1. What is YouTube?
YouTube is a video-sharing website where users can upload, share and view videos. Created in 2005, YouTube provides an open forum for people to connect, inform, and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. Since it’s creation YouTube has become the number two search engine in the world following only Google, it’s parent company. Today YouTube is averaging 2 billion views per day with 24 hours of video being uploaded each minute. YouTube is supported on various platforms such as smartphones, iPads, and of course, computers. It is available worldwide in over 24 different languages with HD and 3D capabilities.
2. Why YouTube?
YouTube is a social network which provides an opportunity that Google search does not, a buzz. Users can create a buzz about your products or services through favoriting, video replying, commenting, and rating your videos. By creating an official channel, your company is able to harness this ‘buzz’ and turn it into actual consumers. Companies are able to use their YouTube channel to not only promote products and events, but showcase company culture and positive social impact. It is important to show your customers aspects of your company they may have not previously known about and YouTube offers a free, direct way to reach out to them. Adding viral marketing to your advertising plan gives your company a one-two punch of Internet visibility. YouTube, in partnership with Google, offers an outstanding amount of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and even transcribes audio turning it into searchable text. Video currently represents a quarter of the web’s traffic and is expected to reach as much as 90% within three years.
3.Who is using YouTube?
- ABC Networks – the page looks very similar to their website and has links to watch full episodes of their shows. Also the videos on youtube seem to be a behind the scenes look into some of their shows.
- NBC – Logo at top of page to identify brand. Offers YouTube users teasers and previews of their shows.
- Allstate – features videos showcasing their community involvement and commitment to issues such as ending domestic violence and unsafe driving practices.
- Google – how to videos on using different google products ie. moblie editing in google docs, behind the scenes look at what it is like to work at google.
- Nike – has multiple youtube channels, nikefootball, nikebasketball, nikesoccer. Nike promos by popular athletes and commercial promotional videos.
- Pepsi – features the “Pepsi Refresh Project,” commercials, pepsi max, pepsi throwback, pepsi music, pepsi sports
- Victoria’s Secret – promotes the brand and the fashion show that is airing soon. Casting videos, behind the scenes at the show and teaser previews
- NBA – features logo at top of sight followed by upcoming times for future games airing on the television. The channel focuses on highlights from past games and popular basketball players top plays videos.
- Warner Bros Records – official music videos of their artisits, teaser trailer’s for upcoming music videos
- Home Depot – features do-it yourself demos that are related to their in store appliances and products, educational videos about home decorating tips, energy saving tips, and how-tos.
- Quiksilver – surfing videos, professional surfer interviews , and featured client promo videos ie. tony hawk videos
4. How to get traffic to your YouTube Videos?
Once you’ve created your videos and have a YouTube channel, how do you get people to see those videos? With the numerous social media sites today, bringing attention to your videos is simple. When a video is uploaded to YouTube, simply copy the URL address and paste it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media accounts! Have a limited amount of space to post, such as Twitter accounts? There are endless URL address shortening websites to fix this dilemma. Some that we suggest are www.bit.ly, www.tinyurl.com, and www.ow.ly.
YouTube videos can also be embedded to play on your website. Users can play your YouTube video on your website but you don’t have to host it yourself. Because it is hosted on YouTube, there is no need to take up excess space on your site! Videos on your site offer a great way to inform as well as entertain those who view your website.
One of the most recent trends in social media are QR codes. A QR (quick response) code is a two-dimensional barcode readable by QR scanners, smart mobile phones with a camera. By creating a QR code that is linked to your YouTube videos, you are capable of taking your videos past just the computer screen and advertise anywhere. To learn more about QR codes, check out our blog post discussing the topic.
