Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

I can't speak from experience but two resources I've seen might help save you some money if you try it:

Every nonprofit should have a TechSoup membership for low-cost tech (including software like Office365, Photoshop, etc.),  and even hardware.  Note that Techsoup has an admin fee on top of whatever the discounted rate for the tech is, so be sure to include that in the cost calculation.

Techsoup you can get a discounted membership to "Google for Nonprofits" -- including a whole suite of really strong work tools.  It also allows access to non-profit rates for Google Ads.  https://www.techsoup.org/google-for-nonprofits

TechSoup apparently offers digital marketing consulting for nonprofits, so they might be able to help you come up with an effective plan.

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

In my experience, paid Facebook posts are not effective for adoptions. I have never had a single adoption through a paid post. 

Google ads, however have shown to bring people in to adopt AND Google gives nonprofits $10k a month to advertise for free if you sign up and are accepted! Learning the system is a bit of a learning curve but I find it interesting and fun to learn something new! You can make one ad for adoptions, another ad for your website in general, an ad for merch you may sell, an ad for fostering/volunteering etc, and each can have different landing pages, keywords, etc. 

You can apply here! https://www.google.com/grants/?sjid=558059050505198562-NA

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

That is good to hear because we are signed up for Google Ad Grants,  but whenever I go to set it up it asks for credit card, so how do you know they won't charge you and the money is coming from your grant?  Perhaps it wasn't set up properly on my end.

In my experience, paid Facebook posts are not effective for adoptions. I have never had a single adoption through a paid post. 

Google ads, however have shown to bring people in to adopt AND Google gives nonprofits $10k a month to advertise for free if you sign up and are accepted! Learning the system is a bit of a learning curve but I find it interesting and fun to learn something new! You can make one ad for adoptions, another ad for your website in general, an ad for merch you may sell, an ad for fostering/volunteering etc, and each can have different landing pages, keywords, etc. 

You can apply here! https://www.google.com/grants/?sjid=558059050505198562-NA

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

If the grant is from Google you need to invest the same amount they're giving you.  That's my understanding. That's why we never use it.

That is good to hear because we are signed up for Google Ad Grants,  but whenever I go to set it up it asks for credit card, so how do you know they won't charge you and the money is coming from your grant?  Perhaps it wasn't set up properly on my end.

In my experience, paid Facebook posts are not effective for adoptions. I have never had a single adoption through a paid post. 

Google ads, however have shown to bring people in to adopt AND Google gives nonprofits $10k a month to advertise for free if you sign up and are accepted! Learning the system is a bit of a learning curve but I find it interesting and fun to learn something new! You can make one ad for adoptions, another ad for your website in general, an ad for merch you may sell, an ad for fostering/volunteering etc, and each can have different landing pages, keywords, etc. 

You can apply here! https://www.google.com/grants/?sjid=558059050505198562-NA

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

That is good to hear because we are signed up for Google Ad Grants,  but whenever I go to set it up it asks for credit card, so how do you know they won't charge you and the money is coming from your grant?  Perhaps it wasn't set up properly on my end.

In my experience, paid Facebook posts are not effective for adoptions. I have never had a single adoption through a paid post. 

Google ads, however have shown to bring people in to adopt AND Google gives nonprofits $10k a month to advertise for free if you sign up and are accepted! Learning the system is a bit of a learning curve but I find it interesting and fun to learn something new! You can make one ad for adoptions, another ad for your website in general, an ad for merch you may sell, an ad for fostering/volunteering etc, and each can have different landing pages, keywords, etc. 

You can apply here! https://www.google.com/grants/?sjid=558059050505198562-NA

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

That is good to hear because we are signed up for Google Ad Grants,  but whenever I go to set it up it asks for credit card, so how do you know they won't charge you and the money is coming from your grant?  Perhaps it wasn't set up properly on my end.

In my experience, paid Facebook posts are not effective for adoptions. I have never had a single adoption through a paid post. 

Google ads, however have shown to bring people in to adopt AND Google gives nonprofits $10k a month to advertise for free if you sign up and are accepted! Learning the system is a bit of a learning curve but I find it interesting and fun to learn something new! You can make one ad for adoptions, another ad for your website in general, an ad for merch you may sell, an ad for fostering/volunteering etc, and each can have different landing pages, keywords, etc. 

You can apply here! https://www.google.com/grants/?sjid=558059050505198562-NA

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

You need to apply to get the grants. Once you are accepted you will be given a $10,000 credit to place ads.  

Google Ad Grants - Free Google Ads for Nonprofits

The reason you are being asked for a credit card is because you are not part of the grant program. 

