“Going virtual” is a term that you have probably heard hundreds of times over the past several months. Whether it’s related to business, school or something personal, we’ve all had to “go virtual” at some point or another to keep our lives moving forward. So much exposure to these virtual approaches has allowed us all to see what works and what doesn’t.
As a nonprofit organization, it’s essential your virtual approach works. As our country continues to battle the Coronavirus Pandemic, success comes with the embarrassment of going virtual many different ways. With that in mind, this blog entry will give you some tips and tricks to help your non-profit organization produce high-quality video content that will better connect with your audience.
The Introduction Video — Think of It Like an Interview
Let’s start by talking about an Introduction video. Introduction videos are some of the most common marketing pieces for a non-profit organization. Before we get into the specifics about shooting a video, it’s important to talk briefly about the content. Even though it’s not structured like an interview, there are several questions that you should answer when you put out an introduction video.
· Who are you: Make sure you give a detailed explanation about the role you play in your organization.
· Why are you so passionate about the work that your organization does?
· What examples can you give that demonstrate how your organization has impacted the community?
· How has this organization changed your life from a personal standpoint?
If you are creating an introduction video specifically for your virtual event, make sure to include these key components above and beyond the basics above.
Say Thank you!
Ex. Thank you for being a part of our 3rd Annual …………… event
Ex. Thank you to ……., our faithful sponsors who support the Veteran community
And thank YOU for supporting our …………. and our mission to……
Update on your organization's "State of the Union"---
There is an increased need (why specifically and a decreased funding!
Your Goal
State goal “We have set an aggressive goal and we need your help!!”
Why is the goal important (how we are adapting and planning to grow)?
Call to Action - refer to the donate now, or auction items on your bidding platform.
· Ex. Register on this site to be able to Bid, or to be able to Give directly
· Ex. Bid on Amazing Trips and more unique items in our auction that opens on November 8th at Noon.
· Ex. and….Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a trip of a lifetime!
· Or, Donate now and immediately help us meet our goal of $xxx,xxxx!!
· Join us for our live event on xxx, xxxx at xxxxx pm!
If you take the time to answer these questions above, your video introduction will provide your audience with the kind of information that will leave a lasting impression.
Video Quality Tricks
Now that we have covered some of the content that is important for your videos, let’s talk about quality. With today’s technology, it’s fairly easy (and mostly inexpensive) to create professional-looking video content. If you are new to video creations, start by considering some of the following tips and tricks:
· Film in the highest resolution setting. Whether you are using a smartphone, tablet or video camera, always check your resolution details to make sure it is in the highest setting.
· If you use a phone, always film horizontally. If you accidentally film vertically, you will notice that the video will be cut off on the sides when you go back to watch it on a TV or a computer screen.
Make sure you aren’t too close or too far away from the camera. You want to make sure you are close enough for things to feel intimate with your audience, but you don’t want to be so close you can see your eyes darting side to side reading the prompter in front of you. We recommend keeping your waist up in the frame.
· Find the right filming location. It’s best to have a simple, neutral background in an area that is quiet and well-lit. If you decide to film outside, be aware of the outside noises that could intrude on your final product.
· Take the time to rehearse. It’s never a good idea to “wing it” with these videos. Write out a script and rehearse. Speak loud and clear when delivering your lines.
· Utilize video editing software. There is a learning curve in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, video editing software will greatly enhance your videos, Openshot, iMovie and Blender are a few of the most popular options out there. You can often start with a free trial to see how things work.
You can probably think of a few examples when you came across low-quality videos. These are the videos where it’s hard to see what’s going on and difficult to hear what the presenter is saying. When we come across these videos, our first instinct is to exit out and find another video. This is why it’s so valuable to put your time and energy into creating videos that are concise and professional.
Looking for more nonprofit marketing and fundraising tips? Join AmFund's Chief Operating Officer, Deborah Marshall, as she teaches the nonprofit community about Transitioning to the Virtual World and the online fundraising lessons learned by the American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund).
Deborah has been asked to participate in the international virtual conference Unite2021. The only event of its kind, Unite2021 will deliver expert and practical workshops from experts, thought leaders, and other cause organizations who are kicking goals and are happy to share how they did it.
This conference will help you go deep into individual social media platforms with subject matter experts; uncover trends and identify opportunities; learn the latest software and technology; create effective content; laugh and be inspired, and most importantly be ready to tackle the uncertainty of 2021 with confidence and skill. With three workshops running at a time, Unite2021 will deliver non-stop LIVE training over a full 24-hours providing access to non-profits, community groups, social enterprises, small businesses, and marketers in every country in the world. AmFund’s nonprofit partners have been given the opportunity to register for FREE here.
Each year, the American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) carefully chooses organizations to support through our event sponsorship, unrestricted grant distribution, virtual silent auctions, and other programs to raise much-needed unrestricted funds for the important mission of those organizations. To find out more, please contact us today.