Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell
Episode: 5 Tips for Nonprofit Social Media Managers Heading into 2026
Release Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Julia Campbell (Solo Episode)

Episode Overview

In this solo episode, Julia Campbell—nonprofit digital marketing and fundraising expert—shares her top five essential tips for nonprofit social media managers heading into 2026. Drawing from her experience and recent data, Julia provides actionable advice to help nonprofit professionals navigate the changing social media landscape, combat algorithm shifts, manage mental health, and drive real impact online. The tone is empathetic, direct, and encouraging, with Julia candidly discussing both the challenges and joys of managing nonprofit social media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The State of Social Media for Nonprofits in 2026

[02:00-07:00]

• Challenges: The digital landscape is increasingly chaotic and crowded, with organic reach and engagement harder to achieve than ever.
  • Instagram's organic reach: ~3.5% of followers
  • Facebook's organic reach: 1.33–2.2% of followers
  • 2025 average engagement rates: Instagram 3.3%, Facebook 1.4%
• Core Message: Building a mission-driven, engaged community is more effective than chasing vanity metrics or broad reach.

Julia’s Top 5 Tips for Nonprofit Social Media Managers

1. Focus on Building a Community, Not Just an Audience

[07:05-13:30]

• Key Point: Social media isn't just about growth and visibility; it's about nurturing a resonant, tight-knit community around your cause.
• Action Items:
  • Get clear about who your ideal supporters are.
  • Avoid generic content—prioritize value and relevance for your core audience.
  • Leverage your most engaged supporters to amplify your message.
• Notable Quote:

  "Your mission and your message are not going to resonate with everyone, period. ... Nail down who your choir is and preach to it. If the choir is singing together in harmony, they'll bring others in."
  — Julia Campbell [09:14]

• Recommendation: Go beyond merely posting—be present, respond to comments, and treat platforms as communities rather than broadcast channels.

2. Set a Timer When Posting

[13:32-16:30]

• Key Point: Time management is critical to avoid burnout and maintain efficiency.
• Strategies:
  • Be honest about how much time you have for social media and schedule accordingly.
  • Use techniques like the Pomodoro method (25-minute focused bursts).
  • Remember, the real work is in engagement and analysis—not just publishing content.
• Notable Quote:

  "Social media management takes discipline and practice, but a time-based strategy like this is absolutely crucial for all of us that have other competing jobs responsibilities, right?"
  — Julia Campbell [15:39]

3. Take Frequent Mental Health Breaks

[16:33-18:30]

• Key Point: The "always-on" culture of social media can harm mental health; breaks are essential.
• Ideas:
  • Turn off notifications after hours and limit after-work check-ins to brief, intentional times.
  • Schedule digital detoxes and prioritize screen breaks.
  • Listen to uplifting podcasts to decompress.
• Recommended Podcasts:
  • Good Hang (Amy Poehler)
  • Holding Space with Dr. Cassidy Freitas
  • Jen Gotch is OK…Sometimes
  • Selfie: A Self Care Podcast
• Notable Quote:

  "The mental health stress on social media managers has been documented. It is a real thing and the ramifications are just beginning to be actually studied and understood."
  — Julia Campbell [16:49]

4. Just Say No to Perfectionism

[18:31-20:00]

• Key Point: Striving for perfect content is unsustainable and unnecessary—instead, prioritize authenticity and vulnerability.
• Advice:
  • Done is better than perfect.
  • Don’t spend hours perfecting small details that will have minimal impact.
  • Mistakes happen—edit and improve as you go.
• Notable Quote:

  "Authenticity is the word that needs to go away in 2026. I want to change it to vulnerability. People love vulnerability. They want to know there's humans behind the social media content."
  — Julia Campbell [19:07]

5. Advocate for Yourself

[20:01-24:30]

• Key Point: Constant overwhelm is not sustainable. Communicate your workload and the true value of your work.

• How-To:

  • Inventory your time and responsibilities—be transparent with supervisors and boards.
  • Marketing and communications are mission-critical—repeat this if necessary.
  • Use stories and outcomes, not just vanity metrics, to report impact.
  • Find allies within your organization; share success stories, case studies, and solid plans to gain support.
  • Offer educational sessions (like “lunch and learns”) to demystify social media work for colleagues.

• Notable Quote:

  "Marketing is part of your mission. ... Some people still think that social media marketers get to play around on Facebook and Instagram all day and call it a job. It's so patronizing."
  — Julia Campbell [21:32]

  "Constantly feeling like you're struggling to keep your head above water is not okay."
  — Julia Campbell, quoting Thea Neal [20:09]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the realities of nonprofit social media:

  "Unless you're dealing with an issue that's getting national press coverage, ... it's incredibly difficult to get traction from complete strangers online."
  — Julia Campbell [10:33]

• On time management:

  "It's so easy to do on these platforms that are actually designed by psychologists to grab our attention and to keep us clicking and to keep us on the platform."
  — Julia Campbell [14:36]

• On advocating for social media’s importance:

  "I really do firmly believe that if all nonprofits and all social causes left social media, there'd be a huge void."
  — Julia Campbell [22:59]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:00] — Social media landscape and recent stats
• [07:05] — Tip 1: Building community
• [13:32] — Tip 2: Time management with the Pomodoro technique
• [16:33] — Tip 3: Mental health breaks
• [18:31] — Tip 4: Banishing perfectionism for vulnerability
• [20:01] — Tip 5: Advocacy and internal communications
• [24:00] — Final encouragements; invitation to join community and resources

Conclusion & Closing Encouragement

• Host’s Message:

  "Remember, building community and showcasing the impact of the great work you do is never a waste of time."
  — Julia Campbell [23:50]

• Final Encouragement:

  "Sometimes the work feels thankless. Sometimes it feels like you're doing it all alone. But you're not alone."
  — Julia Campbell [24:12]

Additional Resources

• Social Media for Social Good Academy — annual live training program (waitlist at socialgoodacademy.com, includes $50 coupon)
• Julia’s Email for Book Giveaway: julia@jcsocialmarketing.com
• Book Mentioned: How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit in 90 Days

Host’s Tone: Supportive, candid, practical, and motivational. Julia blends humor, real talk, and actionable advice throughout—creating a sense of camaraderie and reassurance for frontline nonprofit social media managers.

Summary prepared for listeners who want the key lessons and actionable takeaways without missing the heart and personality of Julia’s guidance.