Your team’s video is an important part of your crowdfunding page. Start thinking about how you’ll put your video together and reach out to the AAD Crowdfunding Team for help.
You can either upload your campaign video to a personal Youtube/Vimeo account or you can send the video to your AAD liaison to upload to the Cornell Alumni Affairs Youtube account. If you wish to upload to your own account, be sure that all other content on your channel is appropriate for crowdfunding visitors to view.
Keep it short
Make a short video that expresses your goals and intentions. Aim for a 1-3 minutes long. When videos are longer than 3 minutes, we see people drop off halfway through the video without fully watching.
Be personal
Make your fundraising team the stars of your video. Team members or beneficiaries of the project can talk about why your effort is important in a genuine way. Be clear about who you are and who makes up the project team.
Keep production simple
You don’t have to create a professional production. Use any camera you have available, like a GoPro or even an iPhone. You are raising money, not spending it on video production. Keep your campaign authentic.
Get to why–fast
Make the first ten seconds of your video really count! First impressions are everything. If you plan ahead, this segment of your video can be clipped as a separate teaser and used in social media promotions.
Take 1-2 minutes to describe your project and its benefit. State your fundraising goal and talk about what the money raised will go toward. Having trouble explaining why people should donate? Try answering these questions:
What obstacle(s) are you and your project trying to overcome?
What would the world look like with your project in action? Without it?
What will be the outcome of your project? What could it be with additional funding?
Make sure the video is clear and concise. Remember: donors can learn more about your project details through the written campaign description.
Show, don’t tell
Give donors a sneak peak of your project with visuals. Cut down on precious camera time by showcasing your project with photos or video clips instead of explaining them in detail. At the same time, talk about why you’re crowdfunding using a voiceover.
Set the tone
Use music that matches the tone for your campaign. Follow copyright rules by using copyright free music or purchasing a single use license. YouTube and Vimeo are great places to get music and host your videos. Reach out to the AAD Crowdfunding Team with any music copyright questions.
YouTube Audio Library
Vimeo Music Store
Call to action
Invite people to join you and your team. You’re not just asking for money. Explain how you’ll make them a part of the campaign through project updates.
End with a clear call to action. Ask people to give what they can. Explain the impact of gifts small and large.
Let people know how they can help. Ask them to talk about your project.
Video checklist
Introduce your project team
Explain why you are crowdfunding
Showcase your project with visuals
Edit your video down to 3 minutes or less
Follow music copyright rules
Add the Cornell Crowdfunding video bumper
Ask the AAD Crowdfunding Team for feedback
Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo
Add your video to your project page