This article outlines seven practical social media strategies nonprofits can use to boost engagement, strengthen storytelling, and build stronger online communities.
Nonprofit social media strategies can expose your cause to an unprecedented audience. Think back to 2014 when viral online marketing was entering a golden age. The ALS Association created a very influential social media campaign with a simple premise: people dumping buckets of ice-cold water onto each other and then nominating someone else to continue the challenge.
Because of the public nominations and how easy it was to get involved in the challenge for a good cause, an estimated 17 million participants posted videos, earning $115 million for the ALS Association for the calendar year. The right social media marketing strategy could raise awareness of your nonprofit company to new heights. But you have to pick the appropriate social media marketing strategy.
1: Engagement Through Storytelling
One of the most effective and central social media strategies is to have a related story with a clear emotional hook. Whoever your nonprofit is trying to help needs to be represented through authentic storytelling. Try to find someone with a relatable story and make it clear how your charitable cause has helped them.
You can end with a simple call to action, prompting people to donate or volunteer their time. Additionally, encourage users to share the content and promote it to a wider audience by tagging partners and sponsors involved in the story.
2: Short Videos
These days, the most popular social media platforms are short video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. These short-form videos give you just a few seconds and a couple of captions to communicate your message. The key is to keep things simple and aim for consistent posting.
Try highlighting quick success metrics through upbeat and engaging video content. Remember to film vertically to make your videos compatible with smartphone apps. That’s how the majority of users engage with this kind of short-form content.
3: User-Generated Content for Social Media Marketing
Another way to supercharge your Nonprofit social media strategies is by soliciting user-generated content. For example, asking supporters to upload photos or videos can be quite effective in the right context. Let’s say you are a charity providing musical instruments to disadvantaged children.
You could get in touch with previous beneficiaries of the program and see if they’d be prepared to produce some content showcasing their musical skills.
If you’re a nonprofit that does a lot of volunteer coordination, you could feature volunteer spotlight stories and let volunteers produce short videos describing their experiences.
4: Consistent Posting Schedule
One of the easiest ways to stay visible online is to keep a regular posting rhythm. Your nonprofit doesn’t need to post every day, but it does need to post consistently. Try scheduling content at least a few times per week so followers know when to expect updates. Mix things up with photos, stories, and short videos that show what’s happening behind the scenes. You can also tie posts to local events or awareness days to stay relevant. Over time, that consistency helps people remember your cause and stay connected to what you do.
5: Collaborations and Takeovers
Working with others is one of the most effective ways to expand your nonprofit’s reach. You can partner with local businesses, community leaders, or influencers who care about the same mission. Let a volunteer or partner share their experience directly from your account for a day. It gives followers a new voice and adds authenticity.
6: Interactive Content
People engage more when they feel part of the conversation. Try posting polls, quizzes, or question prompts that invite followers to share their thoughts. Host Q&A sessions or short live videos with staff or volunteers to answer common questions.
You could even run a fun contest or ask supporters to share how they first heard about your cause. When you reply to comments quickly and thank people for participating, they’re more likely to return.
7: Data-Driven Optimization
To make the most of your social media efforts, keep an eye on what’s working and what isn’t. Check your platform insights to see which posts people like, share, or comment on the most.
You can test different posting times or formats to find the best fit for your audience. According to Digital.gov’s Guide to A/B Testing, you can experiment with variables such as timing, messaging, and creative to improve engagement metrics.
If short videos perform better than long captions, adjust your plan accordingly. Review your results every few weeks so you can improve instead of guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can Small Nonprofits Manage Social Media With Limited Staff?
If your nonprofit has only a few people working on marketing, you can still keep your social media active with some forward planning. The goal is to stay consistent with your posting schedule.
- Use scheduling tools like Buffer or Later to plan your posts for the week.
- Reuse older content by updating photos or captions instead of starting from scratch.
- Ask volunteers or interns to help write captions or share event updates.
How Can We Measure if Our Social Media Strategy Is Working?
To see what’s working, keep an eye on the simple things, who’s liking, sharing, and clicking.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, typical social media metrics to track include likes/reactions, comments, and shares, which you can monitor using platform analytics.
- Check how many likes, comments, or shares your posts receive each week.
- Track link clicks or sign-ups to see what turns interest into real action.
- Review insights once a month and adjust what you post based on the response.
Discover Effective Nonprofit Social Media Strategies
When nonprofits share authentic stories, stay consistent, and listen to their audience, social media becomes a community builder. If you want to start driving meaningful engagement, start small, have a genuine message, and use these seven nonprofit social media strategies to turn every post into a connection with measurable impact.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the 70 20 10 Rule in Digital Marketing?
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Are Online Marketing Tactics Still Relevant If AI Is Taking Over?
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Get in touch today to find out how we can help with your marketing needs!
