A few weeks ago, we posted a popular item titled “What SEO is Not.” This post will focus on the burgeoning online video market and how online video can assist organic search engine optimization (SEO). Once again, these practices are not a silver bullet or quick fix, but should be considered carefully when creating, tagging, uploading online video content.

1. Create Compelling Video Content

We understand that the vast majority of people and companies creating video are not held to the expectations of the entertainment industry. However, even the little guys must spend time thinking through how to create relevant content that is also interesting and engaging. If you are a manufacturer, let us in on some of the real-life magic of how your products are created. If you sell services, engage us with a compelling narrator who can drive home your story with humor and gusto. Simply uploading one-take, flat, informational videos won’t do the trick in today’s competitive, short-attention span, YouTube-driven world. Compelling videos can lead to additional videos views, repurposing of your content on blogs, and additional inbound links from those writing about your video.

2. Develop Video Content Around Keywords

When developing your strategy for creating promotional video content, utilize knowledge gained from web site analytics and current search campaigns. Create your video content around your top keywords. Carefully think through how to use keywords within your content to provide a targeted, valuable experience for those searching for information on your top keywords. This practice (along with appropriate optimization) will assist with higher video rankings in organic search.

3. Thoroughly Optimize Video for Keywords

Each video you create should contain careful and thorough optimization. All aspects of the video file and posting should be well optimized for your targeted keywords, including its filename, tags, and description. In order to do this most effectively, turning to a seasoned organic search team is crucial. Correct optimization will assist with high organic ranking in universal search results, YouTube, and other online video sites.

4. Provide Strong Calls to Action

Try to associate each video with a strong call to action, to convert casual viewers into interested potential customers. Calls to action can be as simple as clicking a link that leads viewers to a related page of your website. Other common actions: downloading a file, filling out a form, or subscribing to your video channel. These calls to action can be mentioned in the video itself, in the description area, or appear as a clickable link embedded in the video.

5. Submit Video to Multiple Sources

In order to provide the greatest breadth and exposure for your video content online, make sure to submit your video to a wide range of online video providers. Don’t stop with YouTube or Vimeo; dozens of reputable and niche online video providers are available. A sharp search engine marketing firm will have a robust database in house of all these resources and will be able to help you craft a strategy to upload your video content to all the appropriate channels.

Web Ad.vantage provides video optimization as part of our social media marketing services, and often recommends it as part of our search engine optimization services, to boost organic rankings for our client’s targeted keywords. Talk to us about how we can help you increase traffic and achieve higher rankings with online video.