Using Twitter as a Tool for Non-Profits

Running a non-profit can seem overwhelming. As CEO of your organization the hats you wear are many: business person, spokesperson, Human Resources Manager, magician making funds appear out of thin air, motivational speaker… the list goes on and on. Now with social media no longer an option for reaching out to donors, becoming a writer and social media manager have now been added to the list of your duties.

Undoubtedly you have heard of Twitter and maybe you are an avid user. Maybe you’ve been meaning to look into it (when the days are extended from 24 to 30 hours per day.)Maybe you’ve been hoping that Twitter is just a fad that you won’t have to spend the time learning and it will all just go away. Well, it looks like Twitter is here to stay and if used properly it can be an important (and inexpensive) tool in your fundraising arsenal.

Marc A. Pitman writes on his site FundraisingCoach.com some very informative tips to using Twitter to your non-profit’s advantage. Pitman explains that the greatest advantage to Twitter is that it easily helps to maintain donor relationships. Here are some other benefits Pitman mentions:

1)     You get to meet people all over the world that might be interested in your cause.

2)     You get to hear what people are really thinking about a wide variety of issues.

3)     You can follow other fundraisers and get great real-time advice.

4)     You can even promote traffic to your website or those of your friends.

Just like the stages of grief, Twitter also has emotional stages that the user will experience as listed by Pitman: confusion followed by fun as your friends get involved,  then intrigue as people you don’t know become followers and finally being overwhelmed at the messages you see coming in.

The bottom line is that fundraising is based on relationships. There is no way that you can speak to all of your donors or potential donors on a daily or even weekly basis. Twitter allows a large group of people to see what you and your organization are doing and it gives them a chance to comment and be involved. The key to Twitter is to speak but also to carry on a conversation and listen to what your fellow Tweeters have to say.

Finally, this is a great way to share the needs of your charity fundraisers and get direct donors to your website. Social media continues to be the most efficient and cost effective way to fundraising!