With nearly two-thirds of American adults using social media networking, it is increasingly important that nonprofits use this communication tool to engage audiences and disseminate their message. With so many users and messages flying across the channels, how does a nonprofit get its message heard?

One tool allows organizations to cut through the chatter, connect with the target audience, and tell their story. Introduced in 2007 by a Twitter developer to organize the avalanche of social media information, the hashtag, once a simple pound symbol (#) on your phone’s dial pad, is now a tool to be used for connecting to others and sharing your message. Eight years and billions of tweets later, hashtags are so prolific that the term is now included in the Oxford Dictionary and Scrabble.

There are two primary reasons to use hashtags: first, to discover what people are talking about and second, to be found by people talking about topics related to your specialization.

But before you integrate hashtags into your social media campaigns, it is important to think strategically about your hashtags. Here are three ways to effectively use hashtags in your social media strategy.Use hashtags to expand your brand and audience.

Research hashtags related to your message, then like, share or comment on those posts. Engage users in conversation and introduce your brand to new audiences. The more you engage with users, the more likely they are to follow or like you, giving you the opportunity to continue the conversation.

For example, if your nonprofit supports technology education for young women, search for #STEM or #womenintech, then engage those users. They ultimately will share your content and possibly become brand advocates for you.

• Use hashtags to expand your brand and audience. Research hashtags related to your message, then like, share or comment on those posts. Engage users in conversation and introduce your brand to new audiences. The more you engage with users, the more likely they are to follow or like you, giving you the opportunity to continue the conversation.For example, if your nonprofit supports technology education for young women, search for #STEM or #womenintech, then engage those users. They ultimately will share your content and possibly become brand advocates for you.

• Create your own hashtag and use it consistently across all channels and media. When a potential audience member is looking for information related to your topic, they will find your hashtag and may decide to follow or like your organization, giving you the ability to engage them on an ongoing basis. Choose a hashtag that is separate from your brand name or handle, yet is complementary to your campaign. Be careful not to be too broad; customize a popular hashtag so that it’s specific to you and your campaign.For example, if your organization promotes a destination, you could choose a hashtag that promotes vacations in general, but look for what makes your destination unique and incorporate that into your hashtag campaign. The Mobile (Alabama) Convention & Visitors Bureau @VisitMobileAL launched a promotional campaign with the hashtag #BorntoCelebrate in their posts, encouraging locals and visitors to utilize the hashtag across all social media channels.

  Note: Choose a branded hashtag that you can own, using it in most of your posts to allow users to find your messages, even across platforms. It is important to search current usage of the hashtag, as you want to be careful of any cross-pollination of your message with an unintended non-synchronous message.

• Join a hashtag bandwagon. Keep an eye on trending hashtags in your arena. Hashtags are often used effectively around special events, promotions and campaigns. A hashtag campaign may be organization-specific or broad enough for many to engage. Anticipate when a national campaign may allow you to ride its coattails and gain exposure for your organization.In 2014, the Ice Bucket Challenge generated over 4.4 million Tweets and $88.5 million for the ALS Foundation. In December 2015, the #GivingTuesday campaign generated over 415,000 mentions with 98.6% on Twitter, ultimately raising nearly $40 million for over 5000 organizations.

With so many adults using social media, and as competition for donations increases, nonprofits need to understand how to engage users in this growing platform and to use tools to build awareness. Through the strategic use of hashtags, organizations can connect with audiences and spread their message effectively.

 

Stacy Wellborn, passionate community volunteer, adjunct professor and small business entrepreneur, has over fifteen years of experience solving myriad communication challenges for a variety of companies. From brand development to website design, email and social media marketing and public relations, Stacy helps clients identify creative solutions to business challenges, to generate awareness, build community relationships and increase revenues. www.wellbornstrategies.guru

 

This article is reprinted from Vol. 3, No. 2, of Nonprofit Performance Magazine. Subscribe today!

Join our weekly Tuesday afternoon Nonprofit Exchange at 2 pm Eastern time.
 
If you already have a nonprofit or are thinking of starting one, this will be very helpful. Put it on your calendar NOW! It’s a session that you don’t want to miss! Discover what’s blocking your success!
The Nonprofit Exchange on Tuesdays at 2 pm ET has been quite beneficial for many participants and we have enjoyed sharing thoughts and tips for moving past the stuck places we all find in leading an organization to achieving its mission.

Learn more and access archives HERE.
As the famous British Composer and Conductor Ralph Vaughan Williams once said, “Music does not reveal all of its secrets to just one person.” If you replace the word “Music” with the word “Leadership” or “Team” or “Strategy” etc. then we all give and receive value from others. That’s the spirit of the Tuesday afternoon Nonprofit Exchange encounters, sponsored by SynerVision Leadership Foundation’s “Community for Community Builders.”

You can join the conversation on Zoom or watch on Facebook Live Video. It’s your choice. You can comment on Facebook and on the Zoom chat box on any device.

Put this on your calendar NOW! It’s a session that you don’t want to miss! Discover what’s blocking your success!

We’ll “see” YOU on the call. Here’s to your greater success!