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Effective Social Media Strategies for NDIS Service Providers
Vanessa Browne • Jan 26, 2023

Effective Social Media Strategies for NDIS Service Providers

Are you a NDIS service provider looking to leverage social media? It's no secret that effective social media strategies can benefit your business, but knowing where and how to start can be overwhelming. From defining your target audience (participants needing your particular disability support), choosing the right platform for different purposes to creating engaging content, we have you covered. We'll discuss effective social media strategies for NDIS providers, including building an online community in the disability sector and staying consistent. Read on for helpful tips from our General Manager, Vanessa, on making the most of social media as an NDIS service provider.


TIP! Read this helpful guide 5 Key Marketing Steps For NDIS Providers On A Budget first, which will provide a high-level overview of your entire marketing strategy, including social media.

Defining Your Target Participants

When it comes to creating effective social media strategies for NDIS providers, one of the most important steps is defining your target participants. Knowing who you are targeting will help you create content that resonates with them and encourages engagement.


Start by researching the demographics of the people you'll be supporting. This will give you an idea of which topics or issues they care about and how best to communicate those topics on social media platforms. Of course, most NDIS service providers have years of experience in the sector so if that's you, you'll have a head start in understanding the needs of your potential clients.


If you intend on targeting all potential NDIS participants in your particular suburb, LAC or state, you'll want to include NDIS-related news that affects them at a local level, such as changes to legislation or local disability-related events or programs.


If your audience is made up of participants living with a particular disability or with specific needs (ie. neurodiverse people, participants who need robust housing etc.), then much of your content will be tailored to their needs and the topics they'd want to engage with.



Your whole social media strategy should be informed by your target audience. Will they be informed or entertained by what I'm about to post? If the answer is yes - go for it. If not, keep refining your content until you're confident it's something your target audience will want to hear about or will make them smile.


It’s also important to keep up-to-date on any national days or events that are relevant to your target audience, such as International Day for People With Disabilities (December 3rd) or Mental Health Awareness Week (May 10th - 16th). Posting about these events can help show your audience that you understand their experiences and provide valuable resources related to those topics.


Finally, it’s important to remember that different age groups may have different preferences when it comes to engaging on social media platforms so tailor your content accordingly if possible. For example, younger generations tend to prefer visuals over text while older generations may prefer longer blog posts instead of short videos or images. Understanding this can help ensure all members of your target audience feel included and engaged with the content being shared online.


Once you have identified your target participants (as well as their friends and family), it's time to choose the right platform to reach them as part of your digital marketing strategy.

Key Takeaway: When creating an effective social media strategy as an NDIS service provider, research your  target audience demographics and keep up-to-date on relevant disability sector days and NDIS events. Ask yourself: will my target audience be entertained or informed by this post? If yes, you're on a winner. Oh, and don't be afraid to be funny! :-)

Choosing the Right Platform

Choosing the right platform to reach your target audience is a key part of your strategy. Each platform has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s important to consider which one best suits your needs. All can be useful to NDIS service providers in one form or another.



We recommend selecting the two channels that are the best fit for your target audience and / or your own business goals. If you're most familiar with Facebook, start with that. If Instagram is your thing, then run with it. If your main aim with social media is to develop referral partnerships, then LinkedIn might be for you. The key is to select channels that you're comfortable with and tailor your strategy accordingly.


Facebook is a great choice for building relationships with clients and other providers in the disability services sector. With Facebook, you can create posts that are tailored to your target audience, engage with them through comments and messages, and join groups such as NDIS Provider Advertising to network and learn of any referral opportunities from other service providers.


Twitter is another popular option for NDIS service providers as it allows you to quickly share updates about your supports or events with followers in real-time. You can also use Twitter to join conversations related to disability care topics by using hashtags such as #NDIS or #disabilitycare. Of all the platforms, it's probably the one that takes up the least amount of time.


Instagram is a visual platform that allows you to showcase photos of your services and your team in an eye-catching way. It’s also a great way to build relationships with other professionals in the field by engaging on their posts or creating content around relevant topics like accessibility tips or success stories from people who are using your NDIS support services.


