What is digital marketing?

Digital marketing is the powerhouse behind online initiatives in the digital realm. This includes, but goes beyond, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Social Media Marketing (SMM). These components form the core of a holistic approach to marketing in the digital landscape. With 66% of marketers increasing company trust and 80% raising brand awareness with digital marketing tactics, digital marketing is something you can’t ignore.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the art of refining your online presence to enhance organic visibility on search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing. Imagine someone searches for terms related to your business – will your website shine? Unlike traditional ads, SEO involves strategic efforts, not just budget allocations.

Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

SEM is where marketing dollars are strategically invested. This involves purchasing pay-per-click (PPC) ads visible on search engine results pages. Terms like retargeting, geotargeting and demographic targeting are second nature in an SEM strategy. It’s about investing wisely in specific keywords and ads to secure a premium spot in the paid section of search results.

Social Media Marketing (SMM)

SMM unleashes the power of social media to boost brand presence, engage audiences and drive website traffic. Whether through paid social media ads targeting specific demographics or through organic posts, a dynamic strategy ensures a comprehensive social media and marketing approach.

The why: benefits of digital marketing

Now, why should one invest in a comprehensive digital marketing strategy? The benefits are monumental!

• The right SEO, SEM and SMM campaigns offer great opportunities for your organization to grow awareness and website traffic. Don’t forget to do your research and understand best practices when launching campaigns!
• Digital marketing is cost-effective, measurable and targeted. Think of all the people you can reach based on their interests and online buying habits! Do create targeted audiences that match your current buyers’ personas.
• You can reach people at the start of their journey and then make changes as you go. Don’t forget to evaluate your performance and make adjustments to ultimately improve your conversion rate.
• Interact with your prospects or current customers. Do get to know them better and learn exactly what they are looking for to help drive engagement and create brand loyalty.

Digital marketing is the linchpin to establishing a brand’s online presence. From SEO and SEM to social media marketing, a tailored approach elevates brand awareness.

Let’s drive engagement and enhance your digital marketing footprint!

Let’s get creative

The post Breaking Down the Digital Marketing Puzzle appeared first on Firespring.

Obviously, these aren’t the only social media channels to choose from. What about LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, WeChat WhatsApp … ? You get the picture.

Today, we’re here to illustrate that when it comes to social media marketing for nonprofits, it’s not about being everywhere, it’s about being strategic. By following some basic principles, your org can use social media to grow—with less wheel-spinning than you’d get from taking a blind approach.

Here are some tips we recommend if you want to use social media to grow your supporter base, attract donors, boost your brand and promote your organization’s overall success.

Commit to the long haul

Our first piece of advice? Be prepared for a marathon, not a sprint. Research consistently shows that social media can yield significant benefits for nonprofits, but these rewards don’t come overnight. It requires a commitment to the long haul and the drive to strive for improvement.

Success isn’t about one viral post that earns a thousand likes. While such moments are welcome, they’re not the end goal. Instead, social media success lies in gradually building a loyal follower base. With consistently high-quality content, you can foster a connection with your followers that extends beyond the confines of social media, encouraging them to engage more deeply with your organization.

Focus on two or three platforms

In the vast ocean of social media, it’s easy to feel the pressure to make a splash everywhere. But we advise against spreading your efforts too thin. Instead, focus on two or three platforms that align best with your target audience and organizational goals. By concentrating your energy, you can delve deeper into the platform’s unique features and trends, allowing you to tailor your content for maximum impact. This approach makes your social media management more manageable and more effective.

Experiment with paid media

The next tip is to not shy away from paid media. The social media landscape has become so crowded that relying solely on organic reach may limit your impact. The good news is that even a small investment in boosted posts or paid ads can often generate a substantial return. Start with a small budget, analyze the impact and adjust your strategy based on the insights you gain.

Use the available tools

Our fourth piece of advice is to make full use of the tools at your disposal. Platforms like Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, offer a suite of free or affordable features specifically designed to make nonprofit social media management easier. These tools can help you manage events, solicit donations and even enable peer-to-peer fundraising.

But it’s not just about fundraising. Meta’s Ads Manager, for instance, allows you to deep-dive into your audience segments, enabling you to launch incredibly tailored campaigns with built-in calls to action. These tools let you decide how much you’re willing to invest to ensure your message is seen by viewers in your specified area over a certain amount of time. Furthermore, all of these platforms offer a powerful array of video and photo editing tools. These tools allow you to create beautiful, compelling content with little more than a smartphone camera, making it easier than ever to engage your audience visually.

Go beyond your comfort zone

Finally, don’t be afraid to push beyond your comfort zone. For instance, did you know that videos earn 12 times more shares than text and images combined? Furthermore, viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to just 10% when reading it in text. While venturing into video content creation may seem daunting, it’s a powerful tool that’s impossible to ignore in today’s digital age. Start experimenting with video using the built-in features of various platforms, and before you know it, you’ll be creating compelling video content that resonates with your audience.

