Do you use Youtube to promote your forum?

Discussion in 'SEO, Traffic and Revenue' started by Rankin, May 19, 2011.

  1. Rankin

    Rankin Regular Member

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    Do you have a Youtube channel for your forum? Does it attract more members? Is it the best method of attracting members?

    What are your thoughts on community Youtube channels?
     
  2. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    I do have a YouTube account set up for PH, but I've not had any time to make use of it, or create any videos, etc.
     
  3. Rankin

    Rankin Regular Member

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    Do you think, if you had time to use it, it would attract alot more new members? Or the same are normal promotion methods?
     
  4. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    It might do, as I've seen other hosts release videos, etc. and it works wonders for them
     
  5. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    No I don't, and I dont think its the best method, the best would be twitter and facebook. I dont see a reason for having a youtube account for your website unless you are going to actually be uploading s videos regularly.
     
  6. Rankin

    Rankin Regular Member

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    So what type of websites would you suggest used Youtube channels? And would you not consider hiring a Youtube worker, to create videos for AdminBB?
     
  7. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    I would consider mostly entertainment related websites and forums. And maybe some general forums. And nah I dont plan too, if I wanted I could manage it myself, just dont see a need for it.
     
  8. moneymakingmom

    moneymakingmom Regular Member

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    I would probably use that method of promotion but only by the way of. For instance, if I were already making videos for my own forum, i.e. how to or instructional videos, then I would upload them to Youtube to host and then put the video on my own site. Anyone wanting to view the video on Youtube would see my forum link at the end of the video along with an invitation to visit for similar videos available exclusively to forum members. I think that method might work to presell someone on the notion of joining my forum.
     
  9. Blake

    Blake Regular Member

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    I think it depends on the subject of your board. There's a guy I used to see, kevin, over on AdminAddict that swore by using YouTube videos. But he had a lot of instructional videos for his site that fit his topic (survival forums or something to that effect). He'd make a video, always have a URL at the front and/or back of the video, and then post it to his site.

    But then his members would watch and share his videos. Then their friends would learn of his site as well.
     
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  10. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    Sounds like a great way to promote, thats probably the best way to use Youtube to advertise a site if you ask me.
     
  11. Sync

    Sync Regular Member

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    I just set up a Youtube account for my gaming site a week or so ago, where I post trailers and such. One of our videos has a pretty high number of views, and I have a link to the site and forums on each video, but I've yet to receive the first visit from Youtube. So I don't think it's a very effective means of attracting traffic. Twitter helps a bit though.
     
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  12. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    I can see using YouTube for uploading trailers and other neat stuff for your website for advertisement. YouTube is great for gaming sites. It really depends on your niche if YouTube can be used as an effective means of promotion, and gaming sites are a great example.
     
  13. Brandon

    Brandon Regular Member

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    Kevin was the first person I thought of when I read the title of this thread. :whistle:
    This is his site
    http://www.survivalistboards.com/
    and yes, he does very well promoting using youtube or video

    I think it's a very valuable resource for any type of online marketing not just forums. Stay on topic, have great content and make everyone aware of your brand. = bingo
     
  14. Wraige

    Wraige Regular Member

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    I've never used Youtube to try promoting a website but I might just give it a try.
     
  15. Carlos

    Carlos Regular Member

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    I have a youtube account for CarlosX360.

    I also have niche youtube channels, but they're only useful if I get a PVR to stream them games.

    The best marketing tactic would be bundling each video with each article... they have to be on the same subject, and has to be relevant.

    And I have seen forums market it's websites via youtube - but the marketing strategy fell flat on their faces when they actually did it.

    Few reasons:

    1. The site in question was a dying forum that have been deserted by it's members. The best time to market a site [any site] is when the site is lively, active, and all around 'inviting.'

    2. The video in question was a pre-set using a library of graphics in some video program. You need to put your hard work in order for the video to be 'useful' because otherwise, people will think it's just another video.

    That whole "Meh, another video that's boring." kind of way.

    The only thing they got right was asking their members to upload to their youtube. And they did. :)
     
  16. bauss

    bauss Regular Member

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    I have a youtube channel for my forum, but I haven't had much success with it yet. I think it'll take time for my channel to get popular, and rack up views.
     
  17. WEfail

    WEfail Regular Member

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  18. Strix

    Strix Regular Member

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    Youtube is good as it sends you very targetted traffic
     
  19. webaficionado

    webaficionado Regular Member

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    No. They don't allow any kinds of links in their comments, and have a terrible way to index new videos, even if the keywords are the same. I very much prefer any other social network to promote my website in instead of YouTube.
     
  20. Martin W

    Martin W Regular Member

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    I have never used it to promote before - never really had the chance to because of nothing really to upload about the topic. However I have seen how powerful it really is.

    Pets sell quite well on YouTube, right? Maybe I can make my pets into stars and advertise the dog forum at the same time :P
     

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