ConnectVA 2013 Social Media for Nonprofits Conference breakout session with Greg Hofbauer of GroundWorks Design. A crash course in organizing, editing, and publishing rich media content (images, videos, audio), this session will look at some of today's low or no cost online tools that help your team effectively manage your content and use it to create engaging digital stories for your social media campaigns.

1. MANAGING YOUR RICH MEDIA CONTENT
Greg Hofbauer
December 5th,
2013
Twitter: @ghofbauer
greg@layingthegroundwork.co
m

2. Why is this important?
•
Streamline your process and save you
time.
•
Make the most of your content and
produce better results.
•
Enable more people involved in the
creative process.

3. The Basic Process
CAPTURE
STORE
EDIT
ASSEMBLE
TODAY‟S FOCUS
SHARE

4. STORE: Saving files in the
cloud

Storing your files in the cloud has many
advantages including:
 Files
are centrally located and easy to find
 Files are safe and secure, with backups and
version history
 Capturing and storing files from Smartphones
becomes much simpler.

PLUS, hosting your files in the cloud
encourages collaboration.

5. Dropbox

Dropbox is a free service that lets you
bring all your photos, docs, and videos
anywhere.


Dropbox makes sharing so easy.



This means that any file you save to your
Dropbox will automatically save to all your
computers, phones and even the Dropbox
website.
Invite your friends, family and teammates to
any folder in your Dropbox, and it'll be as if
you saved that folder straight to their
computers.
You can send people links to specific files in
your Dropbox too. This makes Dropbox
perfect for team projects, sharing party
photos with friends, or recording your band's
new album.
Dropbox keeps your files safe.

Even if your computer has a meltdown, your
stuff is always safe in Dropbox and can be
restored in a snap

6. Google Drive






Much like Dropbox…
With Google Drive, you can store
all your files in one place, so you
can access them from anywhere
and share them with others
Upload files to Google Drive
directly from your Android or iOS
device
Share any file with your contacts
Access files others have shared
with you on Google Drive
Files can automatically sync with
your computer, allowing easy
access via a typical file folder view.
http://drive.google.com

7. EDIT: Touching up photos

MANY choices of photo editing software
50+ apps for editing on a smartphone
 A wide range of downloadable programs from
Photoshop to Paint
 An even wider range of online editors and effect
generators (think Instagram filters)



It is always best to edit photos using a
computer vs. on a smartphone.
Tablets are ok too but are generally more
complex to access/save files.

8. Pixlr Express
FEATURES


Easily crop, resize, and rotate
images.
„Auto Fix‟ photos for a one-click
fix to balance out colors, adjusting
for dark photos and poor lighting
conditions.

Remove red-eye and whiten teeth
with simple tools.

Use effects to add drama,
sparkle, or a other looks.

Adjust contrast, brighten, or focus
on one color with a color splash.

Use Favorites to keep track of
your favorite effects and overlays.
Plus, create multiple photo collages in seco

9. ASSEMBLE: Bringing it all
together

VIDEOS



Take photos or small video clips and turn them into a
polished and engaging “full-length” video
A wide range of downloadable programs from iMovie to
Adobe Premiere
An even wider range of online editors, though a select few
have risen to the top:



YouTube Editor
Animoto (create videos from photos and clips)
INTERACTIVE STORYBOARDS

Narrable.com uses photos to create an interactive collage
and add audio commentary to each photo.

10. YouTube Video Editor
FEATURES
 Combine videos
 Add music
 Trim clips
 Insert transitions
 Rotate clips
 Stabilize clips
 Add text effects
www.youtube.com/editor

11. YouTube Nonprofit Program
YouTube wants to help you activate your cause, tell a compelling story, and
launch an effective campaign using video.
Benefits of joining

12. Animoto Video Creator
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
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Animoto is a very simple to
use video production tool
Bring together video clips,
photos, text, music and
create a professional
looking video
Import content from
Dropbox or upload from
your computer
Includes a range of
existing templates that you
can simply drag-and-drop
your content into
www.animoto.com

13. Animoto: Causes
How can Animoto help promote your cause?
 Automated, professional video


Drive traffic and donations


Use Animoto videos to convey a message with the right
balance of information and emotional connection.
Embrace the like-minded