Reach your supporters where they live

In addition to these five tips, it’s crucial to remember to reach your audience where they are. For many nonprofits, Facebook is the go-to platform as it’s popular among Baby Boomers and Gen X. However, don’t neglect the younger audiences who represent future donors. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are increasingly popular among younger generations who often use social media to advocate for causes they believe in. Understanding the demographics and preferences of your target audience can help tailor your social media strategy for maximum impact.

Focus on engaging content

Lastly, remember that quality trumps quantity when it comes to content. Rather than churning out posts to meet a quota, prioritize creating content that contains value for your audience. This approach will engage people on a deeper level and foster a stronger connection with your organization.

Furthermore, don’t forget to engage with your audience often. For every hour you spend posting, spend at least 20 minutes liking, sharing or commenting on other people’s content, responding to messages and comments, or participating in group discussions. Think of social media as being about building reciprocal relationships—not just releasing one-sided content.

TL;DR

To wrap it up, making the most of social media for your nonprofit isn’t about racing to the finish line, it’s more like a marathon. Pick your favorite platforms, experiment with paid media and don’t be shy about trying new things, like video. Make the most of the tools offered by each platform, and remember, it’s all about quality, engaging content. Stay connected with your audience and meet them on their turf. With a bit of grit and creativity, you’ll see your nonprofit’s reach and overall success shoot up.

Ready to learn more? Join us for our monthly Social Media 101 webinar, where we cover the basics of social media usage for the nonprofit world.

Register for Social Media 101

Check out our other free webinars

The post Social Media Marketing for Nonprofits: Tips for Success appeared first on Firespring.

Is TikTok a Must for your nonprofit?

In the ever-evolving world of social media, nonprofits might find themselves asking, “Do we need to be on TikTok?”

Valid question—particularly when your marketing team is already stretched thin managing Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Adding yet another social platform might be daunting, especially one whose audience is comparatively smaller (TikTok is still just the sixth most popular social media app in the U.S.) and younger (compared to the average donor).

But let’s pause for a moment and look at the bigger picture. Because if your nonprofit has some wiggle room, TikTok is definitely a platform that’s worth exploring. Let’s find out why.

The rise of a platform

Once considered a niche app for Gen Z, TikTok has grown exponentially, now boasting a staggering 150 million active users in the U.S. alone. And it’s not just individuals who are hooked on it. Nearly 5 million businesses have also jumped on the TikTok bandwagon, harnessing its power to reach wider audiences.

What’s more, the platform isn’t just a Gen Z playground anymore. Millennials and older generations are also joining the TikTok community. In fact, over 38% of users are over 30, including a surprising 7.1% who are over age 50. This demographic shift suggests that your audience may not only be present on TikTok now but their numbers will likely continue to grow.

The marketing power of having a TikTok video strategy

The thing driving TikTok’s meteoric rise is the same thing that makes it worthy of your attention—the unbeatable engagement and storytelling power of short-form video. Consider the following facts:

• TikTok users spend an average of 1.5 hours on the app daily, with a whopping 90% reporting that the platform never loses its charm.
• Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to just 10% when reading it in text.
• 58% of viewers will watch a business’s entire video if it’s less than a minute long.

Apply these concepts to your mission-driven marketing, and imagine the results you could achieve by jumping on the TikTok bandwagon.

But it’s not just TikTok—short-form videos are dominating other channels, too, as evidenced by Facebook and Instagram’s Reels and Stories. As social platforms increasingly embrace the video trend, it’s clear that nonprofits should get ready for a future on camera.

Embracing video: a step into tomorrow

We get it: The idea of creating videos might seem daunting. It’s more complex than writing a text-based post or sharing a photo that requires at least a basic knowledge of editing, lighting and sound, plus a dash of creativity. But here’s the thing: Video content will probably continue to dominate the social media landscape. That means becoming proficient with the format today will benefit you in the long run.

As we mentioned earlier, your organization’s social channels, like Facebook and Instagram, will benefit from getting familiar with video. Because they are such an engaging form of media, videos are a great way to inject fresh, vibrant content into all your digital marketing.

Getting started with video

The good news is that modern social media platforms are creator-friendly, offering plenty of tools to help you produce engaging content using just a smartphone. A good place to start is by watching tutorials that you can easily find on YouTube. Then, practice makes perfect. For example, whenever you would normally take photos, start shooting videos, too, and gain some basic experience with editing.

