Like the over 2 Billion social media users spread out all over the world, nonprofits (NPOs) use these platforms for a multitude of reasons. Whether it’s to connect with their constituents, raise awareness for certain community causes or upcoming fundraisers and charities, social media now plays a vital role in any NPO’s success story.
But just because you have, say, a few thousand Facebook and Instagram followers doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels. If anything, having those numbers is grounds to go all-in on boosting your social media presence. And even if you’re follower count is more in the hundreds range rather than the thousands, you can still leverage your base to increase both your NPO’s awareness and upticks in donations.
Keen on seeing how you can grow and use your social media following to the betterment of your NPO? Here are seven simple ways you can grow your nonprofit social media followers, ASAP!
1. Start Putting Out Video Content
It’s no secret that video-based social media postings are quickly becoming the most popular (and viral) of any kind generated, regardless of the platform. Also, social media algorithms take advantage of the most popular and engaging content currently posted, with video content tending to perform well toward both those characteristics.
Want to grow your following base and, thus, increase your donations? Consider generating quick 60-second video clips that tie in with your NPO’s activities, be it an on-the-site tour, live update, or another “on-brand” happening.
2. Be Visual, Post Photos
It’s a tried-and-true marketing tactic that still rings true today: Words appeal to the brain, but pictures tug at your emotions.
In fact, visual social media content is more than 40 times more likely to get shared on whichever medium it’s posted. On Instagram, for example, pictures with people’s faces are included generally are nearly 40 percent more likely to not only be shared but either favorited or engaged with, as well.
Suffice to say it might be high-time to clean the grime off your smartphone’s camera lens. And, by all means, don’t be shy about showing your face.
3. Give Your Audience a Reason to Follow You
Social media’s not the place to simply regurgitate links and cross-pollinate identical postings through your various accounts. Successful social media management couldn’t be any further from that
Contrary to what many might think, each social media has a specific type of content niche it fills. (And, interestingly enough, each social media seems to have different ideal “posting schedules,” as well.) To make sure your audience is engaged and continues to follow your NPO, give them reasons why they should be doing so in the first place.
Share NPO insights, employee stories, news that’s relevant to your niche, and other specific tidbits. As a result, your followers will be more likely to donate and support your nonprofit because they’ll feel intricately connected to your efforts
4. Never Buy Followers
It’s popular nowadays for social media influences to buy followers, which, in a nutshell, just loads their accounts with “robo-accounts.” And if you’re an NPO looking to boost donations by leveraging your social media audience, this is a complete waste of time and money.
It’s also worth noting that people can smell a fake from a mile away. In fact, it’s been widely shown that social media users think less of accounts that buy followers than those that organically generate new fans.
5. Respond to Messages in a Timely Fashion
Just like you would with emails, it’s important to address your social media inquiries in a timely manner.
Making sure you’re getting back to your account’s DMs is vital to keeping a loyal following. Try responding to sent messages the same day they’re written, with a two-day follow-up being the absolute latest. Not only will this build better relationships with your followers, but make them feel interwoven to the success of your NPO. That, and you’re building loyalty with your followers, making them more likely to speak highly of your organization.
6. Encourage Sharing and Tagging
One of the most effective social media strategies to help bring awareness to your nonprofit is to encourage sharing and tagging. This creates what is called “organic exposure,” meaning that people become aware of your NGO—and its doings—through simple social interactions, be it word of mouth or checking their social feeds.
For instance: If you share a video about Earth Day, encourage your online community to tag people that mind need reminding get outside and celebrate all things nature. Examples like this not only draw more people into our online social media community, but it also helps to show you’re NPO is active and engaged in relevant day-to-day happenings.
But a word to the wise: Do these social tags in moderation. Overdoing them, i.e. posting content like this more than a few times a month, could come across as off-putting and “pushy” to some.
7. Explore Social Media Ads
Facebook, especially, has great ROI (Return Of Investment) on ads bought by business and organizations.
Now, it’s possible to buy advertisement space on popular social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and more. These “ads” act as driving forces to increase follower count and engagement by putting your ad in the feeds of, in some cases, tens of thousands, acting as either video or text-based pulls to garner attention toward your account.
To make them even more efficient, consider going into their advanced settings, where you can choose to skew your ad to demographics and geographical locations your NPO either works directly in or has some influence in.
…And Don’t Forget to Follow Us
We’re firm believers in getting the word out on Kansas City’s best and up-and-coming nonprofits—and what’s not to like about that?
KC Cares is a community-focused nonprofit radio program that helps nonprofits connect with the community. We tell the story of Kansas City nonprofits by interviewing them on our radio show and by creating free resources that help them to grow their brands, reaching more people and potential donors as a result.
Interested in keeping up with our doings? Be sure to connect with us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Also, check out our weekly nonprofit podcasts, where we talk with local nonprofits and industry experts.
About the Author:
BKM is our media partner, who specializes in video and website creation and development, that reflect your mission and purpose. They have helped nonprofits in the Kansas City area for the last 7 years.