If you’re planning a Capitol Hill fly-in, you probably already have a long to-do list. Between scheduling Hill meetings, planning advocacy events, and coordinating member travel, video might not be the first thing on your mind. But it’s worth considering early.
Video gives you the chance to turn a single day of advocacy into a storytelling moment that can be accessed across all digital platforms. When done right, it helps you amplify your mission well beyond the event itself.
At LAI Video, we’ve filmed throughout the Capitol and understand the unique challenges of capturing effective fly-in content. These tips will help you plan and get the most value from your video.
1. Think About Video Early in the Planning Process
As you pull together your event and attendee lists, consider the storytelling possibilities:
- Clarify your big idea. Focus your attendees on one clear message that matters most, rather than trying to say everything on camera.
- Choose the right advocates. Select articulate spokespeople, recognizable faces, or those with powerful stories that shine against the Capitol backdrop.
- Prep content early. Pre-event videos can align attendees, highlight key stats, and guide messaging. They can also be used at the event or shared with lawmakers.
- Plan powerful visuals. From Capitol group shots to private meetings, capture the moments that best tell your advocacy story long after the event ends.
We help our partners prioritize their key messages and shot lists to make the most of the limited time on the Hill and ensure we walk away with invaluable content that aligns with your broader goals.
2. Define the Final Product Before You Start Filming
Having clarity on the specific content deliverables also helps inform the filming process and make the most efficient use of your attendees’ time on-site. At fly-ins, we help our partners create:
- Recap videos that summarize the event, depict a united industry, and help drive future fly-in promotion
- Advocacy explainers that outline key issues with personal stories at the center
- Social media content for LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook that breaks apart key moments into a series of short-form clips
- Promotional videos that more directly solicits future fly-in participation
- Thank-you messages for lawmakers, supporters, or internal stakeholders
Each video type requires different filming setups, formatting, and participants. The more we know about your ideal content in advanced, the better we can schedule and coordinate filming schedules that synchronize with your event.
3. Capture Content You Can Use All Year
Your fly-in offers a rare moment when passionate members, persuasive stories, and high-energy visuals all come together. That’s a valuable combination. With a thoughtful filming approach, you can walk away with more than just a recap.
While on-site, consider capturing additional content for:
- General identity and branding videos for your organization
- Other initiatives and marketing priorities beyond the advocacy issues of the day (upcoming meetings, new programs, major campaigns, etc.)
- Special recognition for individuals, award honorees, and organization anniversaries
- Behind-the-scenes footage that offers a candid look of members in action
If your Hill schedule (or physical space) is tight, you also have the option to capture more polished interviews at LAI Video’s studio, located in downtown Washington, DC. It’s a convenient location to record high-quality content, either before or after the fly-in itself.
4. Target Key Audiences with Digital Advertising
Publishing your fly-in content on your website or social media is a great way to start building momentum. But if you want your message to reach the people who need to see it, like policymakers, staffers, or members, adding a digital advertising strategy can make a big difference.
Depending on your goals, you might want to:
- Target lawmakers’ districts with authentic stories from their constituents
- Reach Hill staffers and policy influencers around Washington, D.C.
- Retarget your email list or website visitors with a strong call to action
- Create issue-specific campaigns that run after the fly-in to keep momentum going
Video tends to perform especially well in paid placements because it captures attention quickly and delivers your message visually. And with thoughtful audience targeting, even a modest budget can go a long way.
At LAI Video, we offer digital ad services customized specifically to advocacy and association campaigns. From strategic targeting to creative optimization, we’ll help you run campaigns that reach key audiences and drive results. Learn more here.
Ready to Get Started?
When you need a partner who understands how to navigate sensitive topics, tight deadlines, and high-stakes messaging, LAI Video is ready to help. We’ve spent decades working with associations across DC, creating campaigns that are thoughtful, persuasive, and built for results.
With a studio just blocks from the Hill and a team that knows the landscape, our team is ready to build a custom solution that aligns with your message, timeline, and budget.
Let’s tell your story. Get in touch with our team today.