That is good to hear because we are signed up for Google Ad Grants,  but whenever I go to set it up it asks for credit card, so how do you know they won't charge you and the money is coming from your grant?  Perhaps it wasn't set up properly on my end.

In my experience, paid Facebook posts are not effective for adoptions. I have never had a single adoption through a paid post. 

Google ads, however have shown to bring people in to adopt AND Google gives nonprofits $10k a month to advertise for free if you sign up and are accepted! Learning the system is a bit of a learning curve but I find it interesting and fun to learn something new! You can make one ad for adoptions, another ad for your website in general, an ad for merch you may sell, an ad for fostering/volunteering etc, and each can have different landing pages, keywords, etc. 

You can apply here! https://www.google.com/grants/?sjid=558059050505198562-NA

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

In addition to what's already been recommended, check out Taproot Foundation. Home - Taproot Foundation

They offer pro-bono support in every area for 501(c)(3) organizations. They can help set up the Google Grants Program for you, help with developing a Social Media Campaign, Marketing, etc.

We have used them for Google Grants and had an amazing volunteer help to get Google Grants set up, and then was able to help migrate to G4 in Google which in itself a ton of work.

Best of Luck!!

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

Hi Susan,

Thank you for the link to Taproot. Is it true that they will provide free skilled volunteer to help a 501-c3.  I need help updating my website. Is that something I can request through Taproot and the help is completely free. This is too good to be true! How does Taproot support itself ? Could you tell me a little more about Google Grants? Thanks

In addition to what's already been recommended, check out Taproot Foundation. Home - Taproot Foundation

They offer pro-bono support in every area for 501(c)(3) organizations. They can help set up the Google Grants Program for you, help with developing a Social Media Campaign, Marketing, etc.

We have used them for Google Grants and had an amazing volunteer help to get Google Grants set up, and then was able to help migrate to G4 in Google which in itself a ton of work.

Best of Luck!!

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

TapRoot is a Foundation so I am assuming they receive funding through various internal funding sources. This is a very legitimate organization. I was equally suspicious when I first heard about them. Check out their website as they go into detail about the organization.

I see you are based in Davis, CA. I am in Orangevale, CA. Give me a call 916 847 9986 and I would be happy to answer as many of your questions as I can.

Susan Aimes

Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue

https://www.starsandstripesdogrescue.org

Hi Susan,

Thank you for the link to Taproot. Is it true that they will provide free skilled volunteer to help a 501-c3.  I need help updating my website. Is that something I can request through Taproot and the help is completely free. This is too good to be true! How does Taproot support itself ? Could you tell me a little more about Google Grants? Thanks

In addition to what's already been recommended, check out Taproot Foundation. Home - Taproot Foundation

They offer pro-bono support in every area for 501(c)(3) organizations. They can help set up the Google Grants Program for you, help with developing a Social Media Campaign, Marketing, etc.

We have used them for Google Grants and had an amazing volunteer help to get Google Grants set up, and then was able to help migrate to G4 in Google which in itself a ton of work.

Best of Luck!!

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

Social Media Ads can be very effective if done correctly. It can help you bring new followers to your page, and they will start to follow you.  Having a mix of pets in need and educational posts will help spread the word. It won't happen overnight, and invite people who like your post to follow you. Over time this will help with brand recognition and will help increase people adopting and supporting your organization.  Having the correct person on social media can make or break an organization.  Also, the new thing is doing short videos, which can help, especially with kittens. Who doesn't like watching kittens play?  Also, remember to share other organizations' discount spay and neuter clinic events in your area. 

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

#MarketingandSocialMedia

------------------------------
Maddie Corey
Simply Cats
------------------------------

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

I've had a lot of success with paid social, and I think the trick is to really define your audience-- usually I'll send it to people within about a 20-30 mile radius of the org who don't currently follow the org, who like whatever type of pet we're looking for a foster for, plus maybe I'll add that they like animal rescue and/or animal welfare. The ones that tend to perform the best are posts that show the actual pets that need foster homes and talk about why they're in need of foster homes.

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

Hi Everyone!

My rescue is looking into paid social media ads to promote our kitten adoptions because we are FLOODED with kittens! We are a cat-only rescue. I was wondering if any rescues had successful paid ad campaigns that increased adoptions, and what made them successful?  Were your ads videos, images, or a mix of both?  Did the ads contain a lot of text and graphics, or mainly feature the animals? I have found that ANY post with text gets less engagement than photos that are just the animal. However, I feel like I do need to include our logo and some information in the ads to gain interest. 

I would love to hear other people's experience with paid ads as I work on creating my first campaign. 

#MarketingandSocialMedia

------------------------------
Maddie Corey
Simply Cats
------------------------------