Non-profits must tell their story, whether in person, online via their website, through their printed collateral, and beyond. The more channels they use effectively, the further their reach and the more engaging the story, the stronger impact it will have on the recipients. Digital storytelling has the biggest reach and is the easiest to get started with. In today's world, organizations must be more creative than ever with what content they distribute to their constituents. An engaging digital story can significantly increase funding opportunities and community engagement while reducing human efforts needed on both fronts. Learn more: http://www.layingthegroundwork.com/
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The Power of Digital Storytelling for Nonprofits - Presented by Greg Hofbauer, GroundWork Design
1. THE POWER OF DIGITAL STORYTELLING
Greg Hofbauer
September 4th, 2012
2. Today’s Agenda
-An introduction to Digital Storytelling
-Look at a few examples
-Discuss tips for telling your story
-Review hardware and software options
-Q & A
3. Stories are a core component of
human interaction
Stories have been used throughout history
Religions
Revolutions
Civil Moments
Stories are all around us
TV, Movies, and Radio programming and ads
Literature
Even Facebook
Stories are already in use by nonprofit organizations
In-person presentations
Print campaigns
Annual reports
Story mediums have continually evolved over time
4. What is Digital Storytelling?
Digital storytelling takes many forms.
A combination of the age old art of storytelling
with technology to incorporate rich media
(videos, images, audio, text, and more) and
interactivity
Recreating the in-person story experience
online with the addition of visual and historic
information that tells a more encompassing
tale than would otherwise be possible
5. There are unique advantages to
leveraging Digital Storytelling
Reach a wider audience
Social networks help your stories travel further than ever
Tell your story 24x7
Represent your organization even when you’re sleeping
Multiply the efforts of your staff
Your stories are captured once yet retold unlimited times
Tell a more engaging story
Visual media brings stories to life
Involve more participants in the story
Foster deeper engagement and leverage their network
6. Digital stories help create an emotional
connection with your audiences
Raise Money
Traditional Fundraising Campaigns
Crowdfunding
Increase Membership or Attendance
Membership Drives
Event and Program Marketing
Engage Supporters
Newsletter Updates
Digital Thank Yous
Show Results and Justify Needs
Annual Reports
Milestone Celebrations
“People will forget what you told them. They will forget what you
did. But they will never forget how you made them feel.”
8. PLAY
VIDEO
World Water Day
More than 1 billion people on the planet don't have access to clean drinking water. For $20
a person, non-profit charity: water funds clean water solutions like shallow wells, deep
wells, rainwater harvesting systems, and spring protections to provide people in need with
clean and safe drinking water.
9. PLAY
VIDEO
Save The Bay
Each quarter the employees of Flip Video spend a day giving back to the
community. This February they supported Save the Bay, a local Bay Area
nonprofit organization.
10. PLAY
VIDEO
ShelterBox: Haiti 2011
Homes are submerged, floodwater is running through entire towns and
approximately sixty thousand families are displaced, but people are still
smiling in Thailand.
12. Planning your digital story
1. Focus your narrative using these questions
Who are you trying to engage?
What action do you want them to take?
Why would they take action?
What information can you provide to influence their
decision?
2. Determine the scope of your story
Moment in time vs. longer story arc?
Who should be participating in the story?
What media is best to capture (images, videos, audio,
etc.)?
13. The Golden Rules
• Powerful stories are often under 2 minutes long. The
Keep it short effort you put into keeping it short will go a long way in
helping you focus your message
• Try to focus on one main topic (an event, one person's
Keep it simple story , a lesson, a testimonial). It's easier to get excited
about a video that is focused.
• Viewers want to connect with the work that your
Be genuine organization is doing. Focus on content that is compelling
rather than what's cool
• Beginning-Middle-End: Catch the audience at the
beginning and explain what is happening, build emotion in
Keep it fluid the middle, and come to some sort of resolution at the
end
• Video and photos show the story but don’t forget the
Keep it moving importance of audio. Audio adds emotion.
• Wide shots - establishes the scene
Keep it interesting • Medium shot - gives more intimacy
• Close-up - for emotion and direct connection
14. 7 Elements of Digital
Storytelling
Point of View
What is the main point of the story and what is the perspective of the author?
A Dramatic Question
A key question that keeps the viewer's attention and will be answered by the end
of the story.
Emotional Content
Serious issues that come alive in a personal and powerful way and connects the
story to the audience.
The Gift of Your Voice
A way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context.
The Power of the Soundtrack
Music or other sounds that support and embellish the storyline.
Economy
Using just enough content to tell the story without overloading the viewer.
Pacing
The rhythm of the story and how slowly or quickly it progresses.
