We tend to geek out over social media over here at Nonprofit Hub. New trend happening on Twitter? We’re all over it. Google+ attempting to make a comeback? We’re rootin’ for ya, buddy. Latest and greatest photo of Tuna on Instagram? You bet we double tapped to like.
So you guys can imagine our jealousy of those who got to attend Social Media week, such as Katie Zupancic of Event 360. The following is one of her three takeaways as well as my own advice on this social media trend. (Find Katie on Twitter to read all of her backlogged SMW tweets.)
Katie’s first takeaway stems around the idea of user generated content—known as UGC for those of you who are fond of acronyms.
Matt Gibbs from SparkReel advised nonprofits to take note of what your followers are already doing. Are they the selfie generation? Or are they posting lots of photos of their kids and grandkids? Perhaps they’re pet lovers. Let’s say they happen to post a lot of photos of their furry friends. With a simple call-to-action, your nonprofit organization could see a lot of participation in a holiday pet photo contest (with a prize of a free branded t-shirt or a couple of tickets to your next fundraising event).
By engaging your constituents with content your target will readily post, you take out a lot of the legwork and leave room for engagement and participation.
UGC is a powerful, often untapped, resource of potential social media content. Perhaps a pet holiday contest isn’t quite right for your nonprofit, but your followers would gladly help contribute in another way. Your Facebook and Twitter followers are more than just numbers you proudly display for all to see—they can help, if you ask.
Read on for two more lessons Katie learned at the Social Media Week conference in Chicago. (Once again Katie, we’re green with envy and hope you had a lovely experience!)
What I Learned While Happily Geeking Out at Social Media Week 2014 [Event 360]
