4 marketing tactics for turning social networks into support networks. 

Creating an effective social media strategy can be challenging for biomedical nonprofits that need to engage with several audiences in different ways. Focusing on Leadership Marketing tactics can help you stay on target and provide a benchmark for success. When you regularly share innovative ideas and consistently show your value, you will inspire your social network to provide greater support without always having to directly ask for donations.

Here are 4 Leadership Marketing tactics that can help attract donors to your biomedical nonprofit:

Engage with Great Content
Sharing valuable information with your social networks will build trust and show thought leadership. Strong content can include everything from articles that make sense of complex science to announcements about new technologies. Good content should provide insight that can’t be found elsewhere and should highlight your expertise, accomplishments and breakthroughs. Remember to show the human side of your biomedical nonprofit by sharing stories about the lives your work impacts. Use arresting images and videos to encourage sharing across social networks.

Create a Community
Biomedical thought leaders should regularly host conversations that get people excited about their work. This can mean hosting a public chat room on your website, starting a Twitter Chat or organizing an online Q&A. Whatever platform you use, you will want to assign a knowledgeable staff member as a mediator who can provide a topic, request opinions or comments, and answer technical questions if necessary.

Share Your Value
A common challenge for biomedical nonprofits is to consistently share what they do with those outside of their walls. Make an effort to get your research staff blogging about their work or contributing to your newsletter. If they simply can’t spare the time, share one of their existing articles or PowerPoint presentations on LinkedIn or SlideShare. When sharing with the general public, focus on tactics that demonstrate how your biomedical nonprofit helps improve human health and touches everyday lives. For instance, you can create an inspirational YouTube video that explains your goals and values. Or, post a timeline of your biomedical nonprofit’s milestones and innovations on your social networks. Then, you can make it an online event whenever you add a new milestone to your timeline.

Show Your Gratitude
Leaders don’t always focus on themselves. Instead, they rally people around initiatives and praise others for their contributions. Show your current donors that you appreciate their support by sharing their stories and quotes on Facebook or sending a public “thank you” via Twitter. Consider creating a donor blog to announce upcoming events, and post pictures afterwards. Tag participants (with permission) in your photos to give credit and make people feel involved. These acts of gratitude will create goodwill with potential donors, too!

If you have questions about how Leadership Marketing tactics can help drive your networking efforts, please contact me, Karan Cushman, at 866-960-9220 or email karan@cushmancreative.com.