Leveraging LinkedIn for Nonprofits and Museums
With over 190.1 million members in the US (and growing!), LinkedIn is a powerful tool for nonprofit and museum marketers looking to expand their mission, grow their community, and ultimately drive donations.
But how can they use this platform to reach the right people? Let’s take a look at several ways to leverage organic LinkedIn to compliment your museum marketing efforts.
Is there a LinkedIn for nonprofits?
Yes, there is! LinkedIn for Nonprofits has an entire hub of resources specially designed for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes. They’ve got tips, tricks, and tools to help you connect with potential donors, fundraise effectively, hire and train new talent for your team, and get your mission and message out into the world.
Is LinkedIn free for nonprofits?
Yes, it is. Sort of. Nonprofits get free access to virtual events and summits, plus blog and newsletter subscriptions. For actual products, you’ll need to spend some money. The good news: eligible nonprofits can get discounted rates on talent, learning, and fundraising products created by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. They’ve got solutions for everything from sales navigators to recruitment and marketing platforms. The eligibility requirements are easily met by most nonprofit organizations.
How much are LinkedIn’s paid services for nonprofits?
LinkedIn has nonprofit member discounts for organizations that qualify. And yours just might. If so, you can benefit from as much as 75% off their major services: Sales Navigator Core and Recruiter Lite. For example, eligible nonprofits can get a Sales Navigator Core subscription for $25 a month with a 12-month contract or a Recruiter Lite subscription for $42.50 a month.
What is the best way to use LinkedIn for Nonprofits?
While many nonprofits saw record-breaking donations during the pandemic, the past year has normalized donations back to 2019 levels. New ways to connect with your community and donors is essential to maintaining engagement and interest in your organization.
Start with why
So why LinkedIn? For one, LinkedIn is a great place to connect with a younger audience. Our nonprofit and museum clients are working hard to attract a younger donor base, and over 78% of LinkedIn users are between the ages of 18-34. A whopping 84% of millennials donated to charities in 2021 — and LinkedIn is overwhelmingly where they spend their time.
Learn and grow
LinkedIn isn’t just about broadcasting messages; it’s also about making connections and learning. Whether you’re involved in the marketing, development, or programming of your organization, you’ll find a community of leading experts in your field sharing volumes of tips, trends, and ideas to make your work better.
Follow those leaders to learn and grow, and when you’re ready, share a little of the behind-the-scenes magic of your success, too. Building your own following doesn’t require a budget or advanced marketing degree – just start commenting and sharing!
Share stories of impact
It’s important to remember that when using social media platforms like LinkedIn people don’t want to just be constantly asked for money or donations. Instead, share stories of the impact of those donations. Stories help to create emotion around your cause and encourage people to act.
Use this platform to share stories about the impact of not donating, too. What happens when the problems your organization solves are left unchecked? And definitely don’t forget about those personal stories of impact from staff members or volunteers. People want to feel connected and inspired by what you are doing – let them in on the journey!
Make connections
Great development professionals know that 99% of the work of fundraising happens before the ask, and LinkedIn is a great place to identify and connect with possible donors. You can use the platform to build meaningful relationships and keep connections engaged with your organization.
Don’t forget referrals, too – if your direct network can’t always help, they’re often willing to share and connect you with people who can.
Share your collections
Another great way for nonprofits and museums to use LinkedIn is by sharing stories about their collections or original research relevant to your mission. Whether it’s about a piece of art or a historical event or a global trend,, these stories have an incredible amount of power to engage people on this platform.
Share articles, research, videos and behind-the-scenes content that showcases your expertise and thought leadership, and you’ll find engaged supporters who also want to support your financial needs.
Be strategic about posting
When posting on LinkedIn, think quality over quantity – post often but also post effectively. What you post should provide information, entertainment, or peak interest
It’s all about finding balance. Your goal is to keep people interested, entertained, and informed. Share articles, research, and stories that showcase your organization’s expertise. Find ways to bring value before asking for money or donations but also keep things interesting enough so people will stick around.
Use new ways to engage potential donors, like sharing videos or images, and using the platform’s features like polls to gauge community opinion or get feedback directly from members.
Can I ask for donations on LinkedIn?
Just like any other social media platform, you must share value before asking for anything from your audience – including donations. Do not use LinkedIn as just another avenue for pushing out donation requests constantly; if people get tired of hearing it, they will tune out quickly.
Instead, focus on creating meaningful connections with those who are likely already aligned with your mission and build relationships with them first before making any asks for money or resources. In the long run, it will also help to create a more sustainable and engaged community of supporters.
Take Charge of Your Museum Marketing Strategy
LinkedIn is an incredible platform to build relationships with potential donors and create meaningful connections through storytelling. It can also reward you with an ongoing education in the trends of the world around you.
Need help finding your voice on LinkedIn? Let’s connect; we’re experts in nonprofit and museum storytelling.