Advocate Toolkit
🕯️ Advocate Toolkit: Help Find the Missing. Help Speak for the Silenced.
Because Every Share Could Be the One That Changes Everything.
Introduction: Your Voice Matters More Than You Think
Every year, thousands of people vanish without a trace, and countless cases of murder and injustice remain unsolved. Families are left with heartbreak, confusion, and often silence from the systems meant to protect them. In many of these cases, the only thing keeping the story alive is you—the people who care enough to speak their names, share their stories, and demand justice.
That’s why we created the Advocate Toolkit here at TheColdCases.com. It’s more than just a guide—it’s a mission. A resource for anyone who wants to use social media not just for scrolling… but for saving lives, solving cases, and amplifying the unheard.
📦 What is the Advocate Toolkit?
The Advocate Toolkit is a digital, downloadable guide that teaches you how to effectively use Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to advocate for missing persons and victims of unsolved crimes.
Designed with families, citizen detectives, content creators, and caring community members in mind, it gives you practical, ethical, and powerful tools to raise awareness and build digital momentum—no matter your experience level.
You don’t need a journalism degree or thousands of followers. You just need compassion, consistency, and this Toolkit.
💡 Why We Built This Toolkit
At TheColdCases.com, we’ve seen firsthand how a single Instagram post, a short TikTok, or a viral Facebook share can breathe new life into a cold case. We’ve interviewed victims’ families, collaborated with true crime experts, and experienced the emotional toll that comes with not knowing.
We also saw how many people wanted to help—but didn’t know where to start.
“What should I post?”
“How do I talk about the case respectfully?”
“Am I even allowed to share this?”
“What if I say the wrong thing?”
This toolkit answers all of those questions—and gives you a clear roadmap to make a real impact without overstepping, guessing, or freezing up.
🛠️ What's Inside the Toolkit?
✅ Daily & Weekly Advocacy Checklist
Stay organized and intentional in your advocacy. These simple checklists guide you on what to do daily and weekly to stay consistent without burning out.
📸 Canva Templates (Fully Editable)
You don’t need graphic design skills to create beautiful, shareable advocacy posts. We provide ready-to-use Canva templates for:
Missing person posters
Timeline graphics
Call-to-action posts
Vigil and memorial invites
Just plug in the case details, download, and post. It’s that easy.
📝 Caption Writing Formulas
Struggle to find the right words? We've got you covered with fill-in-the-blank caption templates tailored to:
Facebook awareness posts
Instagram carousel storytelling
TikTok short-form narration
Each template emphasizes clarity, urgency, and respect.
🔗 Linktree/Beacons Setup Tutorial
One of the most effective tools for case visibility is a central link hub where users can find everything:
Tip lines
Media coverage
Case files
Donation links
Updates
This guide shows you how to create and organize your advocacy landing page—completely free.
📆 Suggested Posting Schedule
Consistency keeps stories alive. Use our recommended 3x/week content plan to:
Boost engagement
Stay visible in algorithms
Avoid advocacy fatigue
We also include tips for batching content, scheduling ahead, and staying present online without burning out.
📱 Platform-Specific Strategies
Each platform has its own strengths and audience. The Advocate Toolkit breaks down how to tailor your posts to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok so you’re not just present—you’re effective.
🔹 On Facebook:
How to use profile frames and banners
When to use your personal profile vs. creating a page
Creating event pages for vigils, search parties, and awareness walks
Best practices for boosting posts on a budget
📌 Sample post scripts and image layout guides included.
🔹 On Instagram:
Creating impactful carousels and timeline graphics
Writing emotional but clear captions
Using hashtags and location tags to reach more people
How to create and organize “Case Highlights” in Stories
📷 Bonus: Real-life examples of cases that gained traction on IG.
🔹 On TikTok:
Telling a respectful, engaging case story in 15–60 seconds
Choosing trending sounds that match the tone
Voiceover scripts and slideshow templates
Adding calls to action and contact info effectively
🎬 Includes a full video planning checklist and editing tips.
🌍 Why Social Media Matters in Cold Cases
Social media isn’t just a place to share your lunch or see vacation photos. For families of missing persons or victims of violence, it’s become a lifeline.
Consider these facts:
In the case of Gabby Petito, social media sleuths identified key clues and pressured media into keeping her story in headlines.
In Alicia Navarro’s case, online advocacy kept her story alive for years until she was found in 2023.
The cold case of Jayme Closs gained renewed attention because people refused to stop posting and pushing her story forward.
These are just a few of the many examples where everyday people—just like you—used social media to turn cold cases hot again.
🧠 Who Is This Toolkit For?
The Advocate Toolkit is for:
📣 Families who want to advocate for a loved one
🧠 Citizen Detectives who are investigating or raising awareness
🎙️ True Crime Podcasters & Creators who want to post responsibly
🫶 Concerned citizens who want to help, but aren’t sure how
You don’t need followers. You need purpose and direction—and this toolkit gives you both.
💬 Testimonials (Real or Placeholder)
“This guide gave me the confidence to speak up for my missing brother. I didn’t know how to begin before—now I’m running a full Instagram page that gets shares every week.”
– Danielle R.“I always felt uncomfortable posting about cold cases because I didn’t want to offend the family. This toolkit taught me how to advocate with respect and power.”
– Mark P., Citizen Advocate“The templates alone were worth the price. I now have a full posting system for every case I care about.”
– Alina T., Crime Blogger
🛒 How to Get It
🎁 One-time Purchase: $12
Instant digital download (PDF)
Lifetime access to updates
Free Canva templates included
👉 Click Here to Buy the Advocate Toolkit or visit our shop to get started.
🧡 100% of proceeds help fund our work in cold case reporting, victim interviews, and community advocacy.
Final Words: Be the Voice That Breaks the Silence
You never know which post, story, or comment might spark a new lead. You don’t need to be a journalist or investigator to make a difference—you just need to care enough to try.
With the Advocate Toolkit, you’re not just sharing content. You’re honoring lives, standing beside families, and holding the light for justice.
📢 Download it. Share it. Use it. And be a voice for the voiceless.