For many nonprofit organizations, your social media profile is the first chance to put your best foot forward digitally. But a lot of organizations forget how critical an accurate and up-to-date profile can be in building trust and credibility. That’s why we’ve put together this short guide on how to maximize your social media profiles to make them work for you!
Start with the Basics
Do make sure that all of your key information is available and accurate. First things first: whether you’re using Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or another platform, it does you no favors if it’s hard for people to learn about your brand. That means making sure your profile or bio is complete, that your website link is prominently displayed, and that any relevant information is easily accessible. Search engines will often pull from the “About” sections on these platforms, so make good use of this valuable real estate!
Don’t forget to update your profile when changes happen. We know — it can be easy to forget about maintaining your social media profile while you’re ensuring there’s a steady stream of content. But it’s important to keep your details current! If you’ve changed locations or your hours have shifted — or more importantly, if your messaging or brand has shifted, your profile should be one of the first things to be updated. If the information is outdated in your profile, it has the potential to hurt your organization’s credibility and send users searching for another option.
Tell Readers What You’re All About
Do remember that your profile is one more way to build your online footprint. The almighty Google uses your social media profiles to determine whether or not it will match you with your potential audience. So make it easy for them! Use your key words throughout your profile to take advantage of search engine optimization (SEO). You may also want to include your mission statement to give your audience a quick overview of what you’re all about — and to give search engines a better chance to link you with the perfect audience!
Don’t weigh your profile down with unnecessary fluff. Your profile is your chance to succinctly tell readers about your organization and to draw them in further. Pin a few social media posts so that readers can learn more about you, but save your bigger narratives for blog posts — another excellent way to make SEO work for you!
Put A Face to a Name
Do include your logo. Featuring your logo in your profile gives your audience a clear identifier. However, the majority of platforms only provide a small section for your profile photo, which means if your logo has a lot of text, it’s less likely to be readable. Consider using a logo mark only if possible. Finally, if you have an option for a cover image, create a branded image that immediately enhances brand recognition.
Don’t be afraid to change your profile image to promote a special event. Got a big anniversary or fundraiser coming up? Chances are your team has created a special logo for the occasion. Change your profile picture to highlight it and include a link in your profile to any key information — such as a link to an anniversary page or the event in question.
TLDR
Looking for rapid-fire ways to maximize your social media presence? Consider the following:
- Are your handles the same across platforms?
- Do your profile photos match?
- Do your cover photos match?
- Do your bios use the same language?
- Is your contact information the same?
Start there, and continue building your brand’s consistency and presence! If you’re stuck on your social media strategy and want a complete audit, as well as a long-term strategy, get in touch! We’d be happy to support you with these needs.
