In the world of online video YouTube is definitely the premier site for free video hosting. Just create an account, upload your clips and you’ve officially joined the online video community! According to some estimates, there are now well over 100 million videos on YouTube. Below, tips for getting your clip to stand out among so many others.
Get Found
YouTube has its own search engine at the top of its home page, which allows visitors to find clips about virtually any topic. When you upload your video, you’ll be able to attach “keywords” to it, so you’re more easily found in this search engine. You’ll want to include many related keywords so you’ll have the best chance at landing in someone’s search results. Also, consider alternate spellings! If your company is named “Mpyre Computer Ninjas” you’ll want to include “Empire” as well.
Grab Attention
Your YouTube video will have a “thumbnail” which is a single, still frame from within your video. YouTube will randomly grab several frames, and let you choose which one to use as your thumbnail. If you don’t select, it will pick one for you. This is a missed opportunity! Be sure to choose the most eye-catching one. Even if someone isn’t searching for your video, that one thumbnail might be enough to pique their curiosity and get them to click “Play.”
YouTube’s Unique Features
Because YouTube is solely dedicated to online videos, it offers features most other networking sites don’t:
Embedding: YouTube lets insert your clips directly into your own web page. Why is this key? Otherwise you may have to purchase additional space from your host to upload such large files onto your site. YouTube does it for free.
Connection: YouTube is intertwined with so many other networking sites like Facebook, Google and Twitter that when you post or like a video on YouTube, you can easily and quickly update your other sites about this new post.
Statistics: YouTube counts how many times your video has been viewed, whether it’s through Facebook or your own website.
YouTube is a powerful place in the online community. Knowing how to work it to your best advantage can help you find a home in the vast world of the internet.
