4 Major Lessons Learned from Managing Social Media for Nonprofits for Close to a Decade 

Yesterday was my birthday, and instead of sharing 36 things I have learned in my 36 years on earth, I'd like to share with you Lessons I Have Learned From Managing Social Media Accounts for Nonprofits for Close to 10 Years. 

Working with nonprofits as a social media manager has been an eye-opening journey. Unlike businesses where people see direct value—discounts, giveaways, or products they can buy—nonprofits deal with causes that aren’t always urgent or immediately beneficial to the audience. This makes engagement tough.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. People respond to what they see, feel, or relate to

If your nonprofit discusses climate change, poverty, or human rights, many people will not engage unless they feel personally connected. Most will scroll past unless you package the message in a way that speaks their language.

💡 Solution? Meet them where they are.

Use trends: music, memes, comedy—anything that aligns with your cause without losing credibility.

Leverage influencers: If the message comes from someone they respect, they’re likelier to listen.

Show real impact: Instead of stats, tell stories. People connect with faces, emotions, and transformation stories more than numbers.

2. Building trust takes time

You can’t just post once and expect people to care. A loyal community comes from consistency. You must be consistent in your activities to have more real content to share. The more people see your nonprofit actively making a difference—events, projects, real impact—the more they believe in the cause. Transparency helps, too. Share behind-the-scenes updates, success stories, and even struggles. Authenticity wins.

3. Engagement is not always immediate

Sometimes, people won’t react, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t watching. I’ve had cases where a page with mild engagement received more engagement weeks later because someone reached out, saying they had been following silently and now wanted to support it by pushing the posts on that page to their audience. Keep showing up.

4. Nonprofits need to think like brands

Many nonprofits shy away from marketing because it feels too “business-like.” But the truth is, storytelling, branding, and engagement strategies aren’t just for companies—they’re necessary for any organization that wants to grow.

Managing social media for nonprofits isn’t just about posting—it’s about creating conversations, shifting perspectives, and building a movement. And it takes time. But when the right message reaches the right people, the impact is worth it.

If you work with or support a nonprofit, what has your experience been like? Let’s share insights.👇🏽