Tips

The state of Illinois follows a “fault” system to process any personal injury claim. In other words, the state courts use the traditional tort system, to determine whether the compensation should be paid or not.

What does it mean for you?

Well, to put it simply, you’d not only need to prove that you’ve been injured or sustained losses but also that the defending party is liable for it.

But, how do you proceed with a personal injury case in the state? Of course, there are other legal requirements too, apart from proving fault and liability.

Keep reading to know more about the laws.

Statutes Of Limitations

To protect the interests of both – plaintiff and defendant – the state laws ensure that a personal injury claim must be filed within a certain time frame. This time frame is usually referred to as “Statutes of Limitations”.

In general, the time to file a personal injury claim is about 2 years from the day of the accident in Illinois. However, there could be other factors involved which may then extend or shrink this window. For example, if the injuries from a car accident set a little late, the courts may then assume the window from the date of on-set of the injuries.

Where To File The Claim

It is noteworthy that the plaintiffs can file personal injury claims in any of the circuit courts within the state. However, as the experts at Curcio-law.com explain, to file a claim in any state, the plaintiff must either be residing in the state for at least six months or must be injured in the state. If these conditions are fulfilled, they can file in any of the 24 circuit courts in the state.

Also, these conditions can also depend on the type of injury, the place of accident, and the cause of injury. For example, road accident injuries might not necessarily need the plaintiff to meet these conditions.

Providing Evidence

The most important part of filing a personal injury claim in Illinois is providing evidence. As already mentioned, the state courts follow the tort system to process any personal injury claim.

Pieces of evidence can include medical receipts and undertaking documents from the medical professional. The initial police report may not provide substantial proof of fault. However, investigation reports may be used in the court of law to prove the fault. Likewise, there could be many other pieces of evidence that can help claim the compensation for losses and sufferings.

Estimating Compensation

Last but not least is to estimate the value of the claim. It is noteworthy that compensation can be sought against economic as well as non-economic damages.

While the economic damages can include medical bills, car repair costs, and any other repair or replacement costs for personal property, the non-economic damages only include compensation for emotional or psychological trauma. And likewise, the latter is more difficult to estimate.

The personal injury laws vary a lot from state to state. At the same time, there are differences in every case, depending upon the type of injury, cause of injury, and also the part negligence. It is advisable to consult with a personal injury lawyer to understand your options and alternatives.

In the market, a lot of fridge options are seen with the increase in technology currently. Food storage is too demanding; therefore, a need for a fridge is recommended. In the past, fridges were used in storing perishables fresh. But currently, there is a lot of stuff that can be stored in the refrigerator. With the hundred types of fridges in the market, selecting the best can be challenging. The tips below will help you in finding the best fridge for your needs:

Features of the fridge

Kitchen appliances have different features, and one must consider them before the purchasing process. The following are the most important fridge features to consider in mind:

• Door style
• Locks and alarms
• Drawers
• LED display
• Shelves
• Electric temperature controls

The features of the fridge can also be reflected by what the buyer need. You can note what you desire for the product to have for non-mistake records. This is the foundation for getting a fridge that fits your needs.

Choose a good shopping store

After knowing what the fridge looks like, going to the market for it is the next consideration. You will never waste time and money since you know precisely what you want. Since many fridges are being offered out there, it can be challenging to select a good shop, and fridges and freezers at The Good Guys stores are the best. Their sites have been rated among the top ten sites on the internet. According to the statement, you need to consider finding an online store to get the best product. Choose a reliable site that has been offering products for sale for a long time. On the site, read the comments and the customers’ reviews to know more about the fridge. A reputable dealer will sell original fridges to their clients. A good store can offer free delivery services for safety on the road.

Ask about the cost of the fridge

Fridges are made of different sizes and models. These are the factors that will be used in determining the cost of the product. All you need is to identify the size and the model of the fridge you want. At the same time, identify the amount available for the purchasing of the same. On the internet, a lot of sites offer these products at different prices. With a good search, it is easy to get an affordable one. If you do not know about the best models, look at the list of the types of fridges available in such stores.

The storage space

One of the reasons why you are buying the fridge is to store some of your shopping. It is good to estimate your weekly shopping and know if space will be enough to store them. If you have a lot of shopping, then buy a bigger size to fit all your storage needs.

