Mastering Short-Form Video: A Guide for Nonprofits

This is an episode detailing some of the highlights from my recent session at the AFP international conference in San Diego - Josh Hirsch and I delivered a standing room only session on Mastering Short-Form Video, and it was so fun to be back at ICON and standing in front of nonprofits curious about video content and wanting to learn and connect. I’ll have more interviews and audio content from the conference in the coming weeks.  **Description**: Short-form video is no longer a nice-to-have in nonprofit communications. It is, increasingly, a must-have. Instagram Reels. YouTube Shorts. TikTok videos. Facebook short clips. These rapidly consumable vertical videos have changed how people engage with content online, including our donors.   Across platforms, audiences are watching video content more than ever, and they are responding to it. Short-form video has the potential to do what long emails and even static graphics cannot: build trust quickly, show impact visually, and inspire actions right where supporters are scrolling. But despite the opportunity, many fundraisers feel daunted. “We don’t have time for video.”  “We don’t have a videographer.”  “I’m not creative enough.” These are familiar refrains. But they miss the mark. Short-form video isn’t about production value. It’s about clarity of story, consistency of message, and authentic human connection. You don’t need Hollywood-level equipment. You need heart and you need a unique perspective (which you have, from your hands-on work in the trenches). Let’s start with understanding why short-form video works for fundraising. Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts