Video sharing on YouTube is free and all it takes to start a social media campaign on this site is to create an account and get creative. Of course, it is not as easy as it sounds but it is not difficult either. Here are some basic tips to help you get started on successfully penetrating YouTube.
1. Make it a part of your over-all social media campaign. Create a user name that sounds professional and that reflects the image you want for your business. Incorporate your YouTube channel URL to your other marketing collateral–both online and offline.
2. Come up with relevant and creative content. Your videos do not have to cost a lot of money. Being creative means not resorting to a PowerPoint presentation type of video wherein you just loop photos and embed music. It can be as simple as a testimonial video from a content client or an interview with one of your employees. Your viewers will also appreciate useful content such as “how to” videos that are related to your business. You can also answer FAQs using videos or even address customer concerns. Just make sure that your videos always look professional.
3. Do not use YouTube to sell. Social media tools are for connecting with your target market. If you take advantage of their interaction with you by constantly bombarding them with sales pitches, you risk losing them as viewers and as customers.
4. Do not worry too much about your view count. As long as you are connecting with your target market, you are on the right track. Unless your goal is to become an Internet sensation, you do not need to target millions of viewers.
5. Make your YouTube channel SEO-friendly. You can do this by adding keyword-rich tags to your videos and SEO-friendly titles and descriptions. You can also insert links and enable comments, ratings and embedding. Just make sure to not overdo it because it might look contrived. As in any social media marketing tool, subtlety is always key.
