Update: There are so many wonderful services that do all this for you now!! This post (below) feels outdated, because given the choice I feel it’s definitely worth it to use a service to do this!
Get Montage
This one is brand-new to me, and I am in love with it. It lets participants add their own pre-recorded videos or use their site to film. It stitches all the videos together with light music and even offers a reaction video. The site sends all participants a copy of the final video. Having made these on my own for years, I’m just beyond grateful for this option!
KudoBoard
While the GetMontage above is focused more on videos, I like that KudoBoard offers itself more to a combination of videos, old photos, and even visual “cards” and typed messages. I’ve been a participant and organizer for a few KudoBoards, but I’m sure there are still features I have yet to explore.
I’m positive there are other great, similar sites out there, but those are the two I’ve come across. Here are the steps I used to take to create these “from scratch.” While I probably won’t do many this way anymore, it might be a good option if you have a specific vision or you want more control over editing other people’s videos or the background music choices.
I love making videos for people! The idea is simple– I reach out to friends and family asking for a short video message for the recipient. I compile the videos. I send it!
The process doesn’t always feel as simple…but it’s always worth it. I’ve done this for friends and family when it’s a birthday, a graduation, a wedding, and, a couple of times, for people who were very sick. It’s a way to show someone you love how much they’re loved. And, it’s something they can watch again and again.
This digital world has made it easy for us to gather messages from friends and family, no matter where they are. And this year, especially, the video projects have been a great way to “be there” for people when we couldn’t actually be present.
–I start by sending out an email or texts to friends and family asking them to record a short message. I explain who it’s for, who I am (if some of the people may not know me), and what occasion it’s for. I like to let people put their own spin on the message, but sometimes a bit of guidance helps. Letting people know it doesn’t have to be long or fancy. Letting them know it can be silly or creative, if that applies to the celebration. And, then the important part–setting a deadline. It feels weird creating a deadline when I know I’ll usually be compiling these at the last minute anyway, but many of these projects would be impossible if every video came rolling in at the end. And, people tend to need reminders…
–Send a gentle reminder as the deadline is approaching. Remind the people who haven’t turned a video in yet, how much it will mean to the recipient to see them. Also, remind them their video can be as simple as a selfie wave and “Happy birthday!” or whatever the occasion is.
–Start compiling the videos on iMovie, or whatever program you have, as they come in.
–Don’t forget to acknowledge and thank each participant as you receive the videos!!
–Leave time for technology to be difficult. It happens every time, without fail. It seems so straightforward, and then technology gives me the runaround-argh.
–I load the completed video onto Dropbox so I can share the link, since the finished videos are usually too long for any message. Perhaps Google Drive works for these too? And others, I’m sure.
–Remember to send the video on the special occasion!
–I like to reach out and thank all those that have participated one more time and let them know how much the recipient enjoyed the video.
I mentioned some of the occasions I’ve done this for, but the possibilities are endless:
-Birthday (especially milestones, but doesn’t have to be..)
-Anniversary
-New baby
-Engagement or wedding
-Graduation
-Retirement
-Holiday (This one has become especially timely this year. If someone is forced to spend a holiday alone, holiday messages or songs could be a wonderful way to cheer someone.)
-Mother’s Day or Father’s Day from the kids
-Congratulations for an accomplishment
-Someone who could use cheering up (You can ask for jokes or silly/unique videos. Or just messages of love)
-Someone who is hurt or sick (Again, especially in this time when those who are sick aren’t always able to see visitors.)
-Someone who deserves extra appreciation (Videos of gratitude are so wonderful to collect and send!)
Other ideas:
–You can also do solo videos, obviously. While there’s definitely something special about a heartfelt handwritten message or a phone call, a video can be a nice way for your friend or family member to “see” you, and it allows you to have a chance to speak from your heart and say what you’d like to say. This works great for those times or occasions when you might like the idea of a video message, but might not be up for making a whole video collection.
–The videos don’t have to be messages, necessarily. You could ask people to tell jokes or stories, perform songs or dances, read poetry or book passages, teach a skill, etc.
For someone who shies away from technology, I sure do appreciate what it can do. Watching the messages people contribute for these projects warms my heart so much. I love this memorable and free group gift.
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