If you want to level up your nonprofit fundraising game, it's time to get strategic with social media! By using smart strategies and techniques, you can unlock the true power of social media to connect with supporters, promote your cause, and increase donations.
MatchPro's recent social media fundraising statistics state that 32% of online donors say social media inspires them to give the most, a big jump from last year. When it comes to donating through social media, Facebook posts had the most significant impact on 56% of people. Instagram was most impactful for 21% of people, while Twitter influenced 13%. YouTube had an impact on 5% of people, and LinkedIn had the smallest impact at 4%.
What is the Importance of Social Media in Nonprofit Fundraising?
Social media helps your organization reach a wider audience and connect with potential donors personally. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are cost-effective ways to share your nonprofit’s mission, stories, and impact. With the help of social media, you can also create compelling content, engage with donors widely, and rally support for your cause. Social media also makes it easy for individuals to donate and share fundraising campaigns with their networks, spreading the word about your organization. Social media makes it possible for your organization to reach millions and generate significant funding. Here are eight simple ways you can use social media to your nonprofit fundraising campaign’s advantage:
1. Consider Your Nonprofit Fundraising Campaign
It’s important to think through the fundamental elements of the social media fundraising campaign before diving into social media. What are your goals? Who is your target audience? Learn where your donors, advocates, and volunteers are and what social media platforms they prefer. Start the conversation there rather than trying to be everywhere at once.
2. Customize Your Social Media Fundraising Posts
Each social media channel is unique, so posts should be written to fit each specific audience. Don’t apply a “cut and paste” approach across different platforms. Instead, customize posts to fit different channels. For example, Twitter has a limit of 140 characters per post, so brevity is a necessity. Instagram is all about pictures and imagery, and you’ll need to create videos to use YouTube.
3. Be Engaging and Engaged on Social Media
Social media is a two-way street, so keep in mind that once you begin your journey, you’ll need someone at the wheel to monitor conversations. Every interaction with a donor should receive a response, even if it’s just to say “thank you.” Find companies and organizations you want to align with and join Facebook and LinkedIn groups and Google+ communities they are involved in.
4. Experiment with Different Types of Content
Try different approaches to see what works. If you see a particular day of the week, time, or type of post garners more response, continue in that direction. Pay attention to your followers' feedback and adjust your posts to fit what inspires or engages them. Most social media platforms now include some type of free analytics that help you gauge response and measure effectiveness.
5. Always Give Updates on Your Social Media Fundraising Campaigns
Social media is all about the present. Provide real-time updates on the progress of your campaign and how far away you are from meeting your goals. Seeing a post that says there are “less than a few hundred dollars to go” could inspire someone to pull the trigger on donating to help cross that monumental fundraising mark.
6. Highlight Donors' Impact on Your Nonprofit Fundraising
Use social media to thank your donors and volunteers for their contributions and let them know how their gifts are invaluable to your cause. Let them see the real impact of their donation by breaking it down to show the results (i.e., “For each $50 that is donated, we can buy five pairs of shoes for children in need.”) Consider creating a thank-you video using testimonials from those receiving the benefits of the campaign. Spotlight volunteers and donors to showcase their stories and why participating in your cause is an important part of their lives.
7. Include a Call to Action in Your Nonprofit Social Media Posts
Don’t forget to add a call to action in some of your social media posts, asking your followers to “take the next step.” Chances are, they want to help share your story, but they might need a reminder such as “click here to donate now,” “share this,” “help spread the word,” or “get your tickets here.”
8. Turn Your Nonprofit Fundraising Network into an Army
All of your hard work to build a successful network of real-world volunteers, donors, and ambassadors can translate into a similar approach for fundraising efforts via social media. Invite followers to chime in with their fundraising ideas and testimonials. Encourage them to raise money or promote your campaign through their own channels. Contests are also great ways to drive participation and expand your network of contacts. By asking people to share your campaign, you increase exposure since their friends and followers will now become aware of your efforts.
Elevate Your Social Media Fundraising with FrontStream
Whether you’re sharing your donation pages, running a peer-to-peering event, or hosting a silent auction, our digital fundraising solution has everything you need to bolster your social media roadmap. Request a demo now to learn how FrontStream can help you raise more for your cause and do more good in your community.
