With social media, we can communicate with someone different from us, allowing ourselves to appreciate new perspectives, benefitting from their expertise and experience.
Through sharing another perspective, we develop a different level of empathy, understanding and communication. We create a level of inclusion by being present even when we physically can’t be there.
In addition to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, lesser-known social media channels listed below bridge minorities and other groups to get representation and equal opportunities across any industry.
Facebook is the most popular social media site, among active US Facebook users, 74 percent of people use the site every day. This platform lends itself to promoting events like your program’s classes and workshops. Facebook is excellent at showcasing videos of your organization’s tutorials and group events.
Instagram can boost diverse voices on your brand’s social platforms, as celebrities and influencers often do with a particular hashtag. Creating hashtags are intentional, measurable steps that programs can take to diversify. When strategizing, consider your audience's demographics and underrepresented groups to take steps to increase representation.
Twitter attracts a unique audience, making your desired readers easy to pinpoint. Characteristics and interests are easy to recognize through profiles and tweets, retweets, hashtags, etc. that your brand shares. Tweets and hashtags can be used to create various engagement. The platform targets your audience based on demographics and brands they follow, pinpointing you to a diverse audience.
LinkedIn is a platform for professionals to connect, share, and learn. While individuals use LinkedIn for professional networking, connecting and job searching, programs and organizations can use it to recruit and share company information with prospective employees.
This photo-sharing platform boasts 100 million monthly active users, a leading driver of referral traffic behind Facebook. There are over 500,000 education-related pins added every day. Use this platform to engage with prospects, potential participants and program alumni. Just as universities promote their achievements and campus on the platform, you can market your educational, YMCA or after-school programs.
According to Alexa, Reddit is the sixth most popular site in the United States and the 18th worldwide. Reddit uses "forums" to engage, share news and content, or comment on other people’s posts. You can pay attention to feedback, gain new content ideas, host an Ask Me Anything (AMA) and create a subreddit, expanding your readership.
Quora
Quora's platform allows users to ask and answer questions, generating leads, building your brand and connecting your program to millions. Founded in 2011, Quora has been gaining popularity, currently amongst the 100 most visited websites globally. Past experts have included former President Barack Obama, actress Jennifer Lawrence, and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.
Girlboss
Girlboss is sometimes called “LinkedIn for Women.” Founder and CEO Sophia Amoruso launched the community and networking channel after realizing women weren’t getting enough support, opportunities and resources in the professional world.
Social channels reflect the culture of companies, non-profits and organizations. If your social media channels find content that speaks and interacts with underrepresented groups, you’re taking the first step to building a more diverse and inclusive program.
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