Advice on offer includes ensuring social media posts stand out and making the best use of video.
A social media toolkit has been made available to help charities get involved in promoting next week’s Giving Tuesday fundraising day.
The annual event usually takes place in winter each year to boost awareness and funds for charities globally.
But due to the Covid-19 pandemic an additional event is being staged, on 5 May, to help charities tackle a loss in donations and income due to having to close shops and postpone in person events.
On 5 May we are asking ppl to share a message of thanks on social media, or a heart in their window, as a sign of gratitude to all essential workers supporting our communities. For those who are able, pls also consider making a donation to your favourite cause #GivingTuesdayNow pic.twitter.com/D0Cli0Fchs
— #GivingTuesdayNow - 5 May 2020 (@givingtuesdayuk)On 5 May we are asking ppl to share a message of thanks on social media, or a heart in their window, as a sign of gratitude to all essential workers supporting our communities. For those who are able, pls also consider making a donation to your favourite cause #GivingTuesdayNow pic.twitter.com/D0Cli0Fchs
— #GivingTuesdayNow - 5 May 2020 (@givingtuesdayuk) April 28, 2020
To support charities next week Giving Tuesday has produced a 19-page social media tool kit, offering a comprehensive guide to promoting the event.
This includes template social media messages, using the #GivingTuesdayNow hashtag, covering the run up to the event and posts on the day itself.
Advice on engaging with celebrity ambassadors and influencers on social media is also included.
The toolkit advises charities to “Go Big” on social media on May 5. “Don’t be shy about posting and sharing updates throughout the day,” it adds.
“Aim to post four to five times on Facebook and Instagram and stories, and every two hours on Twitter.
Thanking supporters
The toolkit also urges charities to remember to thank their supporters for their messages and donations.
Using images, GIFs and videos to make social media messages stand out is also advised.
Examples of successful posts are also included, as is advice on using Instagram and Facebook stories.
Using film online is also recommended, of between 30 and 90 seconds. “Post on your Youtube and social media channels and share with local media. Think about if the video needs to be horizontal or vertical,” adds the toolkit.
Giving Tuesday is held globally with the UK arm of the event run by Charities Aid Foundation. It is estimated the UK charity sector will lose £4.3bn in income over the first three months of the government’s lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak.