WHY FACEBOOK FOR YOUR NONPROFIT?

Because Facebook empowers non-profits to mobilize communities, raise awareness, and increase support for their organization. It is one of the most powerful and viral ways for organizations like yours to connect with your target audience, share your story and participate in real-time conversations quickly and easily.

With Facebook you can:
• Cultivate relationships that will help you to expand your organization’s reach
• Create ongoing dialogue about news, causes and events
• Broadcast a message or event invite without ending up in junk mail or being flagged as spam
• Show vs. tell your organization’s story through online video and picture albums
• Create groups and discussion boards specific to your target audiences interests
• Connect with other organizations and supporters who might not know about you
• Collaborate with other nonprofit organizations that have similar goals

And best of all, it's free! But beware, just because your nonprofit has a Facebook page it doesn’t mean you will automatically increase awareness, raise funds, and engage supporters. If your content is stale, your page uninspiring, and your strategy isn’t in alignment with your marketing and development plans, you may be not only wasting valuable time, resources, and energy - You may be hurting your organization’s image and brand as well.

So, before you take one step further on Facebook, make sure you have the foundation needed to do Facebook right and ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have an existing Marketing and Development Plan that includes Facebook as a strategy and tactic for reaching your target audience? Facebook should always be part of your marketing and development activities. It should be considered to be only one of many communication tools with a clear definitive plan and monthly calendar for themes, discussions, video, photos, events, incentives, collaboration, etc. If your organization doesn’t have a marketing plan that includes Facebook as a strategy and tactic, start writing it today. For step by step instruction on creating a nonprofit Marketing Plan visit http://www.purpleduckuniversity.blogspot.com. To attend a Marketing Plan workshop click here. Bethany, I am getting confirmation on a location and date to teach this again. We will put the info on the blog and on the website.

2. Do you have an existing database of email addresses for people that currently support your organization? If you do, you can invite these people through existing communications to find you on Facebook and “Like” and follow you. If you don’t, focus your efforts on cultivating relationships with “believers” and potential supporters first. Once you have at least 50 of those, start your Facebook page and invite them to join you through existing communication tools and Facebook itself. Then create an incentive to have them help you to recruit more Facebook friends.

3. Do you have the time, resources, talent, and budget to give Facebook the time and focus it requires to work well? If you are already frayed at the edges from trying to do everything with limited staff, time and money, don’t jump on the Facebook band wagon yet. Facebook requires a plan, good content, the time to engage in ongoing dialogue with followers, and a real understanding of all the bells and whistles (applications) that can and should be utilized to keep your community coming back over and over again.

If you answered YES to all of these questions, you are primed to utilize Facebook to its full advantage. If you answered NO to any of them, refocus your efforts to getting to YES. Facebook will still be there when you are ready to jump in. The more prepared you are - the better your results will be.

Want to learn how to make an amazing Facebook page for your nonprofit?  Attend my upcoming class at the Foundation Center (Atlanta) on May 24th.  Sign up here