Digital Storytelling for NFPs

Great content and a compelling story are the key to Not for Profits being successful in their online efforts, writes Ben Teoh from Connecting Up.

Great content and a compelling story are the key to Not for Profits being successful in their online efforts and an upcoming International Storymakers event by will help teach Not for Profits how to use digital tools to tell a story that stands out.

With social media sites showing steady growth in Australian users, it’s important that Not for Profit organisations understand how to engage people through digital channels.

Facebook alone shows over 13 million Australian accounts, closely followed by YouTube who also boast that in every minute, users upload 100 hours worth of video.

The good news is that many of the tools that can be used to create digital media are a lot more accessible than they have been. We’re seeing smartphone companies such as Microsoft, Apple and HTC releasing handsets with cameras that rival stand-alone cameras. Mobile apps and free tools for photo and video editing have also turned our mobile devices into pocket-sized studios.

The challenge for Not for Profits is to take the leap and embrace the digital culture, learning what it means to participate in it and how to do so as organisations with a strong story to share.

Throughout September, TechSoup Global and their local partners in countries around the world will be providing events and resources to help community organisations learn how to use digital storytelling techniques to engage their audiences as part of the annual Storymakers campaign.

This campaign will give Not for Profits the opportunity to learn from peers and experts internationally to assist them in using digital media tools and techniques to engage supporters.

One of the major events for Storymakers 2014 will be a 24-hour global online chat on Twitter that will use the growing social network as a platform to discuss popular tools, techniques and strategies for creating digital stories. Connecting Up will be hosting the Australian segment at 3:30pm AEST on the topic “Mobile tools and platforms for telling your story.”

Other examples of topics being covered during the rolling 24-hour discussion will include incorporating data into storytelling, measuring effectiveness of stories and Not for Profit case studies.

The Storymakers 2014 will culminate in the Storymakers Challenge – an opportunity for Not for Profits to share their digital story with a global audience and compete for up to US$13,000 worth of cash prizes.

Categories for this year’s competition include:

• Youth/STEM
• Super short
• Newbie
• Audience Choice
• Best Overall

Last year’s competition saw Australian organisation, Youth Projects, take out second place for their submission titled “No one grows up wanting to be a drug addict.”

Submissions for the 2014 Storymakers contest are now open and close September 26, 2014.

Australian Not for Profit organisations can find out more about how they can be involved in Storymakers 2014 by visiting the Connecting Up website.

About the author: Ben Teoh is the Content and Community Coordinator at Connecting Up. Connecting Up a Not for Profit organisation providing donated and discounted technology products and services to the Not for Profit sector.

This article was contributed in partnership with Connecting Up and Infoxchange, two Not for Profit organisations working to improve the technology