With surveys revealing that 98% of non-profit organizations have a Facebook presence, and 72% are establishing themselves on Twitter, it’s apparent that the non-profit sector is embracing the social web. Regardless of size, all organizations can benefit from being engaged online. Success will come from locating your biggest needs, and creating a strategy that ensures you’re not extending your resources too far. Read on for some of the top ways non-profits are maximizing social media.

1. Non-Profit Organizations
With surveys revealing that 98% of non-profit organizations
have a Facebook presence, and 72% are establishing
themselves on Twitter, it’s apparent that the non-profit sector
is embracing the social web.
But with budget constraints and increasing organizational transparency, and put a human face
competition for the time and money of prospective on the causes you support.
donors and volunteers, how can you ensure your
organization is getting the most out of social?
Regardless of size, all organizations can benefit Recruit Volunteers
from being engaged online. Success will come
from locating your biggest needs, and creating a Social media gives you the opportunity to locate
strategy that ensures you’re not extending your and recruit a wide pool of volunteers.
resources too far. Read on for some of the top
ways non-profits are maximizing social media. Many people are looking for the opportunity to
become involved with their community, but simply
waiting for the right event or cause. When a US
Grow a Community volunteer organization wanted to attract more help
for a special service day, they took their message
Not only does the social web provide opportunities to Twitter. By understanding and seeking out their
for community building, it encourages it. target audiences, the group was able to tailor the
Online engagement is a powerful way to draw best content to pique community interest. The
connections between people that may have never campaign was successful in attracting over 1000
met, but share many of the same life experiences. volunteers who were new to the organization, and
Recognizing the need for strong community bonds they also doubled their twitter followers, giving them
when it comes to dealing with a disease, the an even larger pool to contact for future events.
Diabetes Hands Foundation created TuDiabetes,
a network that has over 13,000 members. Spreading messages about positive volunteer
TuDiabetes serves as a forum for those with experiences might encourage other members of
diabetes to discuss all aspects of living with the the community to seek out a rewarding volunteer
disease, allowing them to combat the isolation experience of their own. A recent study proved
that can come from having an illness and become that social media is effective in taking seemly
a member of a larger, supportive group who are small, invisible actions and sharing them with both
dedicated to communal success. acquaintances and the world at large. When all of
the efforts are grouped together, the volunteering
You don’t need to create your own social network efforts are truly representative of how engaged
to create an online community. Use existing communities are helping to combat disease,
resources like your blog or Facebook and Twitter increase awareness surrounding environmental
accounts to join in on conversations, share issues, and give a voice to those who are
content, and answer questions. Becoming more otherwise suppressed.
involved with your community will enhance your
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2. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Increase Donations Connect with Like-Minded
Organizations
Think of social media as an extension of all of
those coffee meetings you attend with prospective Part of a National or International organization?
donors – instead of meeting at your local cafe to Interested in learning more about what similar
discuss their interest in your cause, social media non-profits are doing for outreach and event
helps you create bonds online, giving you the planning? Use the social web to develop contacts
power to build strong relationships with more between branches of your organization, or even
people, regardless of time or location. create liaisons with a group that services another
audience entirely. The most important part is
Realizing they were advocating a lesser-known fostering connections that allow for a transfer of
cause, the Scleroderma Foundation was searching information and give you the opportunity to talk
for a unique way to strengthen their community about what practices work best so you can learn
and raise awareness and funds. By using an from each other.
innovative video sharing platform, the Scleroderma
Foundation’s Walk for Cure has successfully
managed to unify the community of people living Promote Events
with this auto-immune disease. They also found
a whole new audience who might have not Chances are your non-profit has a signature event
otherwise been aware of the disease. Thanks to that gets your volunteers and donors excited
rampant commenting and sharing, the foundation every year. Whether it’s a golf tournament, walk-
has increased both their followers on Twitter and a-thon, or charity gala, wouldn’t it be great if you
fans on Facebook. The campaign has already raised could attract an even larger following to increase
$15,000, with one generous donor pledging to attendance and positively impact your fundraising
donate $100 for every video uploaded to the site. efforts? Sharing messages on the social web
is a great, inexpensive method to spread your
When it comes to fundraising via social media, event details to a much larger audience. Engage
perseverance and consistency are key. You might with your usual cheerleaders on the social web,
not raise thousands of dollars overnight, but with and before you know it, they’ll be spreading your
dedication to maintaining your social channels and message to their social networks – a whole realm
growing effective relationships, you’re sure to see of co-workers, families, friends and acquaintances
real results. that you may not have been reaching previously.
Feeling inspired to enhance the online presence of your
not-for-profit organization?
Contact us today to learn more about getting started with Salesforce Radian6, visit our website at
www.radian6.com, or contact our sales team via email sales@radian6.com or telephone 1 888 672 3426.
Copyright ©2012 Radian6