How do you push out valuable content to customers, donors, and internal users while planning elements of that content for cross-platform social sharing? If you post regularly on social media, if you produce videos, if you photograph events, you are in an asset management quagmire trying to keep track of all these potential content sources. There are ways to simplify the process. Consider these Do’s and Don’ts and apply them to your workflow.
Do shoot video intended for internet release at 24 frames per second. That’s 6 frames per second you won’t need to compress when re-purposing for various platforms.
Don’t start an interview-based project–whether video or podcast or blog post–without planning for transcripts. Transcripts are easy to get from audio recorded as your primary or backup audio on a Digital Audio Recorder like the TASCAM DR-05. At about $25 per half-hour interview, they’re cost-effective to use: you can quickly scan for soundbites that will work for your documentary-style video, as excerpts on your website, in compilation videos, or a quote on your blog or e-newsletter.
Do identify photo and video assets by batch renaming them when importing them into your editing or photo management system. You can check “maintain original metadata” in most systems, but also add useful identifiers so you aren’t scanning hundreds of photos called “IMG2047” and “IMG248” with no idea what story these photos tell.
Do shoot time-lapse video that can offer a behind-the-scenes view of your workplace, work in the field, video production, or special project. Go Pro’s do a great job, but so do iPhones.
Do deploy an extra DSLR camera on your next video shoot, so that you can quickly upload relevant photos with hashtags for your Instagram, Facebook or Twitter feed. Many DSLR’s also shoot video. Add an auto slider and you’ve got yourself an inexpensive second camera angle for an interview.
Amy DeLouise is a video director/producer who works across platforms to tell nonprofit brand stories.
