Why so serious?

Social media accounts are often filled with funny videos and memes to make people laugh or lighten the mood. But you have to make sure you're using it at the right time and in an appropriate manor. You have to decide if it is the right time and more importantly appropriate for the specific site you are using and to which audience you are addressing.

Most importantly if you are posting for a nonprofit organization. Running a social media site for a nonprofit organization can often be a tricky process. You want to make sure to keep your content entertaining for your followers but also make sure you are spreading your message.

Here are some tips for incorporating humor into your social media posts for a nonprofit organization--

Make sure it is appropriate: for example if you are running a nonprofit social media account for a nonprofit like Starlight Children's Foundation, a nonprofit for hospitalized children, using humor needs to be done in a tasteful manor. When working with sick children is it a very sensitive subject so using humor needs to be used in a careful manor. It needs be used as family-friendly humor or used as a fun way to get people to donate or to help the children and families find some comical relief in a hard time. They are currently doing a halloween party for the children in the hospital. The hospital employees will dress up in fun and funny costumes- but they must make sure each costume is tasteful and family-friendly

Make sure it relates to your message and organization: for example there is a nonprofit that uses fun and humor to get their message across. It is The Harry Potter Alliance, this nonprofit works to engage Harry Potter fans through their work for equality, human rights and literacy. This is a fun and humorous way to get the public to donate and to share their message. The organization uses humor and fun that relates to fans but also relates to their cause.

Make sure the humor works to get the public involved: using humor can be a great way to get the public involved but make sure it still works towards your cause. Whether it be getting donations or gaining volunteers the humor needs to serve a purpose. For example FurKids is a nonprofit animal rescue and shelter in Atlanta that did a hilarious video that went viral and used humor to urge people to adopt animals from the shelter. Watch the video here!