When choosing a shop for buying these products, do not forget to review all the additional products they sell. The best manufacturing companies manufacture fridges and freezers at The Good Guys stores. Contacting a manufacturing company to offer you these products can also help in the purchasing of the fridges.

Boudoir photography is a sultry profession that is gaining huge popularity, especially amongst to-be-weds and newlyweds. More so, not only women are keen on getting passionate photoshoots but male partners are also choosing to.

But, what is it all about?

Boudoir Photography- What it is?

In simple terms, the practice is all about taking intimate shots of couples and partners. In recent years, the profession has largely branched out into several other masteries. For example, maternity photoshoots, pre-wedding photoshoots, and honeymoon albums.

Couples and individuals use these photographs as a gift to their partners. Or they may also use them to publicly announce their parenthood.

As such, the profession is like any other photography art. But, where it differentiates from others is the mood and intent of the album creation.

We have seen the rise of pre-delivery and post-delivery photoshoots. We have also seen the peak of pre-wedding shoots. But, have we seen enough?

Let’s find out what 2021 has in stores for this profession.

Cherry Shots Will Empower Women

The most crucial aspect of boudoir photography is the pose of the subject. It reveals the sensuality in the subject and makes them appear more attractive.

It can also create slimming illusions to the body of the subject. Professional photographers at edgeunderwaterphotography.com opine that “cherrieshots” are easy to create yet empowering for women. More so, the pose is a great representation for all body types, regardless of other photography elements.

Light And Dark Combinations- Seduction Arsenal

Another key feature of boudoir photography is the sense of revealing but in a limited manner. Perhaps, this trend is also catching up lately within the sensual magazines and model portfolios.

Using zorb balls or gobo to throw light beams at selective parts of the body can be very seductive. The photographer can choose to reveal certain parts while darkening up others. Thus creating a perfect sensual piece of art that can win hearts, no matter what.

Fake Selfies Can Be Very Attractive

Some photographers have also been experimenting with selfie art. No, not on themselves but with their subjects and customers. Lately, selfies have become an indispensable photography art that gives a sense of privacy and discretion.

Perhaps, we could see more of these fake selfies in the boudoir photo industry. Since most of the time, the reasons for boudoir photography are personal, selfies can help induce the feeling of belongingness amongst partners.

The Takeaway

In the era of digital transformation, there’s hardly any memory that we can’t keep. And boudoir photography is one of those memories that we rarely share with everyone. But still, they cannot be overlooked, as the market for the industry is booming in the last 5-7 years.

Chasing the latest trends, however, is another story. Probably, you want to be exclusive to your partner, or probably you’re looking for work in sensual projects. Regardless of what your aim is, you may very soon come across these photographic styles. And, most likely, you’ll be moved by the intensity of these photoshoots too.

The industry has so much to offer. And with this new genre, a whole new employment opportunity for young photographers can also be anticipated.

When it comes to fleet management, you almost can’t avoid unexpected repair costs. These can be caused by damage to a piece of equipment, unprofessional driver behavior, and other administrative headaches. This is why you need the proper knowledge for a successful fleet management operation. Perhaps you just got promoted to the fleet manager position, or you want to start your own small or medium-size fleet management company. If so, this article will certainly come in handy. Here, we present four must-have fleet management tips.

1. Use a fleet management solution.

 

If you want to make your operations more straightforward, a fleet management solution can do wonders. This is usually an automated system equipped with a total productive maintenance program. With this fleet management system, you’ll quickly execute tasks that initially would take a few weeks when you do them manually. What’s more, you don’t have to lose track of your schedule regarding purchases or vehicle maintenance activities like preventive maintenance and repairs. Such a program will also assist with planning and building relationship with customers, etc.

 

You may think you don’t need a total productive maintenance program because you run a small fleet management operation. However, a complete effective maintenance program is suitable for both large and small firms. In fact, other businesses in the manufacturing or banking sectors, for example, can also utilize it. Altogether, with a fleet management solution, you’ll focus more, achieve greater productivity, reduce maintenance costs (by limiting reactive maintenance), and achieve overall equipment effectiveness.

2. Track everything trackable.

It’s a good idea to collect accurate data that’ll help in the optimization of fleet utilization. This way, you can make guided decisions and plan properly for the future. As a fleet manager, it’s also a good idea to monitor metrics such as fuel usage, vehicle location (GPS tracking), vehicle usage (who’s driving and for what period), driver performance, and behavior on the job.

