How to Get Started with Nonprofit Video Production on LinkedIn Right Now
Investing in nonprofit video production is an increasingly valuable marketing strategy, helping organizations achieve a variety of goals by meeting their audiences where they are. On LinkedIn, video is the fastest growing format, with uploads up 34% year-over-year, so if you haven’t explored this storytelling avenue yet, now is the perfect time to start.
In the past, creating videos may have been a major resource drain for nonprofits, requiring specialized equipment and editing software. But with modern smartphone technology, you probably already have all the resources you need to start exploring nonprofit video production right at your fingertips. Here’s how to make it happen, step by step:
Step 1: Recording the video
One of the most common misconceptions about producing video is that it requires expensive equipment. The truth is, if your team has a phone and a laptop at its disposal, you have everything you need to get started.
First, decide what you want your video to cover. Check out our blog post on nonprofit video storytelling for ideas.
Next, gather the people you want to be in front of the camera and grab your phone. Most modern smartphones have cameras that are more than high enough quality to produce a respectable video. In fact, given that most people watching videos online watch them on their phone, it’s a natural fit.
When you’re ready to hit record, film in the 9:16 aspect ratio by holding the phone vertically. This orientation is ideal for viewability on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
Tips for recording:
Record in a quiet, well-lit space: Minimizing background noise and having a light source in front of your subject, rather than behind, will help ensure your videos look and sound good. If you can secure a small budget for video production, consider investing in a ring light and lavalier microphone, which can often be found for under $20 each and can make a huge difference for your videos.
Make it timely: Depending on your strategy, your video content may include well-researched thought leadership that requires time to script and produce. But it can also include quick-win videos about what your team is up to right now to help welcome supporters into your world. Film events, pledge drives, or even just interesting days at the office. Just make sure you have permission from the people being filmed before you post a video.
- Keep it short: Where possible, aim to keep your videos under 60 seconds to retain your audience’s attention.
Step 2: Editing the video
Some videos may not need to be edited at all. But when you do want to make a few adjustments or enhancements, there are plenty of free video editing software apps available online, many of which you don’t even need to download to your computer to use. A simple Google search for “free video editing software” will help you find some — Canva and CapCut are great choices for beginners.
When you’ve found an editing app you like, transfer your video from your phone to the computer you’re using to edit it. From there, upload the video file into the editing software to get started.
Tips for editing:
Keep it simple: Avoid the temptation to over-edit. Focus on getting the message across as simply and clearly as possible.
Grab and hold your viewers’ attention early: Get to the point quickly, trim your video if it feels too long, and try to open with an exciting or interesting first shot.
- Make it look natural:While some videos may benefit from effects or transitions, it’s best to ensure your edits aren’t jarring.
Step 3: Posting the video on LinkedIn
Now that you have your edited video, you’re ready to post it on your platform of choices. Follow these steps when posting on LinkedIn:
Make sure you’re logged into LinkedIn and are an admin of your nonprofit’s LinkedIn Page. (Learn more about admin access here.)
From the admin dashboard of your organization’s LinkedIn Page, click the “+ Create” button and select “Start a post.”
Click the option to “Add media” and select your video file.
After the video uploads successfully, use the editor tool to add a title, turn auto captions on or off, and upload your own thumbnail if you prefer. Then, click “Next.”
Write some post copy to accompany the video.
When you’re happy, click “post.” It may take a few minutes for your video to appear on your Page, especially if the file is large.
You can also schedule a video to post later if you want to ensure it goes up at a specific time.
Tips for posting:
Provide context: Giving your video a title and including some concise, compelling post copy can help viewers to quickly understand the context of your video, making them more likely to stop scrolling and watch.
Tag participants: Does your video feature team members or supports? Tag them in the post copy (with their permission) to encourage them to engage with your video and share it with their networks. This is also a great strategy for employee and volunteer recognition.
- Add captions: Captions help ensure that your video can be enjoyed by LinkedIn members who are deaf or hard of hearing, while also making it easier for people to watch the video with the sound off. LinkedIn will automatically turn on captions, but you can turn them off if you have added your own during the editing phase.
Nonprofit video production doesn’t have to be expensive to make a big difference for your organization. By following these steps and creating content that captures the passion and values that define your nonprofit, you can engage potential supporters in a way that feels authentic, helping them feel more connected to your cause.
Ready to take your nonprofit video production to the next level? If your team uses LinkedIn Learning, check out the course Creating Video for a Nonprofit, featuring an example from a real nonprofit.
