One of the big issues nonprofit campaigners face in their day-to-day job is choosing what online channels and tools should they be investing in. Video blogging (aka vlogging) has been around for quite some time, yet many nonprofits don’t utilize it. Should nonprofits carve out more time for video blogging? Sue Anne Reed who regularly participates in #BlogChat over on twitter (and an avid reader of Frogloop) did a great write up on this very topic. 

“Some are using it to replace their blogging efforts completely, and some are mixing it up with video blogs and regular blogs together depending on the content,” said Reed.

Fans of video blogging feel like it adds more personality to their posts and that it allows them to engage with their audience on a deeper level, said Reed.

Wondering how video blogging will impact your websites SEO? There are a few tactics you can use to boost SEO.

• Provide a transcript (also good for accessibility)
• Write a recap of the video on the blog (in addition to posting the video)
• Add comments and annotations
• Use captions (also good for accessibility)
• Post the video to YouTube – it has SEO benefits.

“Video blogging allows real-time connections and puts a face or a level of identity on issues that nonprofits are addressing. It gives all those that can't be there in the moment a way to connect, ” said Shireen Mitchell who advises nonprofits on leveraging technology and social media.

 Looking for good tips on producing video blogs?

• Keep vlogs short and focused  – preferably under 2 minutes. 53% of viewers stop watching after 2 minutes, said Chris Yates of Huddle Productions.
• Invest in a flip camera. It’s easy to use, produces quality video for the web, is economical, and portable.
• Need some extra filler for your vlogs such as background sets, actors/actresses, drag and drop animations? Try the tools over at Xtranormal.
• To edit video footage easily and for free try Apple imovie or Windows Movie Maker.

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