Social Video: A Guide to Get Started

Social video is becoming more and more important to a nonprofit’s social content mix. They are a fantastic way to showcase the amazing work you do, attract volunteers and donors, and share behind the scenes info that your community craves. They also help attract younger demographics, which can be hard for nonprofits to reach.

Community Connect recently completed a review of more than 20 different Habitat for Humanity affiliate Facebook and Instagram pages, to put together a list of the most common types of social video that get the most engagement. If you’re looking for year-end social video ideas, check out the ideas we put together specifically for end of year.

In this video we’re going to walk you through a few of the videos that we think are easiest for you to get started with.

download & print our field guide

Use our shot list, talking points and tips for each video category below. Print out the guide and take it with you as a guide while producing the video in the field.

Download our social video field guide

Construction Site Montage – Exterior Work

This video has no individuals speaking. It’s a mash-up of videos of volunteers working on the construction site. To create this video, there is no need to get anyone to speak into the camera.

These instructions can be used when there is volunteer work taking place outside of the house. This could be work like siding, painting, framing, etc.

Examples & Inspiration

Tips for Production

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Aim to take 10-15 videos that are 5-7 seconds long.
Don’t be worried about starting your video early and stopping the video late when taking videos. Videos will be edited later to only show the best parts.
Create movement in your video. Either the person you are filming should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
If videoing the job site from far back make sure that you are panning across the site, don’t take a static shot.
Try to get a variety of videos up close and far back.
Consider videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Video Shot List

Individual volunteer cutting, hammering, etc.
Group of volunteers working together lifting walls, moving materials, cooperating together.
Stand 20-30 yards from the site and pan across the entire site slowly. Aim for 5-7 seconds total.
Staged small group of volunteers smiling at the camera and celebrating or doing something silly.

Construction Site Montage – Interior Work

This video has no individuals speaking. It’s a mash-up of video clips of volunteers working on the construction site. To create this video, there is no need to get anyone to speak into the camera.

These instructions can be used when there is volunteer work taking place inside the house. This could be work like finish work, painting, flooring, etc.

Examples and Inspiration

Tips for Production

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Aim to take 10-15 videos that are 5-7 seconds long.
Don’t be worried about starting your video early and stopping the video late when taking videos. Videos will be edited later to only show the best parts.
Create movement in your video. Either the person you are filming should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
If videoing the job site from far back make sure that you are panning across the site, don’t take a static shot.
Try to get a variety of videos up close and far back.
Consider videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Video Shot List

Individual volunteer cutting, hammering, etc.
Group of volunteers working together lifting walls, moving materials, cooperating together.
Stand 20-30 yards from the site and pan across the entire site slowly. Aim for 5-7 seconds total.
Staged small group of volunteers smiling at the camera and celebrating or doing something silly.

Construction Site Tour by Manager

In this video the construction site manager is going to welcome us to the site, then take us on a tour of the daily volunteer activities. The tour will highlight the daily task and talk about the progress of the house.

Before Filming

Discuss with the Construction Site Manager what the video goals are.
Get their verbal permission to post this video on social media – not everyone is interested in that.
Let the person know ahead of time the questions you’re going to ask them so they feel prepared. Remind them that you can re-do the filming as many times as needed, so there’s less pressure.
Let the Construction Site Manager know the questions that you will ask them before filming. Consider sharing some talking points with them so they know what you’d like them to say.
Don’t be afraid to do multiple takes of the Site Manager talking.
Instruct the Site Manager to speak clearly and loudly into the camera/phone.
Find a quiet place or time where the Site Manager can speak without a lot of background noise.
Instruct the person to repeat your question when speaking into the camera. For example:
1. Q. What is your name?
2. A: My name is Sam.

Talking points:

NOTE: These talking points are suggestions. Encourage your interviewee to speak naturally and bring their own personality to the video. This is not meant to be a script. But, some people may appreciate some guidance about what to say to the camera. In that case, this is a resource for you.

Welcome:
(scene: in front of the construction site)
Hi, welcome to [name of construction site]! I’m __________, and I’m the construction manager here. Let me show you around!

What are you doing today and why is it important?
(scene: closer to where the tasks are being completed)
Today we’re working on [insert tasks], which is really important because ___________.