Creating your first Instagram Reel or Story is a great way to dip your toes in the water with a short-form video. You don’t need to dive right in with a TikTok presence—you can always start small by integrating video content in bits and pieces elsewhere. Once you get comfortable, you’ll have a powerful tool at your disposal to tell your organization’s story. There’s something truly captivating about a well-crafted video that text or images simply can’t replicate.

TikTok Tip: Don’t forget to learn the basics of TikTok SEO to get the most from your TikTok marketing strategy!

Conclusion: a TikTok future?

While TikTok may not be a nonprofit’s top priority today, it’s worth considering due to the growing popularity of short-form videos. There are plenty of resources, like YouTube tutorials, to help you become a short-form video guru. So why not start investing in this skill now to future-proof your engagement strategy? A solid game plan might be to start experimenting with video on Instagram and Facebook, and then as you grow more confident, expand to TikTok.

In the end, whether or not to embrace TikTok will depend on your nonprofit’s resources, audience and goals. But one thing is certain: The world of social media is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve will require adaptability, creativity and a willingness to embrace new trends. And who knows? TikTok could be the unexpected game-changer in your social media strategy.

Want to catch up on the rest of the series?

Check out part one: Threads

The post TikTok Marketing for Nonprofits: Is it Important? appeared first on Firespring.

Take a look at these eight signs that your logo is due for an update. Any of them ring true?

1. Your logo doesn’t adapt well to modern media.

If your logo was designed 15-20 years ago, it might not be optimized to work well digitally, either on a website or social media. Since brands promote themselves in so many new ways these days, your logo should be adaptable across all media, including mobile.

2. Your logo looks dated.

Typography trends change, and if your logo has outdated typography and screams “We loved the ‘90s!” it might be time for a trip into the 2020s. Your logo may also include old design trends—for example, shadows were commonly used in the early 2000s. That’s not the case anymore, so a refresh might be in order if your logo is still sporting those shadows.

3. Your logo doesn’t represent your current brand.

Over time, most businesses change as they grow and morph into something a little different than when they started. It’s common for entrepreneurs to start out with one product or service, then grow into something else. If your logo doesn’t reflect what your brand currently offers or represents, it’s time to make it a better fit.

4. Your logo was a DIY project.

If you or a friend created your logo in a snap just to get something on paper, it could be time to have a professional step in. This is more common than you think, especially for new organizations and startups that have limited resources. If your brand has grown up a bit since your DIY logo, it’s probably time for it to grow with you.

5. Your logo is too complex.

The growing logo trend for a while now has been toward simplification. Gradients and drop shadows were popular at one time, but these techniques look dated now, plus they don’t translate well across all media. Your best bet: Choose a simple logo design that uses up to three colors but also looks good in black and white and is easy to reproduce in a variety of sizes.

You might want to ask yourself these questions: Can my logo be stripped down to its most basic elements? Can the size of it be expanded or shrunk without losing its readability? Does it look good in black and white or a single color? If the answer is no to any of those, think about a refresh.

6. Your logo doesn’t differentiate your brand well enough.

Maybe when you started, your logo worked fine, but since then, others have moved into your space with similar logos and/or colors. Or maybe you look at it now and your logo seems too generic—like it could represent any number of businesses or brands that aren’t even in your industry. If it seems like your logo is weak in representing your brand, it might be time to empower it with an update.

7. You don’t have a logo, OR you’re using inconsistent versions of an old one.

You may have started your business thinking, “We don’t need a logo,” and in the beginning, maybe that was true. But if you’ve grown into a brand that you want consumers to recognize and, more importantly, follow, you need a solid logo that you can use consistently across all platforms and media. Time to get a designer.

8. Your company has outgrown your current logo.

Businesses grow up. Like people, they start young, but over the course of time, they evolve into a more mature, more evolved version of themselves. If your current logo now looks like a younger version of your business (maybe it’s too juvenile, or it doesn’t reflect the professionalism you’ve since acquired), it probably hasn’t aged well. A few tweaks or a simple update could fix the problem.

One thing to note: A new logo doesn’t necessarily mean a total redesign. Oftentimes, brands will benefit more from a logo refresh, where minimal but important changes are made to give their logo a slight facelift—this type of update can mean a more modern look while preserving brand equity.

Got questions about your own brand’s logo? Work with our creative team to develop a logo that represents your brand and all it offers.

Connect with us

The post 8 Reasons to Update Your Logo appeared first on Firespring.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, you’ve probably discovered that social media is an invaluable marketing tool for your nonprofit. It’s free, it’s global and it’s quickly becoming the future of communication, media and entertainment. But as platforms rise and fall in popularity seemingly overnight, where should you invest your precious resources for the maximum return?

Instead of spreading yourself thin, it’s wiser to focus on a few channels that best resonate with your audience, your goals and even your organization’s personality. And when it comes to delivering the results most nonprofits are after, it’s hard to overlook the original social media powerhouse—Facebook.