But in order to make the most of instagram, you really need to be posting original photos or well-designed graphics at least once per day. Anything less and you won't have much of an impact. So, if that seems like too much of a commitment, we'd recommend exploring other channels instead.


LinkedIn provides an opportunity for NDIS service providers to network professionally within their industry while sharing news about their business activities and successes on their profile page. LinkedIn groups such as NDIS - SDA Network or NDIS Provider Forum are also useful for connecting with peers who may be able offer advice or support when needed. Follow leaders and potential referral partners in the NDIS space and they'll be more likely to follow you back.



Sending messages via LinkedIn to potential NDIS referral partners can be an effective part of your social media strategy. By sending personalised messages to potential referral partners, such as SDA providers, plan managers and support coordinators, you can introduce your business and establish yourself as a reputable and reliable NDIS service provider. Even better - LinkedIn allows you to see the mutual connections you have with your potential referral partners, which can help you to find common ground and establish a connection more easily.


YouTube offers a powerful tool for reaching out directly to those interested in learning more about what you do as an NDIS provider. Through videos explaining how different types of supports work, interviews with experts on specific topics related to disability care, and explainer videos on different elements of the NDIS, there are many ways YouTube can help increase awareness of your business amongst potential clients online. However, it's a labour-intensive way to get your message out, so we only recommend this as part of your social media strategy if you've been in business a while and have a good budget for video creation.



Pick a couple of social channels and execute your social media strategy well. There's no need to try and juggle all 5 channels. Post regularly and engage with followers on 1 or 2 platforms so you can focus your efforts for maximum impact.

Key Takeaway: NDIS service providers can consider leveraging the unique features of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. But pick a couple of channels that are most appropriate for your audience. Don't spread yourself thin trying to manage 5 accounts. If you're unsure where to start, we recommend Facebook and LinkedIn to reach participants and potential referral partners alike. 

Creating Engaging Content

Creating engaging content is key to attracting NDIS participants and referral partners to your page or profile. It’s important to post regularly, as this will help keep them interested in what you have to offer. Here are 5 tips for creating content that resonates with your target audience:


  1. Know Your Audience: Understand who your target audience is and tailor your posts accordingly. Consider their interests, needs, and challenges when crafting content so it speaks directly to them.

  2. Use Visuals: Images, videos, infographics – visuals can make a huge difference in how people engage with your content. (Canva is your best friend!) They can also help break up text-heavy posts into more digestible chunks of information that are easier on the eyes.

  3. Keep It Relevant: Make sure all of the topics you cover are relevant to NDIS service providers and those they support – otherwise you risk losing readers’ interest quickly. But, it's also perfectly OK to throw in some fun - funny memes or inspirational updates that are relevant to a wide audience (including those living with disability) are also great to include in your schedule. (International Joke Day is on July 1st!)

  4. Share Stories & Experiences: People love stories because they create an emotional connection between the reader and the topic at hand – use real-life examples whenever possible. This could be anything from case studies featuring successful outcomes achieved by your participants or personal anecdotes about working with clients who are reaching their goals.

  5. Ask Questions & Encourage Interaction: Asking questions encourages engagement from readers which helps build relationships over time – plus it gives you valuable feedback on what kind of topics resonate most with your followers.


Stay up to date with any changes or updates related to NDIS services or legislation so that you can share accurate information with readers at all times. This will help establish trust between yourself and potential clients down the line as well.


Creating engaging content is key to building an audience and connecting with your target market. By focusing on quality content that resonates with your target audience, you can start to build a community of followers. Yes, it does take time but can be worth it if you're consistent in your approach.

Key Takeaway: Creating engaging content is key to attracting NDIS participants and referral partners. Use visuals, keep it relevant, share stories & experiences, ask questions and stay up to date with changes related to the NDIS.

Hashtag Use

Consider using hashtags when posting about specific topics related to the disability sector. This helps make sure your posts reach more users who might be interested in learning more about NDIS services or finding support from people in the community. It also allows users to find out information quickly without having to search through multiple pages of results.


