3 Ways Your Nonprofit Misses Out By Not Using Video

Most nonprofits can’t accomplish much without making connections – whether it’s connecting people to other people, to a cause, or to knowledge and wisdom. Luckily, there is a ton of ways for nonprofits to facilitate that connecting, but there are some media that work in ways that others can’t. Video is a way for you to do more than share; it gives you a way to initiate a connection. Sure, making videos take time and resources, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Here are three ways your nonprofit is missing out if you’re not using video to connect with your audience:

1. Get People to Your Events

Videos are shareable: post a video to your Facebook and Twitter accounts to encourage already-interested parties to share that video and help spread the word. A promotional video for an event also helps set expectations. If you’re hosting a formal gala, your video can reflect that with the colors, font, and pace. If you’re hosting a casual after-hours networking event, the video’s feel can match the informality and make people comfortable attending. Prepare your attendees and spread the word about events with video.

Budget-friendly tip – Don’t have a big budget for an event promo video? Round up contacts who attended a similar event in the past and ask them for videos and photos they recorded. You might be surprised what you can do with crowd-sourced content.

2. Educate

We take in so much new information so fast these days and with the Internet readily available through multiple devices, we can access information and learn about anything we want, anytime we want, anywhere we want. So, why not take advantage of these channels to help educate your audience? Record presentations, interview though-leaders and experts, share video snippets on your nonprofit website or blog, or even host entire training sessions on video.

Budget-friendly tip – I’ve said it once and I’m sure I’ll say it again and again: “Friends don’t let friends give a presentation without recording it.” If you or someone in your organization is in any way, shape, or form presenting informational content you’ve already won half the battle. Just set a smartphone or hand held camcorder on a tripod and record that content.

3. Give Your Nonprofit a Face

Videos not only spread information to share, but they, most importantly, put a face and personality to your nonprofit. Remember, it’s really all about connecting, right? This is probably the most important thing you are missing out on if you aren’t using video. When it comes down to showing the world your nonprofit on the web, very little will produce the same connectivity like video.

Budget-friendly tip – Videos don’t have to be perfect to connect with your audience. A simple smartphone interview introducing someone who volunteers for your nonprofit can speak volumes to a potential volunteer. Just be sure to follow some basic guidelines: use a tripod to steady the shot, record in a quiet, well-lit place, and keep it short!

Producing video content may be intimidating or seem out of the question, but it doesn’t have to be. Using videos for your nonprofit will help you reach more people and increase your presence online and off.