I hope you are enjoying this special time of year – it can be a lot to handle with Christmas parties, end of the year gatherings, visits with family and friends, and on top of all that you might be trying to meet some end of the year goals at your nonprofit organization.

When things get busy like this, it might seem like a good idea to make some drastic cuts on your to-do list - like taking a break from posting to your nonprofit’s Facebook and Instagram. 

It’s low hanging fruit that seems perfect for cutting from your to-do list… But don’t be fooled – it’s not! 

Consider this: Have you ever had a new friend that you really enjoyed and liked hanging out with, but then, you got busy and stopped seeing each other for a few weeks or even maybe a couple months? Then, after a while, you don’t really feel the need to reach out to them because, well, they’re not reaching out to you, and eventually, they fade to the back of your mind, and you kind of stop thinking about them altogether.

Has that ever happened to you?

This same idea applies to your nonprofit’s social media. Don’t lose touch with your audience just because you’re busy! Don’t let your audience think you forgot about them, and don’t let them forget about your nonprofit!

Also, consistent posting shows your audience that you are an active nonprofit organization who doesn’t disappear off the radar just because it’s the holidays. 

What if someone is considering using your services and they check out your Facebook page and your last post was from weeks or months ago? 

What if someone is considering volunteering with your nonprofit – maybe it’s part of their New Year’s Resolution – and they check out your social media and see you’re not trying very hard to stay relevant, so they move on to the next nonprofit in need of a volunteer.

What if someone is checking out your nonprofit because they want to write your nonprofit a big huge Christmas donation and the last thing you posted was from a month ago? 

You’re not earning anyone’s trust by disappearing from social media.

Consistent posting is your #1 secret weapon to keeping, growing and building trust with your audience on social media. You can’t abandon ship just because it’s the holidays – but you’re busy…

SO – what are we going to do about this?

Here are FIVE post ideas to get you through the holidays.

That’s right – use these ideas to post for your nonprofit on social media for the next 5 weeks. That’s one post idea to use per week. 

Yes, it’s ideal that you post twice a week – but honestly, if you’re so busy that you just can’t possibly muster 2 posts per week, use one of these post ideas once a week and they’ll get you through until the beginning of the new year.

It’s my Christmas present to you!

Topic ideas to help you keep posting:

1. Say thanks to your volunteers. It never hurts to go overboard with the gratitude you show for a volunteer. Let them know how valuable they are to your organization and that you couldn’t do it without them. 
2. Say thanks to your donors. The holidays are a time when your donors are being asked for a lot of things. So, why not do the opposite? Instead of asking them to give you something, give THEM thanks!  You will stand out and make them feel recognized and appreciated – like a breath of fresh air. Take it a step further and let them know some specific goals they’ve helped your nonprofit reach in the past year. What did their donation help pay for?
3. Post a picture of your staff and volunteers enjoying the season. Having an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party? Did someone bring decorated sugar cookies to share? Setting up a Christmas tree at your front desk? Doing a toy drive? Take a picture!  Post it with a caption that says something like:  Our volunteers had a blast at this year’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!  Or another caption could be: Nothing like cookies and decorations to get our volunteers into the Christmas spirit! (Feel free to copy and paste these captions as your own!) You get the idea! Remember, you’re just trying to keep in touch with your audience!
4. Post a quote. Posting a quote on social media is not only easy, it’s inspirational and shareable by your audience. I love to use Canva.com – which is a free website or app you can download on your phone – all you have to do is choose a background and add some text and then you’ve got a big beautiful quote graphic to post on social media. One liners make the best quotes on Facebook and Instagram.
5. Post a testimonial. Have you received a testimonial from someone your organization has served, a thank you note, a glowing Google review? Post it to your social media! Just make sure you keep in mind any privacy concerns or rules your organization might need to consider. Also leave out any personal information. 

There you have it! Five post ideas to get you through the New Year! 

Remember, your audience needs to hear from you! Keep in touch with them during this busy time – you won’t regret it.

Bonus tips: 

On Facebook, you can schedule a post so that it will post at a later date.   

Note: Your post won’t automatically go to your nonprofit’s Instagram. If it’s dire that you schedule an Instagram post, you can download an extra app (example: Later app) to help you schedule Instagram posts.

Sound intimidating? Email the text and picture to yourself so you can access it on your phone and then you can post it to Instagram more easily.

Here’s the most important thing I want you to remember – just do the best that you can! It doesn’t have to be perfect! Showing up consistently is what counts! 

Remember, you’re just trying to keep in touch with your audience. Don’t stress about it, just use these post ideas to remind them that your nonprofit is alive and well in the holiday season.

Keep going! Look how far you’ve come in the past year! Look at all you’ve accomplished!

If you have any questions – I’m right here for you! Ask away! Send me a message on Facebook or Instagram or send me an email and I’ll answer it on the show!

Remember to download the PDF guide that breaks down into easy-to-understand steps how and what to do for REALLY GOOD Facebook and Instagram posts – and it’s free and yours to keep forever. Click here to get it now.

Links I mentioned in this episode:

Create your own quote graphics on Canva.com

How to schedule a post on Facebook

Instagram post scheduling app, Later

Write Lauren

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PDF Guide:  What makes a good social media post

If links are not visible in your podcast app, visit the Episode Webpage and Show Notes at https://nonprofitpotential.com/24