/technology-resources-for-rookies

Nonprofit video

Nonprofit video

Are you feeling the pressure to have a video for your nonprofit, but don’t have the budget or the know how to produce it?

The resources below from the August 26 “And…ACTION” video workshop will clue you in on important concepts, tips on the right equipment to buy and more.

Special thanks to Jeff Achen, interactive media strategist at GiveMN, who put together these resources. Kudos also to Jason Barnett, executive director, and Mike McIntee, executive producer of The Uptake for contributing their expertise to the program!

Downloadable resources and how-to tip sheets on nonprofit video

Video editing tutorials and product prices

These links will guide you to tutorials on the web related to the following video editing products. The prices listed are approximate. For great deals on software for nonprofits, we recommend TechSoup. You may be able to find better deals on these products at that website.

Have questions for the presenters?

You can find Jeff, Jason and Michael on Twitter!
  • Jeff Achen, interactive media strategist, GiveMN, @JeffAchen
  • Jason Barnett, executive director, The Uptake, @JasonBarnett
  • Michael McIntee, executive producter, The Uptake, @MMcIntee

Other resources

Here are other resources that were mentioned during today’s presentation.

  • MPEG Streamclip
    This free program allows you to convert video files to different formats.
  • Free Music Archive
    On this website you’ll find public domain music, much of which is okay to use in your nonprofit’s video. Make sure to read the copyright for each individual piece of music before using.
  • Premium Beat
    This website has reasonably priced royalty free music.
  • Music Bakery
    Another great website with reasonably priced royalty free music.
  • Flickr
    On this website you can find some public domain photos. Make sure you check each picture’s copyright restrictions carefully before using.
  • Tips on Video Compression from Vimeo
  • TubeMogul
    This website allows you to distribute your video to Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo by just submitting it once to TubeMogul’s web form.
  • YouTube’s Nonprofit Video Program
    Nonprofit’s that qualify can apply for this program and receive special benefits, including being able to upload longer videos.
  • IFP Minnesota
    IFP Minnesota is a nonprofit that, among other things, provides classes to local people wishing to learn more about videography and video editing. They also have video equipment available for rent at affordable rates.
  • Start Storytelling Nonprofit Video Guide
    Not sure where to start with your first nonprofit video? Looking for a handy guide? This free resource is for you.

Photo CC maxlinkc

Twitter 101 for your coworkers

Twitter 101 for your coworkers

Do you think your nonprofit should consider using Twitter? Helping your coworkers understand the basics of Twitter can help you build trust and show that it can be a meaningful tool for your nonprofit.

This “Tech It Up a Notch” presentation is a complete 30 to 45 minute presentation including instructional videos that you can use to help introduce Twitter to your coworkers as a tool that they can use personally for their own professional development. Read More »

Explore Google Apps for your nonprofit

Explore Google Apps for your nonprofit

You probably use Google search everyday, but the big “G” in the middle of the internet has so much more to offer you and your organization.

With the downloadable goodies in this post, explore how Google Apps secure anywhere access to professional email, shared calendars, and document collaboration can improve your work.

Read More »

Facebook privacy for your coworkers

Facebook privacy for your coworkers

Does Facebook make your coworkers feel like an open book? Are you trying to drum up support among skeptical staff for your nonprofit’s presence there?

Helping your coworkers understand the basics of Facebook can help you build trust and show that it can be a meaningful tool for your nonprofit.

This “Tech It Up a Notch” presentation is a complete 30 to 45 minute presentation including instructional vidoes that you can use to help your coworkers understand the most up to date options to customize their Facebook security settings. Read More »

TC Guide to Finding PC Parts

Are you looking for some PC and Windows computer replacement parts in the Greater Twin Cities area? We’ve compiled a list of great places to check out.  Micro Center in St. Louise Park is a good place to look for new PC parts. If you are looking for used parts check out Box Shop Computers in Bloomington or General Nano Systems on University. Reboot in Uptown and Mendota Heights stocks new, used and refurbished computer parts. If you are really strapped for cash, Free Geek Twin Cities is a unique option offering free parts in exchange for volunteer time or donations.

