Marketing with a new YouTube

YouTube users are being greeted with a brand new layout makeover which was designed for a simpler user interface to create and market videos.

Earlier this month, YouTube launched its new layout in hopes of gaining a competitive edge over cable TV by providing easier access to channel content for users.  Statistics show the typical YouTube user spends on average 15 minutes a day viewing content on the site.

“The new YouTube layout is going to be the new television,” said Chris Smith, chief evangelist for Inman News. “I watch YouTube more than I watch television right now.”

For real estate professionals, the new YouTube layout is expected to provide an easier way to add video marketing to a business.

“A shared Tweet results in six new YouTube.com sessions which means on average more than 500 tweets per minute are linked to YouTube,” said Smith. “Tweeting and YouTube are doing very well together. YouTube is a gold mine in my opinion.”

Smith recently conducted a free webinar called Video Marketing with a Brand New YouTube for Inman News where he offered his strategies for creating solid video marketing. He expects YouTube’s new layout to provide a way for real estate professionals to generate more leads with their video content.

There are three main new features with YouTube’s new layout:

1. New homepage. The new homepage offers customized information based on streams that the user has subscribed to as well as access to Facebook and Google+ social profiles so users can more easily share videos they find interesting.
2. Customizable channel pages. YouTube users with channels will now be able to choose from one of three template options for further personalization and simplification of their channels’ pages.
3. New design. The design, based on user-feedback, offers larger video thumbnails for easier user interaction with the site.

“The videos matter more than the look and feel of the channel,” said Smith. “Videos make the house a home. Don’t do a video. Tell a story.”

Smith says the best video content to create includes blogging, community blogging, client testimonials and highlighting local businesses. “The two most important things to remember are to create content that is helpful and humanizes you,” he said. “You want to tell a story about the home, the area and you as an agent.”