Boost Your Nonprofit’s Impact with LinkedIn Video Marketing
Boost Your Nonprofit’s Impact with LinkedIn Video Marketing
This is an additional resource for Digital Marketing Therapy Podcast episode 295 with Peter Murphy Lewis.
Are you feeling like you’re shouting into the void on social media? Trying to connect with donors, partners, or collaborators for your nonprofit can feel tough sometimes. If you’re looking for a better way to build real connections and boost your visibility, you might want to give LinkedIn video marketing a serious look.
Maybe you’ve heard about LinkedIn, maybe you’re even using it a bit. But video? On LinkedIn? Absolutely. It’s becoming a really powerful place to share your story, build trust, and reach the right people for effective lead generation.
It’s not about complicated tech or huge budgets; effective video can be simple. It’s about showing up authentically and sharing the incredible work your nonprofit does. Let’s explore how you can make LinkedIn videos work for you on this professional platform.
Table of Contents:
- Why Bother with LinkedIn Video? (Hint: It’s More Than Just Views)
- Getting Started with LinkedIn Video Marketing Without Breaking a Sweat
- Lights, Camera, LinkedIn. Types of Video That Work
- LinkedIn Video Tab (Mobile Focus)
- Optimizing Your Videos for the LinkedIn Algorithm
- The Magic of Repurposing: Work Smarter, Not Harder
- Power Up Your Strategy with LinkedIn Newsletters
- Tools to Make Your Video Journey Smoother
- Considering LinkedIn Video Ads
- Thinking Long-Term: A Simple Content Funnel for LinkedIn Video
- Building Consistency in Your LinkedIn Video Strategy
- Measuring Success: What Really Matters?
- Conclusion
Why Bother with LinkedIn Video? (Hint: It’s More Than Just Views)
Okay, so why add another thing to your already full plate? Because LinkedIn isn’t just another social network. It’s a platform full of professionals, potential donors, corporate partners, board members, and skilled volunteers actively looking for connections and information related to their interests and industries.
LinkedIn works exceptionally well for targeted outreach. You can specifically search for people by their job title, the company they work for, or their industry. This lets you find exactly the right target audience you want to connect with, whether it’s a major donor prospect or a potential corporate sponsor, making it a powerful tool for building brand awareness.
This targeting ability is a huge advantage for nonprofits with limited resources, helping focus your marketing strategy. Plus, video content is incredibly effective at building trust. Letting people see the faces behind your organization, hear your passion, and witness your impact firsthand creates a connection much faster than text or an image post alone.
Think about it – seeing is believing, right? Video helps humanize your mission and build relationships. Effective video makes your message more memorable and impactful, fostering a stronger connection with potential supporters.
LinkedIn itself is also pushing video content more these days, recognizing the growing popularity of this format. They’re adding features, like the dedicated video tab on mobile, showing they want users to share and watch more video posts. This means the LinkedIn algorithm prioritizes video content, often giving native videos a little extra boost in reach engagement compared to other post types.
In a crowded feed, video helps you stand out and capture attention. A moving image is more likely to catch someone’s eye as they scroll, giving you that crucial moment to grab their attention and share your message. It helps cut through the noise and draw viewers into your story.
Getting Started with LinkedIn Video Marketing Without Breaking a Sweat
Feeling a little intimidated by the idea of creating video? Don’t be. Seriously, getting comfortable with posting videos on LinkedIn doesn’t require months of training. You could probably move from feeling lost to feeling confident with just a couple of hours of focused effort.
The most important thing is progress, not perfection. Forget trying to make Hollywood-level productions. People connect with authenticity, not polish; a simple video format can be very effective.
Showing up as your real self, maybe even with a few stumbles, is far more engaging. Your passion for your cause is what will truly resonate. Let your personality shine through when you create content.
Honestly, your smartphone is probably all the equipment you need to get started making videos quick. Today’s phone cameras are fantastic. Focus on good lighting (natural light near a window is often best), a quiet background, and clear audio (even the built-in mic is often fine for short videos), and you’re pretty much set.
What kind of videos can you make? Start simple. Think about sharing a quick behind-the-scenes look or a sneak peek at an event setup, introducing a staff member or volunteer, or briefly talking about a recent success story and its impact. These little moments bring your nonprofit’s work to life and show the human side of your organization.
