Are you up-to-date with the latest changes on YouTube?
If not, contact your social media agency now and make sure that you include YouTube’s changes in strategizing for your Internet marketing campaign for 2012. The changes, launched December of last year, were met with a lot of criticism but it does not change the fact that they are here to stay. So instead of whining, why not learn to embrace and maximize the benefits of these changes?
Courtesy of the Social Media Examiner, here are our top three tips for better video marketing on YouTube.
1. YouTube’s new home page now has a Subscription Feed function (which looks like Facebook’s Live Feed) which requires you to be logged on for full viewing. Is what we see here an attempt by the world’s most popular video sharing site to be more like a social network? What can you and your social media agency do to take advantage of this? Well, for starters, it helps a lot to be active on a regular basis. Upload fresh content and follow up on it. The more activity you have, the more exposure you get. Next, have a call to action. Ask your viewers to subscribe, rate and comment on your videos. Again, this helps you get more exposure on the YouTube home page. And don’t forget the golden rule, quality over quantity!
2. The new YouTube has a new look for their channel layout but in essence, the functionality is basically retained. You will notice that YouTube is starting to feature channels on search results pages for relevant keywords so here’s a note for you and your social media agency: focus on channel optimization so you are easier to find. You can start by setting up a relevant background image which reflects your brand identity and the services or products you offer. Next, edit your channel details especially since the changes can affect your existing channel details. Fill out the title, description and tags using your main keyword phrases. Be clear, concise and benefit-driven. Activate the “Blogger Template” which is YouTube’s new feature wherein you can choose from four templates to customize your channel layout and design. We also recommend selecting a featured video which will auto-play when people go to your channel. We suggest choosing a more recent video. Lastly, don’t forget to add links. Make sure your social media marketing agency does this because like we said earlier, it makes you easier to find online!
3. YouTube now has analytics. Using this really handy tool, you can now learn more about your viewers, your videos and your activity on YouTube! You and your social media agency can use this tool to find out the flaws in your channel and make the necessary changes to achieve better results. For example, you can assess audience retention using a tool (previously called “Hotspots”) which identifies the exact moments when your viewers “run for the hills” or do a “digital double-take.” With the new YouTube, you can now also see the exact location from where your videos are being viewed. That’s valuable information right there!
Aren’t these changes exciting? We want to know what you think!