Video Gives Nonprofits Effective Tools
Video production for nonprofits has become a must-do – because video is more effective than any other medium for connecting people to the good work nonprofits do. Consider the case of Veterans Inc, a nonprofit based near Boston, MA, with operations throughout New England. Veterans Inc serves homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. They needed something special for their Military Ball - their major fundraising event. We worked with Veterans Inc to create a video that explains and shows their history and their mission, and incorporates interviews with some of the veterans they've helped. We shot the interviews with a DSLR camera for best image quality, which supports the Veterans Inc brand. We also included archival video clips showing the organization's founding and early years.
Video’s impact on fundraising
Fundraising is a constant pressure for all nonprofits, and this video has had a significant impact, helping Veterans Inc. meet their goals. “Without this video, we wouldn’t be as successful with our fundraising,” said Amanda Riik, Public Relations and Outreach Manager for Veterans Inc. “People watch it and they know what we do and who we help.”
Video is replacing other media
In the nonprofit world, video is fast replacing other media. “Everybody wants to watch videos,” said Riik. “They just don’t respond as well to other forms of communication because with video, your story resonates so much more. Instead of telling them, they’re seeing that homeless person needing a place to live, that mother with a child who needs day care. That family needing food.”
Achieve more by multipurposing your video
Like all nonprofits, Veterans Inc must get good bang-for-buck from their marketing dollars. This video has worked very well for them, said Riik. “We used it originally for our Military Ball, then we started using it for everything – volunteer orientation, community presentations, donor presentations – because it helps people see our story. It is so much more effective than us just telling people what we do – they watch the video and they see the people we help and they get it.”
Veterans Inc understands the power of video, and has decided to make video a central component in all their efforts – including fundraising, outreach, community awareness, and volunteer recruitment. “We’re committed to using video because video works,” said Riik.
Why should you commit to video?
In this new world of Internet connectivity, nonprofits need strategies for engaging with current and potential donors, and for creating thriving online communities. Using video to tell your nonprofit's stories will connect people with your cause in a way text and photographs just can't. And, videos are very easy to spread through applications like YouTube, Facebook, and email. Making videos that tell emotionally-powerful stories will help people become your donors and your advocates, and will make it easy for them to help you spread your stories and reach a wider audience.
If you'd like more information, use the form at left to contact us and we'll be glad to talk about how video can help your nonprofit.