{"id":7622,"date":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-08T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/?p=7622"},"modified":"2024-05-09T16:50:59","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T16:50:59","slug":"ways-nonprofits-are-using-instagram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/ways-nonprofits-are-using-instagram\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways Nonprofits Are Using Instagram To Grow Their Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Instagram is a mobile photo-sharing app that has grown in popularity in recent years. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/jeffbercovici\/2014\/03\/27\/instagram-is-already-bigger-than-twitter-on-smartphones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">over 200 million <\/a>users, Instagram offers nonprofits another way to engage with our communities. While Instagram does allow users to upload video and includes the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/instagram-stories-update-nonprofits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram Stories<\/a> feature, photography is the primary content vehicle, nonprofits have found a lot of creative ways to use pictures to say a thousand words.<\/p>\n<p>With limited budgets, nonprofits have the unique challenge of making the most out of everything. In this case, Instagram delivers. Based on a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/go.forrester.com\/blogs\/14-04-29-instagram_is_the_king_of_social_engagement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">survey<\/a>\u00a0Instagram delivers the highest level of engagement, which means that when nonprofits are using Instagram well, they&#8217;re building their community.<\/p>\n<p>While Instagram may not be the largest social media platform, this is truly a case where quality may win over quantity. Through the following examples, you&#8217;ll learn\u00a06 ways nonprofits are using Instagram to grow their community, and how you can use\u00a0the same principles to improve your nonprofit&#8217;s Instagram strategy.<\/p>\n<h2>1) Show Impact<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\">\n<div style=\"padding: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;\"><a style=\"color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BIdZw3ZBV3d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thank you! Thank you! As at today, 1,000 Bio Sand Filters have now been funded thanks to our incredible supporters. That&#8217;s over 5,000 people in Cambodia who this year will gain access to safe water in the home. Thank you! #lifeflows<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\">A photo posted by Neverthirst (@neverthirst_water) on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2016-07-29T20:50:30+00:00\">Jul 29, 2016 at 1:50pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\" async=\"\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><br \/>\nNeverthirst is an organization that provides clear water to Indian and Cambodian communities, and in the photo above, they show you an example of what the water looks like before they provide help and what it looks like after they&#8217;ve run it through their filters. This coupled with the text overlay and the caption that indicates impact helps to put an image in the mind of their audience of the impact they created.<\/p>\n<p>Sharing before and after photos is one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/best-nonprofits-instagram\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best ways nonprofits are using Instagram<\/a> because it provides an\u00a0opportunity for nonprofits to show how they&#8217;re making a difference while also building trust with their\u00a0community. Donors love seeing examples of how their dollars are being put into action.<\/p>\n<h2>2) Peek Behind-The-Scene<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\">\n<div style=\"padding: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BI_VfKrDevU\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">8 minutes. 8 portraits per person. Infinite giggles. The NYC studio drew quick 1 minute portraits of each other and then designed a map wall for the new studio space. #drawing #creativeconfidence #officeculture<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by IDEO.ORG (@ideoorg) on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2016-08-12T01:07:18+00:00\">Aug 11, 2016 at 6:07pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\" async=\"\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><br \/>\nSharing photos from behind-the-scenes is one of the best ways nonprofits are using Instagram. Everyone wants to be an insider. Everyone wants to be backstage, and\u00a0Instagram is a great way for you to show your community just how much work goes behind each success story.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 1.75em;\"><em>&#8220;Sharing photos from behind-the-scenes is one of the best ways nonprofits are using Instagram&#8230;&#8221;<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/ctt.ec\/G37e8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: .5em;\"><i class=\"icon ion-social-twitter\"><\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>It takes a lot of work to do what you do every day. To you, it may not seem special. But to your community, it can be a fascinating story that helps them imagine what it&#8217;s like to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/nonprofit-podcast-online-fundraising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> work in the trenches at a nonprofit<\/a>.\u00a0Share the inner workings of your organization like the IDEO.org post above by posting pictures showcasing those who work at your nonprofit, like a planning meeting or event supply shopping trips.<\/p>\n<p>Even pictures like your inventory of supplies or the size of your office (large or small) give your community a sense of how you make it work every day.<\/p>\n<h2>3) Share Event Photos<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\">\n<div style=\"padding: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;\"><a style=\"color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BEL2e5hlBIr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The stage is set for Autism Science Foundation&#8217;s Day of Learning, an afternoon of TED-style talks for the autism community by leading researchers, advocates and service providers. #ASFAutismTED #autismresearch<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\">A photo posted by Autism Science Foundation (@autismsciencefd) on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2016-04-14T15:09:33+00:00\">Apr 14, 2016 at 8:09am PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\" async=\"\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Sharing event photos is one of the best ways nonprofits are using Instagram to connect with their community because while not everyone will be able to\u00a0join you at\u00a0your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/fundraising-events\/\">event<\/a>, you can still include them in the experience. You can even share photos as the event unfolds in real-time, so your community can really get a taste of what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n<p>Posts like the one from Autism Science Foundation provide a sneak-peek into an event, which can help inspire people to learn more about upcoming events and get involved next time.