As many, if not more, searches are conducted on YouTube than on the most popular search engine, Google. YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos. The launch and rise in popularity of YouTube has created so many additional opportunities for publicity and building profile, that are open to virtually everybody with a recording device.
Create a unique YouTube video for branding exposure
The options are endless and anybody with half a creative bone in their body can post something really unique that will give exposure to their message, company, brand or product. In fact, some videos that are really different, creative, interesting or humorous have gone viral; in other words, people have willingly shared them with friends, family and colleagues because they found the video interesting or entertaining. When coming up with ideas on what can be created, options are literally only limited by your imagination and what sort of video/editing equipment and experience you have. The technology nowadays is not only inexpensive, but relatively simple to use. Here is an example that a book publisher, Bright Light Multimedia, used to promote an anthology of love stories and poems in the lead-up to Valentines Day. They uploaded two videos, each with a similar theme, but will a completely different take on the idea. The concepts are simple, but effective.
Top tips for creating a successful YouTube blog post:
Use these ideas to capture attention, build your profile and maybe even get people talking!
- Keep videos short and sweet and make sure you grab the attention of the viewer in the first ten seconds. People’s attention span online is vastly reduced than offline, so you need to grab them immediately.
- Include an element of entertainment, humour or interest. Remember that just because you think your idea is fabulous, others won’t necessarily, so get a second, third and fourth opinion.
- Steer clear of making it look and feel too much like an advertisement. That is generally not what will get the attention of YouTube viewers.
- However, that said, be sure to direct viewers back to you so they can buy from you. Your website at the end of the video clip is a good idea.
In future blog posts, I will share ideas on creating a brand and expert profile via regular YouTube videos.
