5 Ways Nonprofits Can Rally Supporters With Texts

by Kevin D. Hendricks · Published January 19, 2016 · Updated March 28, 2017

One of the greatest advantages of text messaging is its immediacy. It takes 90 seconds for the average person to respond to a text message (email takes 90 minutes). It doesn’t get much more immediate than that. rally

If you need a response and you need it now, there’s no better medium than texting.

Much of the work of nonprofits doesn’t happen in a rush. You’re doing careful planning and long-term work, making connections over time. But sometimes speed is crucial when you’re trying to rally support and get a response right now. All that careful planning comes down to this moment when you need an instant response. That’s when the immediacy of texting can make the difference.

Here’s how nonprofits can use texting to rally supporters right now:

Assemble Your Crowd: Texting is an ideal tool to rally your supporters to a specific location. It’s perfect for organizing protests or directing crowds. You can put out the call and give last-minute directions.
Alerts: You can give up-to-the-minute updates on your cause. Share the status of a vote or the progress of a fundraiser.
Combine With Social Media: You can text links to active Twitter campaigns with specific hashtags and encourage the online conversation. Trending topics shift quickly, but by acting now you can influence the discussion.
Spread the Message: Ask your supporters to spread the message right now. They can forward texts, share on social media and spread the word. Sometimes you need to create a buzz and good content can spread faster with the right push.
Respond Right Now: In the heat of the moment you can send urgent updates to rally and encourage your supporters. You can unify protesters with a consistent message or calm a crowd to prevent violence. One nonprofit did just that during the recent unrest in Baltimore.