Let’s dive into why your nonprofit should continue to prioritize Facebook in your social media strategy in 2023 and beyond.

Why is Facebook essential for nonprofits?

With a staggering 3 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the world’s most popular social media platform. It’s the go-to for a large portion of Americans aged 18 to 65, and particularly favored by Gen Xers and Baby Boomers (the generations most likely to support your cause).

However, it’s worth noting that only about a third of teenagers are active on Facebook, preferring platforms like Instagram and TikTok. So, while Facebook is fantastic for reaching your current audience, it’s smart to start exploring other platforms to connect with the younger generation (who’ll eventually grow up).

Why have a Facebook marketing strategy?

Facebook offers a treasure trove of tools designed to help nonprofits achieve their varied goals. With official nonprofit status, you can solicit donations directly through the platform and encourage others to fundraise on your behalf. But that’s not all. With boosted posts and paid ads, you can target a specific audience and tailor your campaigns to drive desired outcomes.

Here’s a stat worth noting: According to Hootsuite, over 70% of click-throughs to websites from social media come from Facebook. That’s a huge chunk of traffic heading to donor websites, especially with events like Giving Tuesday.

Content meets platform

Feeling overwhelmed by Instagram’s visual focus or X’s character limit? Facebook offers a comfortable middle ground. You can create simple posts or experiment with more engaging content styles found on Instagram or TikTok. And with its massive user base, you can be confident that your content is reaching a broad audience.

The flip side

Of course, Facebook’s popularity comes with challenges. More users mean it’s harder to stand out, and it takes high-quality content and strategic planning to generate organic engagement. Plus, Facebook’s declining popularity among younger users and rising privacy concerns mean it’s essential to have a plan for engaging people on other platforms as well.

Yet, Facebook is still worth your time. For example, as Hubspot reports, a third of donors have donated through Facebook’s fundraising tools and 9 out of 10 would do it again.

General Facebook marketing tips

Now that we’ve established Facebook’s value, how can we make the most of it? First, focus on posting quality content regularly. Videos, photos or text—whatever format you choose, make it engaging.

Be strategic with your content. A good rule of thumb is the 70/20/10 rule: 70% of your posts should add value to your audience, 20% should involve sharing others’ content and making connections and 10% should promote your organization.

Remember, it’s not just about connecting; it’s about engaging. It’s important to nurture relationships by responding to comments, participating in Facebook groups and replying to direct messages. In other words, interacting with your audience. (Remember: It’s a two-way street).

And don’t forget to monitor your progress. Facebook’s tracking features can provide invaluable insights into your campaign’s performance and guide your future efforts.

To pay or not to pay?

As social media platforms become more crowded, achieving organic reach is an increasing challenge. Facebook offers two paid options to enhance your visibility and drive desired actions: Boosted posts and Facebook Ads.

Boosted posts are the simpler option. For a fee, you can “boost” a post from your timeline so it will appear in more people’s feeds. This strategy is effective when your primary goal is to increase reach while generating likes, comments, shares and overall brand awareness.

On the other hand, Facebook Ads are a more advanced option. They can be precisely targeted to your preferred audience characteristics, and offer greater customization than boosted posts. Whether you’re aiming to drive donations, recruit volunteers, increase traffic to your website or promote event registrations, Facebook Ads can be tailored to meet these goals. They also give you access to the ‘call to action’ button, which lets you encourage and track various desired outcomes.

Whether or not you decide to use these paid features depends on your specific goals and budget. However, both options provide a quicker, more efficient way to spark reach and engagement than relying solely on organic posts. Plus, even with a modest budget, you might be surprised at the significant results you can achieve by boosting a post or running an ad campaign over time. It’s definitely worth considering these paid options as part of a balanced marketing strategy.

In conclusion: The power of Facebook for nonprofits

If you’re a nonprofit wondering which social media platform to prioritize, Facebook remains a top contender. Its wide audience, array of nonprofit-focused features and mix of free and paid options make it a versatile, valuable tool. But remember, as platforms like Instagram rise in popularity, don’t put all your eggs in the Facebook basket. Keep your goals and audience at the forefront, and use the platforms that best help you succeed.

Ready to learn more?

Check out part four: Tiktok

The post Facebook Marketing Strategy: A Guide for Nonprofits appeared first on Firespring.

When approached strategically, an annual report can go beyond its traditional purpose and become a valuable asset for showcasing accomplishments, strengthening brand identity and attracting new opportunities. In this article, we’ll delve into how small businesses can use annual reports as a marketing tool.

Storytelling

An annual report provides an excellent opportunity to tell compelling stories about your journey, milestones and achievements. By weaving narratives highlighting your mission, core values and impact, you can engage stakeholders emotionally and strengthen brand loyalty. Incorporating real-life anecdotes, testimonials and success stories can humanize the report and connect with readers on a deeper level.

