Last month’s Wired magazine had a feature on Maker Studios and the rise of commercially viable independent web-based videos. Their takeaways on effectively using video online:
Rule 1: Make a lot of video content. A lot.
And if the video releases are regularly scheduled, all the better.
Rule 2: Target a niche.
Be really clear on what audience you are targeting and make sure you understand that audience really well.
Rule 3: Connect with your fans.
Olga Kay is sending a personal note to each of the 450,000 people subscribed to her YouTube channel. Nuff said.
Rule 4: Collaborate.
Collaborations can make for great content and introduce all of the folks to each other’s audiences.
Rule 5: Optimize for the algorithms.
One example: tagging, title, explain, and annotate your videos with as many specific and general descriptors as possible.
The goal for most nonprofits might focus more on engagement than ad revenue, but the lessons apply just as well.