Step 6

Establishing a Strong Online Presence

Setting Up Social Media Accounts for Your Branch

Establishing social media accounts for your BOVF branch is an essential step in building a digital presence, engaging with the local British expat community, and promoting your events and initiatives.

It is essential that you contact the Vice Chair by emailing vicechair@bovf.org.uk of the BOVF BEFORE you set up any accounts or post anything. Consistent branding is very important.

Start by identifying the platforms most commonly used by your target audience, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Facebook is particularly useful for creating community groups, sharing event invitations, and hosting discussions. The BOVF will create for you a Facebook group and give you admin rights to that group.

Twitter is excellent for quick updates, sharing news, and engaging with British political conversations.

Instagram can help capture attention through visuals of your events and campaigns.

LinkedIn is ideal for networking and engaging professionals.

There are clear communication policies and guidelines which the branch must adhere to whenever any communication is sent on behalf of the BOVF local branch.

Social posts sent by individuals should always be distributed with the caveat “All opinions are my own”.

If you are unsure what to share or where, just get in touch with the Vice Chair of the BOVF who will be very happy to talk you through what is good to share.

Once you’ve selected the right platforms, focus on creating consistent branding for your branch.

You will be able to use the official BOVF logo and colors to ensure your branch’s social media profiles align with the broader organization – an in all cases your branch country must be very clear on any logo you distribute.

Craft an engaging bio that clearly explains your branch’s mission and the local issues you’re tackling.

Regularly post content that provides value to your audience, such as updates on advocacy efforts, upcoming events, local British expat news, and success stories from your campaigns.

Make sure to encourage interaction by asking questions, hosting polls, and responding to comments or messages. Engaging content will help grow your follower base and build a strong sense of community.

Lastly, collaborate with the global BOVF social media accounts to share content and leverage their larger audience.

By maintaining an active and consistent social media presence, your branch will be better positioned to attract new members, raise awareness of key issues, and keep your local expat community engaged with your advocacy efforts.

Leveraging the Country Page of the BOVF Website and Resources to Attract Members to Your Local Branch

Your branch’s dedicated country page on the BOVF website is a powerful tool to attract new members and strengthen engagement within your local British expat community.

This page serves as the digital hub for your branch’s activities, and optimizing its content is key to showcasing the branch’s purpose, upcoming events, and ways for British citizens to get involved.

Ensure the page is regularly updated with your branch’s latest news, campaigns, and member success stories to make it a go-to resource for your audience.

You might consider sharing on your country page a case study from existing members of your branch which can also create a sense of trust and encourage others to join.

Make use of the BOVF’s resources, including guides, advocacy toolkits, and multimedia content, to educate potential members on local issues or how the BOVF Key Issues affect them such as voting rights, pensions, and government services.

If you do not find the resource you need, get in touch with the Vice-Chair who will work to provide you with the media you need to best achieve your goals.

Sharing this information on your country page not only raises awareness but also demonstrates the BOVF’s commitment to improving the lives of British citizens abroad.

By promoting these resources, you’re offering valuable, practical support to expats, which makes them more likely to engage and become active members of your branch.

Encourage visitors to sign up for newsletters or attend local events by providing clear calls to action throughout the page.

With a well-maintained country page, your branch will have a strong online presence that draws in new members and keeps your community connected and informed.

How your page is formatted and what is included is down to the Local Branch. Think about what you need. Some common options include (limited only by your imagination):

Description of the branch
How members communicate with each other
How the branch meets and how often
Branch Leadership details
Local issues
Case studies
Achievements
Contact Details

Promoting Your Branch Through Newsletters and Online Campaigns

Newsletters and online campaigns are essential tools for raising awareness and keeping your local BOVF branch at the forefront of the minds of your community. A well-crafted newsletter allows you to share important updates, showcase upcoming events, and highlight the progress of key campaigns. Regular communication through newsletters creates a sense of continuity and engagement, ensuring that your supporters feel connected and informed. Make your newsletters visually appealing, concise, and engaging by incorporating member stories, recent successes, and easy-to-follow action steps. Including direct calls to action—such as attending an event, signing a petition, or joining a campaign—keeps the audience actively involved.

In addition to newsletters, leveraging online campaigns helps expand your reach and amplify your message.

Use social media platforms to run targeted campaigns around issues that resonate with the local expat community, like the Key Issues championed by the BOVF or you might think about campaigning at a very local level focussing on those issues faced by expats in your country, such as:

Residency Rights
Right to Live and Work / freedom of movement
Right or ability to Return to the UK
Healthcare Access
Insurance Issues
Pension Rights
Social Security Benefits
Tax Implications
Education and Childcare
Legal Status and Documentation
Legal Residency Documentation
Cultural and Social Integration
Community Support
Language Barriers
Advocacy and Representation

Campaigns can include everything from social media posts with impactful images, surveys, polls and statistics to virtual events.

Engage your supporters by encouraging them to share the content with their own networks, effectively widening your branch’s influence.

By consistently promoting your branch’s mission through newsletters and online campaigns, you create multiple touchpoints for current and potential members to connect with your branch and its important work.

We hope this page has been informative.

If you have any corrective or improvement suggestions, please email webmaster@bovf.org.uk