How to Be An Awesome Non-Profit Social Media Manager
* Originally Posted on 7/21/2014
It’s Sunday and I am in my late evening, latte clutching, and idea tumbling mood. Which means I can share some awesome tips with you all. I’ve complied a short list of tips to help those of you whom may be interested in going into non-profit social media. So with out further adieu:
1. Pick a cause or issue important to you. Like any good writing, the more interest you have in the topic, the more amazing your work will be. When choosing a organization to work for, think about issues that you have an interest in. Like dance? Seek out organizations that teach kids from low-income families the art of dance. Or try local community centers. They often encompass all areas of enrichment for their participants.
2. Get to know the community that the organization serves.
Whether you relocated to start your new job or you have grown up in the neighborhood, it is important to really get familiar with the community. Try going on shorts walks and surveying the neighborhoods. Get to know the local businesses. Try attending school board meetings or neighborhood festivals. The more in tune you are with the area of coverage, the more adequately you can create engaging content and gain followers. In addition, you will be knowledgeable about the needs of the community such as lack of grocery stores, school supply drives, etc.
3. Be personable.
Get up from your desk every now and again and interact with the community. It is likely that you will see many of the same teens, kids or parents returning to the organization. Your organization will be serving as a resource to the community and it is important for them to know the face behind the cubicle. Often you can offer words of advice from your field such as: What not to post on social media while job searching, How to use Facebook to market your start up business, or offer free computer classes to older adults. Smile and remember that while marketing is your initial job, the people are not arbitrary factors in your employment. Social media is social. Even in real life.
4. Network!
We all know the importance of networking the professional sphere, and it is no different when working with NPOs. Make sure to follow other local non-profits in your city. It can build a sense of community as well as provide opportunities for the members of your organization to learn different strategies for helping out the public. Do not be timid about introducing yourself to them and liking and commenting on their posts every now and again.
5. Pictures, Pictures, Pictures.
When researching successful social media strategies, nearly all of the articles will mention the importance of posting pictures. You are more likely to engage your followers with pictures instead of text posts. Take as many pictures during the day as you can. Also, reposting pictures from websites like Pinterest or other hubs also make for interesting content. Did a teen draw an amazing picture today? Post it! (With the parent’s permission). Or snap selfies with office mates. In short, any sort of graphic typically generates a response. Here is a short read for more tips on posting pictures:
http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2013/the-big-picture-using-images-in-social-media
I hope this article has been informative.These tips can also be applied to other forms of social media management as well.I am going to go get a refill on coffee and spend the evening googling international coffees
