Me vs. YOUTUBE!!! can I win?

maximus721 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 03:51 PM

What's up fellow Babblers? Quick question. I have a couple of specific concert videos to post online that I'm confident there is a very definite audience for. My initial thought was to host them on my site via some kind of Youtube embed, but I got to thinking: why should I give all my traffic to "the 'Tube"???
Is there a way I can put the vids on my own site exclusively for a while, and then maybe post them to youtube? (I'm sort of chuckling to myself right now because my site is far from completion and I dont even have any adsense up yet.....so I'm starting wonder what my point is)?
I guess I'm just a traffic-hog! :-)
**PT 2...a second question would be to see if anyone has ideas on how to use posted youtube vids to possibly generate traffic back to your own website....hmm....

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 04:46 PM

I understand what you mean but keep in mind there are some great benefits to using YouTube. You'll likely get traffic from people who would not have necessarily found your site. There's no way my videos would have gotten as many views if I had only displayed them from my site. I can't tell you the number of people who have told me they found my site through YouTube.

But to answer your question, you can upload it later. Software like Windows Movie Maker, Pinnacle, etc. will publish your video in web-friendly formats like .wmv, .avi, etc. and most provide the code that you need to paste into your site so all you do is upload the video file and add the provided code.

Just make sure that if you do plan to upload it to YouTube later that you keep your video under 10 minutes or YouTube will reject it. Also remember YouTube's standard video size is something like 440x335 (give or take a few pixels) so you'll want to keep that ratio or your video will be distorted in YouTube.

And as far as generating traffic back to your site, YouTube videos work a lot like content for the search engines. If you want people to find you by typing in "photoshop tutorials", make videos about photoshop tutorials and tag them appropriately. YouTube allows you to put your site's URL in your description now so when people watch your video they can click over to your site.

You can also add annotations to your videos through YouTube, which are embedded links that you can add to your video after it's loaded to YouTube.

Good luck!

maximus721 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 08:41 PM

Awesome advice as always. Thanks Lisa!
I wasnt really aware of the option to directly reference my site on youtube. If thats the case, why not do both? sounds like a plan!

webman · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 01:57 PM

why are youtube videos unable to go beyond 10 minutes? Other networks like Metacafe can.

Not that I ever want to. I'm just wondering?

maximus721 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 02:03 PM

Actually I think theres a way to "beat the system". My nephew is always watching full length episodes of Naruto on youtube. No idea how people got them up there though...I've always heard of the 10 minute limit.

lisa · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 02:33 PM

YouTube used to allow you to upgrade your account to do longer videos. I read in their Help section that is no longer an option. I sure wish it was 'cause I'd even pay for it. I think it was worth it. I guess their server couldn't take the load.

Gigababbler · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webman

why are youtube videos unable to go beyond 10 minutes? Other networks like Metacafe can.

Not that I ever want to. I'm just wondering?

Youtube used to let you do that, but because of the overwhelming amount of illegal stolen copyright content (like uploading a "now playing" movie), youtube had to cut the limit to 10 minutes.

But most of the old youtube users (like when youtube was first made) still have the ability to make videos over 10 min long.

lisa · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigababbler

Youtube used to let you do that, but because of the overwhelming amount of illegal stolen copyright content (like uploading a "now playing" movie), youtube had to cut the limit to 10 minutes.

But most of the old youtube users (like when youtube was first made) still have the ability to make videos over 10 min long.

Oh OK thanks for the explanation. I always wondered what happened and sure wish I was one of those got in early and still had the option of creating longer videos. Sometimes 10 minutes is not enough!

Gigababbler · #9 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 03:51 PM

hehe glad i could help

coosbaytv · #10 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 12:54 PM

Hey All:

I am new here so at the risk of offending anyone, go easy...

Anyway, my opinion on you tube is that it is good for one thing only TRAFFIC! Specifically traffic for video of a non serious or professional nature. Think of what it is known for. Passing juvenile office humor jokes around. I have seen some very good things on you tube as well but they didn't originate there.

As a media producer, I suggest www.vimeo.com as the user generated content site of choice as they focus on community without loss of quality. Check it out! (Lisa) I think this would be a great place for you to be as well. FYI, I too found you through you tube ha ha...

There are way to many of these sites online now so search for something that meets your needs. Metacafe was mentioned above but my understanding is that it is mainly targeted to producers as a way to get paid if there content is accepted.

So there ya go. Hope that helps.

Gigababbler · #11 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 02:09 PM

is that your site? cause it's sick!

coosbaytv · #12 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 02:23 PM

what site? Vimeo? No, it's not mine but I am a member.

some of my sites are in my signature...

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