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Feb
20
2012
More nonprofits are getting onboard with digital storytelling as a way to spread the word about their cause. Here are five examples of Australian nonprofits using YouTube to share their message, and five tips you can use to make your next video stand out.
1. Keep it personal (DonateLife)
When creating your story, there's a temptation to place the focus purely on your organisation, but keeping the the 'human element' to your story can be more powerful. DonateLife has done a good job of this in their video promoting DonateLife week. Throughout their video, the focus is placed on the family and their story. Organ donation (DonateLife's cause) is weaved into the family's narrative but never overshadows the main story.
2. Unleash your ambassadors (headspace Australia)
Your ambassadors are ready to support you, so it's important to give them every opportunity to do so. In this case, headspace lets Simon Hogan share his story of seeking help for depression. By helping your ambassadors and your community tell their story, you allow for others to grasp how your organisation is part of a bigger picture.
3. Be educational (Cancer Council Victoria)
Whether it's raising awareness, sharing a story from the community or explaining something complicated, educating your audience means they'll finish watching your video with something valuable. Cancer Council Victoria has put together a video which not only encourages girls aged 12 to 13 to be vaccinated against Human Papiloma Virus (HPV), but also teaches them about it. They explain why they believe it's important to be vaccinated, what HPV is and what steps the girls need to take.
4. Have fun (One Girl Australia)
Where you can, have fun with it. Humour has always been a great way to engage an audience. One Girl Australia ran their 'Do it in a dress' campaign encouraging guys and girls to wear a dress to send a girl in Africa to school for a year.
5. Finish with a call to action (Live Below the Line Australia)
Once your video's finished, it's important to let your viewer know what to do next. You have their attention, it's time to direct it somewhere. Keep your call to action simple. For example, point them to your website, encourage them to share the video, donate online or ask them to comment/respond. Live Below the Line has created a great video which explains the success of 2011 but encourages their community to help recruit others by simply having conversations about their campaign.