Last year I helped run a social media workshop for nonprofits at Stony Brook Unversity, and was very surprised at how most of the attendees (mainly Executive Directors) responded to the idea of being active online. I specifically remember a conversation I had with two nonprofit executives as I helped them set up a twitter account. “Why should I have a Twitter account?” they said. “I don’t want people following me, and I don’t know who to follow.” I can’t remember exactly what I said in response, but it was probably something along the lines of: “What?! Why wouldn’t you want followers? Don’t you want more exposure? Isn’t that why you came to this workshop?” Even after I listed myriad reasons why being active and following users on Twitter would be beneficial, they still seemed a little skeptical.

I know that following users on Twitter should be strategical, so I’m not insisting that nonprofits should every user out there. I just want to point out that following more on Twitter will most likely increase your following, and get more users talking about your nonprofit!

1. Each new user that you follow will most likely receive an email notification that you followed them. Even if they choose not to follow you in return, you will still be on their radar!
2. If someone follows you and you do not follow them back, then they cannot send you a direct message. If one of your followers wants to ask you a question but they do not want to post it on twitter, a direct message is an easy way to do so. It is important that you give your supporters/followers this option!
3. Following usually results in more followers. One of my mentors, Jim Estill, an extremely successful business executive and entrepreneur, told me that the best way to acquire followers is by following others. He said that if you follow 50 users everyday, you can be sure that by the end of the week you will have a considerable amount of new followers. If 50 seems like too large of a number, why not start with following 10 users a day?
4. Following strategically (ie: following social media savvy nonprofits like @redcross) will help you with ideas for your social media initiatives. Scour their Twitter feed to learn what tactics they used to gain a following of over 500,000 users!
5. When you follow someone, there’s a good chance that they will mention you in ‘Thank you  new followers’ post. Even if they do not follow you right away, the mention still gets your name our there to all of their followers. This also gives you the opportunity to write back to them, saying something like ‘looking forward to your tweets!’ This back and forth could lead to more follows, and more mentions of your nonprofit!