Top 5 Most Popular Video Content Marketing Platforms 2017

The most common question I get from clients after we produce a video is, "Where are the best places to put this video to get noticed?" Well, that’s a loaded question with many layers. To make it easier, I broke down the "top 5 best places to market your video" or the most effective platforms for video marketing once your marketing video production process is complete.

Social Media Videos
It’s a "no-brainer" that you can upload your video to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and of course, your own website. If your video production company had your best interests in mind, they likely would have recommended creating a 1-minute version specifically designed for each platform right at the start of the video production process. However, if that step was overlooked, don’t worry—there is still hope. Almost all videos can be edited into shorter clips suitable for social media. By doing some basic editing or reaching out to the creator of your video, you can stretch your existing content a little further and tailor it to fit the unique format requirements of each social channel.

Google Loves Videos
Once your video is uploaded to your social media channels, there are several other video marketing platforms I personally recommend. Google favors all these platforms, and it's important to note that YouTube videos aren’t the only ones getting picked up in organic search results these days. Keep in mind that most marketing and branding videos need around 200 views before Google starts seriously considering them for higher rankings. However, if you put effort into tagging, titling, and describing your videos thoroughly and strategically, there’s always a chance for an instant boost in visibility.

Here are the video marketing platforms I suggest using after your business video is produced:
(Note: Once your video is published on these platforms, you can easily share it directly from inside the platform to your various social media channels, maximizing your reach with minimal additional effort.)

YouTube currently dominates the online video scene, holding a strong position as the go-to platform for video content. However, much like how Myspace once reigned supreme before fading away, there is always the potential for a new competitor—think of it as a "Facebook"—waiting in the wings to disrupt the status quo and shake things up. It is estimated that over 1 billion people visit YouTube each month, engaging with a vast array of video productions ranging from commercials and documentaries to entertaining clips featuring funny moments, pets doing peculiar and adorable things, and much more. One notable downside is the overwhelming presence of advertisements; it's become increasingly difficult to watch a video without being interrupted by several ads, often with a mandatory 5-second delay before you can skip them. This aspect of YouTube’s experience has never been particularly popular among viewers and remains a frequent frustration.

Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/
I always like to take a moment to specially thank the creators of this fantastic channel in any post I write. It truly is an absolutely amazing platform that stands out in many ways. Vimeo encodes videos up to stunning 4K Ultra HD quality and, by far, is the go-to choice when it comes to reliably embedding videos on websites and other media. One of the biggest advantages is that there are NO ADS — ever! This makes for a completely clean and professional viewing experience. It’s a free platform to get started with, and yes, Vimeo videos now do appear in organic Google search results, which is a huge benefit for visibility. If you are a business, company, or brand, I highly suggest getting set up on this channel. Creating an account is very straightforward, and once your account is live, you can typically upload your videos here simultaneously as you publish them on YouTube. Just be sure to fill in your profile and video information thoughtfully. Remember, this channel essentially becomes an extension of your business and brand online!

Daily Motion: http://www.dailymotion.com/us

Often considered somewhat of a "sleeper" site, Daily Motion is increasingly being recognized by Google, with more videos posted on this platform appearing in search results. The user interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and enjoyable to use. It also supports up to 4K ultra HD video uploads, allowing creators to showcase their content in stunning quality. As with any platform, it’s important to ensure your page aligns with your brand identity and maintains a sharp, professional appearance. Launched in 2005 and headquartered in France, Daily Motion is regarded as the second largest video-sharing website globally, according to various industry sources. Content marketing videos on Daily Motion can be discovered through several different avenues: by exploring categories (or channels) that cover a wide variety of topics from Animals to Travel, checking out the Most Viewed, Trending, or What’s Hot sections, browsing through Featured Users which include official company pages, or simply using the search bar to find exactly what you need. This variety of options makes Daily Motion a versatile platform for both video creators and viewers alike.

Wistia: https://wistia.com/
I really love this site for video embedding. Although it is a paid platform, it allows you to seamlessly embed your videos on your website and web pages while including SEO-friendly metadata. If you have any knowledge of SEO, you might be aware that Google uses its own algorithm for identifying "rich snippets" specifically for videos. With Wistia, you can embed videos in a way that makes it easy for search engines to read and index them properly. If you're searching for a video hosting platform designed specifically for business purposes, Wistia stands out as the best option by far. It offers full control over the branding and customization of the videos embedded on your site. Additionally, Wistia integrates powerful video marketing tools that enable you to capture the emails of viewers who sign up or engage with videos, especially when motioned at the end of videos, allowing you to use these contacts for targeted trigger campaigns.

Metacafe:
http://www.metacafe.com

Although it’s not nearly as strong as it once was, Metacafe remains a platform that still appears frequently in search results. You won’t often see many posts or discussions about this site because it can be a bit of a hassle to work with, but if you’re seeking some additional search engine exposure and want to easily copy and paste metadata from your other platforms, it’s a worthwhile channel to try to organically “run the show” with your video content. It’s definitely not a waste of time just yet, especially since they have updated and improved their platform recently.

My prediction is that Metacafe will bounce back alongside Daily Motion, just as it has in previous years, regaining some of its former relevance. The upload process is super easy, and there are plenty of sections to input metadata, which helps with search visibility. If you’re investing a significant amount in local video production, it makes sense to maximize your ROI by posting your content across all of these video marketing sites.

Expanding Video Content Marketing Horizons
At the very least, I always recommend focusing on YouTube, Vimeo, and Daily Motion. If you’re expanding into video marketing and have produced quality video content this year, these platforms remain solid and reliable options. While there are a few emerging platforms on the horizon, when it comes to “Google Organic Search,” these sites still hold the strongest value. This consideration is crucial when planning marketing budgets and making strategic decisions.

If you would like more information or personalized advice, please feel free to reach out to me directly through my website.
Website: http://hilomotionpictures.com