HOW ENTERTAINMENT CAN HELP NGOS MAKE A BIGGER IMPACT

In today’s crowded social media world, NGOs need to use every tool they can to get their message out. But many are still stuck in the old way of doing things, just boring people with facts and figures. The key is to add some entertainment! Here’s why.
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PEOPLE LOVE ENTERTAINMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA‍

A recent study by HootSuite found that the top reason people use social media is for fun, followed by staying in touch with friends and family. And guess what? They’re not really interested in hearing about your organization all the time. In fact, 34% of people said they get annoyed when organizations just promote themselves on social media.

Despite this, many NGOs are still all about self-promotion. According
to the study, 44% of NGOs post about their products, brands, or news multiple times a week. This is a big mistake! NGOs need to stop talking about themselves and start talking to people.‍

By adding some entertainment to your social media posts, you can break
through the noise, connect with people on a deeper level, and make a real
difference. In fact, over 50% of people think that organizations need to be
more relatable on social media.

‍TIPS FOR MORE ENTERTAINING CONTENT

‍Entertainment can come in many forms, like humor, lightheartedness,
education, discovery, inspiration, hope, community connection, and shared experiences.‍

1 — Go live

‍Charity streaming is a growing trend that allows organizations to raise funds and awareness in a fun and interactive way. Even if your cause isn’t typically considered «entertaining,» you can still use this format to connect with your audience and make a difference.

2 — Share stories about those you help

‍Put a face on your work. People love to see the result of their contributions and it can make them want to get involved more. For instance, in the animal welfare world, sharing stories and pictures of rescued animals is an effective approach to garnering attention. Show how your work is making a difference in the world.

3 — Create funny or thought-provoking content‍

Humor is a universal language that can connect people across cultures and
backgrounds. A well-timed joke, a clever pun, or a relatable meme can break down barriers and make your content more approachable and engaging. Humor can also help to lighten the mood around serious issues, making them more palatable to a wider audience.‍

4 — Use social media challenges

‍Social media challenges encourage people to participate in interactive
activities that revolve around a specific theme or goal. This format fosters
creativity, engagement, and a sense of community, making it an ideal platform for you to connect with a potentially wider audience.

5 — Use UTM Tags

‍While NGOs use metrics like likes and shares to measure social media
success, tracking leads provides a more direct measure of your efforts.
By implementing link tracking using UTM tags and Google Analytics, you
can accurately assess the performance of your social media activities.‍

EXAMPLES OF NGOS THAT DO ENTERTAINMENT RIGHT‍

World Vision International

‍To raise awareness about the refugee crisis, World Vision International created a smartphone-style video that puts the viewer in the shoes of a family fleeing their home. The video was a huge success, getting millions of views and becoming the most popular video on World Vision International’s Facebook page. This shows that using entertainment can help NGOs connect with their audience and make a difference.

‍Plan International Canada

‍Plan International Canada is a non-profit organization that works to help
children around the world. They use social media to raise awareness about
their work and build a community of supporters.

‍One of their most successful campaigns involved using the viral Barbie selfie generator that enabled the organization to expand their reach to new users.
Their posts gathered over 5k impressions across different social media.

‍THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY BUILDING

‍Social media isn’t just about asking for money. It’s about building relationships with your audience and showing them that you care about their lives.‍
NGOs can use social media to connect with potential donors, volunteers, and advocates on a personal level. They can do this by sharing stories about their work, highlighting the impact they’re making, and engaging with people in authentic conversations.

‍By building these relationships, NGOs can establish themselves as trusted
and respected entities. This can lead to more support and engagement in the future.