In today’s digital age, the influence of celebrities and social media influencers has never been more pronounced. When Taylor Swift showed up at a Chiefs game to support Travis Kelce, viewership soared up an astounding 22 percent. Not every organization can benefit from Taylor Swift making an appearance, but the “Taylor Swift Effect” can be replicated with a strategic integration of influencers into your marketing plan. In this blog post, we will explore five effective ways that nonprofits can work with influencers to maximize their impact.
Content Creation.
Keep it basic: partner with an influencer to raise brand awareness. Influencers excel at content creation, collaborate with them to produce engaging content, such as social media videos, posts, and stories that highlight your nonprofit’s work and mission. This not only amplifies your organization’s visibility through placement on an influencer’s page but also furnishes you with fresh and authentic content for diverse future applications.
Allow your influencers to share personal stories: with a careful curation of relevant social media personalities, you can find influencers who will be able to share personal stories related to your cause. These authentic narratives can help humanize your nonprofit’s mission and build empathy among its followers.
Event Participation.
Invite relevant influencers and microinfluencers to participate in your nonprofit’s events, whether it’s a gala, charity run, speaker event, or awareness campaign. Their presence can boost attendance and generate more interest in your cause. Pair this with an ongoing partnership; having influencers speak to their audience about how excited they are to be involved in your upcoming event can greatly boost participation. Additionally, collaborate with influencers to host fundraising campaigns! Influencers can create excitement around the cause and motivate their followers to donate to your nonprofit, raising crucial funds for your cause. Be strategic about what type of influencers you work with; those with high organic engagement and a dedicated follower base are ideal for this type of campaign.
Advocacy and Spokesperson Roles.
Influencers can serve as passionate advocates and spokespersons for your nonprofit’s cause. Their credibility with their audiences and vast reach can help convey your message to a broader audience. Consider contracting with them to be in-person spokespersons; invite influencers to host educational workshops or webinars on topics related to your nonprofit’s mission. This not only educates them as influential figures, but can also help spread knowledge, engage your audience, and create a sense of community around your cause.
Awareness Campaigns.
Collaborate on awareness campaigns with influencers, especially for issues that need more attention. Influencers can use their platforms to raise awareness and drive action on issues that are not receiving the public attention that they deserve. One strategy is to create collaborative merchandise. Work with an influencer to develop merchandise that speaks for both of your brands; this not only raises funds for your nonprofit but also extends your reach when their fans purchase and wear these items.
Social Media Takeovers.
Allow an influencer to take over your nonprofit’s social media accounts for a day or an event. This provides an opportunity for them to connect directly with your audience and share your message. It additionally draws their normal audience to your pages resulting in an increase in exposure and growth in followers.
Think big: pair this takeover with a crowdsourced initiative! This could include challenges, contests, public hashtags, or community-building projects that support your cause. Influencers have the power to generate enthusiasm for any campaign, thereby enhancing community engagement in your effort.
Here at DBT, we understand the transformative power that celebrities and influencers can have on public perception and engagement for a cause. For nonprofits, partnering with influencers can be a powerful strategy to amplify their message and reach a broader audience. By exploring and combining these five ways to work with influencers, nonprofits can create meaningful collaborations that advance their missions, generate support, and make a lasting impact in their respective fields. When done effectively, influencer partnerships can contribute to greater success in achieving organizational goals and creating positive change in the world.