brand channels

Richard van den Boogaard blogger on ReelSEO

reelseoWith an article entitled, “YouTube brand channels – The Missing Link“, Richard van den Boogaard started blogging today for the world’s key source in video marketing, ReelSEO.com.

In the article, Richard discusses why Google should enable advertisers to start building traffic from their own content on YouTube back to their own site. Currently, this is not possible. With an estimated 3-15% of views currently being monetized on YouTube, Google could easily increase this value by allowing advertisers to buy ads against their own content on YouTube.

YouTube glitch: autoplay feature on user channels

Apparently, the programmers at YouTube have managed to mix up functionality between user and partner/brand channels. Normally, brand and partner channels have autoplay on the selected video, when users visit their channel page. User channels, instead, require users to click the video in order to play it (clik-to-play).

Right now, selected videos on user channels have autoplay, while videos on brand and partner channels feature click-to-play.

How long this glitch will be live is unknown.

Update: 11:45 PM – The bug is now fixed by YouTube. All things back to normal.

YouTube partners to sell ads direct

brandedchannelsIn a recent cover story, NewMediaAge shows that selected partners such as FHM, NME and Kerrang! are now able to sell ads around their own content on YouTube. A logical move by Google and good news for partner channel owners. Effectively, it extends media owners reach beyond their own site and fits with the strategy to “think distributed”. However, for somewhat different reasons, YouTube brand channel owners need a similar feature. Continue reading »

Coldwell Banker Channel: Google Maps and YouTube

Why didn’t I think of that?’ That’s the thought that crosses your mind when you see the Google Maps/YouTube mashup that international real-estate company Coldwell Banker launched recently. Probably, we will witness other brands doing a similar thing. Think what localisation could do for job markets or anything you sell on eBay…

coldwellbanker-on_location1

Coldwell Banker combines the features of YouTube with the power of localisation through Google Maps by enabling visitors to find real estate locations throughout the United States. Very smart move. The production quality of the videos shown on the channel varies substantially (compare this one with this one), but the idea is great. The channel already features more than 600 videos and new content is added daily from various locations. Mainly in the USA and a few listings from Italy.

“YouTube doesn’t offer the ability to find out what videos are local, but we geo-targeted the videos and populated them onto the map,” said Mike Fischer, Coldwell’s SVP of marketing. The goal for Coldwell, recognizing the popularity of YouTube, is to generate traffic outside of its own site. “Many go to YouTube first, instead of the normal site. It’s the place to engage people where they look for info,” Fischer said.

That says it all: think outside the site!

Thanks to ClickZ.

7 tips to Google on YouTube branded channels

introOver the last two years and as independent consultant since February, I have beeen advising brands and media companies on the professional use of a YouTube brand channel or partner channel. Although Google has done a great job in improving many features inside and around the world’s most popular video platform, there is always room for further improvement. This post lists my 7  tips to Google for improvement of YouTube.

Continue reading »