How to Get Your Videos Featured On Other Sites

I pride myself in being a creative entrepreneur and artist, but the trap we often fall into is hoping that our art will speak for itself and magically grow into a profitable business. The sooner we can recognize that business principles work with us and not against us, the sooner we can live to do our art. So today I’m going to pull out my video marketers hat and give you three secrets to getting your videos featured on online TV platforms, in blog posts, on social media or on influential sites.

I’ve been an associate producer for online video content for a while now. I know the title sounds vague, but basically what it means is that I search the web, primarily YouTube and Vimeo for great videos to be shown as part of episodes featured on the online TV platform I work with.

There are 3 things I look for when searching for the next video to feature:

 1. Quality, Engaging Thumbnails and a Video that Matches

Thumbnails are your chance to lure us in. Do not overlook this and just let YouTube or Vimeo choose a frame from your video. The best option for entrepreneurs is to have an image of a person, specifically a person in action, and the title or shortened title of your video. This way we can clearly and quickly see what your video is about. Also please, please, please DO NOT put more effort into taking photos for your thumbnails than to producing great looking video. I feel duped when the quality of the video does not match the great thumbnail you posed for and designed. Here’s an example. (create my own thumbnail for this video to use as an example here)

2. Reliability and Consistency

Not only is this great for SEO and boosting your rankings, but it’s also great to make people come back for more. As a curator, I have a running list of channels that have great content that is consistently updated so i can check back when i need more of their videos. Once, you get on our radar, you have to keep giving awesome content to keep us.

3. Production Value/Variety

It’s pretty obvious that the same content presented in a poorly produced video as opposed to high quality beautiful image is less appealing. Now, that doesn’t mean that you need a full blown video studio with lights, 2 4K cameras, and an entire video crew. All you need is a simple setup and being conscious of giving your audience variety. If you are uncomfortable on camera or dont have a great camera, show other things! In the industry we call this B-Roll. Your main video (you speaking) is A-Roll and any other images shown while you speak is B-Roll. For example, let’s say you are talking about how to create a budget using a spreadsheet or how to start a google hangout on air. Instead of just speaking out each step, show them your computer screen as you fill out the budget or start the google hangout. This keeps your audience engaged. If your video isn’t a tutorial for something tangible, like “How to find your ideal client” find points in your speech that can be translated to short text that you can put on screen. If you still just want to have you on camera throughout your whole video, without B-Roll, make sure to be engaging in the way you speak and carry yourself and think very hard about your backdrop.

If you want more tips to creating online video, download your guide to the Top 5 Video Tools that will help you make beautiful online videos for your businessby clicking the button below. By signing up you’ll also get exclusive Tips, Tricks, How-to’s and my personal insights about Online Videomaking that I only share in email.   If you liked this post please comment and share. I’d love to hear from you.