 

In this regard, a fleet tracking system with camera will come in handy. These modern camera systems will give you a real-time, 360-degree view of the vehicles’ interior and exterior. This way, you’ll have records of the driver’s mode of operation, which can further help to identify areas of improvement or staff training. What’s more, video footage will catch any accidents and theft, ultimately making insurance claims easier when the need arises.

3. Rotate use of the vehicle.

 

Many employees who work for fleet management companies prefer driving the newest vehicle. It’s best to avoid these issues with a proper vehicle rotation schedule to promote your vehicles’ adequate utilization. Furthermore, circumventing free-for-all vehicle selection will promote even distribution of wear and tear among your fleet. Ultimately, this helps to manage the lifespan of your fleet properly. What’s more, you’ll avoid the idle-sitting of your vehicles while they expend their warranties. To make the rotation of vehicles easy and seamless, you can use an automated fleet management system with a vehicle rotation module.

4. Set up policies and protocols for safe driving.

You can’t assume your employees will automatically drive the best way. Even with an installed fleet camera system, you can’t get the best out of your team without the right training. Policies and protocols in every workplace can only be adhered to when the right training is in place.

 

As a fleet manager, ensuring your drivers are competent is your responsibility. Good competency isn’t just about knowing how to change gears and stay on the right lanes. Examples of procedures and policies you can adopt to guide your drivers’ operation and ensure driver/ fleet safety include:

• Proper record-keeping of refueling.
• Protocol for auto accident scenarios.
• No drinking from certain hours before picking up a shift.

You’ll be surprised to know that distracted and reckless driving is estimated to be the cause of 25 to 50% of road accidents. And that’s a fairly huge number if you think about it.

As a responsible driver, you should know that reckless driving is not only putting you in danger but also is really dangerous for other people on the road. Plus, it is a type of violation in which a driver has no regard for the traffic rules such as on-road signs and signals, speed limit, laws, and regulations. According to the US police department, reckless driving involves high speed and really dangerous driving tactics.

But what if you are the one who was following all the rules on the road, and you just got hit by one of those reckless drivers we were talking about earlier in this article? First of all, you should know that accidents that are caused due to such carelessness are usually fatal and could lead to serious injuries. This is not only stressful but also ends up draining your entire bank balance.

So, why will you suffer for such a juvenile and careless act? That’s right; you shouldn’t have to. Here’s what you should do if you get into an accident due to someone else’s awful mistake. Let justice prevail because you deserve it fair and square!

• Contact your lawyer

After you are done with all the medical attention and formalities, it is time to contact your lawyer and seek advice for the matter. This is because they are the professionals who are familiar with all the laws and can fight in the court to get you what you are liable for.

Also, they can help you in settling for less compensation than you deserve. For example, suppose the one that caused the accident offers you a settlement, and you accept it. But later on, you find out that it wasn’t enough to cover up for your losses. And this can be prevented by having a lawyer by your side.

These legal professionals will use all the evidence and information to get a fair claim to compensate for the losses.

• Know about your rights

Before you file a legal complaint against the reckless driver, you should know exactly what your rights are. Also, you need to calculate all your financial losses that can be used to draft your case and claim for compensations. According to the legal professionals at Madia Law LLC, living with injuries and the recovery period can be painful. So, you need to include your pain and suffering in the compensation. That might not be able to heal you properly, but it will definitely ease your pain.

But hang on! Generally, people take only their medical bills into consideration but forget to account for their lost wages. This means that it is possible that you had to go on unpaid leave to recover from your injuries; someone has to compensate for that too. Right!

Wrapping Up!

An accident of any kind can be fatal and can cause serious damage to both parties. So, it is better to be on the safer side and drive responsibly and avoid them altogether.

But if in case you suffer such mishap, you know what to do!

Your bedroom can appear simple, cozy, elegant, or sophisticated, depending on your choice of a bedsheet. Beddings play a considerable role in your bedroom’s overall aesthetic and can also create a comforting cocoon that you look forward to after a long day. Investing in high-quality luxury bed linen will pay for itself tenfold in the future. However, there is a wide range of offers; hence it can be challenging to narrow down the best beddings.

• The Size

When ordering a bedsheet, consider its size. Take some time to measure the length and height of your mattress as well as the mattress pad. Since sheets shrink after being washed several times, it is important to purchase sheets with deeper pockets than your mattress’s thickness.

• Fabric

The material type you choose for your sheet is based on your personal preference. There are several fabrics available to choose from; polyester blends, satin, silk, and cotton. The selected fabric should be compatible with commonly occurring weather patterns in your location. Cotton bedsheets provide more comfort and better sleep. However, the pure cotton variety may be a bit expensive than poly-cotton ones but are undoubtedly the better choice. Linen fabrics are ideal for a hot climate. Although linen sheets are one of the most expensive materials, it lasts for decades. Poly-blend sheets are resistant to wrinkles, however not very absorbent.

• The Return Policy

You know whether you love sleeping on sheets only after trying them out. Brands with internet-only sales allow their customers to make returns for any reason, even to several months after the purchase.

• Weaves

The pattern of how sheets are woven relates to their feel. The sheet society has different kinds of weaves. Percale and Lemieux’s fave are lightweight and tightly woven, resulting in crisp, cool bedding. On the other hand, micro-fibers have a dense, super-tight weave that makes them extra-soft, wrinkle-resistance, and resistant to water. Other weaves that can be considered for cooler climates due to their nappy texture include ultra-soft and lustrous sateen and flannel.

• Design Pattern

Like any other element in the bedroom, bedsheets play an essential role in the overall design. Often, the small, medium and large-scale mix of the pattern should come from the same color family. Consider other items in the room when buying bed sheets.

• Thread Count

A high number of threads reflects a high thread count. Good quality bedding will typically have a 200-700 thread count. However, thread count alone doesn’t truly indicate quality unless factored in with fabric type. For example, a 300 thread count Egyptian cotton bedsheet will be softer and feel more luxurious when compared to a 600-thread count polyester-blend sheet. Any fabric with a thread count greater than 600 will be denser and heavier, hence suitable for the colder months.

• Bed Sheets Aesthetics

When considering the aesthetics of your bedsheets, you can decide whether to get plains or prints. Plain-colored bedsheets work well with printed pillows, throws, and blankets or if your motif is more on color blocking. You can also get bed sheets with striking prints on them that suit your taste.

When you try a high-quality bedsheet, you will no longer settle for less. The above points are critical when hunting for beddings in physical stores or online to ensure the selected bedsheet gives you as much comfort as possible. Look out for a wide range of great bedsheet designs at the sheet society and make your order today.

Investing in gold is a great tool to stabilize your investments, and it is considered relatively low risk. Hence, many people look for easy ways to invest in gold, such as investing in gold online or going for the greatest deals.

Unfortunately, scammers are everywhere, and with several copycats infiltrating the gold investment market, people may face severe losses if they do not invest carefully. Thus, businesses such as Gold Stackers and others ask people to be cautious when investing in gold.

How Do You Invest in Gold?

People want to invest in gold as they see it as an easy way to stabilize their portfolio. However, when looking for an easy way out, where they do not have to think too much before investing in something, it can often be a ripe opportunity for scam artists to catch their next prey. Hence, even though gold might be an excellent investment option, you should still follow some precautions.

Not sure how you can avoid getting duped when buying gold? Some tips can help you exercise caution and thoroughly analyze where your investments are. Here is what you should keep in mind when investing in gold:

Know Your Supplier or Dealer

Of course, it is essential to give new businesses a chance. However, to avoid getting duped, you should know your gold supplier well before making any investments. Chances of getting duped are high when you don’t even know who you are dealing with. When investing in gold bullion, it is best to go to reputable businesses, especially if this is your first time investing in gold.

Research Your Supplier or Dealer

It is not enough to know your supplier; you must research them well. Whether they are a reputed company or an up-and-coming one, it does not hurt to find out the years of experience they have in the field and learn whether other people recommend them.

Researching business should be easy and helps you learn more about customer experience; companies such as Gold Stackers, among others, have made it easy for you to learn more about the business on their official website.

Don’t Overpay

When investing in gold, do not go in blindly. Ensure that you are aware of current gold prices. Usually, with online gold investment, there may be several hidden charges which will force you to pay more than you may be comfortable with, making it a poor investment. Even when companies lure users to promise lower gold rates, additional charges often drive the price way more than other businesses. Therefore, before you invest in gold, ensure that you know the current gold rates.

Don’t Believe the Pressure

A scammer knows that you want to invest in gold to protect yourself from paying more for the same investment in the future. Often, they will use this knowledge to create a clever tactic and pressure you into buying their fake gold. They will create the illusion of scarcity or induce a need for urgency by offering flash deals or referencing how many people are waiting to buy gold from their business.

