As we all know, food drives are a common charitable event for nonprofit organizations and for businesses looking to give back. Many organizations use traditional tools such as flyers and word-of-mouth to spread the word. Although these tactics seem to work for close followers of small businesses, they are somewhat lacking in reaching beyond that particular group.
As social media platforms and other online tools forge ahead as charitable information hubs, small businesses can take advantage of the virtual grapevine by following these tips:
1) Create An Event Hashtag
Social media is an easy and cost-effective way to promote your community service events.
Creating a hashtag that is specific to your organization’s food drive can not only help you promote your food drive, but can also help to further engage your followers. If you are using Twitter, you want to tweet this hashtag as often as possible in your updates. Be sure to add your specific hashtag to all your online platforms (e.g. blogs, social media and websites) and encourage your followers to use it, too.
2) Do A Countdown
One call to action that usually spurs enthusiasm is a good ol’ fashioned countdown. By posting updates such as, “5 Days Left to Make a Difference,” you are keeping your food drive fresh on the minds of your social media followers.
Instagram even has a special “countdown sticker” you can use specifically for letting your audience know the urgency of your event.
3) Host A Biggest Donor Contest
Online contests are a great way to spark the interest of your social media followers. Invite individuals and other businesses to join in on the fun by hosting a “biggest donor contest.” Encourage all participants to share pictures, videos and posts of their donations. This engagement works well for you and other businesses as it shows your charitable side and helps you achieve your goal.
4) Create A Facebook Event
Creating an Event on Facebook is another great way to advertise your food drive efforts. Events on Facebook offer a place marker on the calendars of all your followers.
Use event hashtags such as #fooddrive and #donate to reach more audiences.
Here are a few tips to get the most out of your event:
- Include all important details such as key dates on the top of the page.
- Don’t limit your posts to only admins. Invite all to post!
- Add a creative cover photo for your event.
- Encourage local event blogs such as Patch to share your event.
Get Started On Promoting Your Food Drive
Social media is a simple tool to promote your charitable efforts in an easy and cost-effective way. Are you planning to host a local food drive? If so, please feel free to post your event and location for our readers! Three Girls supports and appreciates the generosity of businesses who give back to the communities they serve.
Contact the Three Girls Media team today for advice on promoting your food drive or other events on social media.
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