Contacting Non-Profits

chris f

chris f

Veteran
In a week or two my new video production company will be official and since I am in a new part of the country I thought I would produce a few free, reel building videos for local non-profit organizations to gain some traction in the local market. Before I start contacting local non-profits I wanted to see if anyone on here had any advice on producing these "freebies" and more importantly what is the best way to contact non-profits and gauge interest in potential projects. Should I send a cordial email introducing myself and my company and offer to meet with them to discuss a possible free video or should I call them?
 
I would start with google and look up organizations with causes that you agree with. Then seeing how many are in your area and then sit in on some meetings. Get to know some people and their needs and then casually bring up video and see where it goes.

Just a thought.
 
I did a 30-minute dramatic video for a local non-profit a few years back. It was an organization I'd supported for awhile financially. I just walked up to the organization's director at a function and said I wanted to do a video for them, free of charge. He was thrilled!

Call up a local non-profit whose work you support and tell them, "Hey, I'd like to produce a promotional video for you guys, and it won't cost you a dime." I bet there's not a group out there that would turn you down.

Good luck!
 
DON'T DO IT FOR FREE. Charge them something? Even if it is for the cost of tapes and fuel. If they have no money involved they have nothing to lose and can jerk you around if they get busy with something else.

Meet with them and explain your situation. You are new to the area with a new company, etc. Show them how much the video would cost them and then discount by 90% or 95%. If it does not cost them anything they wont truly appreciate it.
 
On the contrary, non-profits often have quite a bit of money.

The free video I did for the local non-profit has led to doing 2 other paid projects for them.

I also did a free music video for a local band -- free because I'd never done a music video before, and wanted one to use as a calling card with other bands and singers. This has worked out very well, and led to paying gigs.
 
I know no non-profut that doesnt want write-offs. I've been asked to re-invoice with a higher figure than I was billing before. They have to use entite budgets to be approved for them next year.
If wanting to do stuff for nada, create a labor of love that looks awesome. It's not a good idea to do stuff for other people for free.
 
Once you have researched which non-profits are in your area like NinjaVsPenguin suggested, try to find out if they are holding or sponsoring any events and then attend those events. Once you get there, meet with some members of the executive staff and get to know them. Tell them what you do and what your interests are for creating a video for the orgaization.

If they like what you have done, it could lead to paid work for that particular non-profit organization and maybe even some additional work from the members (their own business videos, training videos, promos, commercials, weddings, etc.)
 
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