Logos and colors
It is important to have the natural file from the logo/brand creator. Once you have this file, you can enlarge or shrink the image as needed. Also, you should have .png version and a normal .jpg version. The .png version provides a clear background behind the logo so that it can be placed on various colored backgrounds.
Color schemes are also of importance. The individual/companythat created the logo should have the color codes for you. If not, these can be pulled from the picture. Upload the image to or to (my favorite) and it will provide you with the codes. A hex code is a 6 digit/letter code which translates to the color.
Example:
The hex code in the above image is #ed5454. This code translates to the salmon color shown. If I wanted to change this color to my brand color, I would put the 6 digit code in the box and it would pull the color.
Note* the above image is from – an AMAZING and FREE resource.
Once you have your logo figured out, you should make this your organization’s profile picture on Facebook. The dimensions for this box are 180 pixels X 180 pixels. Don’t let this pixel talk scare you! It is just nice to know these dimensions so you can make sure your image fits the box nicely. Again, comes into the conversation because it is a nice help with this.
Example:
Instead of choosing one of their pre-sized designs, I can choose custom dimensions. Here, I can place the 180 X 180 to make sure I am creating a Facebook profile picture that will fit nicely.
Also, make sure you have a visually appealing and appropriate cover photo. If you can’t think of anything directly related to your organization, pick something holiday or seasonally themed.
Example:
I made this cover photo on for FREE.
Notice in the example above that we have a “Contact Us” button. This is your organization “Call to Action.” TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS!
Some of the buttons are more difficult to use than others, but to keep things simple all you really need is a link to a landing page. In the past, I have linked our newsletter sign up page from our website to the “Sign Up” option. Currently, our “Contact Us” goes to our contact web form from our website. Note* we monitor organization emails REGULARLY. You do not want to put a call to action that you cannot keep up with or that links to inappropriate material/information.
Once you have all of your information correctly displayed and things look nice, you can start posting. Easy way to keep on track—create a schedule! One post a day is a good amount. More than this isn’t really necessary – people don’t like to see the same organization cluttering their newsfeed all the time.
If you are mentioning a person or an organization, TAG them. Use the “@” symbol to do this- this gives the post farther reach and it also promotes good netiquette. Sometimes, tagging can be glitchy. To help combat this, make sure you “like” the page you are planning to tag beforehand. Also, type slowly when attaching the tag.
Try to use hashtags with every post. Hashtags act as an anchor to the term it is accompanied with – it notes this term and files it away in the Facebook world which then places your post in more viewable channels. This will give more reach (if a person is to search #fundraising and you have used that tag, your post will come up in their search).
Some basic hashtags to help with keeping to schedule:
#MondayMotivation
#TuesdayTip
#TalkAboutItTuesday
#WednesdayWin (a shout out to someone/organization that is “winning”)
#WednesdayWisdom
#WellnessWednesday
#WednesdayWordsofWisdom
#ThursdayThoughts
#ThursdayThankYou
#FridayFunny
#FridayFact
#FridayFAQ
These are just examples. You can really hashtag anything of importance but DON’T OVER-DO IT.
Resource:
Image source:
BAD Example:
Image source:
First of all, no one cares that anyone ate a grape. Post MEANINGFUL content. Say I post about current marketing trends within the online world. It would be appropriate for me to say something like this…
It is somewhat difficult to see via this image, but the “Business2Community” is highlighted in blue because I used the @ symbol to tag the organization to give them credit and expand my post reach. Also, “TuesdayTips”and “eMarketing” are blue because they have been anchored by a hashtag. This post is short and simple and not hashtag-cluttered BUT it is definitely missing an image. I would add a picture, GIF, or video to really enhance this post. I would NOT post it without the addition of media.
Did you notice something strange about my post? Does the link I added look a little strange? This is because it is a shortened link. Sometimes it is necessary to shorten a link because they can be WAY too long.
Example:
This link is ridiculous, so…
I paste it right into to shorten it!
Your organization should “like” other organizations’ pages. They may like your page in return and “share” your material which allows for farther reach. It is also good practice to share others’ material (IF it is relevant).
Note* when sharing a link, graphics usually will appear automatically (associated with the link). If you want these to stay, make sure that they are visually appealing/possible to read.
BAD Example:
Here, I inserted the Get Connected website URL. By doing this, Facebook automatically provided an image they pulled from the site. Notice that this image is cut off in an awkward manner- I wouldn’t want to post this. All I need to do is click the ‘X’ in the top right corner of the provided image to get rid of it. If I wanted to stick with a Get Connected image, I would just go to Google, save their logo, and upload it to my status here.
Do not make posts too wordy! People immediately shy away from wordy posts and Facebook doesn’t care for it either (Facebook has a certain algorithm which determines if they will show your posts on your “followers” timelines). Add graphics to pull the reader in. Videos are especially engaging.
Note* Your organization shouldn’t be disseminating loads of textual information on your Facebook page. Ideally, your page should act as a sort of broadcast system to keep your page followers up to speed and to connect them to necessary information.
Example:
This is a great post – it has meaningful content and provides a call to action. Most importantly, it doesn’t clog up Facebook with too much information. The reader gets the gist that HYS is raising money for an Arts Initiative. More importantly than the previous most importantly, it has a link to their website! This is key because now the reader has a location where they can learn more about the initiative AND respond to the call to action for donations.
Note* The above discussion lends to why it is so important to have an active website with accurate and fresh content.
Twitter:
Twitter is a basic platform that you should have, as well. This acts very similarly to Facebook, but with a different social media language. Instead of “liking” or “friending,” on Twitter you “follow.” The more relevant organizations that you follow, the more that will follow you back! This is a good form of networking, as well. Twitter is nice because it is short and to the point- you only have 140 characters to work with.
Example:
Twitter counts my graphic in the character count, as well. It is telling me that I have 44 characters left. Since there is room, I would definitely add a hashtag #TuesdayTips to get more reach. Notice, I added an image to catch more attention. I did this by using the Media button. The link was shortened using
Because twitter is so character sensitive, it is good practice to shorten links via this site.
Another BITLY example:
Paste your link in the box and it gives you a shorter link.
Hootsuite:
Note* There is a free option for this service.
Short on time? Hootsuite allows you to post on Facebook and Twitter via one platform.
Here, I have selected the HYS Twitter AND Facebook page. I then would write in the box and attach my image with the paper clip. I can either send the post right away or schedule it for a time (for example, if someone wants to do all of their posts for the week on one day, they could do this by scheduling). Once you get a hang of your social media voice, it can become very easy to schedule posts and not spend crazy amounts of time on this.
Resources we love:
Canva
Free design tool
Free extended features for nonprofits!
Piktochart
Design tool for presentations and infographics
Free options and payment plan options
Likealyzer
Analyze and monitor your Facebook page
Stock Snap
Free stock images
Google Fonts
Free fonts
Note* you can upload these to your Canva for Work account when you get it for free via nonprofit status!
What the Font
Can figure out what a font is? Upload the image here to find out
HTML Color Picker
Need the hex codes from an image? Upload it here
Classy Blog
Amazing resource for best practices tips and trends
Facebook for Nonprofits
Speaks for itself – helps organizations capitalize on what Facebook has to offer
Social Media Examiner
Everything social media
IMPORTANT* None of this information would be available without the guidance and teaching from Amanda Karns from Dorado Creative. She is truly the marketing/graphic design/social media mastermind. Check out her blog!
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