With more ‘searches’ conducted at YouTube than on Yahoo and MSN, it’s obvious that Youtube is a major force in the online space. The fact there were six billion videos viewed in May is simply astounding.
If your business doesn’t have a presence or channel at YouTube, it’s probably time it did.
Remember, when you sign up and create an account at YouTube, your username becomes your channel name. So choose your username carefully and try and include your brand name.
Most people’s channels look OK, and there’s limited capacity to modify your channel page to customise it a bit, but when you apply for and receive a Brand Channel, it enables your business to maintain almost perfect brand identity from your website to your Youtube channel page.
Here’s an example of a normal, slightly customised channel page with a coloured background etc.
Next, there’s an example of a Brand Channel, where you can see a banner with Navigation buttons to their website and a much more nicely designed channel page all round.
It looks good doesn’t it!
So to answer the question! The steps to applying for a branded channel are as follows:
1. Visit this link and click on the big red ‘Get Started’ Button.
2. On the next screen you need to fill out the details on the form and ensure you select ‘branded channel’ from the drop down menu.
Also make sure you provide all the information YouTube asks for. Above the ‘Comments’ box, read the fine print carefully…
“Comments:
(The more we know the more we can help. Please tell us a bit more about your campaign goals, product or service, the launch date for your program, rough budget level… and anything else you’d like to share.)”
Now all you have to do is wait, (with your fingers and legs crossed) that you’re approved to upgrade yours to a fancy new Brand Channel.
Once approved, there’s a useful resource here:
Thanks to fellow twitterer, Matt McDougall, for his help is answering today’s question!
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Chris Thomas heads Reseo, a search engine optimisation company which specialises in creating and maintaining Google AdWords campaigns and Search Engine Optimisation campaigns for a range of corporate clients.
For more Online Sales expert advice, click here.
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
