If a video gets posted to YouTube but no one sees it, was it worth making?

Bad news for brands hoping to make it big on YouTube: With nearly 2 billion videos being served up on the site each day, it’s virtually impossible for your branded video to break through the clutter of dancing babies and anesthesia gone wrong and “go viral,” even if Carol from HR thinks it was the funniest thing she’s seen since the final episode of Cheers.

But that shouldn’t stop any brand from exploring opportunities within YouTube (or any other video sharing site). If you implement the below tips properly, branded Web videos can:

- Increase search engine optimization for terms related to a company.

- Drive brand awareness.

- Tell better, more in-depth brand stories.

And, with proper optimization, it’s possible to get some serious eyeballs to your video. So here are some of MGH’s simple tips for optimizing YouTube videos and driving viewership

1. Categorization: Arguably the biggest mistake made by users hoping to make it big on YouTube is in improper categorization of videos.

Most users assume that a video needs to be categorized as “Entertainment” or “Comedy” in order to reach the masses looking for funny viral videos, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. “Entertainment” and “Comedy” are, without a doubt, the two most popular categories on the site, making them two of the hardest categories to break through.

So rather than trying to compete with the next viral sensation, MGH recommends categorizing your video in a less popular category, such as “Travel & Events” or “People & Blogs.” Sounds boring, but this will increase your video’s exposure, while making it easier to reach the top of its category.

2. Tags and titles: What good is a video if no one can find it? Having a video that is easily accessible and favored by search engines starts with a proper title and tags.

When trying to rank against a certain term, such as your brand name, it’s imperative that your video’s title include that phrase at least once. However many recommend including that phrase twice; once at the front of the title, and once at the back (ex. “J. Crew – New Fall Line from J. Crew”).

As an added trick to drive viewership, include words within your title that make it appear more exciting than other videos within its category. Videos that include terms such as “exclusive,” “first-look,” and “new” tend to out-perform those that don’t. Capitalizing these words, while slightly obnoxious, can also attract even more clicks.

Also make sure to tag your videos with as many terms as apply. Use variations of terms to make sure Google can understand in cases of varying search terms (ex. “shoe” “shoes” “sneaker” “sneakers”). And be sure that your tags match terms used in your video title and description.

3.  Front-loading: Unbeknownst to most viewers, YouTube has a ranking system for newly uploaded videos. Videos that receive a high number of views, comments, and/or ratings within a 48-hour period receive, what-is-called, YouTube Honors. Videos that collect these Honors benefit from better placement on the site, and more views.

The key to earning these Honors is timing. As mentioned, you have 48 hours to earn a YouTube Honor. After that time, your video will likely become just one in a billion.

To avoid becoming just another video and to propel you into viral bliss, front-load your video promotion efforts. Send to every contact you have through email, Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc., and encourage them to not only watch the video, but to leave a rating and a comment. Ask them to post on their own networks – and do it quickly!

If your video receives enough views, ratings, and comments within the alloted time period, it will be earn an Honor, bumping it to the front of its category.

While your video may never reach the depths of  ”David After Dentist” or “Double Rainbow“, branded videos still assist in SEO and can help portray the personality of your brand. Just do it right, spread the word quickly and watch the views fly.

Watch the video below and leave your thoughts. We would love to hear how you feel about it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8[/youtube]

In addition to refining your search, Google has now integrated rich snippets. “Rich snippets could include things like the average review score, the number of reviews, and the price range for a local restaurant”. This puts user-generated content much more into the forefront of any given search.

This new iteration of Google search continues to prove the value of user-generated content. The companies who will make an impact in the early stages of this evolution of search are the ones who are already harnessing the power of their customers by engaging them online and encouraging them to share their thoughts and experiences.

Here at MGH we are obviously strong believers in letting consumers be heard, and are extremely excited that their voice is now an even more integral part of search results. Go do a search for your favorite product with Google’s new search options and see for yourself the power of customers talking.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtirDMfcOKE[/youtube]

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Looking to be Carnegie Hall’s next big star? Google has provided millions of musicians, all over the world, with the opportunity to audition online for the first ever YouTube Symphony Orchestra.

Google, which purchased YouTube in 2006, has created this opportunity to beef up YouTube’s content in effort to make the site more appealing to potential advertisers. According to this NY Times article, Google has been less than impressed with YouTube’s revenues.

Additionally, Google is also trying to expand YouTube’s current user base to include more diverse demographics.

Contestants have two options. First, they can submit audition tapes of their renditions of selected pieces composed by Tan Dunn, which will then be judged. Of those, the finalists will be pieced together to make the first YouTube Symphony Orchestra piece.

The other option for contestants is to pick tapes from a pre fixed list of pieces from various orchestras and upload their audition pieces. Those auditions will be judged by a panel and then voted on by YouTube users. Those winners will be flown to Carnegie Hall in April.

Google hopes that YouTube’s First Symphony Orchestra will diversify their site by providing content that is geared towards people of all ages. If you are interested in participating check it out here: www.youtube.com/symphony.  The deadline for entries is Jan 28.