Consider short “thank you” videos for donors or volunteers, quick updates on a campaign’s progress, or brief explanations of a complex issue your nonprofit addresses. Remember, people give to people. Showing the human element is essential for building brand trust.
Lights, Camera, LinkedIn. Types of Video That Work
LinkedIn offers a few different ways to share video content. Understanding these options helps you choose the right video format for your message and goals. Let’s look at the main types to include in your LinkedIn video strategy.
Native Video Uploads
This means uploading your video file directly to LinkedIn, rather than just sharing a link from YouTube or Vimeo. LinkedIn tends to favor native video in its feed because it keeps users on the platform. These are great for pre-recorded content like interviews, customer testimonials, short explainers, or impact stories.
LinkedIn native videos auto-play in the feed, increasing the chances someone will stop scrolling to watch. Keep these videos relatively short and focused, especially at the beginning; many successful videos are only 60-90 seconds long. The maximum file size is typically 5GB, and supported aspect ratios range widely, but square (1:1) or vertical (9:16 for mobile) often perform well.
Always, always include captions by uploading an SRT file when you post videos. Many LinkedIn users watch videos with the sound off, especially in professional settings, and adding captions makes your content accessible. Check the official LinkedIn help pages for the most current video specifications.
LinkedIn Live Streams
Going live on LinkedIn has huge potential for engagement. When you start a live stream, many of your connections may get a notification, instantly helping you grab attention. This format is amazing for real-time interaction and building community around your cause.
Think about using LinkedIn Live for Q&A sessions with your leadership team, interviews with partners or beneficiaries, covering parts of an event, or even hosting a virtual discussion panel. It feels immediate and allows viewers to interact directly by asking questions in the chat, making them feel more connected. This is a great way to position individuals as a thought leader in your field.
Promote your Live sessions in advance through regular posts. During the stream, acknowledge comments and questions in real-time. Using tools like StreamYard can help manage your live streams, add branding, share your screen, and even broadcast pre-recorded videos as if they were live, combining polish with live engagement.
LinkedIn Video Tab (Mobile Focus)
Have you noticed the dedicated “Video” tab in your LinkedIn mobile app? This is LinkedIn’s space for short-form video content, reflecting the trend across other social platforms but tailored for a professional audience. It’s designed for quick, easily digestible short videos.
Use this feature for sharing quick tips related to your cause, short event highlights, brief personal messages from your team, or bite-sized updates. It primarily features vertical videos (like 9:16 aspect ratio), perfect for mobile viewing habits where attention span can be limited. This format encourages a more informal, spontaneous style, ideal for quick updates or humanizing your brand.
Optimizing Your Videos for the LinkedIn Algorithm
Understanding how the LinkedIn algorithm prioritizes content can help your videos reach more people. While the exact workings are proprietary, certain factors are known to influence visibility. Posting native video is generally favored over sharing external links.
The algorithm prioritizes engagement. Videos that quickly earn likes, comments, shares, and clicks tend to get shown to a wider audience. Encourage interaction in your video description or within the video itself by asking questions or prompting discussion.
The first few seconds of your video are critical to capture attention and stop scrolling. Use compelling visuals, clear opening statements, or intriguing questions right away. LinkedIn also considers dwell time – how long people watch – so making engaging content throughout the video’s duration matters.
Include relevant keywords in your video’s title and description text. Use 3-5 relevant hashtags to help LinkedIn categorize your content and show it to interested users. Posting consistently also signals to the algorithm that you are an active contributor to the platform.
The Magic of Repurposing: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Creating video content takes time and energy, something nonprofits never seem to have enough of. That’s where repurposing comes in. It’s about taking content you’ve already created and adapting it for different formats or social platforms, including LinkedIn video marketing.
You don’t need to constantly invent brand new ideas; leverage your existing assets. Look at what you already have. Got a podcast? Cut out short, impactful audio clips (30-60 seconds) and turn them into simple videos with a static image or audiogram using free tools, perfect for sharing on LinkedIn.
Did you write a detailed blog post or send out an email newsletter? Summarize the key points in a short video. You can talk directly to the camera, use simple animated text over stock footage, or create a short slideshow video. This effective strategy caters to people who prefer watching over reading and expands the reach of your original linkedin content.
If you hosted a webinar or recorded an event session, pull out the best moments or key takeaways. Share these highlight clips (perhaps 1-3 minutes long) on LinkedIn to extend the life of your event content and reach people who couldn’t attend live. Consider creating multiple short videos from one longer recording.
