Social media is a tremendously fun and engaging way to build relationships with your community members. It is also a cost effective way to distribute content, such as stories, for your community to engage with.
But how exactly can we go about sharing our non-profit’s awesome stories on social media?
Today you’re going to get a step-by-step guide to creating and sharing stories for social media channels.
Step One: Pick One Channel
Your organization is probably on lots of social media channels, but for the sake of this exercise, let’s just pick one. Ideally the one with your highest engagement levels.
Step Two: Identify What Kind of Media You Can Use on that Channel
Every social media channel is different and it’s good to know what parameters you’re dealing with before you start to craft your story. Here are some examples of the parameters that I’m talking about:
Facebook = video, pictures, text, url
Twitter = 140 characters, pictures, url
Vine = 6 second video
Step Three: Identify What That Channel’s Audience Likes
Chances are your social media audiences are not all of the same. This is where metrics can become your BFF and help you make informed decisions. Look at what’s been shared the most, received the most comments, what demographics are on the channel.
In fact, you may even want to consider making an audience profile to help you in this process.
Step Four: Tailor Your Story
So you know what channel you’re going to use, what kind of media is available and who your audience is. It’s time to bring it all together! Find that great picture. Edit a long video down. Write clever copy.
Now, if you don’t have a story to use, this will also be a good time to get out there and find one. You can also think about how your organization can create a culture of storytelling to make find stories a lot easier.
Step Five: Post and Evaluate
After you’ve done all the leg work, it’s time to post and bask in the glory of what you’ve accomplished! As always, I would encourage you to evaluate your efforts to look for ways to improve or replicate what you’ve done.
Do you have any tips for telling a great story on social media? Leave a comment below and share your tip with the community!
Jen (my story)
My name is Solwhernia Rivera. I am a young, hispanic female who was diagnosed with Lupus back in 2009 during my first and only pregnancy. Since being diagnosed, I have suffered a tremendous amount of episodes in my life. Unfortunately, my only pregnancy led me to lose my only, premature baby. I prayed day and night for the health of the baby that I so longed to have with my husband at the time. I was once told I couldn’t have any children, and this event was such a great surprise. However, shortly after both of these saddening events, my husband had left our relationship and I was left on my own.
Lupus has taken so much from me, but everyday I feel grateful for the love and support I receive from the ones who matter. I have seen them suffer through the pain with me and the impotence of not being able to take my agonizing pain away.
I have tried to maintain different jobs throughout the years, but unfortunately my Lupus flare-ups keep me incapacitated. In the end, the result leads me to have to resign from my positions. When I’m feeling (ok), I try and apply for jobs again, but I am constantly getting rejected due to this ugly lupus situation. It keeps me feeling constantly misunderstood, and very judged.
Throughout all this, I try my best to keep moving forward. I am a very spiritual, positive thinking person and I know that someday there will be a cure or permanent pain treatment for my disease. I know I am a hard worker and I constantly keep my best foot forward. I was never one to ask for help, I was more of the one to offer help to anyone and anything.
I’m currently on stage 4 of kidney disease, and there are many other complications that came along with this Monster. Even as I’m writing this I find it to be an extremely difficult task. I feel so sick daily, and I’m running out of time. I’m coming to you with a humble heart to help me share my story, and help find ways to keep me alive and fighting.
Please feel free to contact me via email at soltohelpyouzrii@outlook.com. Or phone 201-486-0236