Hello everyone, my name is Emily Rangel, and I am a student at California State University Monterey Bay CSUMB. I am currently going into my senior year and working as an NPC intern through my field training program in Collaborative Human and Health Services.
This week’s opinion piece is inspired by the article published by The Nonprofit Times: “Leveraging TikTok & Clubhouse At Your Nonprofit”, by Steffen Schebesta. The articles mention how the pandemic continues to pose a threat to the nonprofit world, with an estimation that 1 out of 3 nonprofits will close within the next two years. The article provides excellent information on how nonprofits can integrate TikTok and Clubhouse to connect with an audience and fundraise for their organization. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.
As someone who uses TikTok, I can see firsthand the potential influence it can have for a Nonprofit to begin using the social media platform. To start with, it is free to sign up and the app uses an algorithm to randomly generate videos onto other users’ For You Page (FYP). A FYP is the user’s main page where random videos pop up and one can favorite videos, save videos, like, and interact in other ways of sharing the video. While on other social media pages, you have to be friends with or follow other users in order to see their postings, TikTok does not have this kind of restriction automatically in place; this would benefit a Nonprofit that is beginning to grow its TikTok page because its videos will be shared at random with potential supporters. Additionally, TikTok has the ability to add URL links so that a nonprofit can link its donations page to gain support. Most will say the key to a successful TikTok career and following is consistency in posting to have higher potential on reaching more individuals on the Platform.
The other Social Media platform mentioned is ClubHouse. Clubhouse seems to be more of a platform to network with influential individuals from the information gathered. Some mentionable people that use the app include Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. On the Platform, one can create a room or join a space to network, start a conversation, and/or get the attention of the audience; from there, the Platform has added a tip feature where the host can collect tips from the group and audiences and the proceeds to go to the host of the group. However, it is mentioned the Platform does take a percentage of acquired donations.
While the Two platforms differ, they both provide a space to share and support nonprofits. Additionally, they offered forms where Nonprofits can request and receive donations towards their cause. Furthermore, these alternatives to paid-for ads can help save a Nonprofit from spending funds towards ads or printed information that reaches a smaller audience than using these free platforms and gaining a greater audience.