Top Ten Tips for YouTube company page engagement

YouTube Engagement Tips

We are regularly asked for our top tips for engaging on social networks. This month we will share some tips for engaging and optimising your YouTube channel pages.

1. Know who, what and why you are connecting on YouTube.  Define your goals and sketch out a storyboard of the video content in a video strategy document.

2. Create a content plan for uploads and comments on other channels. Create consistent, relevant content for each audience, on a regular basis.

3. Listen and know your audience. Interact with your audience. Talk directly to your audience. Respond expediently to comments, establish your expertise, inspire discussions, encourage sharing and build relationships.

4. Identify and follow similar people, influencers, events and organisations. Comment on relevant videos that support your brand identity,

5. Choose a visually appealing cover image. First impressions count. Also select attractive thumbnails for each engagement-focused video clip.

6. Add keywords and full URL link on the first line of the description that links to your website. Add interesting profile information in the About Us section. Add a call to action; written in the description, in the video, or within the video annotation for engagement and to encourage visitors to research your brand further, especially where the profile has a review.

7. Optimise videos uploaded with SEO rich descriptions and tags. Generally, keep the video under 4 minutes: maximum 5 minutes for training videos and short 30 second personal story snippets for variety of engagement options. There are a few specific YouTube optimisation tips in this earlier blog post and YouTube channel optimisation tips.

8. Submit an XML file to Google identifying videos on your website; visitors will then come through to your website rather than to your YouTube page for fuller brand engagement.

9. Make the most of the monitoring and measurement activity metrics that matter on the page, including: Subscribers, Favourites, Shares; Likes to dislikes ratio; Sentiment of comments (ratio of positive/negative); Video retention; Tracking attention span and viewership is helpful in determining a level of interest, repeat this monitoring over a period over a period of time, to assist with benchmarking improvements and gaining insights into trends.

10. Cross promote other channels from your YouTube account by adding links to social profiles on your other networks for cross-device and cross-channel experience.

With 31% of YouTube users saying they would be among the first people to try new products, compared with 14 per cent of non-YouTube users; that's a big market out their for businesses and video is certainly worth factoring into a digital marketing strategy.

Author: Fiona Anderson

Geek Video of the Month

Last week (August 4th of 10th) was the first annual Geek Week on YouTube. So if you are a geek or a wannabe nerd, head on over to view geek culture from around the world.

The Agenda for the Geek Week was as follows:

• Blockbuster Sunday 

• Global Geekery Monday

• Brianiac Tuesday

• Super  Wednesday

• Gaming Thursday

• Fan Friday

• Best of Saturday

This month’s ‘Geek video of the Month’ was part of Geek Week’s Brianiac Tuesday and features 10 Videos that will make you smarter. Excellent work.

You may also want to get involved with the Geek Test that is featured on their channel, to find out ‘What’s your Geek IQ?”.

We are really looking forward to the next Geek channel takeover, hopefully for a month next time, as their is clearly too much Geeky content being shared.

Well done to Jason Bradbury (of Gadget show fame) for launching his own YouTube Channel 'Supa Robot Attack' on Gaming Thursday, the channel brings remote controlled fighting robots to YouTube.
Sounds fun!

Author: Sarah Griffiths

Optimising for YouTube

We recently found a fantastic resource on YouTube to help people and brands ensure that their videos reach the widest possible audience.  And we just had to share it with you.

The useful content provides a comprehensive overview on YouTube video optimisation and discusses the importance of meta data and thumbnail optimisation.  The resource also provides additional advice on adding annotations, channel optimisation, how to maintain the channel feed and using YouTube analytics.

We are really impressed with the content. Hope you are too.  Please visit the YouTube optimisation guide here.

If you don't have time to digest the content straight away, but wish to launch/host videos onto a channel such as YouTube, then we have shared our "must do lists" for video optimisation below:

Video SEO Optimisation

• Add meta data information while uploading - title and description for your videos.
• Add links to your website
• Create a video sitemap and upload the video sitemap to Google Webmaster Tools

Video Sitemap Requirements (Google)

• Title: This should be the same as the title of the page your video appears
• Description: Make this exactly match the meta description of your page
• Play Page URL:  The canonical URL of the page your video appears
• Thumbnail URL: By thumbnail they mean a high resolution image up to 1920x 1080
• Raw video location/URL: This URL is found in the embed src link you find when you go to share a video and click embed.

If you require further assistance with optimising one of your video channels to increase traffic and customer engagement, then please do get in touch.

