5 Tips on Using Social Media Effectively

5 Tips on Using Social Media Effectively

social%20media%20image - 5 Tips on Using Social Media Effectively1. Remember social media is an extension of your brand and communications strategy – maintain professionalism and be strategic in what you engage in.

2. Gain unfiltered, real feedback from supporters and dissenters – be prepared for positive and negative feedback on your social media postings. Just be ready for how you will respond to negative feedback on your site.

3. Master one avenue of social media at a time – this new communications strategy is all about consistency and new information. Just because you have a Facebook group does not mean you are engaging in social media. You need to regularly upload new content, engage in discussions, and maintain your online presence. Once you feel good about a social media strategy try the next one. Use the Social Media Strategy worksheet on page 17 to help your organization create a plan.

4. Decide if your social media strategy is professional or personal – it is often hard to mix the worlds of professional and personal. Social media is a powerful way to exchange information with your “back stage” constituents of program participants, but do not think that your general public donors are going to care. Keep these two areas defined to avoid confusing everyone.

5. Take risks – This is a great, inexpensive way to experiment with messaging, trying special appeals and do informal focus groups. Think of new ways to harness this new media to engage your customers, donors and funders in a new way.

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Kate Runy

CONTENT & MEDIA SPECIALIST

A passionate technical wizard, Kate thrives on managing online content, social media for communications, and development projects.  Kate is the workhorse of the team, pulling out amazing feats of content creation and management week in and week out. 

Prior to joining BC/DC Ideas, Kate coordinated website and social media content, communications, and advertising for Go Global NC and Alzheimer’s NC.

Things that make her happy: I love animals about as much as I love working for nonprofits.

Mishel Gomez Cespedes

CONTENT COORDINATOR

Mishel brings a passion for video storytelling and quippy social media content to the team.  At BC/DC Ideas, she is most likely editing video or scheduling the next moving social media post for our clients.

Her ear for storytelling is her greatest asset. Mishel has a unique ability to assemble content into a concise story that moves audiences to action.

A graduate of Wake Forest University she spent a semester in Spain and years serving her community through the campus organizations. Now, she is putting her passion for good to work.

Brian Crawford

creative director

Mix equal parts nerd and creativity and that’s Brian. A natural problem-solver, Brian’s ability to cut to the core of any problem helps guide our creative team to the correct solution without wasted time or money. It’s the core, this little nugget of truth, that helps our clients take the next step with their audiences.

Brian gets the greatest joy out of helping our clients realize and connect with their story. He is a true believer that everyone and every organization has a compelling story to tell, you just have to listen with an open heart.

Things that make him happy: Hanging out at the park with family, toddler-speak, hitting the focus pull, and good coffee.

Dawn Crawford

principal

The engine behind BC/DC Ideas, Dawn has dedicated her career to good. Dawn brings her considerable experience and expertise to helping elevate the nonprofit sector. Our team’s lead strategist, Dawn is often seen leading our IdeaStorms, penning communications plans, or checking in with clients.

Before launching BC/DC Ideas in 2010, she earned her chops in 10+ years of communications leadership roles for public health, healthcare and youth-focused nonprofits. Working for nonprofits is Dawn’s dream job, and she loves that her 40+ hours a week make the world a better place.

Things that make her happy: A glass of champagne to celebrate big wins, Basecamp, living in the South, seeing the world, and a well-formatted spreadsheet.