Here are a few NDIS disability-related hashtags for inspiration:


#DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityCampaign #BreakingDownBarriers #ndis #ndisprovider #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #disabilityservices #mentalhealth #ndissupport #ndisready #homecare #disabilitycare #australia #support #autism #disabilityinclusion #ndisaustralia #disabilityrights #disabilityadvocate #healthcare #supportworker #myndis #autismawareness #inclusion #ndisregisteredprovider #ndisready



Building a Community

Social media is an excellent platform for building a community in the disability sector. It’s important to provide helpful advice and resources, respond quickly to comments and messages, and engage with other pages or profiles related to the sector. This helps create relationships with potential clients as well as establish your presence within the sector.


Joining groups that are specific to the NDIS and disability sector can be beneficial for networking purposes. You can showcase your services, ask questions of fellow providers, learn about new developments in the field, and make contacts who may become clients or referral partners down the line. Participating in these groups also shows you care about staying up-to-date on current trends in order to better serve those you support.



As soon as you have your social channels set up, do a search for disability-related groups or groups for NDIS service providers (either nationally or in your area). Facebook and LinkedIn are both great for this. These groups are invaluable resources to you. Participate often and be generous with your input.


It’s important not only to post content but also interact with others by liking posts from similar accounts or commenting on relevant topics when appropriate. This will help build trust while increasing engagement on your page or profile at the same time. Additionally, don’t forget to thank people for their feedback - this will show them that you value their opinion and truly care what they have to say.


Building a community is essential for NDIS service providers hoping to succeed on social media, as it allows you to engage with you target audience, raise your brand awareness and build meaningful relationships with referral partners. Staying consistent in your approach will ensure that you continue to foster these connections and maximise the impact of your social media presence.

Key Takeaway: Social media is an effective tool for building relationships and trust with potential clients and referral partners in the NDIS sector. Strategies include joining relevant NDIS-related groups, providing helpful advice and resources on your social channels, responding quickly to comments or messages, liking posts from similar accounts and thanking people for their feedback.

Staying Consistent

Staying consistent with your social media strategy is essential for NDIS service providers. It helps to ensure that you’re reaching the right people and staying up-to-date with industry trends. Here are some tips on how to stay consistent:


Set Goals: Start by setting goals for yourself, such as posting content at least once every 3 days or increasing engagement rates by 10%. This will help keep you focused and motivated when it comes to creating content.


Schedule Posts in Advance: Scheduling posts in advance allows you to plan ahead and create content without having to worry about doing it all last minute. You can use tools like Hootsuite (paid) or Canva (free) to schedule posts across multiple platforms easily.


Use Analytics Tools: Using analytics tools can help track progress over time and identify areas of improvement. These marketing tools provide insights into which types of content perform best, allowing you to adjust your strategy accordingly. You can start out using the native analytics tools within Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube for free.


Staying informed about the NDIS and disability sector news is important for any provider looking to stay competitive in the market. Keep an eye out for new Australian Government developments, regulations, activities from prominent people in the sector such as Bill Shorten etc., so that you can ensure your business remains relevant and up-to-date with current trends in the industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having an effective social media strategy as an NDIS service provider is a key component in ensuring you're not wasting your time on social media and achieving your business goals. By defining your target participants, choosing the right platform, creating engaging content, building a community and staying consistent you can create an online presence that will help you showcase your brand, reach more people and increase engagement with those already interested in your disability support services.



But if posting several times a week with meaningful content and engaging visuals seems like too much of a commitment, you might be better off ditching the socials and concentrating on building local relationships in order to grow your business. 

Are you an NDIS service provider who is overwhelmed by where to start with your social media activities? We can help. 2Brownies offers social media set-up and ongoing content packages specifically for NDIS service providers. We will create custom content tailored to your needs, helping you reach more clients and drive engagement through social media platforms. Contact us today to get started!

About the Author

Our General Manager, Vanessa, has a background as a business consultant and loves to share her experience and perspective with our clients and readers. If you have questions about your own small business, chat with Ness anytime on 1300 608 114 or find Ness on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Vanessa here.

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