Author: Aysegul Yigitbasi and Sarah Griffiths

Why we love Google Hangouts

We were recently invited to the Google Plus Page, 'Google Live Events' and just had to share it with you. The page lists all the Google Hangout Events happening right now, visit and Google+ connect with them here:

You can save the live events to your Google calendar and even publicise your own. Google Hangouts launched last summer at the same time as Google+ in the summer of last year is growing in popularity. 

There is a really useful post over at Social Media Examiner, which talks about five creative ways that businesses are using Google+ Hangouts. Including a live Q&A session with Cadburys UK and their customers. Read the article which talks about businesses using Google Hangouts here:

Google Hangouts enables you to share expert level information with your audience wherever they are. The free service is great alternative to Webinar's and are very simple to set up.

Google Hangouts allow individuals, groups and businesses to:

• Easily stream broadcasts directly into Google+, your YouTube channel and your website. (And if you are feeling confident enough you can broadcast live to the world).
• If the customer on the Google Hangout just wants to ask you a question they can sign on, chat and bring their questions. 
• Host a video chat instantly with up to 9 people (useful for in-house & partner meetings) Share files and documents with your hangout.
• Watch a YouTube video together and chat alongside it.
• Share your screen with others.
• Record your hangouts for viewing later. (useful for in-house meetings)

How businesses can use hangouts

Businesses may wish to hold themed hangouts and invite their customers to bring questions to the hangout on particular topics, for example a 'commercial property consultant' could invite their customers to ask questions on ‘flexible leasing options'. The following week the 'commercial property consultant' could hold another Google Hangout on a topic that was brought up at the last.  The main benefit of inviting customers to 'hangouts' is that you can segment customer needs and target them at a later date.

Businesses may also wish to:

• Offer customised coaching sessions using Google+ for time saving benefits as broadcast and published (to YouTube) virtual coaching sessions will help replace query emails and lengthly training documents.  This however could just be a simple 10 minute Q&A between your team and clients.
• Host a hangout where you interview a key member of your team or related partner or client.

How Rocktime are planning to use Google Hangouts

To reduce travel time, Rocktime are soon to set up virtual brainstorming hangouts with their client's and client's partners for training and brainstorming sessions. We have plans to host a few ‘how to chats’ with regards to search marketing, mobile websites, ecommerce and social media.
If this article has interested you and you are keen to look into the possibility of using Google Hangouts for your business, please get in touch with our sales team to discuss further.
 
In the meantime learn more about Google Hangouts and connect with us on Google+ by adding us to your circles,  Rocktime's Google+ profile page can be found here.

Author: Sarah Griffiths

The winning Geek Video of 2011 is...

Our regular readers will know that each month we share with you our 'Geek Video' of the month. Each month videos are submitted to me, by the technical team, or clients and a monthly winner is chosen.

Without further ado, drum roll please!
Our top Geek Video for 2011 is...

The EXODesk! Featured in our December Geek Video of the Month. Sadly Santa didn’t bring me one for Christmas this year, but maybe next time.

Our highlights and runners up include this demonstration of some cool science with Quantum Levitation from November, and this fantastic infographic by Digital Life, on the future of digital from June.

Why not check out some of our previous Geek Videos and pick out some favourites yourself.

If you come across anything interesting, or find a Geek Video you think is worth featuring, why not let us know.


Author: Alice Cheetham

Geek Video of the Month

Spotted by our Technical Director, Kieron, this month we’re checking out some seriously ‘cool’ science!

With video courtesy of the Association of Science–Technology Centres, physicists from Tel-Aviv University have put together this fantastic demo of the phenomena of quantum trapping and quantum levitation.

Because of the way superconductors and magnetic fields interact, the cooled superconductor is held in position above the magnets. If you’re interested in learning more about the physics behind this demonstration, why not read up on their site or check out this video, which gives a breakdown of the process.


Author: Alice Cheetham

YouTube Partner Programme

What is the YouTube Partner Programme?

The YouTube Partner Programme allows you to make money off your videos hosted on YouTube through revenue sharing, by allowing advertisements to be displayed on your videos. If you choose to have ad-supported videos, then ads are chosen automatically by YouTube’s system based on a number of factors (such as video category, etc).

Being a YouTube Partner also allows the user to stream videos in the highest possible quality; up to 1,080p HD. Partners can also upload long-form content with no size or file limit, inside a fully branded channel with additional design and interactivity options.

YouTube Partners are also given access to YouTube’s Content ID system (which can also be signed up for separately) which is aimed at users who hold exclusive right to the content they upload. It allows users to identify videos uploaded by others that are comprised entirely, or partially of their content and choose in advance what action they want to have happen, when such videos are found.


