Thursday, March 21, 2013

10 Simple Steps to Brand Yourself on YouTube




YouTube is more than just a website; it's the new TV. When the president of the United States uses a website to broadcast his or her State of the Union Address, you know that it's a force to be reckoned with. However, YouTube is better than TV because it's free and user-driven. This is an extremely valuable tool for spreading brand awareness online. Here are 10 easy ways to get exposure for your business on YouTube.

1. Keyword Optimize
YouTube is owned by Google and videos appear high in search results, so make sure that your tags and descriptions are keyword-optimized. You might want to also optimize the actual content of the video because Google may use voice recognition software in the future to index videos.

2. Show Your Expertise
The key is not to sell but to show your expertise. Pick a problem related to your business that your viewers might have and give them a solution. If you're a plumber, offer a simple plumbing tip. A cleaning company can make videos on easy carpet cleaning. Show them something you know how to do that will benefit them.

3. Show Your Products in Action
Don't just show your products or services, but show them in action. If you sell barbecue grills, teach your viewers some great BBQ recipes. Videos that show how to do something using the product are the most effective in marketing.

4. Short Videos Work Best
Videos don't have to be long. In fact, they shouldn't be. Focus on making videos that are just a few minutes long. If you've got a topic that stretches over 5 minutes, make two videos covering different aspects of it.

5. Give Them a Sneak Peek
Make videos that show your business's inside operations. Viewers who already like your brand love to get a sneak peek at what goes on behind closed doors.

6. Socialize and Subscribe
Remember that YouTube is a social media site. Subscribe to other channels, watch videos, comment and make friends. Other users will do the same for you and you'll create a network of similarly minded businesses that share leads.

7. Customize Your Channel
Make use of all of the customization options that YouTube offers for your channel. Try to give your visitors the best user experience possible. Align themes and colors with your website and other marketing materials.

8. Production Schedule
It doesn't matter how often you produce videos, but you need to do it regularly. Decide how many you'll post per week and stick to it.

9. Embed Everywhere
Put your videos all over your other social media sites. Embedding videos is as simple as copying a code and pasting it. You'll get them seen by more people and you'll also get backlinks.

10. Make 'Em Laugh
Everybody wants to have a viral video. Just one video that goes viral can get you exposure like you've never dreamed possible. Most viral vids get passed around because they're funny, so add a bit of humor to your videos.

Once you start seeing results from your YouTube branding efforts, you might consider upgrading your video equipment. To get started, all you need is a good web cam. But investing in gear such as lighting, a better sound system, a camera and editing software can help you produce better videos more easily. It's well worth the money to create higher quality videos than your competitors'.

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