Nibletz Staff
Modern society is inherently visual. Multimedia content creation and digital innovation go hand in hand as entrepreneurs search for alternative storytelling methods that will distinguish them among the increasingly competitive and cluttered landscape of startups and ventures. Consumers are no longer making purchasing decisions simply by product. Rather, consumers are searching for brands with an appealing and vivid narrative. The easiest method for organizations and brands to illustrate their story is through video. Moreover, succinct and well-executed videos have the potential to go viral and simultaneously elevate brand awareness and online interaction.
YouTube, one of the premiere sources for online video sharing, accounts for 25 percent of Internet search traffic. As a result, YouTube videos, along with other online video tools and platforms, are not only being used to drive successful marketing campaigns, but also to drive successful fundraising campaigns as well.
Social Media marketers and entrepreneurs understand that multimedia campaigns with compelling video are more likely to attract more customers and investors to raise capital through crowdfunding.
In order to translate YouTube viewers into active campaign donors, however, it is essential that content creators utilize YouTube’s full capabilities and networks to achieve greater success.
Below are six tips to drive YouTube traffic directly to your organization’s crowdfunding campaign:
Tip 1: Export Your YouTube Subscribers to a Google+ Circle
For a crowdfunder, this is one of the most exciting YouTube features that you can use. You can easily export your YouTube subscribers to a Google+ page circle and then contact or share updates with them on Google+. ReelSEO has a great step-by-step guide on how to connect your G+ page with your YouTube channel. Once your YouTube account is connected to your Google+ page, go here to get started: https://www.youtube.com/audience_management
Tip 2: Leverage the Annotations Function
Annotations on YouTube are simply text layers that can be placed anywhere in a video and be linked to an external page such as your crowdfunding campaign. You can add direct links to specific video times and grab your viewer’s attention as they pop up on the side.
Tip 3: Add Links to Video Descriptions
This tip seems so simple, yet it’s easily forgotten. Link to your campaign page through all available video descriptions, particularly your pitch videos. If your campaign links are lengthy, use a URL shortener (like Google’s at http://goo.gl/). Make sure you link to the campaign right at the beginning of the descriptions, so it appears above the fold. Link format: http://www.mycampaignurl.com.
Tip 4: Engage Your YouTube Subscribers Through Feed Updates
Consistency is one of the most essential factors of a successful campaign. Keep your YouTube subscribers engaged through your channel feed by posting ongoing updates about your campaign’s process. Make sure to time your posts appropriately and maintain consistent messaging in order to avoid flooding your subscriber’s feed with superfluous content.
Tip 5: Optimize Your Pitch Video and Make It Your Channel Trailer
In order to maximize exposure, every aspect of your crowdfunding campaign must incorporate strong and branded visual content. This includes placing a creative pitch video as your YouTube channel’s trailer. Placing your campaign’s trailer at the very top of your channel will generate more traffic and participation in your crowdfunding efforts. Be sure to add annotations to your video that link directly to your campaign page.
Tip 6: Ask Fellow YouTubers for a Shout out
The best way to land online mentions and publicity is simply by asking. Does your network include individuals with prominent YouTube channels or influencers with common values? Ask them for a shout out, link or annotation on your campaign and video.
Josef Holm is the founder and CEO of TubeStart, a crowdfunding platform designed specifically for YouTube content creators. TubeStart provides creators with three funding models, including subscription-based crowdfunding. In addition to being a successful internet entrepreneur and investor, Josef serves on the board of the industry’s leading crowdfunding association, the Crowdfunding Professional Association (CFPA) and speaks at leading technology conferences around the country.
