Non-Profit Raps to Raise Awareness

April 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Marketing for small non-profits doesn't get any easier in these trying economic times. Competition is all around from both small and larger non-profits. Many companies are still using the direct mail approach, but this can be quite costly if you happen to be  a small non-profit on a tight budget.

"We found that video is more economical and engaging than direct mail is for us", said Gabe O'Neill, president of Kids Are Heroes®. "We have enjoyed significant returns from our social media efforts on both Twitter and Facebook, amassing more than 50,000 fans and followers. But until recently we have only used YouTube as an outpost. We have now put significant efforts into expanding our reach through video."

To that end, O'Neill's daughter MaryMargaret, the 13-year-old founder of Kids Are Heroes, stars in the non-profit's first rap video. Filmed using green screen technology it places the youngster in all kinds of exotic and fun locales hoping to make an impression on their viewers. It seems to be paying off as well. In just two days the video has enjoyed more than 300 views and that number keeps rising.

"For less than the cost of one direct mail campaign, we were able to find adequate lighting and green screen materials on EBay. The camera is a Flip video camera which was purchased with the software at a deep discount through techsoup.org. "The rest was up to us", said O'Neill. "We've always tried to think outside the box when it comes to marketing. It also provides a personal plus when I can bond with my daughter during the production of these videos. This is also something we recommend to all of our heroes and their families. It is an effective tool and at the same our heroes and their families can spend quality time together."

The non-profit followed up that short film with a "Pop-Up Video" style version of it which emulates the popular VH1 series of the 1990's. The video has various trivia nuggets about the production of the film which enhance the viewing of it.

In the end, O'Neill and his daughter hope that people enjoy the fun the spirit of their videos bring and inspire them to become involved with the organization.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gU-xqM7j-Q



To view the pop-up version of the rap video and others they have produced, go to the non-profit's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/KidsAreHeroes.

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Non-profit based in Maryland that showcases children who do selfless acts for others so as to inspire other families to participate.