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YouTube "Embeds"

The Pros and Cons of using YouTube "embeds" 
Did you ever notice when you go to some sites, you see videos from YouTube.  Most of the video on this site is from YouTube.  You see the youTube Logo in the lower right of the video screen?  Well they are doing what I consider a very smart thing. "Embedding".

Before I explain the pros and cons, let me explain "how to Embed a video".  Obviously first you need to open up a Youtube account.  Even better, start your own channel for your business.  Once that is set up, upload your video.  Click here See our article on "File Types" for more info on the best file types to render your video for YouTube.  Once your video is uploaded and you have named it, described it and entered in your search words (also called "tags", play the video.  You will be taken to the page where your video will play with all the info entered and the ability for viewers to leave comments.

In the upper right hand corner, under the description, you will see two boxes.  One for the "URL" or the link to send people to your video, and below that, the "Embed".  The "Embed" is an HTML code for you or your webmaster to use, to put any YouTube video on your site.  Simply click in the embed box, so the code is highlighted, and then copy it.  Then either paste it to your site, if you know how to work with HTML code, or paste it in an email and send the code to your webmaster.  It's that simple!

Let me start with the Cons -

  • You may not want the YouTube Logo in the lower right hand corner of your video.  Some feel that it cheapens the professional quality.  Personally for this site, I like it.  Since I am teaching about easy and inexpensive ways to produce and market your video, I consider YouTube a partner in that goal and am proud to have their name on my site.
  • YouTube will only let you put 10 minute videos up and you may have some that are longer.  There are exceptions, though, and YouTube does approve videos over 10 minutes with proper clearence.  You must apply by going to http://www.youtube.com/partners.  But understand that there are many other video sites on the web that will allow videos over 10 minutes and provide embed codes.
  • YouTube gives you the choice of choosing from 3 pictures.  So basically you are held to using one of these 3 thumbnails when choosing your picture.  BUT...these thunbnails are not chosen at random.  They choose the frame that is at the beginning of each quarter.  So to be mathematically exact about this, let's say your video is 32 seconds long.  At 30 frames per second, that would be a total of 960 frames.  So the first thumbnail would be at frame #240.  The second thunbnail would be at dead center at frame #480.  And the third at frame #720.  There is the possibility if you cared to do the work, to manipulate your video in order to get one of your best shots at one of these spots. 

And now for the Pros of YouTube Embedding

  • Showing Related videos has been fixed - The first Pro I would like to mention is one that was an objection or a con for a long time.  When you embed a video on your site, and the video ends, the screen shows related videos.  Now this could be a good thing if it showed all your other videos.  But YouTube's massive computer makes it's own choice of what related videos to show.  So if you sell Brownies online, and someone views your video, it will then come up with every other video that sells brownies online, or worse yet, a half naked girl eating brownies seductively.  Now this might be a plus for some of your male viewers, but your video on your own site should play only the videos you pick, and not scare some of your viewers away with half naked women or your competition's products.  Well hallelujia!  YouTube has finally changed that by giving you the option to turn off "Include Related Videos" when your video ends.  To turn this feature off, click the embed box to the right of your video. Directly under is this checkbox.  Make sure it's unchecked if you don't want any related videos to show up after your video plays. 
  • YouTube and Google are part of the same company.  By naming, describing and entering in key words, you have a much better chance of people finding your video and your site during Google searches.
  • Embedding means you are using YouTube's servers.  Not your own or your hosting service's servers.  This means less megabytes being taken up by you, and less bandwith taken up by your site visitors. 
  • Using someone elses servers, means your videos will start right up with no lag time.
  • You can choose the color of your player and if you want a border as well .  When you click inside of the "Embed" box, these options will come up.  You can also choose the size of the player you embed on your site.
  • When you watch your video in YouTube, it will tell you how many times it has been viewed.  This includes the embedded video.
  • You can add annotations (additional info or notes) to your video.
  • You can add links to your Video.
  • You can check "Insights" for more info on where your viewers are coming from.
  • You can add close captioning and subtitles to your video.  Once added, YouTube can even translate it into different languages.
  • You can get comments about your videos (and turn off the comments if so desired)
  • YouTube now supports hi-def and widescreen

As you can see, the pros outway the cons.  Well perhaps this embed thing is not for every business, but for us here at MoreSalesWithVideo.com, it fits in very nicely.
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