Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog

Great video tips from See3

Posted by katya on Mon, April 28, 2008

See3 recently sent around this nifty list of video tips. I really like it, so I’m sharing it in its entirety, followed by a video I think exhibits many of these principles. More on See3 at the bottom of this list. Thanks See3!

10 Things to Remember When Shooting Video for the Web

We are consistently meeting organizations that are thirsting for more effective and creative ways to use video in their online strategies. We think that integrating video is critical, but doing it the right way can make all the difference to your campaign. Here are some useful tips for making a better video.

1. Tell a story. If you want your audience to identify with your mission, you need a compelling story that connects your work to real people. If a story moves you, it will likely move others as well - and become the foundation for deeper involvement.

2. Keep the audience in mind. Are you trying to reach urban street youth or retired veterans? Tailor your messaging for a targeted audience and consider how you want it to feel before the camera starts rolling.

3. Make a clear call to action. You have their attention, now tell your viewers how you want them to engage, whether it’s donating money, visiting a website or volunteering.

4. Shoot video with repurposing in mind. Video footage can be reused for different projects and messages. Building a media library is a valuable long-term asset for your organization. Have a camera ready for every important event. Ask volunteers to document their work and make it available for future events, trainings, and online use.

5. Think outside of the box. Consider new ways to make your video edgy or gripping. Use music, stills, or archival footage to reel a viewer in and then maintain energy throughout the piece.

6. Prepare a script and get some feedback. Yes, even a one- or two-minute video needs the arc of a well-considered story. Scripts help lay the foundation for every piece of good production out there. Use feedback from trustworthy sources to make improvements.

7. B-roll (footage where people aren’t talking) is important. Too many talking heads can make it difficult to hold a viewer’s attention. Collect all the footage you can and choose your best content when it’s time to edit.

8. Sound is critical. One of the most underappreciated aspects of production is sound quality. Web viewers are more likely to watch a poor-quality video with good sound than a good-quality video with poor sound.

9. Give the viewer the right web tools. Can the viewer forward the video to a friend, subscribe to your RSS feed, get involved, and sign up for your newsletter right there on the spot? If not, they should.

10. Host a screening. Working with award-winning documentarians makes screenings here at See3 one of the most exciting parts of our work. Professional films rely on screenings, so why shouldn’t nonprofits? Screenings foster discussion and feedback from others who care about your message. It’s also an opportunity to meet up with others in your nonprofit community. For See3, it helps us maintain the award-winning video quality that we strive for with every project.

Interested in learning more about our production services? Give us a call at (773) 784-7333 or email us at .