WDTalk

YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world - which is owned by none other than the largest search engine, Google.  Volumes have been written about video optimization, but your core objective should be about the quality of each visitor experience.

I ran across this bit of code on - Web Hosting Talk this morning (OP did not list the source), where the script sets up a YouTube video to autostart only one time, then if the visitor comes back on that page, the video will not start again.

<script language=”Javascript”>
function played(){
var ca = document.cookie.split(‘;’);
for(var i=0; i<ca.length; i++) {
var c = ca[i];
while (c.charAt(0)==’ ‘) c = c.substring(1,c.length);
if (c.indexOf(“played=”) == 0) return 1;
}
var date = new Date();
var days = 7;
date.setTime(date.getTime()+(days*24*60*60*1000));
document.cookie = “played=1″+”; expires=”+date.toGMTString()+”; path=/”;
return 0;
}
if(played()==0){
document.write(“<embed src=\”http://www.youtube.com/v/W5E2Q6PW&autoplay=1\” type=\”application/x-shockwave-flash\” wmode=\”transparent\” width=\”740\” height=\”400\”></embed>”);
}
else{
document.write(“<embed src=\”http://www.youtube.com/v/W5E2Q6PW\” type=\”application/x-shockwave-flash\” wmode=\”transparent\” width=\”740\” height=\”400\”></embed>”);
}
</script>

Replace the YouTube embed with a valid URL.

Please let me know if this works for you (Or Not)

YouTube recently published a Creator Playbook – that delves (extensively) into how to BEST create and optimize your videos. Included are recommendations for metadata optimization, programming/production and social media connections.

Two key topics are “audience approval” and “relevance to query.”  Audience approval simply measures the popularity of your video in terms of views and playing time, and to some extent community factors like comments, subscribers and channel activity. Relevance to query ties into metadata and tags.

Unlike conventional search query - exact match titles carry less weight. You do want to position primary keywords at the beginning of the title, though and branding toward the end.

A key variance from conventional search – lies with meta descriptions because they can be much longer, but here again YouTube recommends putting the most compelling information at the beginning (of course, using keywords).

A little research on what tags – your competitors are using to rank well goes a long way to enhance how your video will fare.

Creating videos that draw traffic and produce results (ROI) – isn’t as hard as you might imagine. You don’t need a $7000 video camera or production crew, but you do need to follow some simple guidelines – to separate your video from the millions already out there competing for your time. The cold hard facts – you have just 8 seconds on average to capture your viewer’s attention. If you don’t have a HOOK that underscores a unique perspective, achievement, offer or curiosity – that causes some sensory stimulation, 80% of your prospects will move on without watching the entire video.

If you’re presenting a hidden benefit – (something your audience may not have heard of), that’s a unique curiosity hook. A lot of HOW TO videos are based on hidden benefits.

If you’re presenting a better way to do something – or looking at a solution from a different angle, that’s a unique perspective hook. I can envision using this hook to sell any number of products or services, from SEO consulting to building a deck in your backyard.

If you start your video by underscoring your awards or successes – that’s a unique achievement hook. Would visitors rather watch a video on self-defense from a white belt or a black belt martial artist?

And the most often used HOOK in business videos – the unique powerful offer, which normally revolves around words such as FREE, risk free, exceeds your expectations and so on.

Design your hook to last no more than 30 seconds to 1 minute – then transition to your explanation on how you intend to help them get from the promise of the hook to the results they want.

Always, always - start the meat of your video with, “In this video, I’m going to … show you (how to get from point “query” to point “results”). Then show how it works, how they can do it and what they need to produce results – and finally, when they can expect to realize those results.

End your video with a call to action – if you do this, you will get that.

My Recommendation – educate your viewer, using a mixture of graphics that forces them to look. Demonstrate ownership experience by showing them a working example, which attributes to goal manifestation.

To increase your ROI – remember that a confused prospect never buys – present your video with a SINGLE action oriented goal, and match that to what the viewer AND you want.