—OR–

What are you doing today and what’s the key to doing it right?
Today we’re working on [insert tasks] which can be a little tricky. The key to doing this right is ___________.

Where are you in the project process and who should come?
(scene: a 3rd location)
At this stage we’re [just starting / in the middle of / almost done with] the house. We still need community members to help build this home. No construction experience necessary. So, come join me!

Production Tips:

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Use captions in the final video so that viewers watching without sound on are engaged.
Aim to take 8-10 videos that are 10-15 seconds long.
Try to find a quiet place when the manager is talking to the camera. Try to get close to the person so you can hear them well.
After the introduction, follow the Site Manager while still filming. Follow them while they take you to the second place where the work is happening.
Find other opportunities to video the Site Manager working individually or with others while they’re not talking to the camera – this is known as b-roll.
If videoing the job site from far back make sure that you are panning across the site, don’t take a static video.
Try to get a variety of videos up close and far back.
Consider videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Shot List Suggestions:

Construction Manager Welcome – in front of the construction site.
Construction Manager Task for the day – closer to where the action is happening.
Construction Manager Call to Action – anywhere on the site.
Following Construction Manager from Welcome scene into the construction site.
Stand 20-30 yards away from the house and pan across the exterior. Aim for 5-7 seconds total.
Construction Manager working with volunteers or teaching them something new.
Group of volunteers working together and/or moving materials.
Staged group of all volunteers celebrating at the end of the day, or at some point during the day.
Staged small group of volunteers smiling at the camera and celebrating or doing something silly.
Do your best to create movement in your video. Either the person you are filming should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
Consider videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Construction Site Tour by Volunteer

Example Video

In this video a construction site volunteer is going to welcome us to the site, then show us what they’re working on. The tour can include some personal reflection on why the person came to volunteer.

Before Filming:

Get to know the volunteer first. Ask them for their backstory so they feel relaxed and familiar with what they might say to the camera. Try to make this experience fun for them!
Get their verbal permission to post this video on social media – not everyone is interested in that.
Find a quiet place or time where the volunteer can speak without a lot of background noise.
Let the person know ahead of time the questions you’re going to ask them so they feel prepared. Remind them that you can re-do the filming as many times as needed, so there’s less pressure.
Instruct the volunteer to repeat your question as the beginning of their answer so the video has more context. For example:
1. Q. What is your name?
2. A: My name is Sam.
Instruct the person to speak loudly and clearly into the camera/phone.

Talking points:

NOTE: These talking points are suggestions. Encourage your interviewee to speak naturally and bring their own personality to the video. This is not meant to be a script. But, some people may appreciate some guidance about what to say to the camera. In that case, this is a resource for you.

Welcome – who are you and how many times have you volunteered?
(scene: in front of the construction site)
Hi, I’m ____________ and today I’m volunteering out on [name of construction site]! This is my first time volunteering here and so far it’s been a lot of fun.

– OR –

Hi, I’m ____________ and today I’m volunteering out on [name of construction site]! I’ve volunteered with Habitat X times before. I came back because _________.

What are you doing today and what’s the best part of that work?
(scene: closer to where the tasks are being completed)
So, today we’re working on [insert tasks]. The best part about doing this task is _____________ because ______________.

What do you like best about volunteering for Habitat and would you do it again?(scene: a 3rd location)
The best part of volunteering with Habitat is ________________.

Production Tips:

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Use captions in the final video so that viewers watching without sound on are engaged.
Aim to take 8-10 videos that are 5-7 seconds long.
Try to find a quiet place while the volunteer is speaking to the phone/camera.
After the introduction, film the individual walking in front of you to the second filming location. This shot will be used to bring the story together.
Find other opportunities to video the volunteer working individually or with others while they’re not talking to the camera – this is known as b-roll.
If videoing the job site from far away make sure that you are panning across the site, don’t take a static shot.
Try to get a variety of videos up close and far back.
Do your best to create movement in your video. Either the person you are filming should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
Consider taking videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Shot List Suggestions:

Construction Volunteer Welcome – in front of the construction site.
Construction Volunteer Task for the day – closer to where the action is happening.
Construction Volunteer Wrap up – anywhere on the site.
Follow volunteers from the welcome scene into the construction site.
Stand 20-30 yards away from the house and pan across the exterior. Aim for 5-7 seconds total.
Featured volunteer working individually.
Featured volunteer working together with other volunteers.
Selfie of featured volunteer with other volunteers having fun!
Staged small group of volunteers smiling at the camera and celebrating or doing something silly.

