by Silva Payne

Created on: July 04, 2010

YouTube is a social media web site that allows users to add and view video clips. It is utilised by many different types of users, such as music fans who create their own versions of their favourite music videos. There are also interviews, and social interest mini-documentaries posted on YouTube.

For film makers, entertainers and artisans, YouTube provides a means of free exposure of their work. However, to get the most from YouTube as a contributor, you should aim to build a loyal following. This is not simply a case of posting a video and hoping for the best. There are several ways in which you can build your follower base by careful marketing.

The first step to building your fan base is to create your own brand. This can be done very simply by always using the same username on YouTube, and having a distinctive avatar or profile image. This helps people find your work, and means your name will become linked with the type of YouTube videos you produce.

Because you want to build a credible brand, it is better not to have a username that includes explicitly sexual references, or one that is difficult to remember because it consists of random letters and numbers. Pick something that relates to the subject matter you cover, or simply use the name you are known by in the real world.

While it is always good to experiment, fans like to have some reassurance in the early stages of following someone or something, that what they will see will be familiar. Try to keep your first few YouTube videos all at a similar length and with similar material. Loyalty will be developed because your fans will know what to expect from you.

For example, if you want to produce videos about the homes of the rich and famous, keep them all in the same format, and pick very well-known celebrities. Once your fan base begins to grow, then you can start to branch out and perhaps look at schools where celebrities studied, or pets of the rich and famous as well.

Whatever kind of YouTube videos you produce, you need to draw people in to view them. It is not enough to rely on the YouTube search function, as this by definition usually only brings those already on YouTube to your work. You need to promote your work in as many different on-line areas as possible to get maximum exposure.

Using other social media network web sites to promote your YouTube videos is the most obvious choice for promotion. Set up a Facebook page, a MySpace page, a Twitter account and a blog, and use all of these to publish

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