Most nonprofit communication professionals struggle to keep up with the demands of social media. Many organizations don’t even have dedicated communications staff—often, administrative team members juggle social media alongside their other responsibilities. Social media for nonprofits can be a very effective method to boost fundraising if used effectively.
Whether you’re new to nonprofit social media or looking to refine your strategy, these social media tips for nonprofits will help you maximize impact without burning out.
1. Create Engaging Social Media Content for Your Nonprofit
Don’t use social media solely for organizational announcements. Instead, treat it as a powerful tool to build support and inspire your community with compelling stories about your cause.
Try these engagement boosters:
- Craft attention-grabbing headlines
- Run polls and surveys
- Ask followers to share photos
- Post behind-the-scenes content
2. Maintain Consistent Engagement
Regular posting builds a loyal following and improves your reach. Most social media algorithms reward consistent activity, making your content more visible to supporters.
Pro tip: Use scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to plan posts in advance, reach audiences in different time zones, and reduce daily time spent on social media.
3. Prioritize Visual Content
A picture truly is worth a thousand words—especially on social media. Analytics consistently show that posts with images generate significantly higher engagement than text-only updates.
Best practices for visuals:
- Always include relevant images with your posts
- Add descriptive captions that provide context
- Ensure your message is clear even without clicking through
4. Share Compelling Stories on Social Media
Statistics inform, but stories inspire. Connect with your audience on an emotional level by sharing real impact stories from the people your nonprofit serves.
Humanize your communication and give supporters concrete reasons to champion your cause.
5. Listen and Learn
Social media isn’t just a broadcast channel—it’s a conversation. Pay attention to feedback from constituents and track which posts resonate most with your audience.
Use built-in analytics tools or platforms like Google Analytics to monitor performance and refine your social media strategy based on real data.
6. Strike a Professional Balance
Your social media presence reflects your organization’s credibility. While you should be approachable and personable, avoid becoming too casual or straying off-mission.
Remember: it’s called social media for a reason. Find the sweet spot between professional and personable—neither too formal nor too casual.