Social media for nonprofits: Make ’em laugh! (or at least crack a smile)
Feb 5th, 2009 by Amy Southerland
Nonprofit people are some of the funniest people I know. They’re smart, so they’re funny. They need to keep a positive attitude to get through tough days, so they’re funny. They really enjoy working with each other, so they’re funny.
Your team’s sense of humor and workplace playfulness should be part of your organization’s virtual voice. Plus, it’s a great way to get the entire team involved in your social media efforts. So be little goofy now and then. Share small moments that will make people smile. Invite people to laugh with you.
A few quick examples from my nonprofit past:
- I have a favorite picture of nonprofit coworker - taken the Friday before Easter - sitting in her cubicle wearing bunny ears. I wouldn’t hesitate to share a picture like that on a blog, Facebook page, or on Twitter using Twitpic, with a quick caption: “No, that’s not the Easter Bunny - it’s Jessica, our special events assistant, hopping down the database trail!”
- At a farewell party for a much-loved manager, four coworkers pooled their talents to do a goodbye song and dance number, to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” - with customized lyrics that had the entire staff in stitches. This was before the emergence of social media, but as the organization’s communications manager, if I could have shared that video the way you can today, I would have done so in a heartbeat (even though it would mean sharing my not-so-great singing voice with the world).
- A board member for a local nonprofit recently stopped to pose for a photo in the midst of a daylong community clean-up project. Her white capri pants (white? what was she thinking!) are dirty-kneed. She’s downright grungy all over, but she has a big smile on her face and looks like she’s proudly modeling the newest fashion trend. Sharing that pic with a quick caption (and thank you for her wonderful hard work) would make anyone smile - and be especially entertaining to the many people in the community who know and respect her.
No, you don’t want your nonprofit to look like party central. And yes, you have to have some clear guidelines about what’s fair game. But don’t shut down the fun because you’re afraid it won’t send the right message. Some occasional humor and lightheartedness will show that your organization is run by real people - and it’s another great way to create engaging content.
–Amy Southerland
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