Why Non-Profits Need Marketing (And How Video Can Help)

Non-profit organizations are often driven by a noble mission: to make a positive difference in the world. Whether it’s fighting poverty, promoting education, providing healthcare or supporting human rights, non-profits have a lot to offer to their communities and beyond.

Filming Diocese of Rockford Annual Appeal

But having a good cause is not enough to succeed in today’s competitive and crowded marketplace. Non-profits also need marketing: the process of communicating their value proposition to their target audience and persuading them to take action.

Marketing can help non-profits achieve various goals, such as:

• Raising awareness and visibility for their cause

• Building trust and credibility with their stakeholders

• Attracting and retaining donors, volunteers, partners, and beneficiaries

• Educating and informing their audience about their impact and challenges

• Inspiring and mobilizing their supporters to advocate for their cause

• Differentiating themselves from other similar or competing organizations

However, marketing can also be challenging for non-profits. They often face limited resources, budget constraints, regulatory restrictions, and high expectations from their audience. They also have to compete with other non-profits and for-profit businesses for attention and engagement.

That’s why non-profits need to be strategic and creative in their marketing efforts. They need to use the right tools and channels that can help them reach and connect with their audience effectively.

One of the most powerful tools that non-profits can use is video.

• Video is visual. We process visual content 60,000 times faster than written content. We also remember more content longer. That means video can help you capture your audience’s attention quickly and leave a lasting impression on them.

• Video is personal. It inspires empathy and emotions, which can’t be said about other types of marketing. Video can help you tell your story in an authentic way that resonates with your audience. It can also showcase your impact by featuring real people who benefit from your work.

• Video is educational. Many organizations need to educate their communities on their causes in order to garner attention and funding. Video can help you do that by explaining complex issues in simple terms using visuals, animations, narration, or interviews.

• Video is shareable. 92% of consumers on mobile have shared videos with others. Consumers love sharing videos especially those that inspire them. Video can help you spread your message far beyond your own network by encouraging your supporters to share it with their friends and family.

• Video is interesting. 60% of people report that video is a media they consume thoroughly. Keep your visitors, followers and supporters engaged and interested using video.

As you can see video has many benefits for non-profit marketing but how do you create effective videos?

That’s where we come in!

We are Creative Images. A small video production company that helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for non-profit organizations.

We can help you create different types of videos such as:

• Explainer videos: These are short videos that explain what you do why it matters, how it works etc.

• Testimonial videos: These are videos that feature real people who have benefited from your work or support your cause, sharing their stories, experiences, feedback etc.

• Fundraising videos: These are videos that ask for donations or support from your audience, highlighting your achievements, needs, urgency, etc.

• Awareness videos: These are videos that raise awareness about an issue, problem challenge, etc., related to your cause. It can provide facts, statistics, solutions etc.

• Event videos: These are videos that capture, document, promote, or celebrate an event related to your cause such as a conference, workshop, gala, etc.

Contact us today to learn more. We would love to work with you on your next video project!

Maximizing Your Trade Show ROI: How Testimonials Can Drive Sales and Engagement

As a video production company owner, I've been hired for many different projects over the past 30 years. One job, in particular, stands out to me - it was for a manufacturer of bovine ultrasound machines for vets. The machines were unique and expensive, with a price tag of around $10,000.

The challenge was how to collect lots of raving testimonials from people, even if they didn’t own the machine. The marketing firm had a brilliant idea: a contest during the trade show! Participants could win the machine by providing a testimonial and answering questions like "How much would you like to have this machine? How would it help your business? How would you use it? Would your customers benefit from it?" This strategy provided glowing reviews about the product, even from people who had never used it before.

Over two days, we recorded about 180 testimonials. The cost per testimonial might seem expensive considering they were giving away a $10,000 machine for them. That came to around $55 per testimonial, but the value to the business was significantly higher. Not only did it provide valuable feedback on the product, but it also generated excitement and buzz around the contest. People were eager to win, especially when they knew the odds of winning weren't one in a million, but one in 180.

But that's not all. The testimonials also gave the ultrasound company enormous amounts of material for social media posts. One testimonial could provide one to three short videos, which could be shared on various platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This allowed the company to showcase their product and build excitement around the contest. By repurposing the testimonials in this way, they were able to create a steady stream of engaging content for their followers, which helped to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.

This strategy of capturing testimonials at trade shows is a great idea for any business. It allows potential customers to hear from others who have already used your product or service, and it generates excitement and interest. As a video production company, we've filmed testimonials for many different types of businesses, and we know how to make them look and sound great.

If you're thinking about capturing testimonials at your next trade show, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Make it easy for people to participate - provide clear instructions and a simple process.

