With over 1.1 billion members worldwide, LinkedIn is now one of the biggest social media platforms. While it’s a professional and networking-focused platform, it’s also where people come to connect, learn and communicate with each other, making it a fantastic resource for nonprofits to leverage.
With the right steps, your organization can find new corporate and individual donors, as well as volunteers and advocates.
Here are five tips for using LinkedIn to effectively reach the right people and build strong partnerships and connections that will last.
1. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile and Company Page.
Your LinkedIn profile and company page are your organization’s digital storefront. Just like a well-organized storefront attracts customers, a polished LinkedIn presence attracts supporters.
Begin by ensuring your profile and page are complete, professional, and visually appealing. Use a clear profile picture, ideally your nonprofit’s logo, to establish brand recognition. An attention-grabbing cover photo can showcase your mission or recent achievements. Craft a concise and compelling ‘About Us’ section, clearly articulating your organization’s mission and the impact you’re making. Use relevant keywords throughout your profile and page, such as ‘nonprofit management,’ ‘volunteer coordinator,’ or ‘social impact,’ to improve searchability.
Simplify how people find you by creating a branded, memorable LinkedIn URL. This not only enhances professionalism but also makes it easier to share your page. Remember, a well-optimized profile and page are the foundation for building meaningful connections on LinkedIn.
2. Share Impactful Content Regularly.
Consistency is key when it comes to LinkedIn content. Posting frequently and regularly increases your organization’s credibility and keeps your supporters informed about your activities.
Share a variety of content to keep your audience engaged. This includes job openings, new campaigns, testimonials from beneficiaries, ‘behind the scenes’ glimpses of your work, and curated content from other reputable organizations in your field.
Visuals are crucial for capturing attention. Posts with images, videos, or links see significantly higher engagement rates. Consider using tools like Canva to create eye-catching graphics and templates that align with your brand.
Tailor your content specifically for LinkedIn, as content that performs well on other platforms may not resonate the same way here. Aim for longer-form content, such as how-to guides or list-style articles, which tend to perform well on LinkedIn. Remember, every piece of content is an opportunity to showcase your impact and inspire action.
3. Engage Authentically and Expand Your Reach.
Engagement on LinkedIn goes beyond simply liking or sharing posts. To truly connect with your audience, comment thoughtfully on posts relevant to your organization. This not only increases visibility but also fosters meaningful conversations.
Encourage your employees, board members, and volunteers to share your posts to amplify your reach. LinkedIn’s ‘repost’ feature makes this easy. Join and actively participate in relevant LinkedIn Groups to expand your network and connect with like-minded professionals. Tag partners and individuals in your posts to encourage them to repost or comment, further extending your reach.
By engaging authentically and strategically, you can build a strong network of supporters who are genuinely invested in your mission.
4. Leverage LinkedIn’s Features.
LinkedIn offers a variety of features that can help nonprofits maximize their impact. Utilize LinkedIn Newsletters to share inspiring stories about your organization’s impact and include strong calls to action for volunteers and donors.
LinkedIn Fundraising Tools, such as donation buttons in posts, provide a seamless way for supporters to contribute to your cause. Highlight ongoing fundraising campaigns and make it easy for people to donate directly through the platform.
Use LinkedIn’s advanced search features and Boolean search operators (e.g., ‘volunteer’ AND ‘graphic design’ AND ‘Philadelphia’) to actively seek out potential volunteers with specific skills. LinkedIn Analytics provide valuable insights into your engagement metrics, allowing you to refine your content strategy based on what resonates most with your audience.
By leveraging these features, you can streamline your efforts and achieve greater results.
5. Empower Your Board Members.
Your board members are valuable ambassadors for your organization. Empower them to leverage their LinkedIn networks to support your mission. Encourage them to optimize their profiles, highlighting their nonprofit experience and passion for the cause.
They should connect with fellow board members, staff, and committee members to foster a strong internal network. Encourage them to share and engage with your organization’s content to boost visibility. They can also participate in relevant groups and discussions to position themselves as thought leaders in the field.
By empowering your board members to be active on LinkedIn, you can significantly expand your organization’s reach and impact.
Start using LinkedIn to its full potential today
Regardless of the size of your organization, investing in LinkedIn tools and drawing on your network will help you amplify your message and find new supporters.
If you want help leveraging the power of LinkedIn, contact the iMission team today!
