Nonprofit Communications: Writing For A Better World

By James D’Ambrosio

If your nonprofit uses YouTube to broadcast videos, or plans to in the future, there’s a program that can enhance your efforts.

The YouTube Nonprofit Program — available in the U.S., UK, Canada and Australia — is an excellent way to bolster your agency’s social impact broadcasting messages to supporters, donors and volunteers, and attracting new people to your cause. More than 10,000 nonprofits now use the program. 

PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Here’s what the program has to offer: 

DONATE BUTTON: Visitors can use your channel’s ‘Donate’ button to support your cause directly from your videos.

CHANNEL BRANDING: Premium branding benefits — custom thumbnails and logo avatars — aligning with your brand’s image.

VIDEO ANNOTATIONS: Incorporate annotations (explanatory text) into videos encouraging viewers to visit your Web site or subscribe to your channel.

LIVE STREAMING: Report live from special events and conferences.

CALL-TO-ACTION OVERLAYS: Place a call-to-action that viewers can click to visit your Web site and learn more.

COMMUNITY FORUM: Exchange ideas and information with professionals in the Nonprofits Forum.

THE POWER AND REACH OF VIDEO

Consider the power and reach of this medium as documented by Jeff Bullas, a blogger, speaker and social media strategist (www.jeffbullas.com):

♦  In 2011, YouTube had more than 1 trillion views; 140 for each person in the world.

♦ More video is uploaded to YouTube in one month than the three major U.S. networks created in 60 years.

♦ Over 4 billion videos are viewed daily.

♦ 500 years of YouTube video are watched each day on Facebook and 700+ videos are shared on Twitter every minute.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS/APPLICATION PROCESS 

To be eligible for the program, your agency must a) hold 501 (c)(3) status recognized by the Internal Revenue Service or have federally-registered nonprofit status in the UK, Australia or Canada, and b) acknowledge and agree to the application’s required certifications regarding nondiscrimination and donation receipt and use; and c) have a YouTube channel and Google Account (Google purchased YouTube in 2006). Follow instructions in your Google For Nonprofits acceptance e-mail (assuming your accepted).

The following types of organizations are NOT eligible: a) government entities and organizations; b) hospitals and health care organizations; and c) schools, childcare centers, academic institutions and universities (philanthropic arms of educational organizations ARE eligible).

Learn more and apply here: www.youtube.com/nonprofits

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QUESTIONS TO READERS

If you’re using this program, has it been helpful? 

If you’re not using this program, are you inclined to apply?

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Increasing YouTube ROI, Maximizing YouTube, Nonprofits and YouTube, Optimizing YouTube, Power and Reach of You Tube, YouTube, YouTube Nonprofit Channel, YouTube Nonprofit Program |