YouTube has announced a new way to help non-profits better tell their stories on the video platform.
YouTube Next Cause, the latest addition to the Creator program, is a day-long summit in San Francisco April 2 during which the company will offer non-profits training and consulting on YouTube best practices for promotion and community engagement.
"We want to help non-profits turn their view counts into actions -- dollars raised, petitions signed," YouTube spokesperson Jessica Mason told Mashable.
Mason suggested three tips for non-profits hoping to expand their channels: First, engage with the community by replying to comments and giving them an action step, such as a petition to sign. Second, upload regularly to build a consistent relationship. Third, don't assume that great videos require big budgets. Invisible People -- a project that tells the stories of people living without homes -- and The Uncultured Project -- which shoots in Bangladesh with just a flip cam -- are two causes that prove great video storytelling can be accomplished at low costs.
"Non-profits will receive an incredible networking opportunity with Google's thought leaders and gain insider knowledge on the best ways to engage audiences," Mason says.
Of the 16,000 organizations in YouTube's non-profit program, about 30 have received more than 10 million views on their videos and 271 have received more than 1 million views. YouTube released its Playbook for doing good in January.
The non-profits program is the latest installment in YouTube's NextUp Program. Previously, the program has helped YouTube entertainers turn their YouTube content into their primary careers. The program has also worked with chefs and athletic trainers.
What do you think are the most valuable things non-profits can do with YouTube? Let us know in the comments.
Image courtesy of iStockphoto, GiorgioMagini
This story originally published on Mashable here.
