Chances are that if at some point you wanted to try a DIY project, take up a new hobby, or look up a quick how-to video, you used YouTube. That’s because YouTube is not only the top place to stream video, it’s the #2 search engine in the world! It is also known for being the platform that appeals to all age demographics. These things make it a great medium to reach a broad range of target audiences.
But before we really get into how YouTube can be used in a business setting, let’s take a look at what YouTube is: from what its original intent was – all the way to how it became the massive streaming platform we know today.
YouTube was founded in 2005, and has since grown into the #1 destination for streaming video content. 1 billion hours of YouTube videos are watched and 30 million users are on the site every single day. The potential for growth and exposure through YouTube has become an essential piece for many marketers. Plus, YouTube is owned by Google, so there are SEO benefits that come as part of the package. Needless to say, there’s a lot of reasons YouTube is the place to be. Let’s take a look at how you can best utilize YouTube in your social media marketing strategy.
Who is a typical user?
Something notable about YouTube is that it has a huge range of audience members. Due to the limitless amount of genres, and the opportunity for anyone to upload content, there’s something for everyone on the site. While most social media platforms require an account to have access, YouTube does not. This makes it so that the majority of people have utilized YouTube at one time or another. That being said, technically the most active age range on YouTube is 25-34 year olds.
What type of business does it work best for?
YouTube has a wide range of possibilities, but if you don’t have video content to show, it won’t do you much good. YouTube is a fantastic place to show intriguing videos featuring your best products. This is the platform for you if your product is more impressive in action than in photos, or if you have an exciting/emotional story to tell. Unlike some other platforms, the more professional your videos look, the better they will perform.
Ads or organic content: Which works better?
Think of a YouTube channel as a TV show, and Youtube Ads as a TV commercial. If your business has a lot to offer in terms of knowledge and entertainment, and most importantly if you have time to film videos regularly, a YouTube channel may be a great option for you. However, if you simply would like to create some more brand awareness and show your products to a wider audience, a Youtube Ad Campaign will bring a lot of exposure in video format.
So How and Why Should I Use YouTube For Advertising?
Great question! Video is a fantastic tool for any business with a message that is hard to explain through a photo. YouTube gives you the opportunity to speak to a potential customer directly, through whichever lens you decide to create. With a well put together video, you will be able to increase the chances of an emotional response in a potential customer. Depending on your specific business, you may want to use either a short form or long form video.
Using YouTube for advertising has become one of the best ways to get in front of your audience. YouTube ads have an extremely effective method of showing your ads before, during, or directly after a video that the viewer has chosen to watch. This makes it so that viewers will have to see at least part of your ad to keep watching, whereas with many other options they could simply scroll past. Using video, you can gain more than just awareness for your brand through views. It’s better than any TV ad because not only is it less expensive, but you can generate web traffic, clicks, and more!
Interested to learn more about YouTube advertising and how it can help your business grow? Reach out to [email protected] and she’ll get you started on the path to success.