Ep 252 | Creating Authentic Stories with Chris Miano

Stories are a great way to connect with your audience. When they are done through video they can be even more impactful! Stories that include other stakeholders, like board members, donors, volunteers, etc, are also fantastic. One thing we don't pay attention to is how we capture those stories, keep them for future use, and ensure you are sharing them ethically. 

What you'll learn:

→ the power of stories.
→ value of a story bank.
→ three step process for video.
→ importance of asking the right questions.
→ leading with positivity.
→ what role AI plays in video.

Want to skip ahead? Here are key takeaways:

[3:15] Stories have been a big part of our communication from the beginning of time. It is how we have communicated before there was a written language. How they make us feel is what we remember and what connects us to the brand or organization. It allows people to see themselves as part of your mission.
[8:51] Build a collection of stories. Create a process for how you'll collet, store, and manage consent around your videos. This allows you to be able to pull the right story out for the right donor to connect with their motivations.
[10:14] Three steps to start with video storytelling. Step 1 – start at the end – understand what the goal is and what you hope to accomplish with the content. Step 2 – determine the type of content. Is it a testimonial, is it for an event, do you need it for a grant proposal, etc? Step 3. – refine the call to action.
[13:51] Prep questions for better results. Get specific with the questions you ask. This preps the person to understand what they should be ready for and also helps guide the conversation towards the goals of the video.
[24:19] Lead with positivity. People want to be part of the solution. They want to see the good work you're doing. Focus on the results and impact, instead of the doom and gloom.
[26:56] Use AI tools for video very sparingly. People can see that they are AI and it can feel less personal. Especially when you're utilizing video for big grant proposals or larger sponsor asks. However, using AI to pull content out of your existing videos can be a great way to repurpose and save time.

Resources

Ethical Storytelling Report