A legitimate company will never pressure you to choose right away and ensure that you have enough time to think about your investment.

Counterfeit bars and coins running rampant in the market make it easy to get duped when buying gold online. Thus, it is crucial to be vigilant when investing in gold, especially if it is your first time buying gold from a supplier.

Six million car accidents happen in the US every year. Out of these, 3 million people get injured. Around 25% of vehicle accidents cause nonfatal injuries, with more than 90 deaths every day. 

Obviously, mishaps are inevitable. Here you lose your focus for a second, and there the tragedy occurs. Being involved in it will not only lead to injuries but also result in emotional turmoil.

According to a study by the National Safety Council, the lack of drivers and the carelessness in using seat belts is the prime cause of these misfortunes.

So how can we prevent this? Let’s gear up to know some tips!

Try to decrease driving in the night – Do you have a perfect vision? If yes, you cannot deny that night driving is more challenging than driving in the day. When it is dark, the risk is high. Moreover, drunk drivers are also there, especially this time. So be extra careful while driving in the odd hours.

Safety belt protection – Studies say that people who wear safety belts and use both laps have 44% more chances to survive in a crash. Whether you are driving the car or seated there as a passenger, you must wear a safety belt. Thinking of skipping it because you are a passenger? Don’t! No exception to this rule!

Maintain the focus – When you are on the road, keep your focus on it. Listening to your favorite song? Just lower its sound so that you don’t get distracted. Keep your mobiles aside. Is hunger striking you? Do not keep munching the snacks while driving. Stop the vehicle and then have some food. 

Red means stop – Seeing a red light or a stop sign denotes that you have to stop your vehicle. Crossing the red light can lead to a collision, thereby resulting in wrongful death. To prevent this, always stop the car when needed. Look both ways for oncoming vehicles and while crossing the road.

No matter how much we try to prevent these, the future is unpredictable. So what if you caught up in such a situation? Here we have the answer!

Examine the injuries – Your safety is the supreme priority. If at all the crash happens, call 911. Police and paramedics will soon arrive at the accident place. If you are not able to do it, then ask someone to do it. As per Dbdlawfirm.com, you might get the legal compensation also. 

Take aside your vehicle – Your vehicle can cause a traffic jam on the road if it is not moved aside timely. If you are too wounded to do it, then take somebody’s help.

Gather the facts – Due to the stress of the mishap, often people forget to collect the facts. So get the names and contact details of everyone involved at the scene. Car’s description, identification number, license plate number, and insurance company’s name are also required.

Get in touch with your insurance company – Report the matter to your insurance company. Agree on the settlement amount, which seems right to you. If you are not at fault, then you do not have to agree to premature settlements. If the offer is not accurate, you can contact the lawyer and look out for the options before signing anything.

We never know what life has in store for us. It is better to be prepared for anything. It is said that prevention is better than cure. But if at all, something happens, lawyers are always there to protect you. Be safe!

To get involved with politics is to take on a role and a responsibility which can have an effect on numerous people. As a politician, you’re serving the will of the people who voted you into office, including those citizens who voted against you. You have to constantly find a balance on a variety of issues, hoping that you can get the results that you’ve shot for. This is often not the case for politicians as they have to find a middle ground with members of opposing parties and even with members of their own parties who may not see eye to eye with them on a common issue which they both actually support.

 

At the most basic level, a politician is a civil servant. When elected into office, they propose, support, and create laws and policies that help to govern the people of the land. On the state level in the United States, some of the political roles include the Governor, the Lt. Governor, City Manager, New York City mayor, New York City police chief, student council member, and a city attorney. On the federal level, some of these roles include President of the United States, Congressman/Congresswoman, Senators, and Vice President of the United States. Whatever the role, before running for office, each of these civil servants had to run a political campaign. Below are tips on how to start a political campaign.

Utilize technology to the fullest.

 

We live in a technologically rich world where advancements have helped politicians to reach more potential voters. For instance, utilizing social media, politicians have been able to contact prospective voters and keep in constant touch with them throughout their campaigns. This is done through direct online mailing lists, political ads on social media platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), and through the websites for potential candidates.

