Virtual volunteering can help make the world a better place

As disarray and chaos continue to reign around the world, now more than ever, the world is in need of kind-hearted people with the will to do their part for society. People who feel the need to contribute to the environment or a cause that they support, volunteer. According to Independent Sector -  roughly 63 million Americans contribute their time each year, with an average hourly worth of $28.54, that nonprofits are able to avail for free. 

Traditionally volunteers would volunteer by going on-site and donating their time, skills, and labor to help an organization in much need of help. But a slow-paced shift from in-person to virtual was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, requiring all sectors of society to make the necessary adjustments as rapidly as possible. Many nonprofits had to shift their operations online with only a few having the required guidance and knowledge on hand. 

Today's digital powerhouse is social media. It enables us to communicate, connect, engage in current events, and contribute to digital revolutions in the fields of volunteering. Many global concerns ranging from social, ethical, economic, and environmental, might have attracted only little visibility if not for the internet and social media. As global issues have become more evident, several people are taking up causes they support by starting nonprofit organizations. 

It is not necessary that you set up an NGO to contribute to this revolution. Just by using the internet and social media, you can bring about meaningful change in the world. Here's how you can help make the world a better place for an even better tomorrow.

Find a cause you want to support

The first set to begin your volunteering journey is by finding a cause you wish to support. There are around 10 million NGOs across the globe who are committed to the upliftment of marginalized communities. Once you know the causes you would like to affiliate your skills with, the next step would be to find a platform that would match you with the NGO you want to virtually volunteer for. Chezuba is one such platform that connects volunteers with the NGOs of their choice and lets them choose the cause they want to work toward.

Online volunteering requires one to volunteer a particular skill set to help the nonprofit. These skills need to be those that are feasible to be volunteered virtually. There are a few much-needed expertise nonprofits are constantly on the lookout for and that are essential but the organization might not be able to afford. 

Use your own social media accounts for advocacy 

Advocacy initiatives and activities can be amplified by using social media platforms, which can reach a wide range of people and places, faster than ever before. People's behaviors are influenced by social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, among many others. This includes the cuisine they consume, the fashion they adorn, and the causes they support.

If you are looking to leverage the internet via social media to advocate for the causes you support, creating engaging content along with targeting the right audience would be a step in the right direction. Audio-visual content is without a  doubt more appealing. Creating impactful and factual content centered on your cause with relevant hashtags will not only drive traffic but will also draw your audience closer to your goal of raising awareness and making the world a better and happier place.

Follow and engage with pages that promote volunteering

According to Search Engine Journal, there are now 4.55 billion active social media users globally. That means you have around 4.55 billion active people to engage with. Short-form and bite-sized content such as Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts are also becoming increasingly popular. By following and consuming such content yourself, you will be up to date with the trends that are being followed. 

You can use this knowledge and virtually volunteer with nonprofits and increase their visibility and engagement online. 

Join social media groups and network 

Joining online volunteer groups on Facebook and LinkedIn, for example, is a great way to find and interact with a community of like-minded people, and gain insight into the world from a variety of perspectives. This presents an opportunity to use this space to keep oneself updated with the nuances in the community and gain a front-row seat to virtual volunteering opportunities. 

Social media groups will also allow you to participate and contribute to global discussions on current issues, enable you to continue your advocacy, and encourage you to attend events on your chosen cause and be a part of the change.

Chezuba is an online volunteer platform with over 7000 nonprofit partners. Sign up with us as a virtual volunteer and be a part of the change you wish to see in the world.