How many times have you heard that social media is now a pay-to-play game? I bet you hear this very often! Well, while this continues to be true, organic social media offers nonprofits something paid social can’t – authenticity, community-building, and genuine connections. It provides nonprofits with the opportunity to cultivate a loyal and engaged follower base that truly cares about their mission.
In this blog post, we explore the art of organic social media, delving into ten best practices to navigate the digital landscape with purpose and impact. Whether you’re just starting or seeking to boost your nonprofit’s social media presence, these tips will help you unlock the potential of authentic engagement. Let me tell you how to do it!
1. Share regular updates
Post regularly to keep your audience interested and engaged. Consistency builds anticipation for your content. To make sure you can keep up, develop a content calendar and use scheduling tools to program your posts in advance.
2. Create Quality Content
Create visually appealing content that tells your nonprofit story and shares your impact. Using a mix of photos, infographics, videos, and testimonials will help you keep your audience engaged.
3. Provide value
Give your audience valuable information related to your cause or industry. Create educational posts, tutorials, statistics, and tips, and share relevant articles to position your organization as a trusted source of information.
4. Leverage storytelling
Create an emotional connection with your audience by sharing compelling stories that showcase the impact of your work, for example, success stories and testimonials.
5. Share User-Generated Content
Encourage your followers to share their experiences and stories related to your cause and ask them to tag your nonprofit in their posts and stories. User-generated content helps foster a sense of community and increases your reach.
6. Form alliances
Collaborate with influencers or businesses in your area that share similar values or audiences. These partnerships can help you reach new followers and amplify your message.
7. Focus on engagement
Engage with your audience by responding to comments, direct messages, and story mentions. Initiate conversations, conduct polls, ask questions, and encourage discussions related to your cause.
8. Use relevant hashtags
Research popular hashtags in your industry and use a mix of broad and specific tags to reach a wider audience. You can also create a branded hashtag to encourage user-generated content.
9. Organize contests
When possible, organize giveaways and make it a requirement for participants to mention someone in the comments and share your post. Make sure that the contest aligns with your mission.
10. Cultivate relationships
Feature your donors, volunteers and employees on your posts to acknowledge the importance of their support and show gratitude.
As an agency specializing in nonprofit marketing, and also social media, we know from experience that organic growth takes time, and the key to social media success is to build a community that is deeply connected to your mission. But it’s never too late to begin! By implementing these strategies you can start fostering trust and relationships with your audience which ultimately will lead to long-term success.