Engage your audience with video, on your site and
elsewhere.
Spread your message to users on social networking sites
and capitalize on the power of social networks.
Fundraise through video

Raise money by reselling DVDs of Animoto videos, or kick off
events with big screen projections for powerful, emotional
messages.
http://www.animoto.com/cause

14. Narrable Creator


Narrable is a
storytelling platform
for the images and
voices that matter.
Narrable combines
images and
narration to tell a
compelling story via
an online interactive
collage.
www.narrable.com
Example Story

15. SCENARIOS
•
•
•
•
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#1: Photo + Camera
#2: Photo + Smartphone
#3: Video + Camera
#4: Video + Smartphone
#5: Animoto + Camera
#6: Narrable + Smartphone

16. Scenario #1: Photo + Camera
Capture photo(s) from camera and publish as is on social media
channels
Save photo(s) from the camera to your computer
(via cord or memory card) and place them into the
Dropbox or Google Drive folder on your computer.
Edit photo(s) using Pixlr.com/express
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
3.
Launch above website
Open photo from your computer using the “Browse”
option on Pixlr (note: photo should be in your Dropbox or
Google Drive folder)
Apply edits and get creative!
Save to same or different Dropbox or Google Drive folder
on your computer
Publish photo(s) to social media channels using a
computer and your typical publishing process
Note: Storing photo(s) in Dropbox or Google Drive is optional but recommended in this

17. Scenario #2: Photo + Smartphone
Capture photo(s) from smartphone and publish as is on social media
channels
1.
Share/Save photo(s) from the smartphone to
a folder in your Dropbox or Google Drive
account


2.
Edit photo(s) from your computer using
Pixlr.com/express

3.
These files will be initially saved in the cloud.
They will then automatically „sync‟ (download) to your
Dropbox or Google Drive folder on your computer.
See Scenario #1, Step 2 for details.
Publish photo(s) to social media channels
using a computer and your typical publishing
process
Note: Storing photo(s) in Dropbox or Google Drive is required.

18. Scenario #3: Video + Camera
Capture video from camera and publish as is on social media
channels
1.
2.
3.
4.

Save the video from the camera to your computer (via cord
or memory card) and place it into the Dropbox or Google
Drive folder on your computer.
Upload to your organization‟s Youtube.com channel.
Edit the video using YouTube‟s built-in tools such as
stabilization, cropping, and more.
Publish a link to the YouTube video to social media
channels using a computer and your typical publishing
process
Even better: After publishing to YouTube, embed the
Youtube video on a blog or webpage and publish a link to
that webpage.

This approach drives more traffic directly to your website instead of
to YouTube.
Note: Storing photo(s) in Dropbox or Google Drive is optional but recommended in this

19. Scenario #4: Video + Smartphone
Capture video from smartphone and publish as is on social media
channels
1.
Share/Save the video from the smartphone to a folder in
your Dropbox or Google Drive account



2.
3.

This file will be initially saved in the cloud.
It will then automatically „sync‟ (download) to your Dropbox or
Google Drive folder on your computer.
It may be best to sync video when you have a WiFi connection,
depending on the size (length x quality) of the video
Upload to your organization‟s Youtube.com channel.
Publish a link to the YouTube video to social media
channels using a computer and your typical publishing
process
Even better: After publishing to YouTube, embed the
Youtube video on a blog or webpage and publish a link to
that webpage.

This approach drives more traffic directly to your website instead of
to YouTube.
Note: Storing photo(s) in Dropbox or Google Drive is required.

20. Scenario #5: Animoto + Camera
Capture photos/videos from camera, assemble an Animoto video,
and publish on social media channels
Save the photos/video from the camera to your computer (via cord or memory
card) and place it into the Dropbox or Google Drive folder on your computer.
Edit photo(s) from your computer using Pixlr.com/express
Assemble a new video montage using Animoto.com on your computer.
1.
2.
3.
Open the above website, register if necessary, and begin by creating a new video.
If using Dropbox, import files directly to Animoto using their import wizard.
If using Google Drive, upload the files to Animoto from your computer (files will be located
in your Google Drive folder on your computer)
Pick a theme, arrange and organize clips, add text and transitions, select music, and most
of all BE CREATIVE!
Save and „Produce‟ the video.
Keeping Animoto open, in another browser window log into your organization‟s YouTube
account.
Switch back to Animoto and Export/Publish the montage video to YouTube.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
4.