 

Websites are key pieces of technology that can be used for your presidential campaign or a run for local office in the United States or elsewhere. This is the go-to place for people to find out more about you personally and where you stand on the topics which they’re concerned about. You’ll need a counterbalance to the attack ads which your opponent is tossing out about you to whoever will listen and a website helps to accomplish this. In addition to providing information to potential voters, you want to also make sure your presidential campaign website is easy to navigate, responsive (meaning it’s formatted to be viewed on a desktop, mobile phone, or tablet), and is engaging.

 

Make sure to consult with software outsorcing companies to ensure that your website is up to par for the task of getting you elected. Since the internet can sometimes provide glitches and errors, finding a company that can ensure that your website functions well is a big part of running a successful first time campaign. Having the best software development company working on your software outsourcing activities is a good first step to starting a success-oriented local or presidential campaign.

Write a top-notch bio.

 

When you announce your bid to run for U.S. office, people are going to want to know about you. They’re going to want to know about you as a person, your experience, and where you stand on various issues. One good place for them to find all of this information is through your political bio. This will be the “one-stop-shop” to learn everything that they can about you.

 

In most cases, it’s best to hire a campaign writer, speechwriter, a public relations representative, or a professional writer who has experience putting something like this together. Spend money on someone like this to ensure that you’re getting the best bio possible. In the bio, you’ll want them to describe your personal experience, discuss what you’ll accomplish as a politician, and also end your bio on a strong note. Having a chance to speak directly with potential voters can go a long way in starting a successful U.S. political campaign.

Create a brand identity.

 

Political campaigns are known for their branding. Often, this is what voters remember about the campaign, whether they were successful or not. In some cases, people might even just vote for a candidate based on how successfully their brand spoke to them. Branding your campaign can be just as effective as when successful Yale Law school graduate/ Forbes featured business people like Vivek Ramaswamy brand their own products and services.

 

When you get ready to create a brand, choose a logo and color scheme. Stick with these choices, and soon your political campaign will become associated with whatever you’ve chosen. You don’t want to change your branding midway through a campaign. This will show prospective voters that you are possibly indecisive, and at worst, weak. Make sure your logo is clean and doesn’t include too many design elements. You don’t want there to be any misunderstanding of what you represent to potential voters. At the end of the day, you don’t want to be the cautionary political story for last year.

 

The best way to do this is to keep your messaging short and sweet, giving people not much time to parse any hidden meaning in what you’re saying. A catchy phrase, or even a mantra, can speak to voters just as much as a long-winded speech. Verbal messaging is a huge part of creating your brand identity.

Research the current issues as much as possible.

 

As with making any major decision in life, it helps to do your homework before making a choice to run for political office. You want to ensure that the decision you make is well informed and not something which you haven’t looked into. You want to learn about the political landscape which you’re about to step onto.

 

Attend local community meetings to learn more about the issues your prospective constituents are facing. It’s also a good idea to speak with the civic and political influencers for the space that you’re trying to jump into and find out what they are focused on. The main goal with doing all of this is to see what the concerns are for the area in which you’re running for office, concentrate on what’s being said, and come up with solutions. A common criticism of politicians is that they’re disconnected from the will of their people and that they don’t know “what’s going on.”

 

You might do your homework on what’s happening and decide it’s too daunting a task for you. On the other hand, this might be the fire that needs to be lit within you to jump into the deep end of the political campaigning pool. Whatever your decision, doing your homework before launching a political campaign is a great first step to becoming the next President Barack Obama or Vice President Kamala Harris.

Non-profit (charitable) organizations serve a much-needed role now, more than ever. Amid COVID-19, these organizations have taken on the role of caring for those who have been hardest hit in the wake of this pandemic. As people suffer from unemployment, food shortages, and in some cases not having access to proper medical services, non-profits have stepped in a huge way. Non-profits at their base level are organizations that operate for the collective, public, or social benefit.

 

This is in contrast with businesses that operate for the sole sake of profit. Charitable organizations like these provide financial assistance, food, medical assistance, and even educational help for those who require it. In 2019, the revenue for non-profits topped $84.7 billion, which was 5% higher than the previous year. In the wake of COVID-19 (which is creating a strain on the abilities of non-profits to perform to peak capacity), non-profits are trying to figure out ways to raise their brands, and grow. Below are a few tips on how to use social networks to grow a non-profit.

Utilize social network technology to grow your online presence.

 

Technology has become extremely useful for those organizations seeking to build a presence online. There’s a host of computer software that has made it easier for businesses and non-profits to complete their day-to-day activities without any interruption. For non-profits, this can be a lifesaver as they need to stay at peak performance to serve people who truly need their help.

