beyond viral video – nonprofit storytelling in the digital age
DESCRIPTION
Nonprofits that are using online video effectively aren't just creating great content, they're creating great strategies. It all starts with understanding why video matters to your organization and rethinking what the possibility of "going viral" really means. How can Aid for Africa member organizations tell their stories in compelling and meaningful ways using video? And how can they use the web as a platform for rich storytelling and constituent engagement? In this session, we’ll discuss and show how aid organizations are using video to extend their programs and events, increase brand recognition, and create content that deepens relationships with their supporters.TRANSCRIPT
Prepared for Aid for Africa
Presented by Michael Hoffman, CEO, See3
Nonprofit Storytelling in the Digital Age
Beyond Viral Video
www.see3.net | [email protected] | @Michael_hoffman
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Today’s Plan• Why Video Matters
• Storytelling Using Video
• Key Video Examples
• Distribution
• 5 Takeaways for Aid for Africa members
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
See3 Communications
• Interactive communications agency for nonprofits and causes specializing in video, web, and outreach
• Results-driven online strategies
• Believe in technology and media to help organizations reach their goals
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Visit: www.YouTube.com/NonprofitVideoAwards
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
October 9, 2006:Google Buys YouTube
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
YouTube: Why Video Matters
48%27.3Female
52%29.8MaleGender
19%10.955+
21%11.945-54
22%12.335-44
19%11.118-34
19%11.0<18
–57.1AllAge
% UsersUsers (M)In 1 Minute20 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube
Source: Alexa
#4 Biggest Site in the WorldBigger than MySpace and Wikipedia
58 MinutesAverage time spent on YouTube
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings (October 2007) - US audience.
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Your Audience is Watching
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Search
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The Tools are Improving
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The Nonprofit Program• Organizations must be nonprofits based in
US, UK, Canada, or Australia• Increased branding capabilities
• HTML channel banner• Branded side column image
• Ability to add Call to Action overlay and externally linkable annotations
• More info: http://www.youtube.com/nonprofits
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
YouTube Channel
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Your Website is Your Channel
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www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Viral to Who?
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Viral to Who?
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Think Strategically • Current video assets
• People
• Events
• Fundraising opportunities
• Organizational goals and messages
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Laws of Social Storytelling• Be prepared to tell 3 types of stories:
• The story of self (org)• The story of us (community)• The story of now (change the world)
“A story communicates fear, hope, and anxiety, and because we
can feel it, we get the moral not just as a concept, but as a
teaching of our hearts. That’s the power of story.”
- Marshall Ganz
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Storytelling Tips*Keep It Short
• Powerful videos are often under 2 minutes long. The effort you put into keeping it short will go a long way in helping you focus your message.
Keep It Simple
• Try to focus on one main topic (ie. an event, one person’s story, a lesson, a testimonial). It’s easier to get excited about a video that is focused.
* From our friends at Flip Video – www.FlipVideoSpotlight.com
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Storytelling TipsBe genuine
• Viewers want to connect with the work that your organization is doing. Focus on content that is compelling rather than what’s “cool”.
Keep It Fluid
• Beginning-Middle-End: Catch the audience at the beginning and explain what is happening, build emotion in the middle, and come to some sort of resolution at the end.
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Storytelling TipsKeep It Moving
• Audio: Video shows the story but don’t forget the importance of audio. Audio adds emotion.
Keep It Interesting
• Wide shot - establishes the scene
• Medium shot - gives more intimacy
• Close-up - for emotion and direct connection
• Extreme close-up - very intimate, emotional effect
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Broadcast Live Events
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Broadcast Live Events• Stream important news or organizational events
live using Ustream or Livestream
• Reach and connect with larger audience online
• Use live streaming to hook into top news stories
• Stream and archive trainings
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Staff Produced
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Staff Produced• Behind the scenes looks at the office or on the
ground
• Use computer cameras or Flip Video to staff members, interns, volunteers
• Conduct video interviews via Skype (i.e. bloggingheads.tv)
• Good for immediate updates from the field
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Documentary
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• Strong way to show organization’s work and impact
• Focus on the individual stories of real people
• Create a media library to pull from
• Reuse and repurpose for different mediums (live events, DVDs, meetings, website)
Documentary
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Public Service Announcement
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Public Service Announcement• Make PSAs accessible online on YouTube
• Reverse model: create PSA and publish online – raise funds to get it aired on TV
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Animation / Typography• Very popular style (use with caution)
• Great example is Girl Effect – success is in framing the problem in simple terms
• Distill the story through words and music
• Method to bring important speeches/text to life
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Personalized Video
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Personalized Video• Novelty and personalization increases
probability viewer will pass along
• Best for awareness building (broad audience) or peer-to-peer fundraising (niche audience)
• Creates interactive opportunity – sharing or donating
• ClipCall takes it to the next level with phone integration
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
You Made A Video, Now What? • Bring People to Your Video
• Website• Email• PR (earned media)
• Bring Your Video to People• YouTube and TubeMogul• Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)• Blogger Outreach
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
5 Takeaways for Aid for Africa• Watch and emulate
• Connect video to organizational objectives
• Integrate video into your content
• Find the passionate people and let them loose
• Commit to doing more video this year than last
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
DiscussionMichael Hoffman
• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @Michael_Hoffman
• Phone: 773-784-7333
The slidedeck and links will be available after
this session at www.see3.net/events
www.see3.net | [email protected] | 773-784-7333
Photo Credits• Audience in 3D Glasses - Diamond Geyser
• Encyclopedias - Stewart Butterfield
• Hammer - Austin Camera Guy
All photographs licensed under Creative Commons