House Tour by Home Buyer

In this video a home buyer is going to welcome us to their home, then take us on a tour. The tour can include some personal reflection on what this house will mean to the family.

Example video

Before Filming:

Get to know the Homebuyer first. Ask them for their backstory so they feel relaxed and familiar with what they might say to the camera. Try to make this experience fun for them!
Get their verbal permission to post this video on social media – not everyone is interested in that.
Find a quiet place or time where the Homebuyer can speak without a lot of background noise.
Let the person know ahead of time the questions you’re going to ask them so they feel prepared. Remind them that you can re-do the filming as many times as needed, so there’s less pressure.
Instruct the Homebuyer to repeat your question as the beginning of their answer so the video has more context. For example:
1. Q. What is your name?
2. A: My name is Sam.
Instruct the person to speak loudly and clearly into the camera/phone.

Talking points:

Welcome – who are you?
(scene: in front of the construction site or in the front door if there is one)
Hi, I’m ____________ today we’re working on my home here in [community name]! I’d love to take you for a tour.

What are you working on today?
(scene: closer to where the tasks are being completed)
So, today we’re working on [insert tasks]. The best part about doing this task is _____________ because ______________.

What has it been like to help build your own home?
(scene: closer to where the tasks are being completed)
Building the home that I’m going to buy has been _______________ because _______________.

What room in the house is your favorite so far?
(scene: closer to where the tasks are being completed)
My favorite room in the house is _______________ because _______________.

What are you looking forward to the most about this home?
(scene: closer to where the tasks are being completed)
I’m looking forward to _______________ because _______________.

What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you move in?
(scene: a 3rd location)
The first thing I’m going to do when I move in is ________________.

Production Tips:

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Use captions in the final video so that viewers watching without sound on are engaged.
Try to find a quiet place while the Homebuyer is speaking to the phone/camera.
After the introduction, film the individual walking in front of you through the front door (if there is one). This shot will be used to bring the story together.
Find other opportunities to video the Homebuyer working individually or with others while they’re not talking to the camera – this is known as b-roll.
If videoing the construction site from far away make sure that you are panning across the site, don’t take a static shot.
Try to get a variety of videos up close and far back.
Do your best to create movement in your video. Either the person you are filming should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
Consider taking videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Shot List Suggestions:

Homebuyer welcome – in front of the construction site or in the doorway if there is one.
Homebuyer task for the day – closer to where the action is happening.
Homebuyer additional house questions – anywhere on the site.
Follow the homebuyer from the welcome scene into the house/construction site.
Stand 20-30 yards away from the house and pan across the exterior. Aim for 5-7 seconds total.
Featured homebuyer working together with other volunteers.
Staged small group of volunteers with the homebuyer smiling at the camera and celebrating or doing something silly.

House Tour Montage

Many of our community members are curious about what’s inside a Habitat home. The House Tour Montage gives your community a chance to see the inside of a finished Habitat house. This video doesn’t require you to film any individuals, which makes it an easy social video to get started.

Example Video

Tips for Production:

Aim to take 10-15 videos that are 5-7 seconds long.
Start the video by panning across the outside of the home.
Take a video walking through the entrance of the house.
Go to each room and pan from one side to the other.
Take extra footage of points of interest like appliances, fixtures, etc.

Video Shot List

Exterior of the house.
Walking into the house through the front entrance.
Sweeping pan from one side of the room to the other.
Highlights in each room.

ReStore Montage

This video has no individuals speaking. It’s a mash-up of videos and images of ReStore products and people working there.

Example Videos

Production Tips:

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Use captions in the final video so that viewers watching without sound on are engaged.
Aim to take 10-15 videos that are 5-7 seconds long.
Don’t be worried about starting your video early and stopping the video late when taking videos. Videos will be edited later to only show the best parts.
Create movement in your video. The people in your video should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
If videoing the outside of the store make sure that you are panning across the site, don’t take a static shot.
Try to get a variety of videos up close of individual products and far back showing the entire store interior.
Consider videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Shot List:

Start 20 yards away from the front of the ReStore. Then walk up to the front door and into the store. Keep walking down one of the isles.
Stand 20-30 yards away from the ReStore and pan across the exterior. Aim for 5-7 seconds total.
Go to each department/product section and pan across the inventory.
Video of you walking down aisles and between different sections of the store.
Videos of individual staff members working or doing something silly or fun.
Videos of groups of staff members working or doing something silly or fun.
Video of individual products – ask the store team what the hottest products are. Start 10 yards away from the product then walk up close to it.

