Level up your nonprofit’s social media to boost visibility and engagement

Social media is one of the most visible ways that help nonprofits reach their community, share their stories, and build support for their cause. But with the platforms constantly making changes and audience behavior always shifting, it can be confusing what the most effective approach would be. 

So, we’ve curated our favorite Candid insights articles focused on improving your nonprofit’s social media. These pieces highlight what makes a successful social media strategy that your nonprofit can adapt to your needs. 

Understanding the current nonprofit social media landscape 

Reaching Gen Z on social media: Expert advice vs. Gen Z opinion. We surveyed Gen Z college students to understand how they prefer to engage with nonprofits on social media. From making content that is shareable to using influencers, former Candid intern Promise Pitman breaks down what this generation really wants to see on their feed. 

Social media myths for nonprofits. You don’t need to be active on every platform. You don’t need to make trendy video content. And you definitely don’t need to run paid ads to reach new audiences. In this article, Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D., Candid’s senior digital communications manager, debunks six common misconceptions about what you need to do for nonprofit social media engagement and explains what would be more effective. 

Creating engaging content tailored for nonprofit social media 

A big impact with bite-sized social media. The average social media user today spends less than 10 seconds on a single post before clicking off, writes former Candid intern Ariella Pacheco. Whether you’re creating an image carousel, short-form video, or infographic, these tips can help you create eye-catching, shareable content that works with the bite-sized type of learning that today’s audiences want.  

How nonprofits can be authentic on social media. Authenticity is about showing your organization is human-focused, genuine, and relatable. For nonprofits, this means focusing on what matters most: the people you serve, the supporters who believe in your mission, and the story you want to share. Former Candid intern Allison Swann highlights ways to help build trust with your community—from sharing behind-the-scenes content to celebrating your successes. 

Refining your strategy for the future 

How to run an experiment on your nonprofit’s social media. Experiments are a great way to determine whether you should change your strategy—from changing the time you post, to switching your messaging style, to posting on a new platform altogether. Meyers Emery takes you through all the steps of running your first social media experiment and making sense of the data.  

New year, new social media plan: Using data to inform your strategy. Before you create your nonprofit’s social media plan for the new year, always take a look at your data from the past year. Your year-end numbers may expose some unexpected insights into what keeps your audience engaged (and what doesn’t).  

How to do a social media audit for nonprofits. Conducting an annual audit ensures that all of your nonprofit’s social media accounts are secure, consistent, and aligned with your brand. Learn more about how to conduct a social media audit at your nonprofit, so you can start cleaning up your accounts now. 

Rethink, reuse, and repurpose: How to create more social media content with less work. Creating a consistent supply of social media content for a nonprofit is hard. And even if you’re lucky enough to have a rich source of content, less than 7% of your social media followers likely saw what you posted the first time around. Repurposing previously posted content is a great way to maintain a consistent social media presence, be more efficient with your time, and make sure your audience is getting the message.  

Regardless of how social media platforms change, these strategies offer a practical path to strengthen your nonprofit’s social media presence. What are some of your favorite social media tips? Share in the comments!