Online Tools for CSOs to Capture the Attention of ‘Busy and Easily Distracted People’
How can Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) make the information to be absorbed by different groups of the public and/or decision-makers easily accessible and attractive?
WE KNOW HOW and are ready to share those innovative tools with you.
EPF has introduced in Armenia and/or successfully utilized the following tools for advocacy and effective message delivery.
Information graphics or Infographics
Infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex qualitative and quantitative information quickly and clearly. Infographics can be referred to as data visualization or information design that: show the data, present many numbers in a small space, make large data sets coherent, encourage the eye to compare different pieces of data, reveal the data at several levels of detail, from a broad overview to the fine structure, serve a reasonably clear purpose: description, exploration, tabulation or decoration, avoid distorting what the data have to say.
Advantage: Can be prepared using only open source web-based, statistical, or research data; no need to use WikiLeaks etc. Can be “virally" shared by social networks, easily presented by print media; can serve as an illustration in TV broadcasts (such as talk show discussions).
Tip: To make it easier at first, and if the space permits, the infographic can be accompanied by an expert’s explanations.
Motion photo picture
A motion photo picture is a series of still images which, when shown on a screen, creates the effect of moving images due to the optical illusion of perceiving continuous motion between separate objects viewed rapidly in succession. A film is created by photographing actual scenes with a camera that is able to take a series of images, by photographing drawings or miniature models using traditional animation techniques, or by a combination of some or all of these techniques and other visual effects.
Advantage: Attracts attention as something new and fun; can be easily spread by social networks as well as used as an illustration in TV broadcasts.
Cartoons-caricatures
Cartoons-caricatures are an easy and fun way of reflecting upon important and urgent social issues with humor or satirizing the wrongdoers briefly and in an eye-catching way.
Advantage: Can be used by print press and easily spread by social networks as well as used as an illustration in TV broadcasts.
Animated films
Animated Films (up to 60 sec or slightly longer) on important and/or urgent issues usually generate significant viewership and comments.
Advantage: Can be easily spread by social networks as well as used as an illustration in TV broadcasts.
Prezi research presentation
The Prezi format is visually more attractive than the traditional PPT. Using the Prezi format to do presentations of large-scale research helps to hold the attention of the audience.
Advantage: Can be presented by the researchers online, on TV, or during round table discussions; can be distributed further through web based news agencies and social networks.
The “Three slides” approach
This is a great way of presenting a complex research in a short format, choosing the most revealing/illustrative data/slides. The entire presentation may not attract the attention of the audience, but three slides, if they are telling, usually do.
Ushahidi crowdsourcing technology
The Ushahidi platform is a country map where people may put information on any issue of concern. It was created in the aftermath of Kenya’s disputed 2007 presidential elections that collected eyewitness reports of violence sent by email and text message and placed them on a Google map. Crowdsourcing Ushahidi technology has been adapted and used in many countries for interactive mapping of various issues and particularly electoral violations. In Armenia the iDitord project created a platform to observe and report on the presidential elections in 2013. Such platforms as citybugs.am and taghinfo.am are also using the same approach.
Advantage: This user-friendly tool can contribute to a significant rise in awareness, unprecedented engagement of citizens, government attention and advanced publicity of reforms.