Why Your Nonprofit Should Create an Impact Video
Nonprofits do incredible work. However, effectively communicating the impact can be challenging, and people want to know their contributions are making a difference. Without clear evidence, all of the results can feel a bit abstract.
Sharing successes through annual reports and newsletters is a great way to connect with your audience and provide them with insight. But, this kind of text-heavy data can miss out on the emotional and tangible proof donors and stakeholders want to see. That’s where impact videos come in!
If you work for a nonprofit, discover how to make impact videos a core part of your communication strategy.
Why share your impact?
Though the primary concern of a nonprofit is the people you’re helping, the stakeholders, donors, and grant providers want to ensure their money, time, and resources are actually benefitting the cause.
While stakeholders may demand transparency and accountability, your grant providers and partners want to see measurable proof of impact so they can continue to assist you in the future. More importantly, supporters and potential advocates seek emotional connection.
Written reports and statistics can only go so far. People connect with stories. Impact videos can transform your nonprofit’s work into a compelling visual story that resonates deeply with your audience.
Types of impact videos that make a difference
Impact videos go beyond words to demonstrate the difference you’re making while inspiring trust, loyalty, and action. Wondering what kind of impact video will work best for your nonprofit? Here are a few ideas:
1) Share before and after stories that demonstrate real transformation. One of the most effective ways to demonstrate impact is by highlighting an individual, a community, or an environment before and after your nonprofit’s intervention. For example, a healthcare initiative can highlight someone’s story before and after they received a life-changing treatment. This type of video not only puts the spotlight on what you’re doing but how it’s affecting people’s lives.
2) Have beneficiaries share testimonials. Hearing directly from the people who benefit most is a great way to build trust around your organization. First-person accounts feel genuine, relatable, and emotionally powerful. For example, a scholarship recipient could share how access to education changed their life.
3) Prove your impact with visual data. Personal stories harness emotional connection, but data backs all of that up with credibility. Numbers and statistics that demonstrate measurable outcomes help reinforce the effectiveness of what your nonprofit does. For example, a nonprofit focused on clean water could show the percentage increase in clean water access in a community over time. Providing this information gives donors and stakeholders confidence in your work.
4) Use a strong call to action. When you create an impact video, you want to end it in a way that inspires viewers to take the next step. Any impact video should motivate action whether you’re looking for donations, volunteers, or information to spread. Tell the people exactly what you want, like “With your help, we can bring hope to even more families. Donate today.”
Why impact videos work
When handled with tact, care, and authenticity, impact videos engage your audience emotionally and visually. Because of this, your audience is more likely to remember what your nonprofit does as opposed to just the numbers themselves.
Plus, impact videos can increase your nonprofit’s credibility. Being transparent with donors, stakeholders, and potential investors allows them to see the impact of their contributions and will encourage them to continue supporting your cause.
Finally, impact videos can ultimately drive even more engagement and donations. Since video content gets more shares and interactions than text-based content, you’ll want to work with a nonprofit video production company that can create a meaningful, high-quality video that moves people to act.