 

An example of such technology would be Engaging Networks. The great thing about this software is that it was created specifically with the needs of non-profits in mind. The organization provides a flexible, completely customizable, and innovative software platform for non-profits. It helps you to customize web pages and emails to your desires, helps you to raise more online funds, can assist with building online notices about events, and also has Facebook functionality which helps with spreading the word about your brand online.

Brainstorm your social network goals.

 

Social media can be used for much more than making funny TikTok videos (though those can be hilarious at times). We live in an age where social networks have inspired social change in ways unheard of and provide a voice to the voiceless. This platform can be extremely useful for those nonprofits who are seeking ways to grow their organization’s reach for a platform (the internet) of 4.66 billion users.

 

What you’ll first want to do is determine what your social platform goals are. Figure out a plan of action, and move on from there. With the social network component of the internet being so vast, it’s best to have a game plan before making any moves with establishing your social network footprint.

 

Begin by asking yourself what you want your charitable organization’s social platform strategy to accomplish? Are you seeking more financial donations? Does your group need more volunteers to man the phones during an upcoming food donation fundraiser? Are you needing blankets to be donated during the height of a cold spell for the homeless? Figure out where you want to direct your social platform strategy by first figuring out what needs to be taken care of.

 

When you have a better idea about what your social platform goals are, it allows you the chance to also keep yourself safe from possible online scams. When you cast too wide of a net across the digital space it increases your chances of possibly coming across online scammers. Rather than having to learn what is a common method used in social engineering, try to keep your social platform goals in check. You don’t want your organization to become the victim of common scam social engineering tactics like phishing, spear phishing, phishing email, vishing, pretexting, baiting, tailgating, and quid pro quo methods.

 

Focusing on a smaller social platform goal can help to keep you off the radar of online scammers who unfortunately would take advantage of your charitable organization’s online efforts. You don’t want any sensitive data taken from your organization like confidential information, private information, and personal information that suggests a certain digital vulnerability for your non-profit.

Try to reach the right audience.

 

As with every online business, you want to try your best to find out who needs your services or wants to help you succeed. Define who your target audience will be. Figure out who those supporters will be, or those people that need your help. Build demographic information based on people that you’ve helped in the past, in addition to checking in with your board members and volunteers. All of this information will help you to build an idea of the people you’ll be attempting to reach with your social platform presence.

 

In cases like this, it might be helpful to think like a business. Consider a company that has created a revolutionary photo storage device. Their customer base is looking for a place to store iCloud photos, that also allows for unlimited photo storage. This business is going to do its best to try and aim ads about this to social platform networks where photo sharing is huge. They’ll also be looking for a host of people who practice digital photography including professional photographers looking for a photos app (iBi, Flickr, Google Photos) where they can have unlimited photo storage.

 

You’d expect to find ads like this on places like Facebook and Instagram, where image sharing is a huge component of those social media platforms. When potential customers see these ads on their social mobile apps the hope is that they will then reach out to connect with an unlimited photo storage provider like iBi, Flickr, or Google Photos. The same goes for non-profits and social media platforms.

 

If for instance, you want to raise money to help families purchase groceries. You’ll utilize social platforms to check those demographics of people who care about hunger-related issues across the United States. In addition to that, you’ll want to focus your social platform’s presence on reaching those people who like to give money to non-profits. Most, if not all, social platform tools allow ways to reach a specific audience/demographic when promoting your organization across social platforms. Use these tools to grow the reach of your non-profit.

Develop a comprehensive social media strategy.

 

When you utilize social media to spread awareness about your non-profit, you’ll want to create a sound strategy, that hits many points. You’ll first want to find which social media platforms your potential audience utilizes the most. You don’t need to attack every social media outlet. Only focus on those where your potential audience can be found in great numbers. Do this once again by conducting surveys with your board members, and volunteers to get an idea of where they reside on the social media landscape.

 

You want to then determine how to maximize your posts to reach more potential backers and those that might need your assistance. Follow the lead of someone like Hayes Barnard with his GivePower’s Solar Water Farms organization. Create focused posts that can help to boost donations and reach a target audience as in the case of an organization like GivePower. With these posts, you can advertise for upcoming donor events, spread volunteer stories, and even highlight the successful projects which your organization has taken on. Developing a comprehensive social media strategy can help a lot with growing your non-profit.