The Power of Video – YouTube for Nonprofits
When you’re marketing a nonprofit, most of your campaigns are going to focus around a story. A life you changed, an impact you’ve made, a reason to give. Thus, your social media involvement should also tell your story. Video is a fantastic way to tell these stories in a visually engaging and meaningful way. And you don’t need a professional crew to do it!
Here are some basic things you need to get your video campaign off the ground:
- A Flip video camera ($149-$199) or you can apply to get one for free through Flip Video Spotlight
- Editing software (I use iMovie, but you can also try Final Cut Express)
- A YouTube nonprofits page
The YouTube nonprofits page is incredibly important. Once you’re approved, you can brand the page and add information about how viewers can donate to your cause. Corporations pay thousands of dollars to brand their YouTube pages, but nonprofits get to set theirs up for free! All you need to do is supply the graphics – dust off those Photoshop skills!
A lot of nonprofits fear the leap into online video, thinking that you need to buy tons of equipment, like a lighting kit, $10,000 camera, $5,000 editing software, but you really don’t. A great example of a nonprofit doing it right is the Anaheim Ballet. They’re #3 in subscribers and #3 most viewed in the non-profit category on YouTube. They’re not filming in HD, their graphics aren’t made for Hollywood, but their videos are engaging, informative and personal. They tell a story.
We all have stories to tell – grab your Flip camera and start filming! It’s as easy as lights, camera, action.
(Coming up next: TubeMogul: Taking your video beyond YouTube)
