Using Social Media for Giving Tuesday

Written By Alicia Vial

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that inspires millions to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity. One of the effective tools to engage audiences and amplify your message on and for Giving Tuesday is social media.

Social media is a key tool for Giving Tuesday campaigns because it allows organization to amplify their message, engage with a broad audience and drive action in real-time. Social media platforms provide access to millions of users enabling organizations to tap into a diverse audience. Social media is also a cost-effective way to promote Giving Tuesday – even paid campaigns or boosts can be done effectively with lower budgets.  It allows for real-time engagement and immediate action – so donors can be directed to your giving link and take action.  

Build excitement with teaser posts or advanced giving posts now. Use a content calendar or schedule to help you plan out your posts – once you have your ideas ready you can also use scheduling tools to posts leading up to, the day of and post Giving Tuesday – creating an easier load for yourself. 

Share your organization’s mission and stories. Sharing impact stories will resonate emotionally with you audience. Use high-quality visuals including photos, graphics and videos that are personal to your organization.  Include a clear call to action like “donate now” “share this post” or “support our mission” – this makes it clear to the user what you expect and hope to achieve with your social media posts. Always include your link to donate – it seems like a no-brainer but the easier you make it for users to donate the more likely they will support. If you are posting on Facebook, LinkedIn or X make sure to include the link. If you are posting on Instagram, make sure you’ve added the link to your profile’s bio or link service like “Linktree.” 

After Giving Tuesday, show gratitude by posting thank you messages and donor spotlights. Share your donation results and relay that into the impact it will make on your organization. For example, how many youth it will help support. Stay engaged with your audience by keeping the conversations going to retain supporters or future campaigns.  

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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