Videos for Dummies (and for only $100!)

April 2018 Newsletter

Videos for Dummies (and for only $100)

Creating a video can seem like a daunting challenge for many nonprofits, especially ones with tight resources - financial and human. At the same time, video is an essential tool for connecting with people today. That's where Animoto comes in. All you need is a good idea, some photos, a tiny bit of text and an hour or two at your computer - no prior knowledge, experience or video editing experience necessary!

What is Animoto?

Animoto is a cloud-based video creation service that produces video from photos, video clips, and music. It ' s a short video, light on text that conveys the message quickly to your audience who will most likely watch it on their phones and share it on social media. Animoto offers a free trial, and after that plans are available from under $100 per year.

How does it work?

You can start with a template or from scratch and add/delete slides as you need them.
Formatting options are limited, which makes the program easy to use.
Background and text colors can be changed to match your corporate identity/organization colors.
Word count is limited but it's for your own good.
You can choose different background music or record your own text for the video.

Our tips for you:

People are looking at these as quick videos on their phones so stay light on text and short on time - a minute to 90 seconds max.
Don't try to use a word-heavy graphic as a workaround to the system's text constraints - when it comes to text, less is more.
Spread your message across multiple "slides" using more images that support the text and pack a punch.
Make sure your pictures and logos are high resolution.
Find the right music - rhythm, beat and tempo make a big difference in people's perception.

Check out few examples of videos we created for AMSNY, Amud Aish, and the Girl Scouts of Greater New York.

Pitching Notes: Mark Chiusano,

Editorial Writer/Columnist,

amNY

This month, we'd like to introduce you to Mark Chiusano. Mark writes the Tuesday to Thursday column amExpress for amNY. He's an editorial writer and columnist for Newsday and amNY, and my book of stories "Marine Park," received an honorable mention for the PEN/Hemingway Award.

Where did you grow up?

Brooklyn!

For those not familiar with Newsday & amNY, give us some insight into the publications, and what you cover.

Newsday owns amNY and the papers share an editorial board (so I write for both). Some stories about city and national issues run both ways, ditto with the editorials.

What types of news stories do you personally cover?

I cover all sorts of city issues in my column, including housing, criminal justice issues, immigration, NYC culture, and local politics.

You are also a published author. Tell us how that project affected the work you do as an editorial board member.

Quicker deadlines in the day job ! Most of my fiction is about NYC as well so there are actually a lot of overlaps, joking aside.

We focus on nonprofits. Give us some advice on how nonprofits should pitch you or colleagues.

Always helpful to be able to speak to the experts who can give background info on knotty city/budget/policy issues.

What is one of the favorite stories you covered, and why?

A series of columns on Puerto Rican hurricane victims trying to navigate NYC after Hurricane Maria. Their stories weren't getting told elsewhere.

How should people reach you or a colleague to pitch a story?

Always happy (best really) to hop on the phone, but when pitching an emails works well. If it's personal, we'll see it.

You can sign up for Mark's column at www.amny.com/amexpress.

Welcome Jake Oliver

Jake Oliver joined us this February, after working for over three years at The TASC Group, where he managed media relations and crisis communications campaigns for clients in the nonprofit, labor, financial services and health care fields.

Prior to that he worked in New York City politics and government, where he served as Chief of Staff to a member of the New York City Council and as a communications aide on a number of successful campaigns that elected candidates for City, State, and Federal offices.

Jake received his BA from Drew University and his MS in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from The New School. He is a native New Yorker, and lives with his wife in Astoria.

Our Clients Are In The News!

Our nonprofits have been busy! Check out examples of recent press stories we've placed. To see more that we have worked on over the last month, visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/NonProfitTalk/

The Alliance for Positive Change

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