Rustic Roots

AFP ICON has always been a highlight for us here at Rustic Roots. If we sum up the experience in one word, it would be "Community." Over the past four years, we've had the privilege of building numerous meaningful relationships at ICON, and this year was no exception. And our Storytelling Intersections series was a big success! We interviewed speakers and nonprofit leaders - Lynne Wester, T. Clay Buck, CFRE, Kel Haney, Derria Ford, MBA, Ed. D, Tim Sarrantonio, Abigail Jarvis, Julia Campbell, Jesse Park, Tim Lockie, John Lepp, Tasha Van Vlack, Mitch Stein, and Meenakshi (Meena) Das. Take a look at the recap to get a glimpse of the insightful discussions. It was inspiring to spend time with industry leaders at our booth, engaging in insightful discussions about storytelling. Stay tuned for the full episodes of Storytelling Intersections from Rustic Roots, which we'll be rolling out soon!

Will you be at #AFPIcon? We are heading to Toronto on April 7 for AFP Icon– the world's largest fundraising conference. Will you be there? We would love to see you! Head to booth #1301 to say hi and take part in our Storytelling Intersections series, which we'll be hosting throughout the conference. Storytelling intersects with so much of our nonprofit work. With over 10 sessions, we'll explore how compelling storytelling can ignite change, foster deeper connections, and drive innovation across fundraising, marketing, donor relations, and more. Featured speakers include Meenakshi (Meena) Das, Mitch Stein, Tasha Van Vlack, John Lepp Tim Lockie, Jesse Park, Julia Campbell, Aimée Lindenberger, CFRE, Tim Sarrantonio, Abigail Jarvis, T. Clay Buck, CFRE, Derria Ford, MBA, Ed. D, Kel Haney, and Lynne Wester So, if you're attending AFP ICON, don't miss Storytelling Intersections! Stop by booth #1301 to learn more, and be sure to follow us on social media for updates. PS. And if you won't be at ICON this year, be on the lookout for the recap video we'll be sharing!

A powerful and impactful video not only informs but also moves your audience. Crafting an effective video appeal goes beyond just stating the facts—it's about forging an emotional connection that inspires action. What does it look like to engage both the heart and mind? Engage the Heart 🧑🤝🧑 Share genuine stories that resonate with your audience's experiences and emotions.  🎵 Choose uplifting music and imagery that complement your narrative. Inspiring visuals and soundtracks can evoke feelings of optimism, motivation, and empowerment. 🎉 Celebrate achievements and milestones, both big and small, to instill a sense of pride and happiness, encouraging continued support and engagement. Engage the Mind 📋 Clearly communicate your mission and goals 📊 Back up your messaging with data, statistics, and credible information 📣 Provide clear calls-to-action that motivate your audience Do you want support creating video appeals that stir the heart and mind? DM us, and let's chat!

We find immense joy in partnering with nonprofit organizations like yours to help share your mission through visual storytelling. 💖 Here are five reasons why we love working with nonprofits: 🌍 Purpose-driven work: We're inspired by organizations like yours that exist to make a positive difference in the world. 🎥✨ Creativity with a cause: We enjoy the creative challenge of producing videos that educate, engage, and inspire action around a social cause. 🌱 Lasting social impact: Your work creates meaningful, long-term change. It's gratifying to know our videos support programs and services that truly help people. 🌟 Shared values: We are deeply aligned with your values and vision for a better world. Collaborating with an organization that shares our commitment to social good is a privilege. 🤝 Partnership: More than a vendor, we see ourselves as partners in creating videos that powerfully communicate your inspirational work. We value this collaborative relationship. Thank you for all you do to create a brighter future. 💕Happy Valentine’s Day! #NonprofitLove 

Join us in wishing a very Happy Birthday to our founder, Matthew Reynolds! 🎂 Your vision, dedication, and leadership continue to inspire us every day. Here's to another year of success, growth, and making a positive impact. Cheers to you, Matthew!

New Podcast Alert! 🎙️Maria Bryan, our Director of Storytelling, launched When Bearing Witness this week, a podcast that explores trauma-informed storytelling. Rustic Roots proudly produces the podcast, and we're thrilled to see it live! Listen to the first two episodes at https://lnkd.in/e-MtytDn or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Then, sign up for the FREE launch party Maria is hosting this Friday. There will be $1,300+ of giveaways, special guests, and other surprises. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/egukzVuw

Happy New Year, everyone! As we step into a fresh year full of possibilities, it's the perfect time for you to reinvigorate your storytelling approach through impactful video content. Here's a roadmap to guide you toward a year of compelling video storytelling: 🔍 Reflect on Achievements and Set Goals Take a moment to look back at the video content from the past year. Identify what worked well and resonated with your audience. Then, set clear objectives for the coming year, whether it's increased engagement, broader outreach, or spotlighting specific initiatives. 📜 Create Key Messages Ensure your key messages align with your nonprofit's mission and current priorities. Consistent messaging across videos helps strengthen your brand identity. 🎬 Diversify Video Content Craft compelling narratives to humanize your cause. Share educational content about your mission, initiatives, and the impact of donations. Consider behind-the-scenes glimpses into your organization's daily operations. 📱 Choose the Right Platforms Identify the platforms where your audience is most active and adapt videos for each platform based on duration, style, and tone. 🗓️ Create a Content Calendar Plan content around monthly themes or key events. Maintaining a consistent posting schedule contributes to audience engagement. 👥 Get Your Team Involved Showcase the people behind the scenes through employee spotlights. Consider collaborations with influencers or other nonprofits to broaden your reach. Here's to a year of incredible and impactful video storytelling!

This year has been filled with inspiring stories, impactful projects, and incredible connections, and it wouldn't have been the same without you. We look forward to creating more amazing stories together in the coming year.   From all of us at Rustic Roots, we wish you a Happy Holiday season and a joy-filled New Year!   Warmest Regards, The Rustic Roots Team

We had such an amazing time this year! Here's to another year of making a difference and creating positive change in the world!

📢 Calling all nonprofit leaders. We want to help you showcase what sets you apart, articulate your mission, and provide clarity about your services. For the month of December, Rustic Roots is producing bio videos for nonprofit leaders and social impact service providers. Imagine the impact of sharing your leadership story through a captivating bio video front and center on your homepage or about page. You’ll… 👉 boost website SEO and keep visitors on your site longer.  👉 create a personal connection with your audience, fostering familiarity and trust.  👉 showcase your expertise and position yourself as an authority in your field, building credibility and influence. 👉 stand out in the crowd by delivering a memorable and positive message. Curious? Learn all about it and book your spot here: https://lnkd.in/eCHb5nbJ. Feel free to send me a DM if you want to chat about it!