Publish a link to the YouTube video to social media channels using a computer
and your typical publishing process
Even better: After publishing to YouTube, embed the Youtube video on a blog or
webpage and publish a link to that webpage.

This approach drives more traffic directly to your website instead of to YouTube.
Note: Storing photo(s) in Dropbox or Google Drive is optional but recommended in this

21. Scenario #6: Narrable +
Smartphone
Capture photos/audio from phone, assemble a Narrable story, and
publish on social media channels
Share/Save the photos from the smartphone to a folder in your Dropbox or Google
Drive account
Edit photos from your computer using Pixlr.com/express as necessary
Assemble a new Narrable.com story on your computer.
1.
2.
3.
Open the above website, register if necessary, and begin by creating a new Narrable.
Upload the photos to Narrable from your computer (files will be located in your Dropbox or
Google Drive folder on your computer)
Arrange and organize clips, resizing as desired.
Add audio commentary to some or all the photos by either recording from your computer or
have Narrable call your phone to record.
COLLABORATE: Invite others to add their commentary to a specific image.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

4.
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Must have Group Narrable upgrade (contact greg@layingthegroundwork.com to get this
setup for FREE)
Publish a link to the Narrable to social media channels using a computer and your
typical publishing process
Even better: Embed the Narrable story player on a blog or webpage and publish a
link to that webpage.

This approach drives more traffic directly to your website instead of to YouTube.
Note: Storing photo(s) in Dropbox or Google Drive is required.

22. Q&A

23. APPENDIX
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•
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The Golden Rules of Storytelling
7 Elements of Digital Storytelling
Additional Resources

24. The Golden Rules
Keep it short
• Powerful stories are often under 2 minutes long. The
effort you put into keeping it short will go a long way in
helping you focus your message
Keep it simple
• Try to focus on one main topic (an event, one person's
story , a lesson, a testimonial). It's easier to get excited
about a video that is focused.
Be genuine
• Viewers want to connect with the work that your
organization is doing. Focus on content that is compelling
rather than what's cool
Keep it fluid
• Beginning-Middle-End: Catch the audience at the
beginning and explain what is happening, build emotion in
the middle, and come to some sort of resolution at the
end
Keep it moving
Keep it interesting
• Video and photos show the story but don‟t forget the
importance of audio. Audio adds emotion.
• Wide shots - establishes the scene
• Medium shot - gives more intimacy
• Close-up - for emotion and direct connection

25. 7 Elements of Digital
Storytelling
Point of View

What is the main point of the story and what is the perspective of the author?
A Dramatic Question

A key question that keeps the viewer's attention and will be answered by the end
of the story.
Emotional Content

Serious issues that come alive in a personal and powerful way and connects the
story to the audience.
The Gift of Your Voice

A way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context.
The Power of the Soundtrack

Music or other sounds that support and embellish the storyline.
Economy

Using just enough content to tell the story without overloading the viewer.
Pacing

The rhythm of the story and how slowly or quickly it progresses.
Source: The Center for Digital Storytelling (http://www.storycenter.org/)

26. Additional Resources

GroundWork Design


Vimeo's Video School

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A YouTube playlist of short videos about making videos.
How to Create a Digital Story

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This slide deck from See3 Communications covers how to approach video,
making a plan, the different types of video storytelling, and four things you can do
right now to get started. See slides 12 and 13 for important questions to ask
before making your video.
See3's Guide to Online Video
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
Learn how to make better videos through lessons, tutorials, and sage advice
Video Storytelling for Nonprofits
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
Technology consulting and development firm specialize in Virtual experience and
digital storytelling
Includes the recorded webinar, powerpoint, a storyboarding worksheet, and a
video release form. See also Tools for Digital Storytelling, or check out more
of TechSoup's storytelling webinars under the "Outreach and Marketing"
category.
How Nonprofits Can Use Video to Fundraise