We can say everything you need to know about setting up your video distribution channels in one sentence.
“Know where you plan to host your videos to create a perfect distribution strategy.”
Focusing on where you host your videos will help you frame your planning stage better than any other method. So, let’s look at how each hosting method enables you to get views on your videos.
Use Social Media for Video Distribution & Hosting
A lot of social media platforms, LinkedIn especially, prefer to host videos natively. It’s common for social media and video hosting platforms to have an algorithm that discourages anything that draws users off-site. Uploading videos to each platform separately takes more work, but the results should be worth it… so long as you’re correctly optimizing your SEO for your video distribution process.
LInkedin for Video Distribution
LinkedIn is unique. More than any other platform, LinkedIn prefers natively hosted video because it fits with their mission. LinkedIn gives busy professionals content that they can digest quickly during a break in their workday. Clicking away from LinkedIn not only draws people away from the service it also serves as a distraction.
You should consider using LinkedIn as a distribution channel if you sell B2B and if your videos are short, informative, and have a light tone. All of these factors will help you get views on your videos.
For the sake of brevity, we’re going to point you towards LinkedIns own guide for getting your post in front of as many people as possible.
FACEBOOK FOR VIDEO DISTRIBUTION
Facebook is predominantly filled with text and pictures, so it isn’t an ideal distribution channel for many video marketers.
To have your video go viral, your distribution strategy needs to have specific characteristics. Your video should appeal to emotion, should be formatted in 16×9, and should be strongly branded. More than anything, though, it needs to be accessible.
More often than not, “accessibility” refers to the subject matter. Video with captions or a shorter run time is good to have, but a relatable testimonial or character piece fits better on Facebook than an explainer video will. Visit Facebook’s guide on how to get views for more information.
Instagram FOR VIDEO DISTRIBUTION
Unlike other social media sites, Instagram is okay with visitors going to an off-site page to finish a video. Instagram supports up to several minute long videos and prefers a resolution of 1.91×1.
Additionally, Instagram encourages minimalist video styles. So, if your videos are bright, eye-catching, and simple – Instagram is for you.
Instagram doesn’t have an official document describing its best practices. Instead, you’ll have to promote your content/yourself in the comments of other videos. Instagram, more than any other platform, rewards users who organically engage with others.
Tik Tok FOR VIDEO DISTRIBUTION
TikTok’s algorithm is video-centric and very, very niche. TikTok’s algorithm is so good at honing individual traits that many people refer to being on the ‘X side’ of TikTok because the videos they see are only seen by people like them and almost no one else.
What does this mean for your business? If you have a niche business, then TikTok is for you! TikTok’s format is incredibly engaging, and users will scroll for hours – giving you plenty of time to grab their attention.
However, TikTok’s algorithm can be a double-edged sword. Your video marketing can take a while to find your target audience and ‘blow up.’ TikTok takes patience and constant uploading until you find your niche.
Twitter FOR VIDEO DISTRIBUTION
Twitter’s algorithm does not support any form of video more than another, but you should be uploading your videos to the platform to post. Additionally, Twitter tends to reward obvious calls to action.
Twitter’s users are not likely to sit through a long video so, if your videos are all longer, explainer-type videos, you might want to consider changing your video distribution strategy.
Like Instagram, Twitter also rewards interaction. If you’re interacting with others’ posts, then your views will also increase.
Youtube and other Hosting Sites FOR VIDEO DISTRIBUTION
Vimeo, YouTube, or Wistia are good options if you don’t want to distribute your video for marketing over social media. We have the benefits of these sites and more covered here in writing or here as a video. If you use these sites to host video, it’s slim that anyone will see your content unless it’s uploaded with proper planning.
The biggest and best benefit of video hosting websites is their options for distribution on your web pages.
If your video distribution strategy focuses on emails or building backlinks to your web pages, then a video hosting site is the way to go.
If all of this has you completely overwhelmed, you’re not alone! You can check out these two articles that we found helpful here or here.
If you’re still overwhelmed, we offer video distribution services! We would be very excited to help out with your video distribution strategy and develop your distribution channels!