When it comes to persuading people, we know that nothing is more powerful than the authentic conversations we have with the people we know and those we meet in our communities.

To help Democrats win and protect our democracy, we’re expanding the impact of that work by taking it to video, reaching many more voters than we can with door-to-door interactions alone.

In partnership with the Video Activists Academy, we'll be training and supporting a team of volunteer storytellers to capture personal stories and interviews using gear they already own—their smartphones—enhanced by equipment we will provide.

We will work to edit these on-the-ground stories to create 30, 60, and 90 second videos and place them on paid media platforms, targeting specific groups of voters to make the impact of this election personal and relevant to everyday people.

This project aims to make the case that Democrats do the most good for the most people by trusting the strength of local voices to build credibility for our Party, and the values we share to improve lives through policy.

Our goal is to place video ads like this one on digital streaming services and and social media platforms, targeted at persuadable voters in rural areas. While this is MUCH cheaper and more strategic than broadcast TV, it isn’t free! Contributions to support this project help us capture, edit, and distribute these ads. Click here to see where we will place these videos. Thank you for your support!

 

How Does it work?

We will work with a limited number of volunteers in Virginia Congressional Districts 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9 to provide brief, at-your-own-pace-training to become Video Storytellers. In addition to our investment in training resources, we will provide ongoing support staff. Video Storytellers will complete two brief training modules “Plan” and Shoot,” with an optional Short-Form Video module, and receive microphones for their smartphones along with other materials delivered to their door.

Then the fun work beings! Storytellers will reach out to their family members, friends, neighbors, and folks they meet in their community and schedule times to capture video stories. Rural GroundGame is responsible for the final ads, media release forms, and compliance.

Update: Thank you to all the wonderful Storytellers who are out interviewing members of their communities to make this project a success!!! We are currently at full capacity for Video Storytellers Volunteers. But there are still ways you can help!

Do you have a Have a story to share with one of our Storytellers?

Our Political Director, Lynlee, sitting down with her Dad, Tom, for an interview about his US Army service, healthcare, and his support for Democrats after many years of voting for Republicans.

 

A little training and support goes a long way

Good quality audio and decent video is make-or-break to keep viewers engaged. We’re incredibly grateful for the training and support our Storytellers receive from The Video Activists Academy. Training modules are organized by topic and made to work for any schedule.

 

Resources for Video Storytellers

In addition to training and equipment, we will provide additional resources like open office hours for support and direct contact with staff. Our focus this year will be on topics relevant to the 2024 election. We are most interested in personal impact stories related to issues like:

  • Healthcare

  • Reproductive Freedom

  • Education

  • Economic Issues

  • Climate/Environment

  • Civil Rights

  • Workers' Rights

  • Infrastructure

  • Foreign Policy

  • Active Military & Veterans

 
 

Here’s a quick Storyteller care package tour. Thank you to all our grassroots supporters who make this work possible!