Starting and maintaining a social media presence for your association can seem overwhelming. From sharing photos and reblogging content to starting groups and adding friends, the possible uses are endless, and close to half the world’s population is on social media. This is why it’s so crucial to know how to use social media to your association’s advantage.
Social media can be a great tool for associations, helping them grow, engage with their target audience, promote events, and build a reputation that aligns with their mission. Here are a few ways your association can use social media to your advantage.
Know Which Platform Is the Best for You
These days there seems to be a social media site for everything. Don’t spread yourself too thin, but do make sure whichever sites you join work for your goals. Here’s a quick rundown: Instagram is photo-focused, Facebook is great for ads and events, LinkedIn works wonders for sharing professional accomplishments and hiring, and Twitter is perfect for polls and fun engagement.
Promote Your Events
If you have an event coming up, such as a convention, networking event, or fundraiser, promote it on social media! Facebook allows you to create events, customize them, and invite your followers.
Update all of your accounts with pertinent information, such as date, time, location, whether people need to RSVP, and whether it’s a members-only event. Don’t forget to share photos and tag any other organizations involved to build the hype.
Upload Photos and Videos
Photos and videos draw attention to what otherwise could end up looking like a wall of boring text on your social media profile.
If your organization participated in something, whether a party or a convention, share photos of the event. Take behind-the-scenes photos of the office and highlight the staff and volunteers that keep your association going. Photos can create a human connection by putting faces behind the words.
[Related: What to Consider When Adapting to New Technology]
Interact and Engage With Your Audience
If you have 10 followers or 10 thousand, engage them. Take time to update your profile with recent accomplishments and events, follow and like groups or individuals in similar industries, comment on and share their updates, and ask your own followers questions. Use polls or ask for personal stories to share.
When you make your social media profile more of a community, your association becomes more exciting and welcoming to the public.
Use Your Social Media for Hiring
LinkedIn is especially great for associations to promote their open job listings. You can even have people apply and upload their resume right through the site. Once you list your job opening and description, you can share that post or a link to the hiring section of your website on all of your social accounts.
Make sure your post is public and encourage your followers to share it with anyone they think may be interested. This casts a wider net than just posting on one or two job listing sites, and can target those that are already interested in your mission or industry.
[Related: Four Things That Will Attract Millennial Members to Your Organization]
If you want to discuss how to use social media to your association’s advantage, or how to adapt to new technology and achieve your goals, contact Dennison & Associates today for a consultation.