Visual Appeal

Utilizing engaging design elements, such as captivating graphics, infographics and high-quality imagery, can transform an annual report into an aesthetically pleasing marketing collateral. Visuals enable businesses to communicate complex data and information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format. This improves reader engagement and ensures that your key messages are effectively communicated.

Branding and Positioning

An annual report serves as a platform to reinforce brand identity and positioning. By aligning the design, tone and messaging with your overall branding, you can enhance your market presence and differentiate yourself from competitors. Consistency in visual elements, typography and color palettes ensures readers a cohesive and recognizable brand experience.

Transparency and Trust

Transparency builds trust, especially amongst stakeholders. Sharing accurate and comprehensive financial information in an annual report demonstrates a commitment to openness and accountability. Transparently addressing challenges and outlining future plans and objectives instills confidence in stakeholders and can attract potential investors, partners or customers who appreciate your transparency.

Digital Advancements

In addition to printing your annual report, embracing digital advancements can significantly enhance the impact. By making the report accessible online, small businesses can reach a wider audience and expand their digital footprint. Digital annual reports can also incorporate interactive features like embedded videos, hyperlinks and infographics, providing readers a dynamic experience.

Ready to unlock the marketing potential of your annual report? Firespring can help bring your vision to life. Whether you need assistance with storytelling, design, digital implementation or printing, we have a team of experts ready to collaborate with you. Let’s transform your annual report into a powerful marketing tool!

Let’s get creative

The post Unlocking the Power of Annual Reports as a Marketing Tool for Small Businesses appeared first on Firespring.

We’ll come right out and say it: If your nonprofit isn’t taking advantage of Instagram, you are missing out on a huge opportunity! Instagram provides a dynamic platform for nonprofit marketing, allowing your organization to engage a diverse audience across generations. This article explores the unique value Instagram offers to nonprofits, plus how to maximize its features for success.

Unpacking Instagram’s Significance in Nonprofit Marketing

Instagram, with its expansive base of over 2 billion active users, ranks as the sixth most popular website globally. Its reach spans various age groups—including Baby Boomers and Generation X—presenting a prime opportunity for nonprofits to connect with a diverse audience. In fact, Instagram’s weekly site visitors include a whopping 47% of U.S. adults. This broad appeal makes Instagram an essential marketing tool.

Engaging Younger Generations: The Power of Instagram Advocacy

Instagram shines as a platform for social advocacy, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials. Nonprofits can leverage its content-creator-focused features, such as posts, videos and ads, to tap into peer-to-peer marketing and foster meaningful connections with this younger demographic.

The 18-to-40-something crowd uses social media as a platform to amplify and educate themselves about the causes they care about. Engaging with this group through digital marketing tactics is like harnessing the ultimate peer-to-peer tool. A full two-thirds of next gen donors say they prefer to hear from nonprofits through social media.

And let’s not forget that the younger crowd is far from the only ones on Insta. As the platform surges in popularity (in part because of the amazing user features we’ll talk about next), more and more Gen Xers and Baby Boomers can be found using it. It’s no wonder millions of nonprofits today are leveraging Instagram accounts to connect with their supporters.

Creating Engaging Visual Narratives

Instagram’s visual nature offers a highly engaging platform for storytelling that goes beyond text alone. The fusion of captivating visuals, colors, speech, text and music on Instagram enhances audience interaction and provides nonprofits a powerful medium to convey their message.

Plainly put, Instagram, designed by a multi-billion-dollar company, knows precisely what it takes to keep users scrolling. By utilizing features like Posts, Reels and Stories, nonprofits can produce visually striking and informative content that captivates supporters.

Essential Instagram Features for Nonprofits

• Posts allow you to easily capture, edit and share photos and messages. These can be commented on, liked, shared and interacted with by people who follow you or see your content. Thanks to Insta’s slew of tools you can use elements like filters, stickers, animations and even music to turn average photos into practical pieces of art. It’s like having a magazine photographer on staff, except it’s you and you’re using an iPhone 10 with a cracked screen (but it still gets 136 likes).

•  Reels make it easy to film, edit and enhance Up to 90-second videos. Imagine the storytelling power of a beautifully captured video featuring your mission, latest events, the people you’ve served, etc. With today’s smartphone cameras and Insta’s seriously easy-to-use editing tools, you can create amazing projects without ever setting foot in a film studio.

• Stories offer a unique opportunity for nonprofit engagement. By sharing behind-the-scenes content, event highlights or a glimpse into the organization’s day-to-day activities, nonprofits can create 15-second clips that disappear after 24 hours, providing an authentic and engaging connection with supporters. Imagine wrapping up an annual conference with a Story containing photos and footage from throughout the day, for example. Scroll around Insta and see how others are using stories to their advantage, from celebrities to Certified B Corps.

