On Monday Liz Truss was confirmed as the new Prime Minister. Charities quickly responded to the news. Civil Society shared statements from NCVO, NPC, CFG, DSC, Bond and Christian Aid. Charities took to their social media channels.
Here’s a selection of some of the different ways charities shared direct asks on Twitter. Most got really good engagement with supporters as they reacted quickly with strong messages as if they were talking to her directly.
Although some mentioned @TrussLiz (no one accidentally tweeted @LizTruss who is brilliantly having her own John Lewis moment and went from 800 followers to 19k in a few days) and others used #LizTruss, realistically, these messages are aimed at supporters rather than the new PM and her team.
To-do lists
This tweet from Together with Refugees shows a post-it with three tasks: Get keys to No10, set up new email and create fair, kind, effective system for refugees.
Age UK shared a to-do list gif.
Save the Children UK taped their to-do list to the door of Number 10 in their film.
A call to action for supporters
Young Lives vs Cancer ran a poll to agree priorities.
While Crisis asked supporters to choose one of four tweets aimed at the PM.
Stronger words
Shelter called for urgent action.
Greenpeace UK listed four actions but highlighted the new PM’s climate record with a screenshot video of sewage in the sea.
Rethink wrote a thread of their priorities, linking to a statement.
Ismail from Mencap addresses the PM in this video.
And Refuge asks her some questions.
What do you think?
The mix of tone of voice and different approaches in these reactive messages is really interesting. Do they work?
There were many charities who didn’t share a message for the PM this week. Did they miss a trick?
There were others who shared more descriptive messages announcing the news and sharing hopes for the future, like this from RSPB and this congratulatory one from Macmillan. Quite a different tone, more conservative than the direct ones above. See more examples in this Charity Comms thread.
What’s your view?
- Waste of time or effective comms?
- Did your organisation join in on Twitter or other social channel or email? Or decide to do nothing?
- Have you seen any other great examples?
- Is there room on your social media strategy for reactive comms?
Messages to Ministers
As the Ministers in the Cabinet are announced, charities have been communicating with them too.
Young Minds are calling on their supporters to sign a ‘congrats on your new job’ card for Theresa Coffey and shared a to-do list.
Diabetes UK are sending a card to her too.
And finally ice cream giants (ie not a charity) Ben and Jerry’s have sent Suella Braverman a to-do list. 23k likes and counting….
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