NFPs often have small budgets when it comes to branding and marketing due to limited grants and fundraising opportunities. Here are some branding tips to maximise those dollars and get the word out about your charity efforts at the same time.

Put the social back in social media

Focus more on communicating with people rather than just posting things for the sake of it. If you think of the social media platform as a particular individual, it makes it easier to pen your posts. Don’t let the unfamiliarity of the medium put you off from connecting with your readers. Be yourself and aim for a real connection to others.

Get your words out there

You cannot have a brand if you don’t create a platform from which to share your plans. Create a blog and use it to showcase your work, your aims and your goals. Let your readers in behind the scenes so they can see where their dollars are going. Share your valuable content as far and as wide as you can.

Focus on your uniqueness

What is unique about your brand? How can you get market yourself differently from other non-profits? Work out your unique selling points and focus on them. Use it as leverage to make your brand memorable. Issues like SEO will come naturally once you have a real grasp on your marketing perspective.

Keep up with the communication

People who follow you will do so for a reason. So keep it interesting, keep it entertaining and most of all keep it consistent. Don’t let it go three months before you post on social media – stick to your strategy at all times. Nominate a member of staff to post regularly without fail and make it a priority.

Show how much you care

Show you care so that others will care too. Demonstrate just how much you are making a difference to others. Showcase real stories about real people. It doesn’t have to be 100% business all of the time. Let them know just how big a heart your charity has and emphasise it with professional content.

Understand your business

Do you know what you stand for or what you represent? As soon as you are clear on that, then you can ensure that your message is getting through to your followers. Engage them in discussions that are in keeping with your mission statement and overall values of your NFP.

Network

Network with people online. Get involved in relevant discussions. Reach out to people you have met in the real world and connect with them on social media. Create real relationships with others – they will be your best advocates and help spread the word about your cause.

Create a style guide

Regardless of how many people are posting, it is important that your business has one voice. Create a style guide to demonstrate your consistency, taking into accounts communication styles, logos, imagery and taglines. Repetition of your message will help build up your branding.

People want to trust you and your business. Regular marketing with consistent branding will help cement your reputation and show people that you mean business. Remember that your brand is created by every bit of communication, action, interaction and social media post you do, so make the most of them.