Little Power Tools for Prevention

How many ways do you (or could you) use your cell phone or smart phone as a power tool for prevention and community change?

When I first got a cell phone with a camera I honestly thought I'd never use it.  At the time I just wanted a cell phone that had good sound quality and didn't drop calls!  I didn't really care about texting or photos. I had no idea then how much a part of my daily routine these would become -- like a swiss army knife of communications.  Little did I know how cell phones would become little power tools for prevention.

I honestly haven't used the iPhone for shooting much video yet - until now. But I found this great iPhone Video Course and a no cost manual titled, The Missing Manual by Jules Watkins  -- a really great online, video-based course with easy access, well organized, packed with choices for using the iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad) to shoot really good video.  The price was reasonable so I jumped in -- and Wow! This course has changed my perspective on what's possible for coalitions and providers.

Why is video important to prevention?  There's three good reasons from my perspective, based in research and practice:

1. Did you know that video and other visuals like photos, illustrations and infographics (that can be turned into video) get clicked, liked and shared more often than text-only messages on Facebook. Additionally, Facebook's algorithm weight photos more heavily for EdgeRank. 
2. So you won't be surprised by Dr. John Medina's Brain Rule #10 that "vision trumps all other senses". Visuals (done well) communicate much faster than the usual print media we so often see in prevention. Note the rise of Pinterest to the third largest growing social network behind Facebook and Twitter!
3. There's even more reasons outlined by Garr Reynolds on his blog and in his book, Presentation Zen and then there's educator Dr. Ruth Clark in The New Virtual Classroom.  Seems visuals play a huge role in learning, retention and attention.
4. YouTube is the number two search engine in the world right behind Google so video gives you an opportunity to amplify and leverage your online presence (and message) in ways not otherwise possible.

Besides family (where I've been practicing), there's abundant opportunities to capture the good things coalitions and provider networks do in communities. (Links included below to some of my favorite coalition examples.)

• Coalition visibility
• Campaigns 
• Trainings 
• Conferences (like the upcoming CADCA Forum)
• Event trailers
• Collaborations 
• Community meetings
• Celebrations 
• Strategies in action 
• Partnerships 
• Candids 
• Member recruitment
• Tell a story

From my perspective there's not only the need to learn to use these tools to produce and share attention-getting and engaging visuals (stills and video) but these things are key to an effective communications plan. 

Do you or interested coalition members or providers carry and use an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad?  If you do, take a look at this resource from Jules and see if it will help you work more effectively and offer more interesting and engaging content online.  By way of full disclosure, I've decide to be an affiliate for the manual and course (it's that good) so if you choose to take the course using the links provided, I will be compensated a little bit.  Thank you.

How are you using photos and video to keep your coalition relevant and to amplify the good in your community?