VSSL for Change: Social Media Strategy and Creative
VSSL for Change’s mission is to cultivate an inclusive workplace and empower our crew to make positive change through education, discussion, and giving back. As part of VSSL for Change and VSSL as an organization, our crew had the opportunity to work with Girls on the Run San Diego for our first Marketing Support Partnership Program. This program gave us the opportunity to share the work we do for our B2B clients with a local non-profit that aligned with our values, with a focus on empowerment and change.
What Is Girls on the Run?
Girls on the Run began in North Carolina in 1996, and now has a presence in all 50 states and Canada. Girls on the Run San Diego began in 2006 and has served more than 10,000 girls with its unique social and emotional learning program. This non-profit is dedicated to making an impact on girls’ lives in the community. They offer multiple research-based programs that focus on building confidence, valuing relationships and teamwork, and recognizing how we can shape the world at large. Participants gain critical life skills that strengthen their potential at a time when societal pressures and conflicting messages about how to feel and act can cause doubt and uncertainty.
How VSSL Helped
Girls on the Run San Diego came to us looking for help with a social media strategy focused on increasing brand awareness and attracting new participants and volunteers. We were stoked to offer our expertise and got to work conducting a social media audit, streamlining their social media processes, putting together recommendations, offering creative graphics, and providing monthly reports.
Some recommendations our crew provided that Girls on the Run San Diego started implementing and had success in were:
- Sharing inspiring stories and/or testimonials from coaches and participates
- Focusing on reels to showcase events and/or introduce coaches and participants
- Sharing user-generated content to help build trust and credibility
- Optimizing hashtags and testing out different posting times to increase engagement and reach
- Encouraging employees and coaches to engage with and share their content
- Spending time every week engaging with followers, the San Diego community, and ideal participants
- Partnering with local influencers, other non-profits, or starting an affiliate program
Results for Girls on the Run
By taking our monthly recommendations and focusing on the social channels that had the most potential in reaching their targeted audience and overall goals, Girls on the Run San Diego started to see growth immediately. In the 6 months working together, they achieved the following results on Instagram:
- Gained +141 followers (1,276 → 1,417)
- Increased impressions by 89% (1,988 → 17,865)
- Increased likes by 48% (166 → 317)
- Increased comments by 96% (2 → 49)
- Increased profile clicks by 68% (137 → 430)
In the words of Anna Maria Gentiluomo Maybury, the Executive Director at Girls on the Run San Diego:
We are so thankful that VSSL chose Girls on the Run of San Diego to be their first pro bono partner. The whole VSSL team always treated us with such respect and professionalism, and we feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with them. Thank you to VSSL for all you have done to help us navigate social media with our small (but mighty) staff.
How You Can Get Involved
Girls on the Run San Diego are always looking for volunteers or coaches that are dedicated and passionate about their mission to help make a positive impact on the lives of girls in the San Diego community. They have many different opportunities to get involved and we highly suggest taking a look at the ways you can help support this amazing organization.
VSSL For Change
If these last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s the importance of supporting our community and banding together to combat injustices being faced on a local and global scale. We feel fortunate as a company to identify organizations and offer our help in bringing awareness to nonprofits and organizations that actively change the lives of people, communities, and animals around the world. Interested in learning more about our V4C Partnership Program? Check our our V4C Partnership Program blog or get in touch!