As many issues as there are with social media, there’s just no getting past the fact that it’s a huge part of many of our lives. Over 60% of the world’s population uses social media - that’s more than 5 billion people.
For charities, not using social media (or not using it well) can mean missing a huge audience that could be helping them raise awareness and funds for vital causes.
We’ve put together some of our thoughts on why social media can be a really useful tool for charities, and how to get the most out of it.
Why should charities use social media?
Raise awareness
Social media offers a great way for charities to spread awareness of key issues and campaigns related to their cause, reaching people who might not otherwise come across the topic.
If you follow any of the Simon on the Streets social media accounts for example, you’ll know that we’ve been talking a lot about the Criminal Justice Bill and the damage it could cause if passed. So far, more than 11,000 people have written to their MP about the bill through the Crisis initiative we and many other charities have been sharing on our platforms, and the bill has been amended. We’re not saying that’s all down to social media, but we’re willing to bet that’s where a good chunk of those people heard about the campaign.
Build your network
The original aim of social media, and the thing it does so well, is connecting people. Used right, social media can be a really valuable networking tool for charities big and small.
Being active on social media can help you discover other organisations to work with, like corporate partners or other charities as well as individuals who can support you and vice versa. Social media platforms can also be a great place to find out about events to attend to get your name out there and raise money for your cause.
Fundraise
Speaking of fundraising, that’s another key benefit of using social media as a charity. It’s so easy now for people to donate online with sites like JustGiving, and social media allows you to promote fundraisers further and wider than ever before.
Things to remember when using social media as a charity
Of course, there are potential downsides to social media, but there are ways you can avoid them. Here are a few things to bear in mind.
Not everyone will agree with you (and that’s okay)
Social media is known for people with strong opinions, who aren’t backwards in coming forwards when they don’t agree with each other. It’s pretty much inevitable that, at some point, you’ll post something that will make some people (vocally) disagree with you.
Just remember that that’s okay. Avoid getting into arguments with people on the internet - they’re very rarely productive. You can always politely correct misinformation, but on the whole, you should just keep putting your message out there and you’ll find people who want to help.
Stay consistent
Before you start posting, make a plan of what you want to say and when you want to say it. Your message should be clear and consistent on all your platforms to help your audiences get to know what you stand for.
This is especially important if multiple people will be posting from your charity’s account. Decide who’s responsible for posting what and when so you don’t end up overlapping or contradicting each other.
Know your audience
There are lots of different social media platforms out there, and different people use them for different things. For example, people tend to use LinkedIn to build professional connections, while Instagram is more about socialising.
Make sure you adapt your messaging on each platform to match who you’re talking to, That’ll give you the best chance of saying the right thing at the right time to grab the right people’s attention.
Despite social media’s flaws, it really can be a force for positive change. Used right, it can bring people together to connect over shared passions, spread awareness of important issues, and raise money for vital causes.
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