How can you join?

In order to join YouTube’s Partner scheme you need to apply through their site here. Your channel will be reviewed internally by YouTube to decide whether you fulfil the below criteria.

What are the requirements?

• You must create videos that are suitable for online streaming
• You must own or have express permission to use all of the audio and video content that you upload. NO EXCEPTIONS. Cover songs are not allowed unless the artist has obtained full synchronisation and performance rights.
• You must upload videos regularly
• You must have viewing figures in the 1000’s OR publish popular or commercially successful videos in other ways (i.e. online DVD sales)

Furthermore you need:

• To have a YouTube User account
• To not have any black marks against your account, you must not have violated YouTube’s Terms of Service.
• To have an approved AdSense account.

Should you have a YouTube account and you would like to talk to the Flashlight Team on your future strategy plans, please get in touch with Rocktime Sales to arrange a meeting.


Author: Alice Cheetham

Geek Video of the Month

Geek Video of the month is going to Video Mash Up Artist Swede Mason.

We are simply loving his work. The above video mash up Masterchef Synesthesia is our personal favourite, and has become a viral phenomenon.
Last time we looked it has had over 2 million and a half views, so impressive. If you are a fan of Top Gear, make sure you also check out the Jeremy Clarkson Beatbox video.
Pure Video Editing Genius, we are looking forward to more mash ups from Swede Mason and finding out more about the guy behind the edits and how he finds the time to produce such impressive material.


Author: Alice Cheetham

Channel Optimisation: YouTube

This month we’re talking channels and channel optimisation. There’s a dauntingly huge variety of channels you can use to distribute your content, but perhaps one of the most popular and well known (for video at least) would have to be YouTube.

Prior to YouTube’s release in 2005, there were few easy methods available for your average Joe with a computer to post videos online. Its simple interface and ease of use made it a hit, and now YouTube certainly boasts some incredible credentials; exceeding 100 million views a day and localised in 25 different countries across 43 languages.

With such a wide potential audience, you definitely shouldn’t shy away from thinking about optimising your YouTube channel! Here are some simple points to get you on the way;


Relevant and useful Tags
Be liberal with tags for your videos, not just in the tags section but the title as well. It’s fairly well accepted that ‘title tag keyword relevancy and position’ is one of the biggest factors that you, as a user, can influence.

Internal Linking
One of the best ways to have Google index a new web page is building internal links and YouTube behaves exactly the same. By using the Video Response function or putting your video into a playlist with other popular videos (relevant, of course!) you can help increase your traffic. Playlists have the double advantage of frequently appearing fairly high in search results.

Description and external links
It's definitely useful to note that the description part of any video shows the first 27 characters before it’s truncated with ‘...’ and needing another click to view the whole thing, it’s generally a good idea to include a link to your website in these first few characters!


Remember as well that you can customize your channel page. As with anything online, a smart and clean looking layout will leave a much better impression then a half filled in profile, default design channel page. So take a moment to make sure your company branding shows!


Author: Alice Cheetham

YouTube Subscription Widget

A big well done to the little yellow YouTube subscriber button which made its debut back in 2006: It was reported by YouTube (28th Oct 2010), that fifteen YouTube Channels have now crossed the one million subscribers mark. Pretty impressive !!

If all this talk of subscriptions is new to you, then YouTube suggest you check out the above video, in which dear Cuddles tells you all you need to know about subscriptions.

We have a channel at YouTube, which we use to store videos we like (Geek, Gaming, Viral, Fun) and subscribe to those we want to hear from again. In 2011 we have (medium) plans to upload work related videos relating to Web Development, eCommerce, Mobile Web, Hosting and Search Marketing and will surely let you all know about them when live. We say medium plans, as our faces will be on the video, so don't want to hype it up, with the words 'big plans' just yet ;)

If you have a YouTube Channel and you want to encourage subscription sign up, all you need to do is embed a piece of code into the source code of your blog or website in the exactly same way that you would embed a YouTube Video (really easy).

Find the code here over at YouTube Blog.


Author: Sarah Griffiths

Geek Video of the month

Most of us have heard of augmented reality, but what about diminished reality? The name is pretty self explanatory, and here's a pretty amazing example! This video was put together as a research project by Jan Herling and Wolfgang Broll from the Illmenau University of Technology in Germany and gives a fantastic demonstration of a diminished reality in your own home.





