikTok features include the Creator Marketplace which connects brands with YouTube stars and the Charli D’Amelio Dance Grant.
Another cool feature of most social media platforms is the ability to stream live videos. These are great for hosting panel discussions, announcing upcoming events, or showcasing the best of what your nonprofit has to offer.
Experiment with this via YT, FB, and other channels.
Measuring success
Whether you’re new to social media for nonprofits or have been doing it for a while, you may have wondered how to measure the success of your efforts. You can use a variety of tools to track and measure your social media metrics.
If you’re a nonprofit, you probably know how important it is to show followers that you’re genuine and trustworthy. The best way to do this is to share your successes. Your supporters will want to get involved with you if you’re showing them that you care.
Social media for nonprofits is an important tool for fostering personal connections with your supporters. However, it’s also important to monitor your progress and make sure you’re getting the most out of your efforts.
To do this, you should create a set of SMART goals. These goals should be a direct reflection of your mission, long-term plans and what you’re aiming to accomplish. They should break down throughout the year and by specific campaign.
