Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi all!

I am in some serious need of social media guidance. We have an Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. On Instagram and TikTok we have about 1000 followers but I feel like our views never get over 800-900, even with non-followers and hashtags. 

I have tried to use the "boost" feature on IG/FB but it doesn't seem to get us far.

Do you have any suggestions?

Our social media is @despuratehousecats if anyone more seasoned than myself wants to give some pointers! I've tried question captions and giveaways to try to get engagement and I try to respond to every comment, post in groups etc.. but it seems just hard to get more followers.

I've been looking for a volunteer "social media manager" but that's hard to come by.

Thanks in advance!

#MarketingandSocialMedia

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Carley Thompson
Founder
Despurate House Cats
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I went to have a look but couldn't find your socials on the handle you give. 

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Bettina Vine
Animal Health Director
The Kitten Connection
Peniche, Portugal
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Hi Carley! Have you looked at your highest performing posts? Those might give you some insight as to what your audience resonates with. Some other things you could try are to add a very clear call to action in the text of all of your posts, not just the ones calling for donations. Something like "Help us find a foster, share to your stories!" Other things you might try are tagging partner organizations or your fosters in your posts, creating graphics with the adoptable cat's information and making that the last image in your post, even if the information is also in the text - this would allow it to be shared to folks stories easier. Also, immediately after posting, sharing all posts to your own stories, liking and saving them can help. 

You might also want to look at other ways of getting the word out. Sometimes followers doesn't always mean engagement, and ultimately adoption/foster. Spreading the word through local pet food stores, possible youth volunteer groups (boy scouts/girl scouts/campfire groups/etc.) looking for projects (maybe they'd like to design and help plan/run an adoption/awareness event for a badge?), building relationships with local media, or other community hubs in your area might be just as beneficial. 

The Maddie's University self-paced marketing and social media courses could be a great resource as well, if you're interested! 

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cait yoshioka
marketing communications project manager
maddie's fund
CA
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https://www.instagram.com/despuratehousecats

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570975120891

You should change your facebook url to a professional one.  Honestly, if you are getting 800 views a month with your following, you are doing awesome!  Congratulations!  I have noticed that Facebook pages do not get much attention, but your following there is only 255 at the moment and you've gotten a minimum of 2 donations for April with such a small following.  You are doing great!  It takes patience to grow. 

I can say that your website is a little dark.  You might brighten things up a little... maybe lighten the brown background to biege?  Your contact page should list your location. 
In your marketing, be sure to stay targeted to your local area for the biggest impact.  Hope that helps!

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Diana Kelley
Executive Director
Healing Horse Touch Company
https://HealingHorseTouch.com
KennethMNUnited States
Discover Healing, Connection, and Renewal through Horses.
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Carley,

My name is SherryJo and I believe I follow your tiktok account. Anyhow, there are a number of things you can do to get the views up and increase donations. My animal tiktok is@TheMonkeyGa gHQ if you want to check it out.

1. They recently started the creators pilot program which allows your accout to have a showcase. In that showcase you can feature different animal products. When the shop gets a sale through your link you get a commision.
2. Tell your followers to engage the video from the bottom up.
3. Tell them to watch the whole video. The more watch time you the more the algorythm will push your videos out. This one also works for youtube.
4. Instead of telling people to go to the website, share links to your social media. 
5. Share your links. Use an app like linktree. One link provides access to all your social media including your website.
6. Make original content. Get a dog out of the kennel and film it learning a trick. Use the cuteness factor that your animals have
7. Make it fun and it will improve.

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SHERRYJO CRANDALL
Student
One person rescue
ID
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Hi Carley, 

We have an upcoming Maddie's Insights webcast this Thursday (May 8) at 12pm PT that explores factors that influence public engagement of adoptable pets on social media that may give you some helpful information!

You can learn more about the upcoming webcast here: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastInfluenceAdopablePetsSocialMediaEvent or register directly via Zoom to receive an email to join and a link to watch the recording if you're unable to make it live: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

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Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
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