“Video is probably the most important way to evoke emotions in the people you’re trying to reach – and that emotion is going to lead to not just initial attention, but then lasting memory of your cause, engagement in your cause, and willingness to take action.” Liz Banse, Resource Media
Video is a very powerful form of communications. A well done video reaches well beyond our physical senses and engages our emotions. Video is the perfect medium for helping you tell your nonprofit story.
Did you know?
- More than half of all Internet content is video
- Every month 4 billion hours of video are viewed on YouTube
- Every year more than 350 million videos are shared on Twitter – Into Focus: Benchmarks for Nonprofit Video and A Guide for Creators.
But, there’s a lot of ‘noise’ on social networks! How do you cut through the noise to garner attention to your nonprofit’s mission and events?
Think visually! Photos are good and video even better.
YouTube is known as ‘the place’ to post your videos. And, YouTube has a nonprofit program. Benefits of joining include:
- Adding a Donate button to your channel.
- Placing call-to-action overlays on your videos so viewers can click to visit your website, register for an upcoming event and learn more about volunteer & sponsorship opportunities.
- Using live streaming video on your YouTube channel, which is great to engage your virtual event guests who cannot attend in person.
You want to create a video that showcases your mission and is engaging. You can use the video to introduce people to your nonprofit, appeal to donors and show at your events.
When posted on a Facebook event page or your organization’s YouTube site, the same video will make a great promotional piece for your upcoming special event.
I was recently introduced to Reflection Films, a company that specializing in marketing, fundraising and training videos.
I asked co-owner Rachel Jallinek if I could share a web excerpt of a video Reflection Films created for The Food Project, a nonprofit that has built a national model of engaging young people in personal and social change through sustainable agriculture. The video was created for their 20th Anniversary and first gala.
The video clip really spoke to me. So I went to the website and watched the full video!
Don’t forget to take advantage of the new technology and social media sites to use your organization’s video to tell your nonprofit’s story at your events and to promote the event to draw greater audiences to attend.
Happy filming!