ReStore Tour by Manager

In this video a ReStore employee is going to welcome us to the store, then take us on a bit of a scavenger hunt. The tour will include a number of the “best of” items inside the store.

Example Video

Before Filming:

Get to know the ReStore Manager first. Ask them for their backstory so they feel relaxed and familiar with what they might say to the camera. Try to make this experience fun for them!
Get their verbal permission to post this video on social media – not everyone is interested in that.
Find a quiet place or time where the ReStore Manager can speak without a lot of background noise.
Let the person know ahead of time the questions you’re going to ask them so they feel prepared. Remind them that you can re-do the filming as many times as needed, so there’s less pressure.
Instruct the Homebuyer to repeat your question as the beginning of their answer so the video has more context. For example:
1. Q. What is your name?
2. A: My name is Sam.
Instruct the person to speak loudly and clearly into the camera/phone.

Talking points:

Welcome:
(scene: in front of the store)
Hi, welcome to [name of ReStore location]! I’m __________, and I’m the ReStore manager here. Let me show you some of the cool stuff we have in the store right now!

What is the most popular item you have in the store and why do you think people buy it?
(scene: follow the employee walking to the store isle where they will answer this question)
The most popular item we have in the store is [insert item]. I think most people buy this because __________________.

What is the second most popular item you have in the store and why do you think people buy it?
(scene: follow the employee walking to the store isle where they will answer this question)
Another popular item we have in the store is [insert item]. I think most people are buy this because __________________.

What is the most comfortable chair/sofa in the store right now and why do you like it
(scene: follow the employee to the chair/sofa and film sitting down and relaxing in the chair)
This is by far the most comfortable chair/sofa in the store. I like this chair the most because __________________.

What’s the weirdest thing in the store right now?
(scene: follow the employee to the weirdest thing then get a close up of the item)
This is by far the weirdest thing that is in the store right now. This is probably __________________.

If you could purchase something in the store today, what would it be and why?
(scene: near the item the person wants to buy)
The thing I’d purchase today is ________________ because ____________.

Call to Action:
(scene: near the store entrance)
All of your purchases help fund Habitat’s work here in [insert service area]. There’s always new stuff coming in, so come down and visit us soon!

Production Tips:

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Use captions in the final video so that viewers watching without sound on are engaged.
Try to find a quiet place while the ReStore Manager is speaking to the phone/camera.
After the introduction, film the ReStore Manager walking in front of you through the front door of the store. This shot will be used to bring the story together.
Find other opportunities to video the ReStore Manager working individually or with others while they’re not talking to the camera – this is known as b-roll.
Try to get a variety of videos up close of individual products and far back showing the entire store interior.
Do your best to create movement in your video. Either the person you are filming should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
Consider taking videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Shot List:

ReStore Employee Welcome – in front of the ReStore.
Follow the ReStore Employee from the welcome scene through the front doors of the store and all the way to the first item.
ReStore Employee Other Questions – Film at the location with the item that is relevant to the answer to the question.
ReStore Employee Call to Action – anywhere in the store.
Stand 20-30 yards away from the store and pan across the exterior. Aim for 5-7 seconds total.
Go to each department/product section and pan across the inventory.
Video of you walking down aisles and between different sections of the store.

ReStore Tour by Volunteer

In this video a construction site volunteer is going to welcome us to the site, then take us on a tour. The tour can include some personal reflection on why the person came to volunteer.

Before Filming:

Get to know the volunteer first. Ask them for their backstory so they feel relaxed and familiar with what they might say to the camera. Try to make this experience fun for them!
Get their verbal permission to post this video on social media – not everyone is interested in that.
Find a quiet place or time where the volunteer can speak without a lot of background noise.
Let the person know ahead of time the questions you’re going to ask them so they feel prepared. Remind them that you can re-do the filming as many times as needed, so there’s less pressure.
Instruct the Homebuyer to repeat your question as the beginning of their answer so the video has more context. For example:
1. Q. What is your name?
2. A: My name is Sam.
Instruct the person to speak loudly and clearly into the camera/phone.