<\/p>\n<h2>4) Call To Action<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\">\n<div style=\"padding: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 39.0740740741% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BJ4_NvwB9N7\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Another reminder that sharks and rays need our help. We have a chance to have our voices heard. Support vote YES at CITIES #CoP17 for the survival of 13 different species of sharks and rays. In less than a month time CITIES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) will decide. CITES is a voluntary international agreement between governments which aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Join the #Divers4SharksNRays from Project AWARE Foundation movement and share your picture for support. @neptunic_instagram thank you for your continue support. #explore #experience #share #sharklife #sharkambassador #protectsharks #divers4sharksnrays #livethelifeyoulove #bahamas #haveyourvoiceheard @projectaware @paditv @waterproofinternational @scubapro @chris2water image<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by Cristina Zenato (@cristinazenato) on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2016-09-03T10:28:38+00:00\">Sep 3, 2016 at 3:28am PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\" async=\"\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><br \/>\nWhether it\u2019s for a fundraising campaign\u00a0or a petition,\u00a0asking your Instagram followers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/create-compelling-call-to-action\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">to take action<\/a> for your cause through the images you post is one of the best ways nonprofits are using Instagram to grow their community.<\/p>\n<p>While these &#8220;salesy&#8221; types of posts should only make up 20% of your social media strategy, they can certainly pack a powerful punch to encourage your community to engage in your cause. You can include your call to action in the photo caption, edit the photo to include text, take a picture with a sign that encourages action, or all of the above.<\/p>\n<p>Apps such as <a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/2013\/11\/30\/instagram-overlay-apps\/#YZxtik9HBuqA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Over<\/a>\u00a0help you easily add text to your pictures, but this feature is also available with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/instagram-stories-update-nonprofits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram Stories<\/a>. However, don\u2019t lose sight that Instagram is a photo-sharing app. So, your text needs to be short and aesthetically pleasing. A novel in fine prints probably would not work well in this channel.<\/p>\n<h2>5)\u00a0Distribution Of Content<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\">\n<div style=\"padding: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;\"><a style=\"color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BH5Y6tRjjux\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Blog post is up all about @humblehilo #nominetwork #shopnomi<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\">A photo posted by Nomi Network (@nominetworknyc) on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2016-07-15T21:10:27+00:00\">Jul 15, 2016 at 2:10pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\" async=\"\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><br \/>\nInstagram can be used to help spread the word about content that has been created for other channels and\u00a0distribute it to a new audience. With a little creativity, a lot of your existing materials can be adapted for Instagram.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 1.75em;\"><em>&#8220;Instagram can be used to help spread the word about content that has been created for other channels&#8230;&#8221;<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/ctt.ec\/HveUd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: .5em;\"><i class=\"icon ion-social-twitter\"><\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Here are a few ideas on how you can use Instagram to distribute your other content:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Create a short Instagram teaser trailer for your nonprofit&#8217;s video<\/li>\n<li>Post an\u00a0image that represents a larger piece of content created, like a blog post<\/li>\n<li>Share a picture of an\u00a0event flyer or invitation<\/li>\n<li>Include an infographic that leads people to your website&#8217;s &#8220;our work&#8221; page<\/li>\n<li>Showcase items from a fundraising sale, auction, or perks-based campaign<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don\u2019t forget to provide a link in the bio to send your audience to as a next step, if it\u2019s appropriate.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Hold Photo Contests<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\">\n<div style=\"padding: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.4537037037% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BJTjUN8jKjg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">We\u2019re getting ready to celebrate ten years of clean water, and we want to make you part of it! If you have a photo of you (or someone you know) supporting charity: water over the last decade, email it to us right now at MyStory@charitywater.org! A photograph is more than a picture; it&#8217;s a story. And stories have the power to change the world. #worldphotoday Photo: @andrewhkim<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A photo posted by charity: water (@charitywater) on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2016-08-19T21:32:57+00:00\">Aug 19, 2016 at 2:32pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\" async=\"\" defer=\"defer\"><\/script><br \/>\nOne of the best ways nonprofits are using Instagram photo-sharing campaigns and contests. This engages your followers to share photos right alongside with you, which helps show your followers you&#8217;re interested in them and helps <a href=\"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/make-donor-hero-cause\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">make the donor the hero of the cause<\/a>. Additionally, when your donors become more involved and share posts for your organization, they&#8217;re also vouching for your organization to their entire network of friends, increasing your reach exponentially.<\/p>\n<p>Creating a photo contest also encourages your audience to use hashtags, helping your nonprofit see what\u2019s really happening in the community. Pictures that are posted by your community really help to humanize your cause.<\/p>\n<p>These are only a few of the many ways nonprofits are using Instagram. The possibilities are endless. The examples above show that with just a bit of effort and a little creativity, Instagram can turn simple images\u00a0into new social content that drives engagement. This makes Instagram an easy platform to adopt as another way to reach and engage your community.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 1.75em;\"><em>&#8220;With a bit of effort and creativity, Instagram can turn simple images into content that drives engagement&#8230;&#8221;<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/ctt.ec\/L1yJO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: .5em;\"><i class=\"icon ion-social-twitter\"><\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Instagram is a mobile photo-sharing app that has grown in popularity in recent years. With over 200 million users, Instagram offers nonprofits another way to engage with our communities. While Instagram does allow users to upload video and includes the Instagram Stories feature, photography is the primary content vehicle, nonprofits have found a lot of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":50104,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7622","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/photo-634069_960_720PD-2-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/photo-634069_960_720PD-2-600x540.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Team CauseVox","author_link":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/author\/teamcausevox\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7622","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7622"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7622\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7622"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7622"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}