Leveraging Instagram’s Algorithm Advantage for Nonprofits

Instagram’s algorithm is designed to put your content in front of the people who want to see it. By strategically using relevant hashtags, keywords and mentions in captions and descriptions, nonprofits can optimize their visibility and grow the size of their audience. This engagement fosters relationships and builds a community around your cause.

Unlocking Impact: Instagram for Nonprofit Success

Instagram offers nonprofits a unique marketing tool that transcends generational boundaries. Through its visual and interactive features, nonprofits can unleash their creativity, engage with supporters and expand their reach to make a meaningful impact on the platform. Embrace the power of Instagram and discover how it can amplify your organization’s mission.

Read on to learn why Facebook is essential for nonprofits.

Check out part three: Facebook

The post Maximizing Nonprofit Impact: Harnessing the Power of Instagram Marketing appeared first on Firespring.

Social media platforms have become crucial for nonprofits to amplify their missions and engage with their target audience. While Instagram and Twitter (now “X”) have long been popular in the nonprofit sector, a new contender called Threads is generating excitement. In this article, we will explore what Threads is all about, how it distinguishes itself from other platforms, why nonprofits should consider using it and how to get started.

What is Threads?

Threads is an innovative app developed by the Instagram team that allows users to share text updates and actively participate in public conversations. When it launched, it became the fastest-growing app in history, surpassing even Chat GPT in popularity (though its popularity has since declined following the initial buzz). Unlike Instagram, which primarily focuses on videos and images, Threads revolves around exchanging ideas through discussions. Signing up for Threads is a breeze if you already have an Instagram account, as it allows for seamless transfer of your data, followers and profile information.

How is Threads different from X (formerly Twitter)?

At first glance, Threads may seem like a “Twitter clone” in terms of its general look, feel and functionality. Threads is mainly oriented around text-based conversations, much like X. Users can create posts called “threads,” limited to 500 characters each and videos up to five minutes in length. Like X, you can mention other users in threads by using the “@” symbol before their username. Additionally, you can reply to someone else’s posts and quote or repost their threads.

However, upon closer examination, Threads aims to be a friendlier alternative to X by de-emphasizing news and politics. Meta, the company behind Instagram and Threads, intends to create a public square for communities on Instagram and Threads that desire a less contentious environment for conversations.

Why should nonprofits consider using Threads as a social media platform?

1. Reach a wider audience: Threads gives nonprofits an opportunity to broaden their reach, especially among younger demographics. While platforms like Facebook cater to a large audience of users, Instagram—and by extension, Threads—attracts a predominantly younger user base. With 75% of 18-24-year-olds in the US using Instagram, nonprofits can tap into a receptive demographic for their messages.

2. Engage in real-time conversations: Threads is designed to facilitate meaningful discussions and connect individuals with shared interests. Nonprofits can leverage this feature to engage in real-time conversations with their supporters, volunteers and other organizations, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

3. Stand out in a growing user base: Threads experienced unprecedented growth upon its launch. Although its user base has shrunk, it remains a platform with big potential. By establishing a presence on Threads early on, nonprofits can position themselves as thought leaders and pioneers in this evolving digital landscape. The ad-free nature of Threads (at least for now) can also set nonprofit messages apart from platforms like X.

Will Threads replace X soon?

It is uncertain whether Threads will ever replace X as the leading social media platform. While Threads experienced a surge in initial growth, engagement has subsequently declined to around 24 active million users (in contrast to X’s more than 200 million users). However, the strong connection between Threads and the existing Instagram user base, which consists of billions of people, provides Threads with a unique potential advantage. Nonprofits should consider including Threads in their communication strategies while closely monitoring its progress, as social media landscapes continue to evolve.

How do we sign up?

Signing up for Threads is a straightforward process. If you already have an Instagram account, you’re one step closer. Simply download the Threads app, and set up your account using the same username as your Instagram account. This seamless integration allows for a smooth transition of your data, followers and profile information.

In conclusion

Threads offers nonprofits an exciting opportunity to engage with their target audience and participate in vibrant conversations. While it may not replace existing platforms, its focus on real-time discussions and the growing user base make it an enticing platform to explore. So why not give Threads a try? Sign up, join the conversations and see how it can help your nonprofit connect, inspire and make an impact in the digital space.

Ready to learn more about social media?

Check out part two: Instagram

The post Should Nonprofits Embrace the Threads Trend? appeared first on Firespring.

Don’t worry; I’ve got you. I’ve been writing professionally for over 30 years, and you’re in the right place—I’m going to give you some advice that will make the writing process go more smoothly.

