Social media has gone a long way from what started out as a medium for individuals to get to keep in touch with family and friends (BBG Communications, 2013). Today, it has been optimized by many businesses in terms of sharing news, making a sale, recruitment, advertising, and many more. In the same way, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and nonprofits alike are also able to use social media for numerous benefits. Such benefits such as gaining access to funding organizations for NGOs, NPO funding agencies, funds for new NGOs, philanthropic organizations, small grants for NGOs, amongst other things. To be successful in social media marketing, your NGO must know how to successfully manage it.
Listed below are some of the ideas NGOs can adapt and post to their social media accounts.
1. Share how you achieve your mission and vision
For your audience to develop a connection with you, they need to know of the initiatives you have done and thus far achieved. Sharing a story of the people whose lives have changed through the help you’ve provided will ultimately inspire many to shell out donations. Whether it be providing homes, livelihood, healthcare, or other needs. This is also a way for your current donors to keep themselves updated in what you have done. It will give them a sense of security that the money they have entrusted in you has been given to the right cause.
2. Joining the crowd
Keeping up with what people are currently in to is a good way to get in touch with them. For social media, examples of this could be the #ThrowbackThursday hashtag, to which was followed by the #FlashbackFriday hashtag. These can serve as reminders for the audience NGOs have. Posting photos or videos from past events or projects will be encouraging and at the same time won’t look as if you’re trying too hard. In fact, you’re just joining the trend. Soon after, many more hashtags have followed such as the #GivingTuesdays hashtag, specifically designed for NGOs and nonprofits. With these hashtags already present, all NGOs have to do is to optimize their opportunities.
3. Get involved and share your opinions
Latest events such as news and commentaries are shared on social media daily. As NGOs, having your opinions voiced out is essential for your followers to know where you stand. Sharing news updates alongside your comments is a good way for your followers to get to know you better. In doing this, it is important that the opinions of others are still respected, and that you aren’t stepping on anyone’s shoes. Also, keep in mind that sharing relevant news will interest your followers and subscribers while sharing news not who have no relation to what you do can make you lose followers.
4. Show appreciation
Giving thanks to your partners and donors publically through social media shows them that you appreciate their efforts and donations. This will strengthen re-occurring partnerships. Likewise, supporters of the organizations you thank online can also notice you and take a look at your initiatives. Eventually, these people can also turn into one of your online donors. Likewise, other viewers who are associated or look up to those who you thank can also gain interest in donating as well.
5. Promote events
Apart from promoting your own event, show partners support by sharing their events too. This can also be something to offer your partners when coming up with a partnership deal. Aside from gaining trust from partners knowing that you support them, this is also a way to gain more partners as they will be able to see your reach and capabilities.
6. Occasions greetings
Who doesn’t love the annual season’s greeting? Show your audience that you would like to celebrate with them. Keep in mind to be consistent in doing so. This means that every occasion, whether it is celebrated by your religion or not should be recognized, especially the minorities. This will also promote your organization’s cultural inclusion.
Managing social media may not always be easy but posting about the suggestions listed above will truly guide you in staying on track. Remember though to balance everything well. Too much of a particular type of post may confuse your audience on what your mission and vision is really about.
