Uploading Videos Can Now Mean Uploading Donations
by Kari Dunn Saratovsky on 7 Apr 2009
With video recording and publishing readily accessible through smart phones, flip cams and even the “old-fashioned” digital camera -- nonprofits are finding new and low cost ways to create compelling stories of their good work.
Video messages and vlogging can help create an authentic connection with donors, funders, volunteers and constituents – and now YouTube is making it possible for nonprofits to translate the passive activity of watching a video into meaningful engagement. YouTube nonprofit partners can now drive traffic from their videos to an offsite page where they can collect donations, signatures or email addresses for their organization or a designated campaign.
If you’re a nonprofit looking to take advantage of the new "call to action" tools YouTube has to offer, you can learn more and sign up on their nonprofit partner page. If you’ve already uploaded a video, and are a nonprofit partner, it’s easy to take advantage of the new features. Here’s how:
- Go to "edit" your video: and fill out the fields in the section marked “Call to Action Overlay”
- Click “save,” cross your fingers, and the overlay should appear on your video
This is an easy way to create a more meaningful connection with your viewers. But, if you're not quite there and want to get some basic tips for video editing and production, here are a few places I'd suggest starting.
- Last month the Chronicle of Philanthropy hosted a very rich online chat called Using Video to Spread Your Nonprofit's Message and Mission.
- Nancy Schwartz offers her picks of 6 Nonprofits Who are Putting Great Online Video to Work along with links to the videos.
- Michael Hoffman at See3 Communications offers readers his 11 Tips for Using Online Video to Raise Money
- Need a camera? Flip Cam is giving cameras to eligible nonprofits through their Flip Video Spotlight Program.
If you have a "must see" nonprofit video that you think Social Citizens readers would enjoy - please share it by adding a comment below!
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Comments
Great post! Have you tried the flipcam? I'd love to get my paws on one wwhen funds aren't as tight...
I thought I'd mention that see3's site Dogooder.tv is hosting the 2009 Nonprofit video awards and you can view the 16 or so finalists here: http://www.dogooder.tv/contest2009/
Also, I write a blog called call2action that focuses on cause-related video- check it out at http://blog.call2action.com
Maha,
Thanks for your comment and for letting our readers know about the 2009 Nonprofit video awards - there are some great videos there.
Also, I'm glad to know more about your work at www.call2action.org, just checked out the site. Curious if you've ever done any video blogging - I'd like to start doing that here on the Social Citizens blog, but haven't found a good tool that allows for split screen interviews - any ideas?
- KDS
I haven't yet- really just getting my feet wet with the blog right now. It does seem the logical next step though if I am a proponent of video as a way to spread your message and inspire action. What vlogs if any have you been following so far?
I think what Kristen Taylor does on the Knight Pulse Blog (http://www.knightpulse.org/blog) is very cool. She does both in person video interviews and split screens for remote interviews. Haven't seen a lot of this done elsewhere yet.
Does anyone else have good suggestions??
Why not change the world with a few simple clicks? Creating an Animoto video is too easy!
Animoto is dedicated to changing the world, one video at a time. We hope you’ll use our unique video production technology to promote your cause. We are giving away FREE pro accounts to non-profit organizations. Small or large, we want to support your organization. Please apply at http://animoto.com/cause.
Best,
andrew@animoto.com
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