Agitator readers know I champion online video as a key part of the fundraising kit.
Here’s why.
Look at this video series — Stove Man — from The Paradigm Project.
The mission here is getting villagers in Africa to use very basic woodburning stoves instead of open fires to cook in their huts. Huge health and environmental gains from doing so.
Now, I can imagine a direct mail letter that described this scenario in a vivid fashion. But it would take an uncommon copywriter, with the picture-painting skills of a first-rate novelist.
And of course it wouldn’t have the impact of you (the donor) actually being there firsthand. With the video, you’re still not in the hut coughing, with running nose and burning eyes. But you’re awfully damn close!
Pretty powerful stuff.
The folks at The Paradigm Project deserve a raise!
Tom Belford
This article was posted in: communications, Don't Miss these Posts, online fundraising, online video, You Deserve a Raise.
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Very cool – I finished the video thinking “How can I find out when the next episode is published?” Mission accomplished Paradigm Project.
it’s way too long. after 3 minutes 14 seconds I was out of there. never got the impact.
One of the best examples of the new style of DIY nonprofit with integrated fundraising and communications strategy. These guys knock it out of the park!
How many of us work at nonprofits that could afford their production value? It’s clearly a professionally produced piece, which is great, but costly. And I agree with Lori, way too long.
To me it felt like these videos were too much about Greg and Austin. The sticks hurt their backs and the smoke hurt their eyes, but the natives appear happy and even efficient in their rural, low-tech chores. It does not translate that because Greg doesn’t like the smoke at the door that the Africans are suffering. Therefor the need is not compelling, or even all that apparent. The videos are lively and well produced, but I don’t find them emotionally engaging.
I thought these videos were GREAT–engaging, fun, illustrated the problem well and a solution. But I told my husband, who is a West African, about it, and his question was, “Well, are these stoves what these people really want? Did they ask them?” And I wasn’t sure how to answer that question!