YouTube vs. Vimeo: which is best for your brand?

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The appeal of video is undeniable. Simply put, videos are engaging, straightforward, and entertaining for viewers to watch. Video gives businesses the ability to transmit information or get a point across in a relatively short amount of time. In fact, video increases click-through rates by roughly 96%!

Two video sharing sites, YouTube and Vimeo, are largely responsible for popularizing video and making video sharing accessible to a majority of users. These sites have simplified the process and made it easier for mainstream users to understand. However, questions still remain. What are the major differences? Which platform should you be on to successfully promote your brand? We’re breaking down the differences and benefits of both platforms below:

YouTube:

  • YouTube is very open, meaning that anyone can use it for (mostly) any topic. It is very easy to access and share videos, but this can pose a problem for users that want more privacy and control.
  • YouTube is free. They make up for this by showing paid advertisements before and after videos. If you don’t mind the advertisements, then YouTube is a good option for you.
  • YouTube provides SEO benefits, since the platform is owned by Google. However, if SEO is not important to you (or you don’t know how to properly optimize your video) then this feature doesn’t mean much.
  • YouTube is user-friendly for people who are new to video. You can easily edit, change, and update your videos with the Video Manager tab on your account.

Vimeo:

  • Vimeo is more advanced. Vimeo has a ton of design features and controls that allow you to create a more customized and professional-looking video.
  • Vimeo has both free and paid accounts. However, the free account is limited. If you are looking for a platform to support your company or brand, the paid option will likely be your best choice.
  • Vimeo has stronger privacy controls and no advertisements.
  • Vimeo is a niche community of users. This platform is generally used by more serious video lovers – they will be more likely to give you helpful feedback or advice.

When it comes down to it, YouTube is the best option if you are looking for a user-friendly platform with a massive reach (they have over 1 billion unique visitors a month!) or if you are just starting out. However, if you desire a more professional-looking video or are representing a company or brand, Vimeo is better suited for your branding needs. If you just can’t decide, consider creating accounts with both platforms, as many people and companies do. No one says you are limited to one option!

What do you think? Which platform do you prefer for business and personal use? Leave your thoughts in the box below!

3 tips to get you camera-ready

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The other day, my daughter and her friend spent the snow day at home making movies on our iPad. They created a story line, filmed each clip, uploaded it to iMovie, and created a trailer that looked both professional and fun. I can tell you that today, I still have no idea how to do that. I was really impressed!

For some of you who know me well, you know that I am not 100% comfortable in the spotlight, let alone on video camera. It has taken me a while to work up the courage and get comfortable with creating and putting out videos, social media updates, and communications for my business.

Over the last 6 months, as we’ve started putting out our newsletter and videos, I’ve become more comfortable with seeing myself on camera, reading from the teleprompter and hearing my voice on screen. I am amazed at how fast technology has changed and how fast I have had to adapt. No slow erosion, we are talking rapid light speed needed!

I can tell you it is scary, but I’ve grown a lot by doing this. Not only have I learned more and more about video production, but I’ve also learned how to do makeup (even though I haven’t perfected it yet), how to read from a teleprompter and more. I now admire the newscaster a little more than before and understand that in every profession, what looks easy, isn’t.

Here are a few points that have helped me get more comfortable:

  • Practice, practice, practice – As with any presentation, the more you practice, the more natural you sound and the  more comfortable you are. The same is true when you are talking to a camera. We do several run-throughs so that I can get familiar with the breaks in copy and not sound like a robot. The practicing is fun and it makes for great bloopers.
  • Don’t take yourself too seriously – You will most likely never get used to hearing yourself or seeing yourself on camera, so let it go. When talking to people face-to-face, we stumble on our words and make little mistakes. On camera, it doesn’t have to be perfect either. In fact, it makes you seem more real, authentic and natural. I can tell you I never like the way my hair looks or the way I sound, but if I waited until l did, I would never produce a single video.
  • Invest in good equipment – Good lighting and a good microphone make all the difference. After 6 months, we are still playing with the lighting and are getting better. If you can, hire someone to help you get your set up right. If you can’t, then just experiment. The fun is in the learning process anyway!

Adjusting to the new types of marketing and digital media is still hard for me (and I’m am sure it is for some of you, too) but I encourage you to stick with it! Getting out there and embracing new communications is hard, but fun and I just wanted to share my experience with you. Stepping out of your comfort zone and joining the digital conversation will be very rewarding – if you just give it a chance.

Where’s the line?

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These days, it is impossible to log on to Facebook or Twitter without seeing someone’s rant or overly-detailed status update. The rise of social media has led to a widespread culture of what I refer to as “oversharing”. We’re so quick to share our experiences, both positive and negative, with our digital networks through photos and statuses. But what’s the cost?

Some people believe that sharing their experiences, opinions, and family or personal news on social media is brave and courageous.

However, posts that detail your every hour spent, your medical or health complaints, your child’s achievements, injuries or doctor visits, and romantic lives are just over the top. Privacy should still remain intact, regardless of what other people on your news feed are posting.

I think the bigger question is, who is your audience? Are you sharing with your business colleagues, potential clients, or family and friends? Your generation may have a big effect on your digital audience. For instance, someone in Generation X is more likely to have a mix of business contacts and personal friendships on social media than a member of Generation Y. What happens when we blur the fine line between business and personal?

I once heard a brilliant statement, “The Internet is not written in pencil, it’s written in ink.” As we all know, what you post online doesn’t disappear – no matter how hard you may try. What often begins as a brief status update or an album of family photos can quickly cross the line into oversharing. In a culture obsessed with social networks, gossip magazines and reality TV, it leaves us asking, “how detailed is too detailed?”

What are your posting guidelines? How do you determine what updates are acceptable for social media? How do you separate the personal from business – or don’t you? We’d love your feedback in the comments below!

Our top trade show tips

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As someone who has exhibited at trade shows for many years, I can assure you that they are a great way to get your name out there and meet potential clients. They also happen to be a lot of fun! However, trade shows require a significant amount of planning and preparation leading up to the event. There are many small details and decisions involved that will make or break your experience at the show. I thought I’d take this opportunity to share a few of my tips and best practices with you:

  • Pick the right show. This tip may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised to learn how many different shows are out there. Do your research. Make sure that you are attending a trade show that is relevant to your industry with the right kinds of attendees. Just because a certain trade show is widely popular doesn’t mean that it’s right for you!
  • Consider your booth size. Your booth is the key element in your display. Check your options to ensure that you are purchasing or renting a booth that is the correct size and structure for the show layout you selected. If you are planning to do more than one trade show, consider the fact that each trade show has different sized spaces, and you need a booth that is adaptable to different arrangements.
  • Don’t misjudge your Internet and electrical. Are you planning to utilize Wi-Fi or electricity at your booth? Well you should! These features can be ordered prior to the event and will be installed for you the day of the show. Be sure to calculate the exact wattage you will need – you don’t want to be left scrambling for help minutes before the show.
  • Your floor is more important than you think. At any given trade show, you will be standing the majority of the day. On unpadded flooring, this can be extremely painful! My team and I always opt for double padding under our carpet to ensure that we will be comfortable throughout the duration of the show. Trust me, comfort is worth the extra dollars.

There are many other factors that go into preparing for a trade show. However, these are aspects that are often overlooked or missed by new exhibitors.

If you would like additional tips or advice, comment below and we’d be happy to share our knowledge with you! Or reach out to us at info@strategiadesign.com.