Guest blog by Megan Allison, Qgiv.
GivingTuesday is an incredible opportunity for your organization to rally support and raise vital funds. But how do you cut through the noise and capture the attention of potential donors? The answer lies in harnessing the power of social media.
Why is social media important for GivingTuesday?
Social media offers a unique platform to reach a vast audience quickly and effectively. On GivingTuesday, when many organizations are competing for attention, social media allows you to engage directly with your supporters in real-time.
It’s a great opportunity to share your mission, showcase your impact, and build a sense of urgency around your cause. Additionally, the interactive nature of social media encourages sharing, which can drastically increase your reach.
How to create a successful GivingTuesday social campaign.
Creating a successful GivingTuesday campaign starts with clear goals. So, what do you want to achieve?
Whether it’s raising a specific amount of funds, gaining new volunteers, or just spreading awareness, having a clear objective will help guide your strategy. Once you have your goals, you can start deciding the type of content you want to promote for GivingTuesday.
Your posts should be authentic, emotional, and highlight the tangible impact of donations. Your campaigns should also be visually appealing. High-quality images and videos can significantly boost engagement and make your posts more shareable.
How often should I promote GivingTuesday on social media?
Consistency is key when promoting GivingTuesday. Start teasing your campaign at least a month in advance with weekly posts to build anticipation. As the day approaches, increase the frequency of daily updates. And aim for multiple posts throughout the day on GivingTuesday itself. This keeps your campaign top-of-mind and encourages last-minute donations.
Top social media tips for GivingTuesday.
Here are some social media tips to help you kickstart your GivingTuesday campaign.
Start planning early.
The earlier you start planning your GivingTuesday campaign, the better. Early preparation allows you to develop a comprehensive strategy, create high-quality content, and coordinate with your team. Begin by setting your goals and outlining the key messages you want to convey. Draft a content calendar to ensure consistent posting leading up to and on the big day.
Use storytelling techniques.
People connect with stories. Share compelling narratives about the individuals or communities your organization supports. You can highlight the personal stories of those who have benefited from your services and explain how donations make a difference. Use a mix of text, images, and videos to bring these stories to life.
Show your impact with graphics and video.
Visual content is highly engaging and can effectively communicate your message. Using infographics to present statistics and accomplishments can help make data easier to digest. Short videos can showcase your organization’s work and the people behind it. Live videos, in particular, can create a sense of immediacy and authenticity.
Take advantage of livestreaming.
Livestreaming offers a real-time way to connect with your audience. You can host live Q&A sessions, virtual tours of your facilities, or live updates on your fundraising progress to show your commitment to your cause. These livestreams are a great way to engage viewers and encourage immediate action.
Pin your GivingTuesday posts.
Pinning important posts to the top of your social media profiles ensures they stay visible to your audience. Pin your main GivingTuesday announcement, your donation link, and any critical updates. This makes it easy for your followers to find essential information quickly.
Work with your supporters to create User Generated Content.
User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful way to amplifi your message. Encourage your supporters to share their own stories and experiences with your organization using a specific hashtag. Then, you can repost their content to show the breadth of your community and the impact of your work.
Consider paid advertising.
Organic reach on social media can be limited, so consider using paid advertising to boost your campaign. Paid ads can help you target specific demographics and interests to ensure your message reaches the right people. The right social media ads can help you maximize your impact by reaching audiences that wouldn’t have seen your posts otherwise.
Keep your donors updated.
Regular updates keep your donors engaged and informed. Share milestones, thank supporters publicly, and provide real-time updates on your progress. Transparency builds trust and encourages continued support in your organization while also keeping your donors engaged for future campaigns.
Thank your donors.
Gratitude goes a long way. Publicly thank your donors on social media and send personalized thank-you messages. Highlighting donors’ contributions can also inspire others to give. Sending out thank you messages after GivingTuesday can also help you keep donors engaged throughout the year-end season and into the new year!
GivingTuesday post ideas.
What to post.
Create a variety of posts to keep your audience engaged. Share personal stories, behind-the-scenes content, and testimonials from those you’ve helped. Use a mix of text, images, and videos to keep your content fresh and engaging.
- Videos are incredibly effective on social media. Create short clips explaining your mission, showcasing your impact, and sharing personal stories.
- High-quality images can capture attention and convey your message quickly. Use photos of your team, the people you support, and your events.
- Craft compelling appeals that explain why donations are needed and how they will be used. Your appeals should also include an easy way for anyone viewing your posts to donate.
Optimizing posts for GivingTuesday.
Social media isn’t just about what you post but how you post it. There are a few key things you can do to boost the visibility of your posts:
- Search Engine Optimization. Optimize your social media profiles and posts for search engines. Use relevant keywords in your bio, post descriptions, and hashtags. This increases the chances of your content being discovered through search.
- Hashtags can expand your reach and connect you with larger conversations. Use a mix of popular and campaign-specific hashtags to increase your reach and engagement.
- Appeal language. Use clear, direct language in your appeals. Explain exactly how donations will make a difference. Most social media platforms prefer shorter copy, so you want to make your appeal short and sweet.
Ideas to stand out on GivingTuesday.
GivingTuesday is filled with nonprofits like yours trying to recruit new donors. Here are some social media ideas to help you stand out from the crowd.
- User Generated Content and ambassadors. Engage your supporters by encouraging them to create and share their own content. Appoint active supporters as ambassadors to spread your message and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.
- Impact statements and images. Share powerful impact statements and images that illustrate the difference your organization makes. Use before-and-after photos, quotes from beneficiaries, and compelling visuals.
- Fundraising challenges and contests. Create fundraising challenges or contests to motivate your supporters. Offer prizes for the most funds raised or the most creative fundraising ideas. This adds a fun, competitive element to your campaign.
Final Thoughts.
GivingTuesday is a golden opportunity for your nonprofit to connect with supporters and raise essential funds. By leveraging social media effectively, you can amplify your message, engage your community, and make a significant impact. Remember to plan early, use compelling storytelling, and keep your supporters informed and appreciated.
About the author: Megan Alliosn is a writer at Qgiv who takes pride in helping nonprofits. In her free time, she enjoys reading, music, and playing with her two cats.
About Qgiv: Part of the Bloomerang all-in-one giving platform, Qgiv is an online fundraising solution that helps over 6,500 nonprofits raise money for their causes. Through online giving and event management, text fundraising, peer-to-peer fundraisers, and auctions, fundraisers can provide a more personalized giving experience for their donors. Learn more at www.qgiv.com.