2. Offer an incentive, like a prize or discount, to encourage participation.

3. Ask open-ended questions that allow people to provide detailed feedback.

4. Be prepared to film a lot of testimonials - the more you have, the better!

At Creative Images, we're experts at capturing product testimonials at trade shows and other events. We can help you develop a strategy that will generate excitement and engagement around your product or service. If you're interested in learning more about our services, please contact us today.

5 Ways Video Can Boost Your Business

In today's digital age, businesses need to leverage all available tools to attract and retain customers. One such tool is video. Video has become an increasingly popular way for businesses to convey important information about their products and services. Here at Creative Images, we've seen firsthand the power of video and how it can help businesses succeed. In this post, we'll explore how videos can boost your business and share some insights from our experience as a video production company.

Simple Product Training

Videos Help Clients Understand Products and Services

One of the primary benefits of video is its ability to deliver valuable information about a company's products or services. Videos can help clients understand the features and benefits of the products and build brand confidence. By creating high-quality videos with compelling scripts, businesses can enhance the likelihood of securing a sale and improve customer satisfaction. At Creative Images, we work closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and create videos that effectively convey their message.

Videos Build Relationships and Boost Sales

In addition to helping clients understand products and services, videos can also serve as a powerful marketing tool. Videos can be used to attract potential customers, social media followers, and newsletter subscribers. By creating a steady stream of engaging content with calls to action, limited-time offers, shoppable posts, or testimonials, businesses can convert window shoppers into customers. Good videos build better relationships, produce repeat business, and bring more referrals.

Videos Can Enhance Your Brand and Culture

Videos can also be used to showcase a company's brand and culture. People buy when they feel confident in the brand, so introducing them to your business by showcasing your products or services, where your team works, or what your company has accomplished is going to be an important factor in getting them on board. Videos can also be a great way to differentiate your brand from competitors and showcase your creativity and expertise.

Videos Can Improve SEO and Provide Customer Support

Videos can also improve your website's search engine rankings, as search engines prioritize sites with video content. Including videos on your website can increase your organic traffic, resulting in better exposure and more business. Videos can also be a great way to offer support and assistance to customers. By creating videos that address common customer questions or issues, you can provide helpful information that can save time and money for both the customer and the business.

Videos Can Be Used for Employee Training

Finally, videos can be a valuable tool for employee training. Whether it's an orientation video or a training video for a new product, videos can provide consistent and comprehensive information to employees, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. At Creative Images, we work with businesses to create custom training videos that effectively convey important information to employees.

In conclusion, videos can be a powerful tool for businesses looking to boost their brand, improve customer relationships, and increase sales. At Creative Images, we specialize in creating high-quality videos that meet our clients' unique needs. Whether you're looking to create a product video, a promotional video, or a training video, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business succeed.

Using Video to Humanize Your Brand and Build Trust with Customers

As a video production company with decades of experience, we at Creative Images have seen first-hand the transformative power of video in building brand awareness and establishing trust with customers. In today's digital age, it's more important than ever for businesses to stand out from the crowd and connect with consumers on a personal level. That's where video comes in.

Video provides an unparalleled opportunity to showcase your brand's unique personality, values, and mission, while also allowing you to connect with your audience in a way that's dynamic and engaging. Whether it's through employee profiles, customer testimonials, or behind-the-scenes looks at your business, video can help humanize your brand and build a stronger relationship with your customers.

Employee Recruitment

Employee profiles are an excellent way to showcase the faces behind your brand and give customers a deeper understanding of who you are as a company. These videos can feature interviews with individual employees, highlighting their role at the company and what they bring to the table. This type of content not only helps customers feel more connected to your brand, but also highlights the unique qualities and skills that your team possesses, and can help position your company as an employer of choice.

Customer testimonials are a powerful way to build trust with potential customers. By showcasing real customers who are happy with your products or services, you can demonstrate the value that your business provides and establish yourself as a trusted and reliable choice. These videos can be as simple as an interview with a satisfied customer, or can be more elaborate, showcasing the customer's experience with your brand and the impact it has had on their life.

Behind-the-scenes looks offer a unique perspective on your business and provide customers with a glimpse into the inner workings of your company. Whether it's a tour of your facility, a look at your production process, or an introduction to your team, these videos can help humanize your brand by demonstrating your commitment to transparency and showcasing the effort and hard work that goes into delivering your products or services.

At Creative Images, we understand the importance of creating video content that accurately represents your brand and resonates with your target audience. That's why we work closely with our clients to understand their goals and vision, and use our decades of experience to produce high-quality, professional video that delivers results. Whether you're looking to launch a new product, promote an event, or simply increase brand awareness, our team of experts will work with you to create a video that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

So if you're looking to build trust with your customers and create a strong connection with your audience, look no further than Creative Images. With our expertise and commitment to quality, we're here to help you bring your brand to life through the power of video.