Where's Your Video?

A recent Pew Internet survey about online video reported that 57% of Internet users watch video online and 75% open a video link that a friend shares with them. it's all over the Internet, yet nonprofits are still scrambling to create YouTube channels and promote their videos. DoGooder.tv, Ourmedia, and oneworld.tv also help nonprofits post their video pieces. So, the question shouldn't be "Does your organization have an online video(s)?", it should be "When will your organization post an online video?"

There are a lot of great videos out there to inspire you. Check out Nonprofit Technology Conference's recent online video contest on DoGooder.tv. A colleague of mine loves the video on the Millennium Promise website. I recently asked one of my technology lists if they had any inspiring videos out there and the lists came flooding in (very YouTube heavy). And of course, check out our sister blog, media>, to watch a wide array of videos and podcasts aimed at nonprofits and philanthropy. Hopefully these will inspire you to take your organization to the next step.

What are those steps? If your group or organization already has in-house video, get it digitized and throw it up on your website. In fact, put it on your homepage. Then, open a YouTube account and post it online. Check out some of the above links to post your video. 

If you don't have a video, er... well, make one. yes, OK, maybe first consider hiring outside resources to help you film and edit your video. Perhaps you have enough existing footage (or b-roll) from events that you can hire an editor to splice it together with your logo and some music. But, when all else fails, do it yourself.  Film your own piece, write your own script, and pick up some editing software. Then, pick up Digital Video for Dummies and DV Filmmaking, two great starter books that will really expand your DV vocabulary. You and your cohorts will be hooked on video and your organization will have a nice marketing/fundraising piece that you can spread across the Web, show major donors, and stick on your homepage.

Comments

[Jeremy Gregg]

Wonderful article! At Central Dallas Ministries, we send out a video once each quarter to our community. You can see them here:

http://www.centraldallasministries.org/faces/

We also put together a video about homelessness in Dallas for our recent Prayer Breakfast. If you have 6 minutes to spare, I'd appreciate your time:

http://www.centraldallasministries.org/homeless/

Please let me know if I can ever be of service.

Your neighbor,

Jeremy Gregg
Director of Development
Central Dallas Ministries