Social media is constantly changing and has become a key piece in organization's marketing mix. Not only can you connect with your friends but you can buy and sell things in virtual stores, look for jobs, recruit employees—you name it. More and more organizations are taking to the social media airwaves to spread the word about charities, goodwill, and the causes they care about.
People and companies like an audience and want their friends, fans, coworkers, and fellow employees to see they are doing good things. Some of the more popular social media vehicles for doing this and reaching the masses are Facebook and Twitter. Companies who have a more business-to-business focus may use LinkedIn as another social media tool to spread the word.
1. Like for Donation
2. Simple-Action for Donation
3. Interactive-Action for Donation
4. Voting campaigns
Dominating the cause-marketing vehicles over the past several years is ‘Like for Donation’. The simple call-to-action format makes this one the most user-friendly.
Simple-Action-for-Donation campaigns include contests or sweepstakes and are often fueled by third party applications.
In an attempt to increase user interest and make consumer activity more appealing, applications have been created and used. Interactive-Action for Donation formats help cause-marketers drive user donations and actions. Many of these applications have been changed and adapted for the use of online fundraising.
Companies offer a cash or in-kind prize to causes that gather the most votes or other targeted online actions are types of Voting Campaigns. Voting campaigns have been successful in attracting attention, awareness, and have received a lot of media attention because of the large amounts of money that is donated.
Social media will continue to explode with new ways to reach target audiences, engage users, and adapt to social needs and wants. The opportunities are endless for what can be done, who can be reached, and the messages that can be delivered.