The first thing to know is this: Like going to the doctor, a lot of the dread and intimidation connected to writing is anticipatory—we don’t want to, don’t want to, don’t want to . . . until we actually do it, and then we realize, “That wasn’t so bad.”

So, the first step is to get rid of any preconceived notions that “you’re not a writer.” Everyone can be a writer. And you can be a good one if you follow some basic tips and principles, like these:

1. Write like you talk.

Put away the $10 words and write as if you’re talking to a friend. You may have developed this notion in 7th-grade English that big words equals better writing, but that’s not true. Conversational content is so much easier to flow through, plus it’s personable and relatable. You’re not trying to impress your English teacher anymore—unless she happens to be a donor. And even then, you want to appeal to her donor side, not her teachery side. She’s no longer grading your work.

2. Write one-to-one.

Even a magazine ad or a billboard that reaches millions of readers is seen by only one person at a time. People always read as individuals, not as a group. One of the most common mistakes is writing as though you’re addressing a room full of people. Instead, imagine a one-on-one conversation as you write—actually picture an individual in your mind. That will keep your messages personable.

3. Write for your audience.

If your audience is not into slang, don’t try to be too hip; you’ll be sus, they won’t dig your vibe and then you’ll be canceled.

Or, in non-slangy terms, you’ll come across as fake, you’ll turn people away instead of engaging them and once you do that, it’s hard to win them back. The key is to know your audience and write in a way that appeals to them. One way to do this is to create marketing personas, a fun and helpful exercise for your nonprofit.

4. Use AI/Chat GPT to get you started.

I’m going to say this very carefully, because in no way do I want you to hear, “Use AI to write stuff for you.” Do not do that (I’ll explain why in a minute). But I am going to say that Chat GPT can be a good tool to give you ideas and get you started on whatever your writing project is. Oftentimes the most difficult part of writing is figuring out where and how to start. Chat GPT can help you with that if you use the right prompts.

But don’t let it do all the work. Chat GPT does not know how to create anything new; it simply sources from what’s already been created. Neither does it know how to empathize, a distinctly human characteristic. And most of what it spits out sounds more robotic and wordy than compelling and engaging. You’re writing to connect with humans, and Chat GPT doesn’t know how to do that—at least not yet. Use it as a tool, not a replacement.

5. Format your writing to make it easy to consume.

For example, emphasize important points by bolding key messages. Just don’t overdo it. If you bold too much, then nothing looks important; it’s just overwhelming. Using bold or italics sparingly makes it easy for readers to scan and hit all the high notes, though, and it helps you identify the message that you really want to get across.

Along the same lines, break up your content piece with subheads and bullets. A study from the Nielsen Norman Group found that 79% of readers skim, while only 16% read every word on a page. Breaking up your page with subheads and bullets will make it easier for people to digest the content and understand your message. It also helps you during the writing process to organize your thoughts.

And embrace the line break. Even complex content can be made reader-friendly with the use of lots of white space.

Feature one idea per paragraph, and keep them short. Three or four sentences at most. Big blocks of text are intimidating, and people will skip them.

And try writing some paragraphs with one sentence only.

6. Enlist others to edit, proofread and provide feedback.

I know—this can be almost as intimidating as a blinking cursor, but it’s necessary. Even the most talented and seasoned writers have editors and proofreaders. I like to use both people on my team (coworkers, colleagues, etc.) AND, if possible, someone who’s in my target audience. Coworkers can edit and proof for grammar, spelling, etc., and your target-audience person can tell you if your writing resonates, how to make it more compelling/engaging and what it might be missing.

One more important tip: Grow your confidence. If you have a mental hangup about writing or a voice inside your head telling you that you’re a “bad writer,” that’s a huge roadblock to becoming a really good one. Here are some things you can do to overcome this:

• Take an online writing course on MasterClass or Udemy.
• Join a local book club or writers group (being an avid reader helps you become a good writer).
• Find a mentor who is skilled at writing and is willing to coach you.
• Use tools when you write, like Grammarly and spell check.
• Write. Then walk away to give your brain a break. Then come back to edit it yourself. Embrace the process of rewriting and find what works for you—every good writer knows that the first draft of anything is not a good final product.

Putting the right words in the right order can wield a lot of power as you try to connect, engage and inspire both donors and prospects through your writing. Learning to write well is a valuable skill, and one that I’d encourage you to develop, not only for your professional life, but for your personal development as well.

But if you’re like, “Thanks, but no thanks—I’d rather stuff a dirty sock in my mouth and pour hot sauce in my eyes,” okay. I get it. You’d rather outsource.

