5 Instagram Marketing Tips for Non-Profits

If you work for a non-profit, you have probably wondered whether Instagram is a good way to reach and interact with potential donors, volunteers, and members of your organization. That’s why we gathered these Instagram marketing tips for non-profits like yours. Instagram can be a great tool for reaching people if you set yourself up for success and follow some of our tips below.

Why Instagram?

Let’s start with some statistics about why your non-profit should consider becoming active on Instagram.

According to TechCrunch, Instagram currently has over 500 million daily active users, and over 800 million monthly active users. These numbers bring Instagram up to the second most popular social media platform out there, second only to Facebook. What makes Instagram so popular?

Some of the reasons that Pamela Kilzer at Firespring.org encourages non-profits to be active on Instagram is that the platform itself allows for a lot more audience engagement, intimacy, and emotional appeal through its use of photos and videos.

This is probably why non-profits are also getting on Instagram in a big way. It’s easy for a non-profit to quickly take a picture on their mobile devices and edit inside the Instagram app itself, or download one of the many Instagram-adjacent apps for further editing tools. For example, if your non-profit is running a fundraiser and wants to keep everybody on Instagram in the loop on the dollar amount that the fundraiser is raising, you can post photos or live videos of the event. Plus, if your organization is looking for a way to reach some of the younger users on social media, the average Instagram user is under the age of 30. So, Instagram is a venue to reach younger audiences, people who have the potential to be affiliated with your non-profit in the years to come.

Now that we know what makes Instagram so good for your non-profit, let’s discuss 5 specific tips for using Instagram to your advantage.

5 Instagram Marketing Tips for Non-Profits

Instagram Marketing Tip #1: Use Posts as an Opportunity to Connect with Your Audience

Since Instagram is a primarily visual platform, utilize it’s visual nature to your advantage while also informing your audience about your organization, whether it be those who have been with the non-profit for a while, those looking to see what your non-profit is about, or otherwise. Let your audience know what your non-profit does and why it does it. When was it founded? How many members do you have? What are cool events or fundraisers you’ve done recently, or an amazing cause you’ve worked towards? In fact, you may consider sharing this story over several posts, since pictures on Instagram do most of the talking. Include in each new post a little bit of text unraveling the history behind your organization and get your audience engaged, wanting to learn more.

Instagram Marketing Marketing Tip #2: Use Hashtags Relevant to Your Cause

Just like on Twitter, hashtags are an important way to engage with your followers and to help new followers find you. Creating hashtags that are relevant to your non-profit and the causes that it supports will increase your visibility on Instagram and help you reach new followers. Try to find other non-profits that are similar to yours, follow them, and use any hashtags they’re using that apply to your organization, as well. Using some of their hashtags might help some of their audience connect with you.

Instagram Marketing Marketing Tip #3: Promote Any Fundraising Campaigns

Since your non-profit may be hosting events or campaigns to help raise money or awareness for your organization, you should keep your followers posted on what’s going on. You might even consider using these campaigns as an opportunity to post about ways that your followers can get involved. Let them know details about volunteering and helping out, or an email address they can contactor get more information. Be sure to include a link they can use to donate money when you’re actively fundraising. If you are using electronic flyers on other sites, consider making a mobile/Instagram-friendly version to keep people in the loop about your latest campaign.

Instagram Marketing Marketing Tip #4: Develop Rapport With Your Followers

As a non-profit, whether you’re just starting out or are an established organization, you want to make a connection with those that are interested in your non-profit and its goals. What will help set your non-profit apart from others, or at least make your followers notice your organization a little more on their feed, is the rapport you build with them. The best way to develop this rapport is to respond to comments on your posts. Every few days, whether you create a new post or not, check out what posts are getting likes and comments. Respond to some followers who have expressed interest in your non-profit, or are asking questions. Interaction means a lot to your audience and makes them feel more connected to your non-profit, which in turn makes them more likely to come back for more posts.

Instagram Marketing Marketing Tip #5: Consistency Is Key

Just like any other social media platform, the biggest tip you can follow is to be consistent. People will follow your non-profit because they value the mission, the cause, and the people involved. Let your followers know about the great work that you non-profit is doing for the community. Also let them know how they can get involved in current or future campaigns, and the goals you are setting to be an even better non-profit in the future.

Instagram is a great place to start building a following for a cause. Whether you’re a small, local non-profit or a large, national one, Instagram can help you begin to build connections with volunteers, clients, and donors that can help sustain your organization for years to come.

Need Help With Instagram Marketing for Your Non-Profit?