Digital help centre

Social media has become a big part of our lives, and sometimes it's not so easy to know which social media channel to use. This guide lists ways for making the most of your social media presence, and for using specific social media channels.

Top tips for your social media  

• Find your voice  

Find your own way to do, say and share content.  Avoiding jargon helps you be more real and connect with your audience. Being authentic is key, and as Oscar Wilde says: ‘Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.’  

• Keep it informal  

Studies show that learning is 80% informal, and it suggests that we need to support natural connections between people. Write as you speak and avoid complicated terms and expressions.  It will definitely make your posts more accessible.   

• Focus your message  

Don’t try to pack too much in one post. Remember you can always split your message between multiple posts. Keep it to the point as it will help your audience to understand your message and avoid distractions.   

• Be consistent  

If you use more than one social media channel, you will need to adapt the message to each social media, but still be consistent. Consistency across all channels is key, so you don’t share conflicting messages.    

• Interaction and connection  

Social Media is all about connection. Remember: it is a social space. Connect with people, engage with them, and nurture the relationships created.   

• Trial and error  

Keep an eye on what is working and what is not to help you improve. It is all about trial and error, so learn from your mistakes, don’t beat yourself up, and move on.   

• Plan your content  

Plan what you want to say. An easy way to do it is creating a calendar. A content calendar will help you to keep track of your posts and make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything. You can also schedule posts, to make it even easier for you.   

• Pictures  

A picture says a thousand words! Use photos on your posts to attract more attention. On your fundraising page, fundraisers with pictures or videos on their page raise 14% more per photo. A perfect excuse for a #selfie.  

• Use emojis

Emojis are a good way to add an extra flavour to your message, as they are a step between a text and an image. But don’t add too many!  

• Spread the word   

Use all the contacts in your email address book to spread the word. Also, encourage your friends and contacts to share your posts and events with their friends. This way your posts will reach even more people.   

  

Tips for specific social media channels   

Facebook – Join the community  

1. Encourage interactions: ask questions, ask for pictures, engage in the conversation, and have fun.   
2. Share something genuinely interesting. Think about what your Facebook friends want to see and add it there.   
3. Share photos and videos to your timeline, these are the most shared types of content.  
4. Host a live event on Facebook. You have the chance it to engage with many more people.   
5. How often: 1 post per day.   

X (Twitter) – Join the conversation  

1. X (Twitter) is all about short and sweet. Be concise and straight to the point in your tweets. You only have 240 characters. So, stick to the point!  
2. Use #hastags appropriately. It will help to get your posts noticed. But #do #not #over #do #it. It can be #distracting.  
3. Include a picture and it will be more likely that people will share your content.  
4. Don’t ignore people, even if it is negative feedback. Take the time to reply, and remember it is a conversation.  
5. Make it personal. If people follow you, they are interested in what you are doing. They would like to know what you are doing, and especially why.   
6. How often: 15 tweets per day  

WhatsApp  

1. Add pictures and text to your status and tailor to every occasion. It's a nice way to share some updates.   
2. Elevate your conversations using stickers. They offer a fun alternative to emojis if you want to jazz up your conversations.  
3. WhatsApp groups are a great way to interact with multiple people and is like a chat room where people can see each others' details. 
4. Broadcast lists are like a one-way street where only the admin can send messages, and the recipients cannot interact or check each others' details. You can repeatedly send broadcast messages without having to select them each time.   
   On iPhone: Go to WhatsApp > Chats > Broadcast lists.
   On Android: Go to WhatsApp > More options > New broadcast.  
5. You can send PDFs, documents, spreadsheets, slideshows and more on WhatsApp, without the hassle of email or file-sharing apps.  

Instagram

1. Make it original and make it yours by putting your stamp to your pictures.    
2. Use #hastags appropriately. They are a great way to tag your content  
3. Use your profile text to post relevant links. Also, mention on your posts that the link is available there.  
4. Make your images more interesting using the filter. Play with them. That is what they are there for.   
5. Create a series of related images or videos and share them with your followers. This keeps engagement levels high as people want to know what happens next.  
6. How often: 1 post per day  

Local media   

1. Get in touch with your local newspaper and tell them what is happening in your area.   
2. Your story needs a local angle to it. This is exactly what regional press want and is about. Do not be afraid to emphasis it if appropriate.   
3. If your story is part of a nationwide fundraising initiative/campaign, is it possible to factor any national activity/wider campaign into your release?  
4. Did you know we have a Promotional Toolkit for Christian Aid Week? There you will find magazine articles, pictures, and other bits and pieces.   

Tag Christian Aid in your posts so we can share your posts and events:

• Facebook: @christianaid   
• Twitter: @christian_aid   
• Instagram: @christianaiduk