Charity page

For smaller charities, it can be difficult to find time to spend on improving your Facebook page. But that doesn’t mean you can’t create great, engaging content. Here are our top 10 tips for getting the most out of Facebook when you have limited time on your hands.

1. Include a call to action in your cover photo

Your cover photo is the first thing people will see, so make sure it’s a good, well-designed image. As it’s such a prominent part of your Facebook page, update it regularly and use it to promote your charity’s key message.

Remember, someone visiting your Facebook page is already really engaged with your charity, so what’s the one thing you really want them to do? Is it sign up to an event? Donate to an appeal? Whatever it is, promote it in your header and add a call to action in the description. When people click on that great image, give them somewhere to go.

Here’s an excellent example from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Their cover photo is promoting their May Day event and when you click on it, the description has a link to register.

2. Make your ‘About’ section descriptive and include a link to your website

Your ‘About’ section should give a really clear indication of what your organisation is about. Consider it like a mission statement – a short, snappy summary of your charity’s goal.

You also want to make it really easy for people to get involved with your charity, so include a link to your website so they can find out all the information they need.

Here’s a great example from WaterAid. After reading this, I know exactly what WaterAid are trying to achieve and where to go to help them do it.

3. Your profile photo should represent your cause and look good as a thumbnail

The most important thing about your profile photo is how it looks in ‘News Feed’. It needs to clearly represent your charity as a small thumbnail, so a square version of your charity’s logo works best.

Here’s a good example from Oxfam. Not only does it look great on their Facebook page, it also looks great in the ‘News Feed’.

4. Use tabs to give your fans an opportunity to support your cause

People visiting your Facebook page are highly engaged, so why not give them an opportunity to donate? You can add a tab to your Facebook page that allows people to donate through JustGiving without ever leaving Facebook.