LCD-TVWithout the integration of social media, you have to be very lucky for your videos to be found and viewed by larger crowds and not just by those few friends that are specifically searching for your video. Therefore we recommend that you develop a promotion strategy which builds up on social media platforms. Even the YouTube creator playbook has dedicated one of its chapters completely to Facebook, Google + and Twitter.

For Asian users, Facebook is the most important platform and should therefore not be missing in your video marketing strategy. Though less strongly represented, providers such as Twitter and Google + are quickly gaining ground and will be a good approach for you to bring your videos to the people. The YouTube playbook spends a lot of time focusing on Google +, which can be easily explained because Google owns YouTube. Due to the possibility of your YouTube channel and your Google + to link your page directly, this obviously gives Google + some advantages. For now however, Facebook is and remains the first candidate.

Facebook: The social media giant

A Facebook page created specifically to promote your YouTube channel is an excellent tool to get your videos noticed. Comparable to a good DVD, you can underpin the actual material - the video - with background information, personal comments, best-offers, take-outs/bloopers and much more. This means that you should share not just the video itself, but before and after content related posts. In addition to videos, the related photos and status messages can be used to underpin the storyline.

A proven way to interact with your fans is by posting a video in conjunction with a relevant question, for example in the form of an either/or question, or requesting of information regarding their opinion. This results in discussions to which you in turn can respond, as a vibrant community is formed far away from where your videos are on YouTube. Also, do not underestimate the effect of joint brainstorming sessions. Ask for ideas for new videos as this not only makes the preparation easier but integrates the interests of your fans.

What to keep in mind

  1. Post new and interesting content regularly;
  2. Use the chance to interact with your fans: respond to comments and participate in discussions;
  3. Don’t worry about sharing something more personal and give insights that your fans don't get on YouTube.

The harder you work on your site, the better are the results of the time spent, therefore:

  1. At least use Facebook, or better still Google + and Twitter as well, to share your videos and pay attention to rules of communication given by the individual pages;
  2. Do not only use it for advertising, but integrated videos into the community and interact with your fans;
  3. Underpin your video posts with background information to keep the additional information posted on your social media sites interesting for your YouTube subscribers.

By Roger Stadler