Social Media

Social media is one of the best ways to promote your crowdfunding campaign! Post quality content on a frequent basis, and ask your faculty, staff, students, and alumni to share your campaign to their own pages to boost awareness and support for your cause.

Best Practices for Social Media Engagement

Timing and Consistency

  • Post during optimal times.
    • Mid-week mornings (9-11 a.m.) 
  • Maintain a consistent posting schedule.
    • Aim for at least one post per day during Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week.

Content Quality

  • Use high-quality images and videos; visuals featuring faces tend to attract larger audiences. 
  • Include quotes from students or staff/faculty to create an emotional connection. 
  • Share direct links to your campaign in every post.  
  • Share your fundraising progress with regular updates about the percentage of your goal achieved. 

Hashtag and Branding

  • Use #OrangeAndBlue to connect with the broader campuswide crowdfunding efforts. 
  • Change your profile pictures and cover photos during the campaign week to align with your crowdfunding message.

Engagement

  • Encourage followers to repost and share your content. 
  • Engage your faculty and staff by informing them about the campaign and encouraging them to participate as ambassadors, sharers, or donors. 

Platforms and Tools

  • Explore additional platforms like Gratavid to target specific audiences. 
  • Consider using paid social media to expand your reach. 

Leadership Involvement

  • Invite leadership or prominent faculty members to record videos encouraging others to give. 
  • Highlight any matches or challenges in your posts to inspire action. 

Resources and Guidelines

Official Social Media Branding Guide

Social Media Communication Plan Ideas

  • Before March 3
    • Save the date posts
  • Monday, March 3
    • Kickoff posts
  • Tuesday, March 4
    • Please refrain from promoting Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week on this day to amplify the Marching Illini’s March Forth Campaign.
  • Wednesday, March 5 – Saturday, March 8
    • Why it matters
    • Donor appreciations
    • Fun challenge
    • Student story spotlight
    • Percentages of goal reached
    • Gratitude post
    • Impact post
    • Countdown to close
  • Sunday, March 9
    • Last day push
  • After Sunday, March 9
    • Thank you posts
    • Impact posts
    • Infographic or statistics wrapping up the week

Social Media Post Examples

Facebook sample post of Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week. This sample says, "Mark you calendars! Get ready, Illini - Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week is almost here! From March 3-9, join us as we come together to raise $5,000 for Illinois Commitment. Your passion, your impact - support what matters to you!"
Facebook sample post of Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week. This sample says, "We're off to a great start! WOW - thanks to YOU, we are 25% of the way to our goal! But we're not done yet. Keep the momentum going bu sharing this post or making your gift today. Together, we can make a BIG impact."
Facebook sample post of Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week. This sample says, "Why give? Because it changes lives. When you give, you're supporting students who strive for excellence."
Facebook sample post of Orange & Blue Crowdfunding Week. This sample says, "Meet [student]. Because of you, [student] is [impactful story]. Your generosity makes stories like this possible. Be part of the movement to uplift the next generation of leaders."
Download Social Media Assets

Questions?

Reach out to OVCIA’s Associate Director of Strategic Engagement, Rachel Hull, at rhull3@illinois.edu or StratCom’s Director of Social Media and Digital Strategy, Lea Peck, at leapeck2@illinois.edu.

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