The Importance of Being Active Online
Free Tools for Promotion
There are a number of free social media platforms that a Lions Club could use for marketing, promotion, networking and just being engaging with your community. We have identified that being an active club with initiatives and events allow Clubs to grow and attract new members.
Utilizing tools like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more allows you to build the audience that is interested in your organization and also allows that audience to then share your content with their like-minded network that is associated with them online.
For example, if Suzy is an active member of the community who is retired and is not a member of your Club but is a supporter and is passionate about any environmental causes your Club supports. This could be park cleanups, building community gardens etc. Suzy is active on Facebook and follows your Club page on facebook. If your Club is posting about upcoming events, your mission as a Club, opportunities to become a member etc, then Suzy will see those posts. She can attend and support these initiatives BUT also share with her entire friends list. When a supporter shares your content, it is an endorsement of support as well so the impact of one share can be far reaching.
Through these shares, a club can attract new followers, supporters, and possibly new members. It is important to post consistently on these platforms and be active not only in sharing content but engaging with other organizations online like your City page, other like minded groups, liking and sharing sponsor content or other relevant community information.
For example if your municipality is having a celebration for a national holiday and there are events happening within the community that your Club is participating in, you could share that content and your involvement as a Club.
There are many platforms for social media nd getting started can be difficult but having one person assigned to social media is a good idea. Then that member can be posting regularly and also be active online with your different accounts.
Facebook is the best choice for Clubs to promote their Club activities, initiatives, share information about becoming a lion etc. Reasons why Facebook is an effective tool include:
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- Facebook is very easy to use and most people are familiar with how to use it.
- The audience on Facebook tends to be 25 and older.
- Other organizations or people can be tagged in post to increase how many people see your posts.
- Many organizations that Clubs can partner with are also on Facebook.
- Existing Club members already have personal Facebook accounts so they can easily share posts by the Club.
Using Facebook effectively
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- For each post, use a clear photo with an engaging caption, a call to action and hashtags.
- The caption can start with an engaging headline,.
- A call to action can include phrases like “Share, Like, Comment” or “Join us for this Event”, or “Please share this post”.
- Add links to your website.
- Tag Club Members, sponsors or other relevant organizations in your post.
- Use hashtags for each post.
- Share your posts to your stories for increased visibility and exposure.
Example of a Facebook post thanking a sponsor for their partnership. The sponsor is tagged in the post. This post was shared to stories on Facebook as well.
Hashtags could have been utilized.
Instagram is also a great choice for Clubs to promote their Club activities, initiatives, share information about becoming a lion etc. Reasons why Instagram is an effective tool include:
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- Instagram was created to share photos. The photo is showcased first to attract viewers to read the captions.
- There is a wide audience to engage with on Instagram.
- Other organizations or people can be tagged in post to increase how many people see your posts.
- Many organizations that Clubs can partner with are also on Instagram
- Existing Club members who have personal instagram accounts can share posts by the Club.
- Video content on instagram (Reels) can get a lot of exposure on Instagram.
Using Instagram effectively
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- For each post, use a professional, high quality photo to start with.
- The caption can start with an engaging headline.
- A call to action can include phrases like “Share, Like, Comment” or “Join us for this Event”, or “Please share this post”.
- Add links to your website in your profile.
- Tag Club Members, sponsors or other relevant organizations in your post.
- Use hashtags for each post.
- Share the post to stories and add to highlights.
Example of an Instagram post promoting an event. This was a reel with animation. This post was shared to Facebook as well.
This post reached over 600 accounts.
Instagram only allows one link in the profile. Use the app called Milkshake to create a mini website of
links. This is very helpful in promoting different initiatives .
Coming Soon!
Social media templates and posts to share.
