Why should your organisation embrace digital?

We have worked with Cambridge Online to produce a video about some of the benefits that all sizes of organisations can gain by embracing digital technology and social media.

Thank you to Red Hen, Cambridge Online, Lenka Koppova, CHS group, NAVCA and North Cambridge Community Partnership for taking part.

Social Media

Social media has gone mainstream. TV programms and events have #hashtags and there are Facebook pages for biscuits. Yet if we are to believe our survey many CCVS members are struggling with how they can make the most from social media.

This page provides you with some resources that may be useful. For a bit of an overview check out this article from a CCVS newsletter.

We will continue to add information to this page. Coming next What web tools we use at CCVS and why.

Social media is something that is now part of everyday life for many charities and community groups, and for those on a tight budget social media may be a very cost effective method of engaging with supports. It is worth bearing in mind though that this is not the only marketing tool you may need to consider when promoting your organisation and its services but just a part of the marketing mix.

Things to consider when developing a social media strategy

  1. The trustee board needs to think through the strategy thoroughly. Think about a clear vision that your social media strategy needs to aim for and write it down.
  2. Research and discuss which social networking sites your charity would like a presence on. It doesn’t matter if the number is small, it is the effort you put into engaging with your audience on that particular network rather than limited effort on numerous networks
  3. Identify and know your audience and work out how you will communicate with them
  4. Think about how much time you would like to and can realistically spend implementing your social media strategy. Consider the resources you have available.
  5. Have a key person or team in place to co-ordinate the strategy. Get your colleagues/team members to buy in and contribute to your social network.
  6. Introduce effective ways of measuring the success of your social media campaigns.
  7. Your strategy needs to ensure your brand is consistent across the board.
  8. Develop your charity’s opportunity to interact with the audience on a more personal level. Building a relationship with your audience means they will spread the word about your charity. With a few clicks, many thousands of people may come to know about the work of your group.
  9. Regular monitoring and auditing of your social media strategy means evaluating what is working and what is not. Seeing and analysing the outcomes and results only provide room for improvement and developing areas that bring in a good return.
  10. Think about an offline strategy. Are there likely to be any contacts or people in your networks that will need a real life connection or follow up.

 

RESOURCES