How are you telling your fundraising story? Are people listening and engaging with it?
Breaking through an online space flooded with content to reach new donors requires finding new ways to talk to them. As a result, content diversification has become quite challenging. To rise to this challenge, marketers everywhere are embracing the power of audio.
Whether you start a podcast or decide to create audiograms, audio belongs in your nonprofit content strategy.
Why Use Audio in Your Nonprofit Content Strategy?
Audio never really left the advertising picture. But it wasn’t a primary medium for marketers after the introduction of TV and the dot com boom.
Now that the boom is over, the internet finds itself reverting back to the old days where radio waves were the primary form of entertainment. Only this time, we’re looking at digital sound waves and intriguing imagery with our sound clips.
This makes audio the perfect way to repurpose your blog articles, call attention to new campaigns, or engage with your donors through a regular podcast.
However, those who are unfamiliar with audio may approach it apprehensively.
A3: Most people might shy away from creating audio content because they don't have the skills, are afraid of their voice, or simply haven't thought of it.
Luckily there are great apps out there for the less tech savvy who want to use audio. #TwitterSmarter
— GiveWP (@GiveWP) October 22, 2020
It’s not difficult to create simple quality audio. Make sure you’re in a quiet place, with a good microphone, and record. Then, use apps and other tools to edit and create as high quality audio as possible.
A5:
✅ Audio quality is key! (make sure you record in a quite place with as good of a mic as you can get your hands on)
✅ Craft compelling content by using storytelling.#TwitterSmarter
— GiveWP (@GiveWP) October 22, 2020
Remember, your story should always guide your content strategy. Audio is just another tool to help you engage your donors.
Like What You're Reading? Subscribe Here!
Newsletter Opt-in
What is an audiogram?
An audiogram is similar to a video with no movement. Most have a wave indicating sound in the background to call attention to the audio with the image.
A6a: An audiogram is an audio wave animation. You can use it to share a snippet of your audio content (like a podcast) on your social media channels. @Wavve is a great tool that I use to create these! Learn more about them at https://t.co/BncW0x8O4e. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/OrCkZoFxVm
— Madalyn Sklar – Digital Marketing since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) October 22, 2020
You can create this type of content for any social media channel, but it’s most recently become a highly popular trend on Twitter.
Creating Voice Tweets on Twitter
In 2020, Twitter added voice tweets to their mobile app, making it even easier to create an audiogram.
You can Tweet a Tweet. But now you can Tweet your voice!
Rolling out today on iOS, you can now record and Tweet with audio. pic.twitter.com/jezRmh1dkD
— Twitter (@Twitter) June 17, 2020
The limitations of a voice tweet are similar to a regular tweet, so choose your words wisely. You only have 140 seconds.
#NewFromTwitter: What do you think of voice tweets? Do you have it yet? It’s rolling out to iOS users. #TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/H2mwhAxsXa
— Madalyn Sklar – Digital Marketing since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) October 2, 2020
You can also post a live audio tweet, similar to going live on video.
A2d: If you don't have the new audio tweet feature, you can do a "LIVE" audio tweet. See my "how to" video below.
#TwitterSmarter
https://t.co/jiMYv0nMoj— Madalyn Sklar – Digital Marketing since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) October 22, 2020
This is a unique opportunity for nonprofits to stand out. When you use audio right now, you will be ahead of the curve later on.
Audiograms look like a wonderful way for #nonprofits to ask for donations as well as thank their donors. These can be extremely useful this upcoming giving season. #TwitterSmarter https://t.co/qG6RQ3NuOT
— GiveWP (@GiveWP) October 22, 2020
Make sure you include audio when you plan your content strategy to support fundraising campaigns. By using audio, you don’t need to worry about video quality, graphic design, or anything except what you’re going to say.
Tips to Use Audio for Your Nonprofit Content Strategy
New mediums for content mean new opportunities for creativity. There are a variety of ways you can use audio for your nonprofit.
The most simple is to start a fundraiser using an audiogram. Let people know with your own voice that you’re kicking off a fundraising campaign and you need their help.
Audio announcements for campaigns is a great idea! Fundraisers can use that for things like #GivingTuesday to stand out from the crowd. #TwitterSmarter
— GiveWP (@GiveWP) October 22, 2020
You can also use audio to repurpose your blog content. When you create your stories, newsletters, or other content types, try to make sure you have succinct bits of information that might fit into a Tweet.
Keep this in mind when you are interviewed by the media as well. Use your talking points wisely so you can find quotes to use later on.
A2: Use audio in your social media strategy to accompany images/links and draw more attention. It's important to remember to structure any interviews you have around key talking points so you end up with great clips for social media later.#TwitterSmarterhttps://t.co/Vp6wlR6bAd
— GiveWP (@GiveWP) October 22, 2020
Once you’ve created longer pieces of audio content, break it up. Take key pieces or quotes and turn them into a sound bite that you can send out on social media.
A1: Audio can be clipped into quick sound bites that have the most impact. Social media is all about quick engagements. Audio helps you convey more information quickly. #TwitterSmarter
— GiveWP (@GiveWP) October 22, 2020
There are plenty of additional ways you can use audio for your content strategy. But using audio on social media may be one of the most effective tactics.
Join Us on the Next #TwitterSmarter Chat
This article was inspired by a conversation on the #TwitterSmarter chat in October of 2020. We would love for more nonprofits and fundraising professionals to join us next time!
The #TwitterSmarter chat is every Thursday at 10AM Pacific / 1PM Eastern.
About the Author
