Do you repel your donors?
Stay tuned for a list of the top phrases that your nonprofit should ban from all communication. We’ll have some fun but also make a series statement about making sure you’re being heard.
Coming Soon….
August 25, 2011
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Posted by Ken Okel
What’s Wrong With This Picture
May 7, 2011With improvements to cell phone cameras, it’s easier than ever for nonprofits to take pictures of volunteers and donors. Yet very often these shots look like they belong at awkwardfamilyphotos.com.
The problem is that the photographer just has a group of volunteers line up next to each other. “Click,” goes the shutter and another boring photo is born.
This kind of lineup doesn’t convey energy or enthusiasm, which is what you want to give to your supporters.
If you must take shots of the lineup, take an additional picture where you ask the group to cheer. Then compare the ordinary picture to the cheering one.
Which one produces more of a reaction in you? Which one do you think would make a donor stop and check out? Which do you think would make a donor forward a copy to friends and family?
I’m also a big fan of candid shots at your events. Try to get away from so many posed photos, like check presentations. Take me behind the scenes.
Show people doing things, especially as it relates to your mission. If your group has just held a food collection drive, can you take a picture of your volunteers surrounded by cans? Get creative.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good picture.
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Posted by Ken Okel
Let’s Talk…
March 7, 2011
I keep hearing about nonprofits that are struggling with social media. You’re job is hard enough without not knowing how to use these free and powerful tools.
I want to offer you the opportunity to pick my brain for 30 minutes. We’ll talk through Skype or over the phone and you can ask me whatever you like about social media. This is a chance for you to learn. I won’t be selling anything. It’s all about helping you.
In my career, I’ve benefited from the wisdom and generosity of others and I want to continue the tradition.
Contact me to set up your call. I’ll take the first five to sign up.
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Posted by Ken Okel
Did You Notice This…
February 18, 2011During the Superbowl, I noticed a couple of interesting things when it came to advertisements. As you know, companies pay big bucks to have an ad on during the game. They want to make sure they get as much bang for the buck.
The first thing that I realized is that many companies don’t wait until the big game before releasing the spots. Several days earlier, Volkswagen released this spot through YouTube:
The idea was to get people talking about the commercial ahead of time. In a sea of commercials during the Superbowl, it’s more likely that people will shush their friends and have them watch the spot.
It’s not rare to see a commercial that does not have a web address, Facebook, or Twitter address appear at the end. The goal is to engage the audience as well as measure their reaction to the ad. This kind of thing can make a message, stick, instead of being entertaining and then forgotten.
If the big companies are using the same basic social media tools to maximize their million dollar advertisement accounts, then why aren’t you taking advantage of them as well?
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Posted by Ken Okel
Proof that Video Matters
January 16, 2011The story of the golden voiced homeless man, Ted Williams, swept across the nation. Suddenly the fall, rise, and possible fall of a man became part of the national discussion.
The story was captured with an inexpensive Flip video camera by a newspaper reporter. Would the story have had the same impact if it was only printed in a newspaper? No, you really had to see and hear Williams to get the full impact of the story.
Take advantage of video to spread your message. As we saw with Williams, you don’t need to have fancy production values to make a splash with the public.
Additional Resources:
- Click here for Five Reasons Why Your Social Media Strategy Fails.
- Before You Shoot Your 1st YouTube Video
- YouTube Tips
- Nonprofit Video Example
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Posted by Ken Okel
Can’t Afford Video… Get Creative
December 14, 2010Do you have a great speaker at your next event but can’t afford to video tape them? Why not consider this low cost alternative? In the clip below, I used a digital audio recorder to record a short presentation. Then I took the mp3 recording and put it in a video editor. Then I added still photos to “cover” the black spots.
Now I have a video that I can post on YouTube and share with my supporters. In your case, you can use photos from your nonprofit’s event as your wallpaper video.
Don’t let a small budget limit your creativity.
Additional Resources:
- Click here for Five Reasons Why Your Social Media Strategy Fails.
- Before You Shoot Your 1st YouTube Video
- YouTube Tips
- Nonprofit Video Example
Leave a Comment » | nonprofit fundraising, social marketing, social media, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, youtube | Tagged: cheap videos for nonprofits, Florida speaker, ken okel, Social Media for nonprofits, video tips, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
More YouTube Magic
September 19, 2010A video does not have to be long or expensive to connect with your customers and supporters. It’s a great tool to have in your nonprofit toolbox. Below, you’ll see a short video I put together to promote my speaking services:
The idea is to give a taste of what you’re about and the leave the viewer wanting to know more. The original cut of the video was about 90 seconds long. I’ve trimmed it down to less than a minute by making sure that I was leaving in only the most important material.
Can you craft your nonprofit’s mission into a message that lasts less than one minute? I used a lot of quick edits but you don’t have to do that. My goal was to keep the energy high, even though it only featured one person.
Additional Resources:
Leave a Comment » | social marketing, social media, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, Uncategorized, youtube | Tagged: convention speaker, Florida, how to use video in social media, inexpensive videos, ken okel, nonprofit videos, short YouTube videos, Social Media for nonprofits, youtube videos | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
How Long Should My YouTube Video Be? Update
August 25, 2010Are you ready to take you use of YouTube to the next level? Then you’ll want to check out this great resource.
Additional Resources
- Click here for Five Reasons Why Your Social Media Strategy Fails.
- Before You Shoot Your 1st YouTube Video
- YouTube Tips
- Nonprofit Video Example
- So who is Ken Okel?
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Posted by Ken Okel
Read This
August 22, 2010It’s a tough time for nonprofits and I want to pass on some marketing advice. Follow this link to read a two part article that will change the way you think of potential supporters of your organization. While the it was written for the sales world, you’ll find a ton of applications for the nonprofit world.
Nowadays you have to be strategic. Let me know what you think.
Additional Resources:
Leave a Comment » | nonprofit fundraising, Social Media for nonprofits, Uncategorized | Tagged: communication, ken okel, nonprofit communication, nonprofit marketing, Social Media for nonprofits | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
Want to Boost Your Website?
July 28, 2010Several studies have found that you have less than 10 seconds to capture a visitor’s attention on your hompage. So despite the fact that you’ve designed a wonderful website, they may never see anything more than the homepage. How do you get them to stick around and look around? Embed a welcome video on your homepage.
This is easy to do with YouTube. The video doesn’t have to be long. In fact, it can be better if it’s less than 30 seconds. Welcome people, put a face on your organization, and tell them a quick fact or two. That’s all you need to do. Click here to see an example of this kind of welcome video from my speaking website.
Additional Resources:
Leave a Comment » | social marketing, social media, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, Uncategorized, youtube | Tagged: communication, ken okel, nonprofit communication, nonprofit marketing, Social Media for nonprofits, youtube, youtube ideas | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
