During my webinars and workshops on how nonprofits can use social media successfully, I often urge nonprofit staff to take a friendly, fun, and more light-hearted approach to their social media communications. But that’s often a tough sell with organizations that deal with very serious issues, like abuse, rape and death. Obviously those situations do demand greater care, but I still think that “doom and gloom” isn’t going to work as well as more positive messages, especially on a platform like Facebook.
What advice do you have in situations like these? Here is a real-life question for you from Sarah Sperring, executive assistant of KIDS Center:
“I attended your webinar regarding Putting Real Strategy into Your Social Media Outreach (which I loved) and had some questions for you. I work for KIDS Center and I have taken on our marketing, as we didn’t really have a person dedicated to it before. Our nonprofit is a child intervention center where we see, evaluate, and treat abused children, so it’s a somewhat difficult and emotional subject.
We do have a Facebook and Twitter page, but have fallen into the trap of “prevention of child abuse” posts or events. Since your webinar, I have put a list of some fun things we could try and do, but I was hoping you also might have some ideas for us. We have a small base of around 400 Facebook fans and 116 following us on Twitter. We would also love to grow that but don’t really know how.
Here are some of my ideas, but I would love to know what you think.
- Comment of the donations we receive in-kind
- Questions to poll – do you think…?
- Emotional stories
- Human side of KIDS Center – staff spotlight / funny parts of the job/ parts we love / behind the scenes
- Funny things that kids say
- Summer memories
- What was your favorite book or toy
- Fall ideas – where to go in the area that are kid friendly
- Giveaways – give a free pass to a training or win a Body safety workbook
- Multiple choice questions – guess how many children are seen here, etc.
Thoughts? Thank you so much!”
