Social media – why it matters and how to get started

Odds are you’re reading this on your phone, maybe during your break or maybe to avoid the emails in your inbox…

Either way, you’re proving why investing in your social media presence should be one of your organization’s top marketing goals this year. Smartphone users continue to increase (85% of the global population currently has a smartphone) and they spend even more time scrolling through social media platforms daily.

They’re searching for YOU on social media… So how do you meet them there?

Whether you’re joining social media for the first time or have neglected your existing pages, it can be daunting to get started. Here’s how you can show up on social media this year:

1. Create a content calendar. A habit you want to get in right away? Consistency. Creating this calendar will not only help you plan but also help you stick to a schedule. You can choose from the start how many days you want to post a week (we suggest at least 3 times a week) and what you want to post about each month. Create content “buckets” that relate to your mission and programming to pull from for each month. Examples include: mission/vision, programming, services, processes, testimonials, etc.

2. Identify your audience. It’s time to be strategic about who you’re trying to reach — this will help you identify which programs work best for your goals. For example, if you’re trying to reach an audience of older adults with information about your free senior workout courses, Instagram and TikTok likely aren’t the best place to be (even if you think your seniors are hip). However, Facebook is most likely the best place to reach your audience. Create what your ideal clientele looks like and research which platforms they use; here is a guide from Hubspot to help you get started.

3. Make your profiles. Sounds like a pretty easy task, right? While starting your page is a click of a few buttons, making sure that it is easy to understand and searchable is important. Make sure that your organization name is prominently displayed and in your username, if possible. Your bios/descriptions should be short and clear, leaving no interpretation as to who you are and what you do (the details of how, when and why will be shared in your posts). Once you’ve created your profile, make sure to follow your partners and staff.

4. Be social. There’s more to social media than scheduling a post. In its purest form, social media is meant to be just that: social. That means if someone is commenting on your post or sharing your post, you should engage with them. Tag people, organizations and locations as it makes sense in your posts. Engage with other profile’s posts and encourage online dialogue. You never know when that online dialogue could turn into a fruitful conversation offline.

There’s so much more to unpack with social media, but it can be a strong driving force to your programs, services and fundraising efforts. Showing up on social media can increase your impact, leading to greater revenue growth and better outcomes. It’s a strong investment for your 2024 marketing strategy. Looking for a partner to help you achieve your social media goals this year? Catalyst Collective can help! Contact us here to learn how.