See What’s Out There

Many many nonprofits have videos on YouTube. Along with everyone else, nonprofits see the possibilities of using YouTube as both free video hosting, and as a social network, capable of reaching supporters and potential supporters alike.

Now YouTube, which is owned by Google, has formalized their relationship with nonprofits by creating a YouTube nonprofit program, in the spirit of programs Google has recently launched for nonprofits. (Here’s the best Google program for nonprofits. Here’s the second best Google program for nonprofits. You should be using both.)

Here’s what YouTube is saying:

Does your organization have a compelling story to tell? Do you want to connect with your supporters, volunteers, and donors but don’t have the funds to launch expensive outreach campaigns?

YouTube can help. Video is a powerful way to show your organization’s impact and needs, and with a designated “Nonprofit” channel on YouTube, you can deliver your message to the world’s largest online video community.

Your Nonprofit channel includes:

* Premium branding capabilities and increased uploading capacity
* Rotation of your videos in the “Promoted Videos” areas throughout the site
* The option to drive fundraising through a Google Checkout “Donate” button

If you’re a nonprofit organization in the U.S. with 501(c)(3) tax status, apply today for the YouTube Nonprofit Program.

This is a no-brainer. Every organization should apply, just as every organization needs to be creating a lot more video. We will see how much YouTube will rotate nonprofit videos in their feature lists and what the criteria will be for them to do so. We will also see whether it has an appreciable impact. My guess is that those who are already developing their social media marketing and video programs will benefit the most from this, because nothing will replace quality engaging content or good marketing programs - not all of which are that expensive.

A nice added bonus here is that the first 300 nonprofits that apply get (got?) a PureDigital Flip Video recorder. I have been using one for a couple months now and have been meaning to write more about it. It’s a nice gift ($120 or $79 retail depending on the capacity).

So, way to go YouTube. Google is still trying not to be evil and lets hope they keep it up.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 30th, 2007 at 5:29 pm and is filed under Video, Nonprofits, youtube, ugc, social media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.