To share and inspire Why and how to do that? A good story is inspiring About the why In order to make the mission of HOE possible, our foundation has been cooperating with Christian fellowships and contact persons in Eastern Europa for over 40 years. Those fellowships and people are our representatives in Eastern Europe. Together with them projects are being developed. Most projects are linked to a financial contribution. To make these projects possible we collect money through churches, companies, schools and private donors in the Netherlands. Through story and image we first want to share with these groups what the ‘need’ is (why is their support needed?) and then after that what has happened with that money (what’s the impact?). Numbers and facts are not sufficient for that. It is all about the people behind the numbers and the simple facts. Telling the story gives a face to those numbers and facts. Especially when the stories are being told by the people who are receiving the support. These stories are inspiring and can move people in the Netherlands to be (more) involved and engaged. Sharing the story behind the facts and numbers is necessary to make known the work that’s happening in Eastern Europe in a good way; to inform people and to raise funds. Your help is very important in this! But how? 1. The closer to the source the story comes from, the better it is. So it would be best if people who need and ask for the support share their story. Of course our contacts in Eastern Europe or the regional coordinators could also share a story from their perspective. But the people receiving the support should get all the space to share their own story. 2. Constantly ask the question of ‘why’ when sharing the stories. Donors aren’t interested in the ‘how’ and ‘what’ of the support; they are interested in the ‘why’. This is a great question for contact persons to ask, but also for regional coordinators. Because then the story gets personal. But this question can also be asked the people on the receiving end of the support. Let them share why that support is so important for them. 3. Good stories are about people and their needs and desires. Not about projects. 4. Don’t dwell on the miserable situation of the people, but ask them how their life has changed because of the support they received. How were they helped or encouraged by it? What are ways to share the stories? 1. A story and a picture for a weblog. Use between 150 and 400 words. 2. A short video. Max. 5 minutes.
Things to keep in mind 1. Always ask people if it’s OK to have their name mentioned in the story. 2. Ask people for their permission to be in a picture or video. Be careful with taking pictures of children and always ask the permission of their parents or caretakers. 3. Tell the people you are interviewing why you would like to record and share their story: it is about showing donors in the Netherlands why it is important to support the ministry of Christian fellowships in Eastern Europe. 4. Make the story personal. For example you can share it in the first person (‘I was so happy when I saw…’) and put a picture with it. Or in the third person using a name (‘Katinka was so happy when she saw…’; even if it’s not one person’s story).
Good imagery tells the story Beautiful pictures and videos draw attention. We live in a visual culture where the use of imagery is getting more and more important. A picture is worth a thousand words. Think about modern day websites and social media channels like Instagram and Facebook. Why? By using good quality images we can show what HOE is doing where, and why. Through that we can get different groups – like (potential) donors - interested and keep them informed about the work that we do as a foundation. How? 1. Professional photography By using or employing a professional photographer occasionally, beautiful (stock) pictures can be taken, which can then be used for different purposes. For example when designing different means of communication for a campaign, like posters, flyers, a magazine or website. A professional photographer is too costly to portray and take pictures of all the projects and ministries of HOE. In addition to professional pictures volunteers can take pictures as well to show the work of HOE. 2. Volunteers during their work at/visit of a project Volunteers can show (the progress of) a project. As they work at or visit the ministry they can take pictures and make videos to inspire and inform the different groups involved with HOE in the Netherlands. Of course doing this shouldn’t get in the way of the work or visit, but with the right tips and tricks this could be combined in a good way. How do you take good pictures? A few tips: ‐
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People draw the attention in a picture. So try to capture people as much as possible. For example: volunteers doing the work or people for whom or with whom the work is being done. It is important to ask for permission to take a picture of someone, and to ask if it is OK if you would post that picture on Facebook for example. Try and alternate between posed and non-posed (spontaneous) pictures. When you post a series of photos on Facebook, put them in an album and limit the amount of photos. It is better to share ten good photos than thirty more blurry ones as well. Or ones where you only see the back of peoples’ heads. If possible tag people in the pictures and add a date and a place to the pictures. Add a short and clear description of what is happening in the picture.
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Add some additional hashtags related to the topic of the picture. Not everyone carries around a photo camera, but most people do have a smartphone. The quality of the pictures and videos you can make with them keeps improving.
For tips for using your smartphone when taking photos and making videos, have a look on the following websites: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/good-pictures-phone-tips https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/how-to-take-good-photos-with-your-phone/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writers-lab/be-inspired/filming-with-a-smartphone For smartphones not always applicable, but good to know anyway:
Examples Not so good
This photo is blurry and the composition could have been better. It has also been taken in portrait orientation, which cannot be used for all the social media channels (a website can be set for landscape photos).
There is no information added with this picture (posted on Facebook) about what is happening, who those people are and where this picture was taken. The composition is not very good either: the roof is only partially in the photo, the horizon isn’t straight and there is too much grass in the foreground. Besides that, we only see the backs of the men in the picture.
How to do it?
This photo has a good composition: we look the children in the face and their emotions are visible. This attracts the attention of the person looking at the photo. A couple relevant hashtags have been added and there is a description added as well.