Top Ten Tips for Creating Contagious Content
Every non-profit wants a viral video; often this is the justification for investing in video in the first place. If your video goes viral, you know it’ll be worth the investment. Often, if this goal is not achieved, organizations become disenchanted with video as a whole. But just giving up is not the smart response. Video is the future of internet content. It’s not going anywhere, it is only going to grow. So instead of throwing in the towel, make a commitment to being more intentional and smart about your more »
What’s this storytelling revolution all about?
A couple weeks ago, I was coming back from a meeting in midtown and I was in the Bryant Park subway station. As I looked around, I realized I was surrounded by stories. But not just the stories of the interesting people around me, but literally the word ‘story’ on ads all over the station. It is clear that we are in moment of heightened cultural awareness about the importance of storytelling. But later, reflecting on these ads, I began to wonder: Why is a larger awareness about the power more »
Video is the First Step, Not the Last
Your non-profit invests a couple thousand dollars into a video. You post it on facebook and your blog and then expect it to go viral. It doesn’t happen and your video gets maybe 200 hits. You’re bummed. All the hard work, and what to show for it? Too many nonprofits just put their video on one or two sites and hope it’ll be seen. Here’s some tips: Create a Distribution Plan Brainstorm with your staff and key supporters about who they have connections to. Find ways to be resourceful and far-reaching. more »
The Biggest Mistake (hands down) Non-Profits Make With Video
Yesterday, we started our discussion of the 3 biggest non-profit video mistakes by talking about the danger of eagerness without intentionality. But the biggest mistake is… 2. The Program Trap Creating engaging, sharable videos doesn’t seem to come naturally for most non-profits and I think I know why. Instead of highlighting naturally dynamic stories, non-profits tend to follow their first instinct when creating video. They represent their organization from their own point of view. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been approached by non-profits who tell us they want a more »
Months in the Making…Team Schools Online Annual Report Launches
Today the online annual report for Team Schools (the Newark branch of KIPP charter schools) launches. We created four videos for the site which tell the stories of students whose lives have been profoundly impacted by TEAM schools. Each of these students’ stories blew me away. Ibraheem has gone from constantly running out of the classroom and refusing to try to read to now reading on grade level and dreaming of college. Mia realized that she is a good learner, gained her confidence back and grew several grade levels in more »
We Wrote An E-book!
Many non-profits recognize that online video storytelling is the most powerful driver of online fundraising. The problem is that after identifying they want video, most aren’t sure what to do next. Many dive in without thinking about what kind of story will garner the response they are looking for. Most don’t know what outcomes they want. Some start by creating completely boring overview videos which explain each of their programs. Others create videos, post them to facebook once, cross their fingers, close their eyes and hope that donations will suddenly start pouring more »
