A social media presence for your charity or nonprofit organization probably means you have a Facebook page, Twitter handle, and Instagram account. To use each one to the its full potential, you should learn about how to use the platform, but also a bit about how other people prefer to consume content. That can vary based on your target audience, but in general Instagram Stories are a popular and fun way to stay relevant and share in a fun and informal way about your team.

How to post a story

The technical how-to on posting stories is the first step. The easiest way to do this is to swipe right from your Instagram account’s main timeline. This will open up the tool to share stories.

From here you have a few options:

1. The button on the far left of the bottom opens your stored images and videos. You can select something from your gallery to share. Both still images and videos are available.
2. The big white circle in the middle will take a photo. Press it quickly to snap a photo to share.
3. Hold down the white circle to record short snippets of video

There are many other options you can explore in the menu along the bottom. Share bright colored text, your favorite songs, go live, or add a plethora of filters to your story. Explore!

What to share

Now that you know HOW to share, the next question is WHAT to share. I have two general rules if you’re just starting out:

1. Don’t over-share. Your stories will queue up in the feed of all of your subscribers and they’ll need to tap through each of your videos. If you post too much, you run the risk of being muted.
2. Don’t over-think. Videos expire after 24 hours, so if it’s not perfect, that’s okay! Think about videos as being a little more spontaneous and a little less curated than your photos.

If you are having a fund-raising event, a few videos during the event can make those who couldn’t attend feel more a part of the fun. If you just received a big donation, a shout-out thank you can let your followers know about other great organizations contributing to your success. Introduce the team! Let your followers know who is behind the account and all the great work you are doing for your community.

Most of all, have fun! Instagram Stories are a fun and informal way to engage your audience, remind them of your mission, and share your success.