YouTube tips
I just got a tweet from the homie Bendrix about an article on “Making YouTube A Brand Builder”. It’s a good read, and really useful. I know I need to update my channel and re-brand it for PapaLoDown PR after reading this!
Here are the main points to take note of:
Use YouTube Channels
On YouTube, channels are also known as “user profiles” and basically comprise the place where you will upload all of your videos to. The first time out, YouTube will automatically create a channel for you, and will then add all subsequent videos to the same place. On it, you can control the way videos are featured and presented to viewers. “Channels are a great tool because anyone who likes your videos can subscribe to your channel and receive notifications when new videos are posted,” says Miller. “Think of it as your home page, and treat it as such by creating a unifying message that your loyal customers will return to again and again.”Personalize Your Channel
A YouTube channel page is actually a profile page, which means you’ll want to customize the page to reflect your business’ image and brand. It can be personalized from your My Account page, where you can edit channel info (such as a new title and description for your channel page); channel design (the overall look and feel of your channel page); personal profile (business name, description, link to your company Web site, and so forth) and location information (city, state and zip code). “Don’t forget to put up a logo,” says Miller, “and to always use text that reinforces your marketing message.”Use a Video Log:
YouTube offers companies the unique opportunity to post video blogs online in a way that doesn’t scream “Hey, we want your business!” Depending on what type of business you’re in, a video log that features a CEO, manager or other person discussing a topic of interest to viewers (an event marketing firm, for example, might produce a 5-minute video previewing an upcoming marathon) can be an effective way to spread your message. “It allows you to put a human face on your products and services,” says Miller, “in a cheap, quick way that doesn’t require a studio, lights or makeup artist.”Get Viewers Involved
Miller says some of the biggest corporate YouTube success stories involve firms that used contests to attract attention to their YouTube channels. Product marketers, for example, might run a contest that entices viewers to submit their own video commercials for one of their newest products. Or, a firm could provide the necessary video components and allow viewers to “mash up” those elements into their own video. “It’s about moving viewers from simply being observers,” says Miller, “to truly getting them involved with your products and services.”Manage Viewers and Comments
By default, all YouTube videos allow comments unless the feature is disabled, which in turn reduces viewer interactivity. “Many companies don’t even think about how to manage this aspect of the campaign until they hear something nasty,” says Miller. “The best strategy is to accept that there will be negative comments, and devise a plan for dealing with them.” – Timothy R. Hawthorne via www.adage.com