Good thing for you, I know just where you can go—tap our copywriters here at Firespring, who have been helping nonprofits connect with their audiences through the power of words for over three decades. Put the dirty sock and hot sauce down, and let our seasoned writers help you out with your next headline, blog, website content, white paper, brochure or whatever you need written.

Let’s get creative

The post Writing Tips for Non-Writers: How to Make Writing Suck Less appeared first on Firespring.

There are a million things that could go wrong in your org—a board or team member gets arrested; your org gets accused of fraud; a spokesperson or celebrity associated with your cause gets bad press; someone starts spreading rumors online and it picks up traction, throwing your nonprofit into a questionable light. It’s human nature to avoid thinking about these types of things, but if you don’t prepare in advance for a potential crisis, you could make a bad situation even worse.

The answer: a crisis communication plan.

What is a crisis communication plan?

Basically, it’s a series of steps that your nonprofit lays out, explaining how your org will manage the communications surrounding a crisis, emergency or other unexpected event.
It outlines what type of messaging you’ll post or broadcast, who the spokesperson will be, which outlets you’ll focus on, how you’ll mitigate the damage and what you’ll do to ensure this thing won’t happen again, if applicable. Clearly some things are out of your control (the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance). But if the situation is something that could have been avoided and your org is taking some heat for it, your crisis communication plan will detail who will take accountability and what the path will be going forward.

Whether your organization is facing an internal crisis or an external challenge, one of the most important things you can do is have an emergency communication plan that lays out the steps for speaking to the public and with your team. If you’re wondering, “But why? We’ll just deal with unlikely events if and when they happen,” I’ll give you four compelling reasons.

1. You’ll be more prepared.

This is a no-brainer, but in a crisis, preparation is key. You’re much more likely to be level-headed and have clarity of thought before you’re in crisis mode. Once a crisis hits, our brains go into “flight or fight” mode and rather than thoughtfully responding to that event, we tend to quickly react—and it’s a well thought-out response that we need in the face of a crisis, not a frantic or emotional reaction.

Before a crisis strikes, think through who will speak for your org, what method of communication you’ll use (social media, press release, website content, etc.) and how you’ll handle any backlash or negative PR. Knowing all this in advance will make you feel much more prepared to respond, even if you have to think on your feet when a crisis hits.

2. You’ll keep people as safe as possible.

In the case of a natural disaster, like a hurricane, fire or earthquake, you’ll want to know how you’re going to communicate with your team as well as the public to keep as many people safe as possible. You also have to consider other types of crises as well: What if an active shooter enters your building? What if someone on your staff becomes threatening or violent? What if there’s word of another virus spreading in your city and you need to inform your team and volunteers as to how you’re going to keep them safe?

Be sure that your crisis communication plan outlines both how you’ll communicate to the public and how you’ll communicate to the people inside your org, like your staff, volunteers, board members and constituents.

3. You’ll be able to minimize or mitigate damage to your org’s reputation.

Let’s be clear up front: Being defensive in the face of a public relations crisis that threatens to harm your nonprofit’s reputation or credibility will rarely, if ever, work. So, put the shields and/or boxing gloves away; you typically cannot fight your way out of a potentially damaging situation.

What will mitigate damage is taking responsibility for any actions—or lack of action—that contributed to the crisis situation, acknowledging your role, accepting the consequences, humbly admitting any kind of fault and vowing to do better.

This approach will make your org much more trustworthy, especially if whatever happened has shaken your donors’ or stakeholders’ trust in you. In your crisis communication plan, you can outline not only how you’ll communicate about the situation, but also what tone you’ll have in your messaging. Pro tip: A humble tone is usually the winner.

4. You’ll endear people to your organization—if you handle it right.

When you’re quick to admit any wrongdoing and commit to do better in the future, people are typically quick to forgive—especially those who are committed to your cause. In fact, there have been instances where orgs have been so good at handling negative PR that they’ve actually won people over who were not yet supporters just by the way they handled their crisis communication.

Now let’s talk about a crisis that’s not your fault—a natural disaster, a pandemic, an event that caused damage or loss of lives. Your response to such a crisis matters significantly! Even if it doesn’t directly touch you.

Nonprofits exist to create impact. To do more good. To make a positive difference in the world. If you can respond to a crisis event with compassion and communicate your plan of action for how you’re going to aid the people involved, you’ve not only made a difference, but you’ve likely endeared a slew of onlookers, watching to see how your org is coming to the rescue.

As important as a crisis communication plan is, we know that it can be a heavy lift—especially if you’re a smaller organization with just a handful of team members. We’ve worked with nonprofits for over three decades in just about every capacity, and our nonprofit experts and creative team can partner with you to develop your own crisis communication plan, so that you’re prepared when the worst-case scenario becomes a reality.

Connect with us today

The post Why Your Nonprofit Needs a Crisis Communication Plan appeared first on Firespring.