The Hardest Part of Managing Social Media for Nonprofits (And How to Handle It)

Burnout, unrealistic expectations, and engagement struggles—these are some of the toughest challenges I’ve faced as a social media manager for nonprofits. And if you’re in this field, you’ve probably faced them too.

The biggest lesson for me has been learning to rest. I say learning because, as creatives, we often struggle with taking breaks. But trust me, burnout is real, and once you’re in that state, all you can think about is what you could have achieved if only you had more energy. Now, I make it a point to take breaks—whether it's music, a movie, a walk, or just sleeping. Rest isn’t a reward; it’s a necessity.

Then there are unrealistic expectations—both from clients and from ourselves. We all want every campaign to go viral, every post to drive engagement, and every strategy to yield results overnight. But social media doesn't work that way. When I feel that pressure, I remind myself to focus on what I can control. Social media engagement depends on human behaviour, which is unpredictable. Instead of stressing, I tell myself, "There are more posts to create, more opportunities to achieve my goals and meet my clients' expectations."

Social media management—especially in the nonprofit space—is a long game. Learning to manage these challenges is just as important as the strategies we use.

How do you handle burnout and unrealistic expectations in your work? Let’s share and learn from each other! 👇🏾