Google "Nonprofit videos". The first page (for me) is a list of pages titled "inspiring videos" and "tips for storytelling" etc.
DON'T blindly follow those tips! Look out for these:
- Causal fallacy. Many say "78% of internet users prefer videos, so nonprofit videos are a good idea". This misses the how/why of videos. Just because people wear shoes does NOT mean you should sell shoes.
- Bandwagon. Many say "storytelling has been around forever" and "storytelling impact is undeniable" and leave it at that — no proof. It leaves out the mechanisms of delivery. A story designed for a campfire is not the same for video. There is a reason people spend lifetimes writing books unable to sell a copy. It's just not that easy.
- They are selling you something. Want storytelling tips and inspirational ideas? They give the tactic, but not the strategy. That's not the worst thing; the bad thing is to misrepresent the advice as a silver bullet, then you implement it and waste resources. NOTE: that includes me! Take my advice with a grain of salt.
I don't have a solution here. All I can say is to look at your stakeholder journeys and ask "what will work for them" and "what will meet them where they are".
For more stuff like this in your inbox, please subscribe here :)
Disclaimer: Don't take me (or anyone) else too seriously. Industry culture, opinions, and ideas change over time. Learning never stops.
Comments