One of the biggest issues for small non-profits today is finding people to who can help with social media and website management. Let's face it: many organizations find themselves with a wonderfully dedicated, but aging set of volunteers, They may not know anything about social media, or may not be up for learning something new. And as we've noted before, you miss out on potential volunteers, donors and members if you're not active on social media. (See also Why Social Media?)
We've heard: "It's scary!" "It's time consuming!" "It represents change!" For the most part, all of these fears are correct, but manageable by the right people. The key is finding those right people to take on the challenge of marketing in the modern age. How do you find them?
You ask for help. Wow, simple right? Not exactly! Asking for help is often the hardest thing an organization can do. It can be perceived by the members of the organization as weakness, or admitting defeat, to ask for help. It can overwhelm individuals who don't know how to ask the right questions about a subject with which they are not familiar.
However, asking for help is also the BEST thing an organization can do. It shows that your organization recognizes where your strengths lie, and where you could use some assistance to grow stronger. Asking means you want to be better. Be more relevant. Be the best organization you can be. It's not a weakness to ask for help!
Once you've gotten over the fears, who do you ask for help? You start by talking to similar organizations you know to get recommendations. Ask questions like:
"What are you doing for your social media and website maintenance?"
"Have you seen results in the form of increased membership or engagement from your social media posts?"
"Do you feel satisfied that your message is being heard in the online community?"
Once you find organizations that are happy with their plans, replicate what they are doing. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel! Do they use a firm to manage their social media, or is it in in house? Talk to the people who are doing the work to find out who they know who can help you. Volunteers who have special talents often know people with similar talents. They become the best source for new volunteers in your organization with the talents you need.
Ultimately the first step to finding the right people to do this work is to get over your own fears that stem from not knowing the subject matter and being overwhelmed. There are good people out there who know how to do the marketing you need, and they will volunteer...if you ask them!
What is your organization doing to find good people to help with your social media marketing?
We've heard: "It's scary!" "It's time consuming!" "It represents change!" For the most part, all of these fears are correct, but manageable by the right people. The key is finding those right people to take on the challenge of marketing in the modern age. How do you find them?
You ask for help. Wow, simple right? Not exactly! Asking for help is often the hardest thing an organization can do. It can be perceived by the members of the organization as weakness, or admitting defeat, to ask for help. It can overwhelm individuals who don't know how to ask the right questions about a subject with which they are not familiar.
However, asking for help is also the BEST thing an organization can do. It shows that your organization recognizes where your strengths lie, and where you could use some assistance to grow stronger. Asking means you want to be better. Be more relevant. Be the best organization you can be. It's not a weakness to ask for help!
Once you've gotten over the fears, who do you ask for help? You start by talking to similar organizations you know to get recommendations. Ask questions like:
"What are you doing for your social media and website maintenance?"
"Have you seen results in the form of increased membership or engagement from your social media posts?"
"Do you feel satisfied that your message is being heard in the online community?"
Once you find organizations that are happy with their plans, replicate what they are doing. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel! Do they use a firm to manage their social media, or is it in in house? Talk to the people who are doing the work to find out who they know who can help you. Volunteers who have special talents often know people with similar talents. They become the best source for new volunteers in your organization with the talents you need.
Ultimately the first step to finding the right people to do this work is to get over your own fears that stem from not knowing the subject matter and being overwhelmed. There are good people out there who know how to do the marketing you need, and they will volunteer...if you ask them!
What is your organization doing to find good people to help with your social media marketing?
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