Volunteer management is a vital skill for many organizations, especially in the social sector. But how can you attract and engage potential volunteers in a digital world? In this article, you will learn some tips and strategies to use digital platforms to recruit volunteers for your cause.
Before you start posting or emailing, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your volunteer recruitment campaign. What are your objectives, expectations, and requirements for your volunteers? Who are your ideal candidates, and what motivates them to get involved? How will you measure the success of your recruitment efforts? By defining your goals and audience, you will be able to tailor your message and choose the most suitable digital platforms for your campaign.
Your website and social media accounts are the first places where potential volunteers will look for information about your organization and your opportunities. Make sure your website is user-friendly, updated, and showcases your mission, vision, and impact. Include a dedicated page for volunteers, where you can highlight the benefits, roles, and testimonials of volunteering with you. Also, use your social media channels to share stories, photos, and videos of your current volunteers, and to invite followers to join your cause. Use hashtags, tags, and keywords to increase your visibility and reach.
To stand out from the crowd and attract attention, you need to create engaging content that showcases your cause and your volunteer opportunities. Use storytelling, humor, emotion, and facts to connect with your audience and inspire them to take action. You can use different formats, such as blogs, podcasts, webinars, infographics, or live streams, to showcase your work and your impact. Also, make sure you include clear and compelling calls to action in your content, such as sign up, register, apply, or donate. Provide links, forms, or contact details to make it easy for potential volunteers to get in touch with you.
Besides your own website and social media accounts, you can also use other online platforms and networks to reach out to potential volunteers. For example, you can use online volunteer matching platforms, such as VolunteerMatch, Idealist, or DoSomething, to post your opportunities and connect with interested candidates. You can also use online communities, forums, or groups related to your cause, such as Reddit, Facebook Groups, or LinkedIn Groups, to share your opportunities and engage with relevant audiences. Additionally, you can use online events, webinars, or workshops to showcase your work and invite participants to volunteer with you.
Once you have attracted potential volunteers to your digital platforms, you need to communicate and follow up with them to keep them interested and motivated. You can use email, phone, or video calls to communicate with them, depending on their preferences and availability. You can also use online tools, such as surveys, quizzes, or polls, to gather feedback, preferences, or suggestions from them. Moreover, you can use online newsletters, updates, or acknowledgments to keep them informed, appreciated, and engaged. Remember to be responsive, friendly, and professional in your communication, and to address any questions, concerns, or issues that may arise.
The final step in your digital volunteer recruitment campaign is to train and onboard your new volunteers. You can use online platforms, such as Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet, to conduct online orientation, training, or mentoring sessions for your volunteers. You can also use online platforms, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Slack, to share resources, documents, or guidelines with your volunteers. Furthermore, you can use online platforms, such as Asana, Trello, or Basecamp, to assign tasks, track progress, or collaborate with your volunteers. Make sure you provide clear instructions, expectations, and feedback to your volunteers, and to recognize and reward their contributions.