Think creatively like the executive director mentioned in the source content. She takes news and stories from other community organizations and shares them, adding her commentary via video. This positions her (and her foundation) as a helpful hub of information while also repurposing existing content in an engaging video format.
Power Up Your Strategy with LinkedIn Newsletters
Did you know you can publish a newsletter directly on LinkedIn? It’s a fantastic feature, especially for nonprofits wanting to share regular updates and insights. It’s another excellent channel for repurposing existing content and distributing your LinkedIn video posts.
Setting up a newsletter is fairly straightforward once you have LinkedIn Creator Mode turned on. You can essentially copy and paste content from your email newsletter or blog. A huge plus is that LinkedIn automatically notifies your connections and followers when you publish, potentially growing your subscriber base organically faster than your email list.
Make your newsletters more engaging by embedding videos directly within them; you can easily embed LinkedIn videos hosted natively. You can include recordings of recent talks, short interviews, program explainers, or event highlights that complement the text. This adds dynamic content, caters to different learning styles, and keeps readers engaged longer.
One powerful tactic is tagging relevant people or organizations in your newsletter content. Sharing a job opening? Tag the hiring manager or company. Highlighting an upcoming event speaker? Tag them. This increases visibility significantly as their networks may see the content, and it often leads to shares and direct messages (DMs), building valuable connections videos can foster.
Don’t just publish and forget. When someone subscribes, LinkedIn tells you. Use this as a reason to reach out with a personal message. Thank them for subscribing and ask what caught their interest – it’s a perfect, authentic way to start a one-on-one conversation and potentially nurture a lead.
Tools to Make Your Video Journey Smoother
While you don’t need a Hollywood studio, a few tools can make creating and sharing LinkedIn videos easier. Many are free or offer affordable plans. The goal is to streamline your process, not complicate it, making your video marketing efforts more sustainable.
For basic editing on the go, there are tons of great mobile video editing apps. Apps like CapCut, InShot, or Adobe Rush offer simple ways to trim clips, add text or captions, combine footage, and adjust basic settings right on your phone or tablet. Many online resources compare these options to help you choose.
If you’re exploring live streaming, platforms like StreamYard or Restream simplify the process significantly. They help you manage multiple camera inputs, add graphics and logos, share your screen, invite guests remotely, and stream to LinkedIn (and other platforms) smoothly. This can elevate the production quality of your LinkedIn Live sessions.
Feeling stuck on what to say on camera or need script ideas? Consider using AI prompts for inspiration. Tools specifically designed to help structure video content or act as virtual interviewers, like Talkclip.app (mentioned in the source), can make the recording process feel more natural than just staring at a lens by providing questions to respond to.
Generating captions is crucial. While some editing apps offer auto-captioning, dedicated services like Descript or online SRT generators can provide more accuracy. Remember, adding captions makes your content accessible and consumable with the sound off.
Most importantly, pay attention to the analytics LinkedIn provides for your video posts. See which videos get the most views, comments, shares, and click-throughs. These video marketing statistics tell you what resonates with your target audience so you can refine your video strategy and do more of what works.
Considering LinkedIn Video Ads
While organic reach is powerful, LinkedIn also offers paid advertising options, including LinkedIn video ads. These allow you to target your content with even greater precision based on demographics, job titles, industries, company size, and interests. Running a video ad campaign can be an effective strategy for reaching specific segments of your audience quickly.
LinkedIn video ads appear natively in the feed and can be used for various objectives, from building brand awareness to lead generation or driving website traffic. You can promote existing organic videos or create specific video ads tailored to your campaign goals. Keep ad videos concise and ensure the key message is delivered early, even with sound off.
Starting with LinkedIn advertising might involve testing different video creatives, calls to action, and target audiences. Monitor your campaign performance closely through LinkedIn’s ad platform analytics. While it requires a budget, a well-executed LinkedIn video ad can significantly amplify your message and accelerate achieving your marketing objectives.
Thinking Long-Term: A Simple Content Funnel for LinkedIn Video
Okay, let’s get a little strategic. Just posting random videos isn’t as effective as having a basic plan for your LinkedIn content. Think about how your videos can guide someone from simply knowing your nonprofit exists to potentially becoming a supporter or partner. This journey is often visualized as a content funnel.
