Did you know that Youtube is the second-most used search engine in the world? Videos are an effective way to reach communities on social media, traditional media, or in more grassroots campaigns like texting.
And yet you don't need to be a professional videographer to make a great video. Follow these steps to create a video that is customized for your community's needs.
Step 1: Research
Whether you are trying to reach migrant farmworkers, newly arrived refugees , or an established immigrant community in your area, there is a little bit of research you need to do before you can start a video.
Language
Many refugee, immigrant and migrant have specific language needs. Ask yourself these questions:
- Does the community speak a language other than English?
- Do you have a spokesperson who can speak that language?
- Who will translate your script?
- Would captions help the video spread farther, for example, on social media?
- Are there phrases or a tone of voice that work best with some age groups over others? Genders?
Language Resources:
- Guide: Creating Effective Translations (NRC-RIM)
Messengers
Anyone can be in a video, but it is important to research who would be the best person to deliver the message in the community you are trying to reach. Ask yourself these questions:
- Who does your community trust? Faith leaders? Peers? Doctors? How do you know?
- Do you know a trusted spokesperson who can speak the language?
Messenger Resources
Messaging
Your messaging should:
- Be simple, clear, and direct
- Include themes of love and collective wellbeing over fear and worry
- Balance human and scientific sides of the story
| Objective | Sample message |
|---|---|
| Get a vaccine. | Getting vaccinated protects the community. |
| Participate in case investigation and contact tracing. | Disclosing symptoms is an act of love. |
| Get tested for COVID-19. | COVID-19 testing protects our community. |
| Practice good prevention activities. | Do everything possible to protect your loved ones. |
Messaging Resources
Step 2: Filming
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly limits in-person interactions, including professional recording of video and audio messages. Likewise, budgets may not always allow for professional videography. Remote and low-tech video recording is the best option for many organizations and also offers the opportunity for community voices to be heard in a new and exciting way.
Flipgrid
Flipgrid is a free and accessible resource to easily collect and store video recordings from multiple people. It allows you to create a “discussion topic” where individuals can record their own short clips for you to use in your video project. This helps you to keep your content in one central location while also making the recording process easier on content creators.
Resources:
Record it with your phone
There are a few easy things that you or the person you are filming can do to make the video look professional, even if you are using a phone or webcam. Try our Remote and Low-Tech Video Recording Checklist for tips and tricks.
Film with Zoom
Recording a video via Zoom is available to both, free and paid Zoom members and is as simple as clicking a button. After recording, your video file is stored locally on your computer. The file can then be uploaded to a file storage service of your choosing. Look for How to Record a Zoom Meeting for more information.
Step 3: Editing
Editing your video can seem daunting, but there are some easy online tools that will help you make your video pop, even if you don't have any video editing experience.
Animoto
Create professional-quality videos with this easy-to-use platform. With Animoto’s collection of templates and drag and drop video maker, you can quickly and easily create and edit your own videos. Easily optimize your videos for social media.
Features
- Templates
- Stock Video Library
- Music Library
- Text Animation
- Logos and Brand Settings
- Edit for free or pay a fee to remove Animoto's watermark
Tutorials and Resources
Filmora
Filmora allows you to save time and effort with its simplified versions of advanced features. Filmora has a wider range of features that allow you to create more creative and elaborate videos.
Features
- Audio ducking: fade your music so the dialogue stands out
- Special effects: add filters, titles, and transitions
- Green screen: Change the background in your video
- Split Screen: Use two videos side-by-side
- Pricing starts at $39.99/year, and there is a free trial option
Tutorials and Resources
iMovie
iMovie is a more advanced software application compared to that of Animoto or Filmora, iMovie has a larger selection of features and tools. Choose your own clips, titles, slides, music, and effects to create your video from scratch.
Features
- Video Effects
- Trailers
- Soundtracks
- Filters
- Special Effects
- Available free on Macintosh computers; PCs not supported
Step 4: Distribution
Videos can be useful for all sorts of resources, whether it is broadcast television in the form of a public service announcement, on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or through texting or WhatsApp campaigns, find the method that works best for your community.
Learn more
Some questions to ask yourself:
- What is the most likely way your community will see the video?
- Who are the influencers who can help your video spread widely?
- What are some ways you can use the same video in more than one way?
- For example, as a full-length video and short clips?
- What days of the week, or times of day, is your community most likely to see it? How can you leverage this?
- What are some examples of places in the community, where someone might see it if they don’t have the internet? For example, in faith communities?
Distribution resources