Video Testimonials to Drive Volunteer Recruitment

Testimonial videos are a way to let your volunteers, beneficiaries, corporate partners, and staff  do the talking for you. Putting your most successful, happy, or unique fans on screen is a powerful way to attach a real-life narrative to your mission. A video testimonial is an amazing tool for volunteer recruitment, donation solicitation, attracting grants/sponsorships, increasing membership, and increasing awareness.

Video testimonies can come from a variety of experiences including:

• Organizational – These clips feature staff members who are responsible for the volunteer programs, talking testimonial-style about what they do, why they do it, and how serving their mission to the extent they are capable would be impossible without their supporters.

• Volunteer – Volunteers are often our most passionate supporters.  Putting them on screen to talk about why they invest their time and energy with our organization is compelling.  Hearing these words from a volunteer versus a paid staff member (no matter how dedicated) almost always conveys a more authentic and powerful message.
  

• Beneficiary – If your mission is designed to serve a specific group of individuals, it is a beautiful opportunity to let those we serve describe the positive influence our organization has in their lives.  Putting a face to the impact we are making does wonders to reinforce the ways in which our organization is making a difference.
  

• Corporate Partner – Demonstrating social responsibility has become a competitive necessity for many corporations.  Additionally, they recognize the tremendous value derived from employee volunteer experiences.  Imagine a video starring your best corporate sponsor, describing the impact they make through your organization, along with the many benefits to their business.  It’s an amazing gift to your corporate sponsor as well as an amazing tool to attract like-minded supporters.