This presentation will explore how digital storytelling, through visuals, videos, and live stories can amplify and better communicate your nonprofit story. This presentation will also show how some nonprofits are using social media platforms for digital storytelling, with examples of successful campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. In this presentation you will learn: - How to tailor content and visuals to your organization’s social media platforms; - Tools you can use to create images, infographics, and fonts to build your visual storytelling elements; - Tangible ways to employ ethical practices into sharing digital stories. nonprofits to find effective and creative ways of sharing their stories.

1. Digital Storytelling
Understanding Social Media and Visual Storytelling Tools for
Nonprofits

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6. Yasmine Abu-Ayyash,
Communications Coordinator
● Daily mission: Crafting resources and
materials to support nonprofits in using tech
to more effectively.
● Ongoing aim: Making knowledge tools and
resources are always user-friendly and
accessible.
● Expertise and endless factoids: in the issue
area of gender equity and mainstreaming.
● Resident chef and soup recipe maker for our
‘By The Cup’ Newsletter.

7. Digital Storytelling
Understanding Social Media and Visual
Storytelling Tools for Nonprofits

8. Why invest in
digital storytelling?

9. Purpose
Build an understanding of why digital storytelling can elevate your
communications and marketing
Explore how various (often free!) tech tools to create visuals and
videos like a pro
See how a good quality story is fundamentally an ethical story
Review best practices and case studies of successful
nonprofits in the social media landscape

10. Digital Storytelling
The use of highly visual material that highlights your organization’s
impact by emotionally engaging your audience and encouraging them
to spread the word and take action.(Source: The Power of Visual Storytelling by Abila)
Source: 4 Ways Photo Essays Can Benefit Your Nonprofit by Christine Soucy, Wired Impact

11. Science of processing imagery
Picture superiority Effect
dog
dog
Dual-coding Theory
Source: Visual Storytelling by Sohini Gowan

12. “Medical and law journals
love dry statistics and
research. Human beings and
mainstream media outlets
love stories.”
(Source: 8 Ways That Nonprofit Digital Storytelling Can Advance Your Cause by Julia
Campbell)

13. Source: “2017 was the deadliest year of Syrian war for children, says Unicef”, The Guardian

15. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5wubZqVLnw)

24. What are the best
practices in the
sector?

25. Best practices: Digital Channels
Emails, videos, websites, blogs, events, and in-person meetings
Social Media
(72%)
Newsletters
(68%)
Website
(67%)
Source: The State of Storytelling in the Nonprofit Sector, Network for Good and Vanessa Chase

26. Best Practices: Integration with
Fundraising
Research Stewardship Acknowledgement Cultivation

27. What are the best
stories for digital
engagement?

28. The Impact Story

30. The Success Story

32. The “Why we do
what we do” Story

42. The “Show your
work” Story

47. What can digital
storytelling NOT
do?

48. Limitations
● Weak Programs
● Crisis PR
● Marketing &
Fundraising
‘Classics’
● Time Saving
● Generalizing

49. Case Studies on
Social Media
Platforms

50. Focus on Facebook

51. Where donors want your Impact
Stories
Source: “How to Turn One-Time Donors Into
Repeat Donors,” Software Advice

52. Stories = Inspiring Conversation
Source: “Non-Profit Storytelling Campaigns on Social Media,” Social Media Lab

55. Valuable Information = Enhanced Trust

58. Shelterbox USA

63. Visualizing Palestine

68. Médecins Sans
Frontières (MSF)

84. CARE France
Stories

90. Charity Water

95. How can I create
graphics & videos
like a pro?

96. Graphic Design
Tools

100. Video Creation
Tools

103. How do I ensure my
story is “ethical”?

104. What makes a story
an ethical story is
what makes it a
good story

105. Representation with dignity & respect
Not stereotypes
Not tokens
Not representatives of a whole community
They are individuals with their own names and unique stories
Ask yourself:
1. Have I shared a specific context (social and political) in which the story
is set?
2. If this is an image set outside of Canada, would we expect this type of image
in a Canadian context?
3. Are the individuals passive victims or active participants and shown in
their resilience?

106. (Informed) Consent is ongoing
[Written consent forms]
[Concealed identities]
[Translations]
Ask yourself:
1. Have I requested informed consent every time I have posted this story?
2. Have I explicitly and clearly shared expectations with the subject over how
the story will be told and retold?
3. Can the people whose story I share access the story and request changes?
4. How many stages has the story gone through until it reached my desktop?

107. Intention VS. Impact
{Objectification}
{Commodification}
{Remodification}
Ask yourself:
1. Might the individual feel an obligation to share a story in order to still
receive a service?
2. How many people are involved in the gathering, creation, and sharing
of this story?
3. Check yourself: What power are you using (specific words, content
mediums, and technology) to choose, create, and tell the story?
4. How would the individuals under their structures of power tell their own
story differently?

108. We hold the power in the
retelling
We hold the power in the
structures
We hold the power in building
these relationships

109. “How do the people who
you are interviewing or
introducing want their
story to be told*?”(*Note: if at all!)

110. Suggestions for Storytelling Ethics
Context & Names Instituting Policy Artists & Copyrights

111. Let’s collaborate!

112. Questions?
techsoupcanada.ca
facebook.com/techsoupcanada
@techsoupcanada
yasmine@techsoupcanada.ca

113. Additional Resources
Nonprofit Storytelling
INFOGRAPHIC: A Nonprofit Storytelling How-To (Classy.org)
The Guide to Nonprofit Storytelling (Classy.org)
6 Ways to Tell Your Nonprofit Story With Images (Classy.org)
How to Make a Photo Essay for Your Nonprofit (WiredImpact.com)
The Ultimate Guide to Nonprofit Storytelling (30+ Tips) (DonorBox.org)
Success Story Examples
YouTube DoGooder Video Awards (YouTube.com)
Animoto Success Stories: Video Case Study Inspiration (Animoto.com)
Ethics in Storytelling
Ethical Storytelling resources and podcast (EthicalStorytelling.com)
Nonprofit Photography: Ethics and Approaches (The Communications Network)