Best Practices for Creating Your ThankView Video
Naming and Data Conventions
To ensure we can manage and report on ThankView activity, adhere to the following data guidelines.
- Campaign Type = Contact Purpose (options are “cultivation” or “scheduling” or “stewardship”)
- Always include recipients’ Advance IDs
Message Customization
The following fields are recommended for each ThankView message, regardless of whether the message is being sent to an individual or a group of donors.
- Name on outside of envelope*
- Welcome message above the envelope*
- Sender name* (default is “University of Virginia;” we recommend an individual’s or school/unit name)
- Video message (best practice is under 3 minutes; 1-2 minutes is recommended)
- Text under video message
- Logo after the video (default is “University of Virginia;” we recommend school/unit logo)
- Music before the video (default is no music, ‘Good Old Song’ is available)
- You may also choose not to use an envelope and elect to have a preview of the video message displayed in the body of the email
Filming a Video on Your Phone
- Don’t shoot vertical video
- Don’t use digital zoom
- Find the best natural light or add light if able
- Avoid backlit situations – meaning the light is coming from behind the subject
- Choose a neutral uncluttered background
- Find a quiet place with no ambient noise (like wind, birds, background voices, etc.)
- Keep your shot relatively still
- Use a tripod if you have one
- Use a microphone if you have one
- Don’t walk and film
- If you do move, use your body as a tripod and hold the camera as still as possible
- Use a selfie stick, if you have one, for different angles
- Practice your script/remarks before filming
Filming a Video on Your Computer
- Don’t shoot vertical video
- Don’t use digital zoom
- Find the best natural light or add light if able
- Avoid backlit situations – meaning the light is coming from behind the subject
- Choose a neutral uncluttered background
- Find a quiet place with no ambient noise (like wind, birds, background voices, etc.)
- Use a microphone if you have it
- Sit in a chair that doesn’t move or swivel
- The computer should be situated at eye level or slightly higher than the subject so they are looking directly into or slightly up, instead of down, into the computer
- Practice the script/remarks before filming
Watch this fun video for additional tips.