My YouTube channel is fast approaching 1 million views. About 50 videos over 8 years have amassed a tremendous following on YouTube. Here’s how YouTube has helped build my practice.
This post corresponds to our latest podcast episode of “Russ and Randy” – a podcast on Healthcare and Medical Internet Marketing. We hope you like “My YouTube Channel Builds My Practice.” You can find us on iTunes …and now, ReachMD.com!
My YouTube channel consists of about 50 clinical videos to include:
- surgical videos
- educational videos
- webinar recording
YouTube is the second largest search engine which means that video reaches a massive audience second only to Google (the search engine). Consider adding a video channel to your marketing strategy.
Russ and I talk about how I started and why it has been a huge practice builder.
My goals for each video are to:
- Provide value by educating and/or demonstrating a techique
- Engage the viewer
- Be relevant
- Improve marketing
Surgical Video
Video gives me a chance to either demonstrate a technique, such as surgery for retinal detachment, or to discuss a topic such as diabetic retinopathy.
These are two great ways I can provide value through my videos.
After recording, I’ll edit on my desktop computer using either iMovie (free) or Screenflow. I maintain that your videos are more engaging if self published.
NOTE: While I believe the features of the two editors are similar, I find ScreenFlow to be a bit more intuitive to use with regard to creating projects and organizing raw video.
Whatever the platform, make your video visually appealing. For instance, good resolution and focus are important. Fuzzy video is a turn-off and makes it more likely the viewer won’t finish the video.
Narrating and Music
After I edit the raw video, I’ll do a voiceover and add background music. I’m very interested in making my surgical videos easy to follow, educational and less institutional or academic. I believe, using my own voice and adding background music conveys a more relaxed and engaging experience. You may not agree.
My videos are geared towards my “next” patient and not my colleagues. My intent is to educate and in doing so create value. I also limit the length of my videos. The shorter the video, the more likely it will be watched…and watched completely.
I upload to YouTube.
Search Engine Optimization and Marketing
As with ranking websites, Google and other search engines prefer to rank those websites which routinely post new content. Because my channel is so active, my videos are recommended for viewing much more than videos from a channel with fewer and older videos. By the way, YouTube tracks the percentage of time a video is watched through completion. This enhances the “SEO” of the video.
Each of my videos are optimized, that is, they contain a full description using keywords and links (URLs) back to my website. This enhances my SEO and traffic to my website.
Advantage of Self Publishing
Video is a growing medium and has many advantages over text (i.e. website). Patients can watch and listen to a video, and do so on any device. Videos are much more user friendly than reading a website. Patients can hear and watch you!
Do not underestimate the value of your own voice. Patients learn a lot from hearing your voice. You become real and more relevant. When you are ready, add some video of yourself and knock it out of the park!
See you next week!
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Russ…and Randy
Healthcare and Medical Internet Marketing
Healthcare’s Rx for Web and Social
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