Talking points:

Welcome – who are you and how many times have you volunteered?
(scene: in front of the construction site)
Hi, I’m ____________ and today I’m volunteering at [name of ReStore location]]! This is my first time volunteering here and so far it’s been a lot of fun. Let me show you what I’m working on.

– OR –

Hi, I’m ____________ and today I’m volunteering at [name of ReStore location]! I’ve volunteered with Habitat X times before. Let me show you what I’m working on.

What are you doing today?
(scene: closer to where the tasks are being completed)
So, today we’re working on [insert tasks]. The best part about doing this task is _____________ because ______________.

What do you like best about volunteering for Habitat and would you do it again?
(scene: a 3rd location)
The best part of volunteering with Habitat is ________________.

Production Tips:

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Use captions in the final video so that viewers watching without sound on are engaged.
Try to find a quiet place while the volunteer is speaking to the phone/camera.
After the introduction, film the volunteer walking in front of you through the front door of the store. This shot will be used to bring the story together.
Find other opportunities to video the volunteer working individually or with others while they’re not talking to the camera – this is known as b-roll.
Try to get a variety of videos up close of individual products and far back showing the entire store interior.
Do your best to create movement in your video. Either the person you are filming should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
Consider taking videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Shot List:

ReStore Volunteer Welcome – in front of the ReStore.
Follow ReStore Volunteer from the welcome scene through the front doors of the store and all the way to where the second scene will be shot.
ReStore Volunteer Other Questions – Film any additional questions at new locations in the store.
Stand 20-30 yards away from the store and pan across the exterior. Aim for 5-7 seconds total.
Go to 2-3 department/product sections and pan across the inventory.
Video of you walking down aisles and between different sections of the store.
Featured volunteer working individually.
Featured volunteer working with other volunteers/employees.
Staged small group of volunteers smiling at the camera and celebrating or doing something silly.

Event Montage

This video has no individuals speaking. It’s a mash-up of videos and images of event activities. This can be a good video to post as a recap of an event, or even during an event.

Example Video

Production Tips:

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Aim to take 10-15 videos that are 5-7 seconds long.
Don’t be worried about starting your video early and stopping the video late when taking videos. Videos will be edited later to only show the best parts.
Create movement in your video. The people in your video should be moving, or you should be moving with the camera (walking or panning).
If videoing the outside of the store make sure that you are panning across the site, don’t take a static shot.
Try to get a variety of videos up close of individual products and far back showing the entire store interior.
Consider videos where you are moving towards a person or object or slowing walking around them.

Shot List:

Group of participants in staged situations.
Group of participants in natural situations.
Group of participants showing energy, having fun, or doing something silly.
Panning view of the event venue.
Close ups of event merchandise or decorations.
Close ups of live music or event activities.

Single Question Interview

This video features an individual, or multiple people, answering one question. This content can be a good way to link program activities to mission impact. It can also be a good way to debunk common misperceptions about the organization’s work.

Example Video

Before Filming:

Get to know the person first. Ask them for their backstory so they feel relaxed and familiar with what they might say to the camera. Try to make this experience fun for them!
Get their verbal permission to post this video on social media – not everyone is interested in that.
Find a quiet place or time where the person can speak without a lot of background noise.
Let the person know ahead of time the questions you’re going to ask them so they feel prepared. Remind them that you can re-do the filming as many times as needed, so there’s less pressure.
Instruct the Homebuyer to repeat your question as the beginning of their answer so the video has more context. For example:
1. Q. What is your name?
2. A: My name is Sam.
Instruct the person to speak loudly and clearly into the camera/phone.

Production Tips:

Take the video with your phone vertically oriented.
Use captions in the final video so that viewers watching without sound on are engaged.
Reels must be 90 seconds or shorter. So, be sure the answer to your question is relatively quick.
Make sure to find a quiet place to film so you can hear the interviewee.
Consider questions that will capture the audience’s interest.
Use captions in the final video so that viewers watching without sound on are engaged.
Add the question in text in the opening scene.
Edit out any long pauses or filler words from the person speaking when you’re editing the video.

Shot List:

Take one video for the intro scene that you can add the question on.
Take one video of the person answering the question