Source: The Center for Digital Storytelling (http://www.storycenter.org/)
16. Smart Phones
Advantages Disadvantages
Point and shoot Reduced quality of
image and video captured content -
capture especially on older
Easy to transfer devices
and/or directly share
content
On device editing
applications
Audio and voice
capture available
17. Sony Bloggie Touch $59
HD Pocket Video Camera Amazon.com
HD video
(1920x1080p)
High resolution photo
capture (12.8 MP)
3.0" touch screen
Up to 2 hours video
recording time
Features to consider with Pocket Video Cameras:
HD Video Resolution – 720p or higher
Memory – 4GB or larger (Internal + Memory Card)
Dual Capture – Photos & Videos
Size of viewing screen – 2.8” or larger
18. Panasonic Lumix $126
Digital Camera w/ Video Amazon.co
m
High resolution photos (16.1
MP)
5x optical zoom
Auto-stabilization
HD Video Recording
Intelligent Auto(iA) Mode
Features to consider with Point and Shoot Cameras:
Photo Resolution – 8 Megapixels or higher
HD Video Resolution – 720p or higher
Optical Zoom – 3x or higher (disregard digital zoom)
Memory – 8GB or larger (Internal + Memory Card)
19. $49
Sony Digital Voice RecorderAmazon.co
m
Outstanding voice quality
Small, light and unobtrusive
Easy to download recordings
to your computer
Long record time with 2 GB of
memory - 22 hours
Features to consider with Audio Recorders:
Adjustable Microphone Sensitivity
Recording Time / Memory – 1 GB or higher
External Microphone Option
20. Optional Accessories
Additional Memory Cards
If
applicable; vary by
device
Travel/Mini Tripod
Joby GorillaPod (shown
right)
Car Charger
Extra Rechargeable
Battery
Carry Case
23. Photobucket
Photobucket is a place to
store, edit, and share photos
and store/share videos
Upload all your best pictures,
images, graphics, icons, and
videos
Edit your photos by using the
photo editor
Share them by email or link
them to your favorite sites like
Facebook and Twitter.
Import them into other
services such as Animoto
www.photobucket.com
24. YouTube Video Editor
Features
Combine videos
Add music
Trim clips
Insert transitions
Rotate clips
Stabilize clips
Add text effects
www.youtube.com/editor
25. YouTube Nonprofit Program
YouTube wants to help you activate your cause, tell a compelling story, and
launch an effective campaign using video.
Benefits of joining
26. YouTube lets you involve your
audience
Create an interactive video petition to involve,
engage and mobilize your audience.
Urge the community to respond to your video by
creating one of their own.
Provide examples and a suggested script.
Feature video responses from the community in a
playlist on your channel.
Create a compilation video with the video
responses to extend your message.
Example: It Gets Better Campaign
27. Animoto
Animoto is a very simple to
use video production tool
Bring together video clips,
photos, text, music and
create a professional looking
Import content from
Facebook, Flickr,
Photobucket, Picasa, and
Instagram or upload from
your computer
Share your videos on
YouTube, Facebook, Twitter,
Pinterest, your website,
crowdfunding services, and
virtually any other channel.
www.animoto.com
28. Animoto: Causes
How can Animoto help promote your cause?
Automated, professional video
Engage your audience with video, on your site and
elsewhere.
Drive traffic and donations
Use Animoto videos to convey a message with the right
balance of information and emotional connection.
Embrace the like-minded
Spread your message to users on social networking sites
and capitalize on the power of social networks.
Fundraise through video
Raise money by reselling DVDs of Animoto videos, or kick off
events with big screen projections for powerful, emotional
messages.
http://www.animoto.com/cause
29. VUVOX Collage
This media creation suite enables you to
easily turn your photos, videos, text and
audio clips into interactive horizontally
scrolling story.
A COLLAGE can be published,
embedded, and syndicated into any
website, blog or social networking site.
Features include:
Image Cut-out and Masking tools
Layer positioning and Compositing
Interactive 'Hot-spots', providing links to
media, text or other websites
Ability to add rich media details
Text and Soundtrack
http://www.vuvox.com/collage
30. Dropbox
Dropbox is a free service that lets you
bring all your photos, docs, and videos
anywhere.
This means that any file you save to your
Dropbox will automatically save to all your
computers, phones and even the Dropbox
website.
Dropbox makes sharing so easy.
Invite your friends, family and teammates to
any folder in your Dropbox, and it'll be as if
you saved that folder straight to their
computers.
You can send people links to specific files in
your Dropbox too. This makes Dropbox
perfect for team projects, sharing party
photos with friends, or recording your band's
new album.
Dropbox keeps your files safe.
Even if your computer has a meltdown, your
stuff is always safe in Dropbox and can be
restored in a snap
32. Additional Resources
GroundWork Design
Technology consulting and development firm specialize in Virtual experience and
digital storytelling
Vimeo's Video School
Learn how to make better videos through lessons, tutorials, and sage advice
Video Storytelling for Nonprofits
This slide deck from See3 Communications covers how to approach video,
making a plan, the different types of video storytelling, and four things you can do
right now to get started. See slides 12 and 13 for important questions to ask
before making your video.
See3's Guide to Online Video
A YouTube playlist of short videos about making videos.
How to Create a Digital Story
Includes the recorded webinar, powerpoint, a storyboarding worksheet, and a
video release form. See also Tools for Digital Storytelling, or check out more
of TechSoup's storytelling webinars under the "Outreach and Marketing"
category.
How Nonprofits Can Use Video to Fundraise