Written by Anabel Baldock, Social Media Executive and Content Creator
Social media has completely changed the way businesses and organisations operate and connect with their target audiences. It has become an essential tool for companies of all sizes, enabling them to reach a wider audience, engage with customers, and build their brand.
In more recent years, charities have also taken advantage of the benefits social media can provide. It’s a great way to raise awareness of their organisation, connect with volunteers and even raise funds.
It’s also important to know the benefits of organic social media. This is essentially ‘free’ content, as it doesn’t require any money to be spent on increasing reach or leads. Organic social media is a cost-effective way to promote your charity and is a great way to reach your audience, for less!
With so many social media platforms available, it can be challenging to know where to start so, let’s take a look at how you can get the most out of organic social media for your charity.
Define your goals
Knowing what you want to gain out of social media is a great way to start. Maybe your main goal is to raise funds, engage with volunteers or raise awareness amongst people who are local to your charity.
Once you’ve determined your goals, you can then begin to think about what the best social media platforms are for your charity.
Choose the right social media platform(s)
Deciding what social media platform to be present on can be tough. It’s worth thinking about who your target audience is too. For example, if you’re looking to connect with corporate partners and professionals, LinkedIn might be the place to start.
Alternatively, if your charity is aimed towards a younger audience, you may want to consider Instagram or TikTok. It’s always a good idea to research your target audience to find what platform you can get the most from.
Create engaging content
No social media page is useful if the content isn’t engaging. In order to build a following, your content must be appealing to your target audience. It’s important to use visual content, such as images and videos, to catch the eye of those who aimlessly scroll through social media.
Don’t forget, the majority of people use social media to be entertained, so don’t be afraid to make your content entertaining!
Build a community
No matter what social media platform you decide to be on, building a community is a vital part to any organisation that has an online presence.
That’s why engaging with your followers and supporters is essential. Make sure you always respond to comments and messages as this will build a sense of loyalty between your organisation and your audience.
Run fundraising campaigns
Social media platforms offer excellent opportunities for charities to run fundraising campaigns. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram provide dedicated tools for setting up fundraisers, collecting donations, and sharing progress updates, making it easier for supporters to contribute.
Whether you’re looking to make a positive change on a global scale or in your local community, it’s definitely worth harnessing the positive impact of social media for your charity. It’s a great way to share your message, engage with supporters and raise funds to support your organisation. It’s such a useful and cost-effective marketing tool that any charity organisation can really benefit from in today's digital world.
If you need help with getting set up on social media or you need someone to write content and manage your social media, please do contact us about the packages we offer.
Published 10 June 2023