blog
Beaconfire Survey: Favorite YouTube videos
February 22nd, 2008 by Beaconfire BloggersEditor’s 
note: Each week, we do a survey of Beaconfire staff to get impressions on a variety of non-profit technology issues. All opinions expressed here are solely those of their authors. Since video is becoming a more and more important medium for non-profits to use, we asked: What’s a youtube video that you would pass along? Note that these aren’t specifically videos we think non-profits should emulate, just examples of the diversity of opinion as to what makes a viral video.
Jeff, Principal Consultant: I usually pass along the videos I’m just seeing after everyone else has seen them. Here are two:
Eric, Senior Consultant: Cat playing the piano!
Taylor, Software Engineer: My top 5 youTube videos that make me laugh (I’m pretty sure they are appropriate)
- How to stop a kitten fight (depends on your sense of humor)
- Kick his Ask!
- Charlie bit my finger - again!
- Serious Baby… sometimes
- Grape Crusher
Marissa, Functional Consultant: Yo Gaba Gaba - the Party in my Tummy.
John Brian, Marketing Consultant: I’m generally a fan of anything that makes me laugh with or at political figures. Consequently, some of my favorites are:
- Barack Obama - The drawing board
- Any Mike Gravel music video
- Michigan for MItt
- The better John McCain “No we can’t” videos - John.He.Is and the Billionaires for Bush remix
I was also impressed by the responses to some of the user-generated content contests - particularly the Colbert Greenscreen Challange and The Office - make your own promo contest.
Michael, Principal Consultant: There’s no question in my mind what the greatest YouTube is of all time: Ask A Ninja from digitalfilmaker
This comedy series with witty repartee about all things pop culture has a dedicated (albeit highly disturbed) following - including me.
Tim, Functional Consultant: There are just too many to choose from, but I always enjoy Barats and Baretta. They’re great at short bits that deliver just exactly what they intend to delver. No fluff, just funny.
David, Software Engineer: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/
Mark, Functional Consultant: Anything with monkeys in it… especially…
I could go on and on… River Dance Monkeys
Kate, Administrative Assistant: Here are the only YouTube Videos I’ve ever passed around:
- Hillary Clinton’s “Caucusing is Easy” video, because it was genuinely humorous and informative (now I know how easy caucusing is!)
- Mike Gravel’s throwing the rock into the pond video, because it was weird and therefore funny.
- The cartoon parody of Mike Gravel’s throwing the rock into the pond video, because they apparently agreed with my assessment of the first video.
- “Series of Tubes” music video
- (I was also a big fan of Jib-Jab, but it hit the streets before I knew what a U-Tube was.)
The common link for me is being able to have a laugh either with or at politicians. The Clinton brand of self-effacing humor really tickled me, which was great for them, because it lead me to help get out their message. The rest were videos where the politicians involved probably would have been better off if their videos hadn’t made it into my mental space.
Erika, Operations Manager: Vista Wonders
Several Beaconfire Clients also have videos you should check out - like this introduction to Bread for the World’s Hunger Justice Leaders event or NPCA’s Teddy for President campaign ads. If you’re interested in learning more about how Beaconfire can work with your non-profit to create a viral video, please give us a call or send us an email!