  • Micro Center

3710 Highway 100 South
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
952.285.4040

 www.microcenter.com

  • Reboot

Uptown location:

2323 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55405
612.377.5375

Mendota Heights location:

2300 Pilot Knob Road
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
651.681.7366

www.reboot-store.com

  • Free Geek Twin Cities

2587 25th Ave S

Minneapolis, MN 55406

612.293.7339

www.freegeektwincities.org

  • Box Shop Computers

9040 Lyndale Avenue S

Bloomington, MN 55420

952.884.1300

www.boxshopcomputers.com

  • General Nano Systems

3014 University Ave SE

Minneapolis, MN 55414

612.331.3690

www.nanosys1.com

 

 

Special thanks to listserve contributors for offering their tips on the best places to get PC parts in the :  Jack Ungerleider, Matthew V. Shaw, Stephen L

Do You Have ESP?

Are you looking for a good Email Service Provider (ESP)?  If you are running an email campaign and are considering finding an ESP to replace Constant Contact you may want to consider some other available options. Email Service Prodivers handle email list management and issues relating to mail delivery and functions of CAN-SPAM laws such as templates and automatic unsubscribes. ESPs have html templates for emails some of which include responsive templates so emails can be easily read on smartphones and tablets.

Groundwire Labs published a 2012 review of Email Service Providers accessible here: http://groundwire.org/labs/email-publishing/2012-email-service-providers

The list of ESPs reviewed include:

CampaignMonitor

ConstantContact

NetworkforGood/Emma

ExactTarget

iContact

JangoMail

MailChimp

PredictiveResponse

Other Enterprise and Small Business Providers

Salesforce Mass Email

Drupal Camp Twin Cities gave a presentation on responsive html email design using Drupal with slides posted online laying out how to create and format your own responsive html email campaign using Drupal.

http://2012.tcdrupal.org/sessions/mobile-html-email-and-drupal

Email Service Providers are extremely useful for running a successful email campaign. Groundwire Labs reviews of ESPs should help you find the perfect ESP to fit your needs and preferences. If you are interested in learning the finer technical points of creating an email campaign be sure to check out the online resources at Drupal Camp Twin Cities.

Google Voice Review for Nonprofits

Wondering what is Google Voice and how your nonprofit might use it? Tom Evers, executive director of Playworks Twin Cities, gives us a Google Voice review.

Google Voice is a Google App that allows people to have one phone number that forwards to all of your phones – your office phone, home phone and cell phone (or none, if you’re on vacation or off from work!) You can also make calls to phone numbers directly from your computer, and because Google Voice contacts is synced with the rest of Google Apps, it allows for easy tracking and online access of contact information.

Tom’s take-aways on Google Voice for nonprofits:

  • It’s a cheap way to help nonprofit staff on-the-go to receive phone calls and keep up to date on their voice mail messages.
  • For staff members who don’t have an official office phone, making calls from the web using a headset with Google Voice is a cheap alternative to using their personal mobile phone.
  • Because contacts are saved accross applicaitons in Google Apps, accessing and saving contact information is a snap.
  • The sound quality is generally very good.

Social Media How To: Creating a Unified Organizational Voice

Noah Keesecker, program manager for Springboard for the Arts, gives a how-to on using social media as way to promote and share things with the public while keeping a unified, entertaining organizational voice. Organizational voice is how your organization, almost like a person, displays itself to the public via social media. To help you understand this he explains how Springboard for the Arts, an artist’s advocacy and training organization, found and maintains its tone.

Noah’s Tips on Using Social Media to Promote Your Organization’s Mission:

  • Unified Voice,
  • Entertaining Yet Informative Posts,
  • Use Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging as Tools,
  • Colloquial Language,
  • Refined Organizational Mission and,
  • A Good Inter-Office Rapport

 

Nonprofits and the Tech Soup Necessity

Jason Samuels, IT Manager for the National Council on Family Relations, talks about the glory of Tech Soup for nonprofits and how much money it can save your organization.