At the Top of the Funnel (Awareness/Discoverability), your goal is to reach new people and introduce them to your cause and mission. These videos should offer value without asking for much in return. Think educational tips related to your mission, inspiring short stories of impact, sharing helpful resources, highlighting community needs, or giving a friendly behind-the-scenes glimpse of your daily work. Focus on being helpful, building brand awareness, and sparking initial interest.
In the Middle of the Funnel (Consideration), people know who you are and are learning more, evaluating if your cause aligns with their interests or goals. Videos here can dive deeper into your work and impact. Consider sharing short case studies (or impact stories for nonprofits.), hosting webinars or live Q&A sessions addressing specific issues you tackle, offering customer testimonials from people you’ve helped or partnered with, or explaining the specifics of a program. You’re building credibility, showcasing expertise, and nurturing interest.
At the Bottom of the Funnel (Decision/Action), viewers are potentially ready to engage more deeply or take a specific action. These videos have a clearer call to action relevant to your goals. This might be a direct donation appeal tied to a specific campaign, a call for volunteers for an upcoming event, information on how to join a program or apply for services, or promoting ticket sales for a fundraising event. Use these more sparingly; balance is important to avoid looking overly promotional, especially on a professional platform like LinkedIn.
Your video mix should lean heavily towards the top and middle of the funnel content. Focus on building relationships, providing value, and establishing trust first. This approach respects the platform’s professional nature and attracts long-term supporters and potential partners, ultimately supporting your lead generation efforts.
Building Consistency in Your LinkedIn Video Strategy
Consistency is vital for any successful marketing strategy, and LinkedIn video marketing is no exception. Regularly posting videos helps keep your organization top-of-mind with your connections and followers. It also signals to the LinkedIn algorithm that you are an active and valuable contributor to the platform.
Create a simple content calendar outlining your video topics and posting schedule. This doesn’t need to be complex; even planning one or two videos per week or month can make a difference. Consider themes for different weeks or months to streamline idea generation.
Try batch recording several short videos in one session. This can save time on setup and editing. Dedicating a couple of hours to record multiple updates, tips, or introductions can provide content for several weeks, making consistency more manageable for busy nonprofit teams.
Remember that consistency helps in building brand recognition and trust over time. When your audience sees valuable video content from you regularly, they are more likely to engage and remember your organization when opportunities for support or collaboration arise. This sustained effort is key to making LinkedIn videos work effectively for building your brand.
Measuring Success: What Really Matters?
It’s easy to get caught up in vanity metrics like views and likes. But for nonprofits, the real success of LinkedIn video marketing lies deeper. Are your videos actually helping you achieve your organizational goals, such as increasing donations, recruiting volunteers, or finding corporate partners?
Look beyond just the view count. How many meaningful comments are you getting? Are people asking relevant questions or starting discussions? Are people using the share video function to spread your content to their networks? These engagement metrics often indicate that your content is truly resonating and sparking valuable conversations.
Are your videos leading to actual conversations that further your mission? Pay attention to direct messages (DMs) you receive after posting a video. Are potential partners reaching out? Are individuals asking how they can get involved or learn more? This is a strong sign your video strategy is working and contributing to lead generation.
If your video includes a link (maybe to your website’s donation page, volunteer sign-up, or event registration), track clicks through LinkedIn analytics or using UTM parameters in your URLs. Are people taking the next step you hoped they would? This ties your video efforts directly to tangible outcomes and helps demonstrate ROI.
Monitor follower growth and profile views in conjunction with your video posting schedule. Increased visibility can be a direct result of compelling video content. Analyzing these marketing statistics helps you understand the broader impact of your efforts and refine your approach based on what drives results for your specific goals.
Conclusion
LinkedIn video marketing presents a great opportunity for nonprofits to connect with the people who matter most to their mission. It’s a space to build trust, share your impact authentically, and reach potential donors, partners, and skilled volunteers in a highly targeted way. You don’t need a massive budget or professional production skills to make an impact; the growing popularity of simple, authentic video is on your side.
The key is to start simple, focus on providing value through your video content, and let your organization’s passion shine through. Use the platform’s features like native video uploads, LinkedIn Live, and Newsletters, repurpose content you already have across social platforms, and pay close attention to video marketing statistics to understand what resonates with your audience. Experimenting with a consistent LinkedIn video strategy could be a game-changer for building brand awareness, driving engagement, and ultimately advancing your nonprofit’s goals.
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