For years, animated explainer videos have been generating leads for businesses. This presentation outlines 5 reasons why they are a tremendous, versatile asset for those communicating for nonprofits or other causes as well. You’ll learn how other nonprofits use these videos to grab and hold their viewers’ attention, get their messages across quickly, and get them shared online.

1. CRAFTED BY:
Why Your Cause
Needs Animated
Explainer Videos
LEARN FROM OTHER NONPROFITS

2. DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
My cause, or
organization, is tough
to explain.

3. “Our organization and family of websites
can be complicated to folks – we originally
started as SeniorNavigator back in 2001 and
since then have grown into an entire family
of websites. But, folks often still identify us
as SeniorNavigator vs. VirginiaNavigator.”
Adrienne Johnson, Executive Director, Virginia Navigator

4. OR MAYBE THIS?
I have limited
resources but a
growing list of
marketing needs .

5. “For Ettema and her team, this process
requires a balancing act. Congress created
the National Forest Foundation around the
ideals of conservation and education—a
space where resources are spread thin by
definition. The organization needs to make
the most out of its budget but also needs
creative ways to break through the noise and
educate the general public.”
National Forest Foundation, Visually case study

6. Then animated
explainer videos
can help.

7. No, seriously.
While animation might bring to mind
cheesy cartoons like Superman or
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it’s also
a legitimate, respected marketing
force for everyone from nonprofits to
big brands.
Cecilia Bianco, Prichard Communications

8. Chances are,
you’ve seen
one already.

9. Julia Campbell, author of the forthcoming book
Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits.
“A Google study has found that 57
percent of people who watch a video
made by a nonprofit then go on to make
a donation. Over half!!!”
They’re not just a fad.
They work.

10. !
They’re Attention-Grabbing
They’re Engaging
They’re Infectious
They’re Approachable
They’re Versatile
Here are
5 reasons why.

11. 1
They’re Attention-
Grabbing
For both humans and search engines,
videos stand out in a crowded
content marketplace.

12. 1
“...simply including the word “video”
in an email’s subject line saw an
increase of 7%-13% in overall click-
thru rates...”
Experian Marketing Services 2012 Study

13. 1 For the National Forest Foundation, their
:60 second explainer consistently drives
most of their views on YouTube.

14. 2
They’re Engaging
Animated videos are one of the best
ways to keep your audience’s focus
long enough to deliver your message
and have it stick.

15. 2
“65% of video viewers watch more
than 3/4 of a video. With retention
rates for video content far outpacing
those of text-based content, it’s
clear that video is the preferred
communication style for viewers.”
Sabrina Cote, Brainshark

16. 2
“We have shown it to a variety of folks … all seem
to agree – very easy to digest, good explanation
of who we are…I have actually heard folks say
‘wow’ after seeing it in a presentation…”
Adrienne Johnson, Executive Director, Virginia Navigator

17. 3
They’re Infectious
Videos are proving to be one
of the most effective types of
content to share.

18. 3
“Audiences are about 10 times more
likely to engage, embed, share, and
comment on video content than
blogs or related social posts.”
Rob Ciampa, Founder & CEO, Business Catalytics

19. 3 “We’ve used the video repeatedly on social
media with great results… Occasionally we
share it with prospective donors or existing
donors and partners share it on their
channels... ”
Hannah Ettema, Digital Communications Coordinator,
National Forest Foundation

20. 4
They’re Approachable
Animation can make even the most
abstract, or disturbing, idea easy to
grasp without being repulsive.
!

21. 4
“You can grab the audience’s attention
with good design and fun animation
and you’re able to accomplish things
that are much more difficult to achieve
with live action.”
Brad Chmielewski, LooseKeys

22. 4 These two videos highlight thorny
adolscent sexual health issues; teenage
brides, sexual abuse, access to
contraception. Live-action might be a bit
overkill in these cases.

23. 5
They’re Versatile
You’ll have evergreen content
useful in a variety of situations,
plus they’re flexible to produce and
repurpose afterwards.

24. 5 “Making changes to the script or how
something looked after the [live action]
production is over isn’t always easy.
Going back and fixing or changing
something could mean a lot of extra
costs. With live action video, booking
talent and crew for another day or more
of reshoots can be pricy.”
Alyce Currier, Wistia

25. 5
The first video in the No
Child For Sale campaign
for Worldvision laid out the
startling facts about child
trafficking around the world.
The next year, a follow-up
video was quickly produced
using the same raw materials.

26. 5
This video supporting
Post 9/11 veterans was
later used as the basis
for 4 other videos.

27. So, why would a nonprofit need an explainer?
They’re a versatile marketing tool
that grabs and holds attention while
expanding your campaign’s reach.
!

28. Ready to get
started on your
explainer video?
Chock full of worksheets and resources,
this handy guide walks you through the
9 simple questions you need to answer
before doing anything else.
Download the guide at
https://goo.gl/S2Ni2F
info@iamparagon.com IamParagon