Just think of the possibilities! Removing that annoying tall persons head from your view at the cinema? That ex you'd rather not think about from some video? Maybe even a camera where you can dynamically remove passers by from your photo before taking it? And thats just on the small scale...


Author: Alice Cheetham

Geek Video of the month

This months Geek Video of the month is the piece put together exploring the basis behind the YouTube Play Contest.

A collaboration between YouTube and the renown Guggenheim Museum, New York. A phenominal 23,000 submissions have been whittled down to 125 fantastially creative videos from over 91 countries. You can view the shortlisted videos now over on the Youtube Play channel.

Later this month the jury will be picking out their top 20 to be revealed and presented at a special YouTube Play celebration event at the Guggenheim Museum on October 21st. For those of us who don't want to travel quite so far, you'll also be able to find them on youtube.com/play.


Author: Alice Cheetham

Google Moderator on YouTube news

YouTube has recently given a new level of interactivity to the end user by integrating Google Moderator into YouTube, allowing content developers the opportunity to receive feedback and input form their users.

Google Moderator was previously used as part of Google’s interviews with President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Find out more about Google Moderator here.

The Moderator allows you to ask for ideas or questions on a topic of your choice and have the community vote for the best ones in real time.

The video above provides a good example of user interaction titled: “The Summer of You! Foodwishes First Contest Ever! In Honor of YouTube's New Moderator Feature”. Go to this page on YouTube see the voting in action.

How it works is explained by YouTube below:

“Here’s how it works: You set the parameters for the dialogue, including the topic, the type of submissions, and the length of the conversation. Watch as submissions get voted up or down by your audience, and then respond to the top-voted submissions by posting a video on your channel. The platform operates in real-time, and you can remove any content that you or your audience flag as inappropriate. You can also embed the platform on your own website or blog“

Find out more information and view some examples on how the feature is being used over at the YouTube Blog.

On review of the above video in 2 weeks, 503 people submitted 200 ideas and cast 4,169 votes, will be interesting to see how the Google Moderator feature in YouTube catches on.

Author: Sarah Griffiths

YouTube bring back the Bulletins

I have just logged into YouTube and noticed (appearing top of YouTube channel on login) that they have started to advertise the Channel Bulletins feature, it makes alot more sense than what I read back in Jan 2010 here over at the YouTube Blog.

This is excellent news for brands out there who which to increase their communication with the YouTube audience. The new tabbing structure makes the process very clear and easy to use.

Using the "Post a Bullettin" feature means you can write a message to all your subscribers and even link them to a video. You can then view the message you have written in your Recent Activity Module, so any passers by will see that activity too and possibly want to subscribe to you if the messages/bullettins are enticing enough. It also mentions that it will appear on the subscribers recent activity module too, there is however a time delay as I just ran the test from my personal channel here - note top line (Testing the new feature) and over 10hrs later the recent activity on Rocktimesocial hasn't updated yet (so sceptical - as YouTube comments are a gamble at the best of times).


Find out more about this feature by visiting this link over at Google on Channel Bulletins.

It is all very exciting indeed...

Author: Sarah Griffiths

What makes a video go Viral??

Have you ever wondered what makes a video become extremely popular and go viral online? if so join the club, as so have we.

We believe that for a video to touch the heart and minds of the audience then it needs to firstly consider the audience, giving focus to what images would connect with the audience to move them into action/thought. Equally first the video should have a solid understanding of what the brand is, to give across a clear brand message. Cadbury’s executed this well – with their “Glass and a half full productions” subscribe to them from their YouTube channel here.

A viral that works won’t leave people thinking “so what!” “I don’t get it”, it will have the ability to be understood and liked/loved even, making the audience go “oh right clever” or “wow that is amazing” "how moving" or simply as a fan of the subject matter “cool”.

It is these connections with the audience that make the viewer of the video want to share and pass it on, “Simples” :

View the Compare the Meekat Bloopers Video here:



We would love to make our own viral video at Rocktime, we have our video production and brand agency connections and it is on the “things to try board”. Our vision would be to capture the hearts and minds of our clients, potential clients, possible thought “Education in a no nonsense/jargon way with some talking pebbles”. Sounds crazy doesn’t it, great, watch this space.

Mashable presented a list of the 10 most innovative viral video ads of 2009 and share a similar view point on what makes a video go viral, they also mention that:

“This year’s Top 10 is certainly a glimpse of how the viral video ad business is evolving, and as marketers, we can learn from that evolution”

View the Viral video ads Mashable favoured in 2009 here.

If you know us and have any thoughts of a hilarious thing that we could do as a Viral send us a Tweet.


Author: Sarah Griffiths