Routes to New Networks

A Guide to Social Media for the Public Transportation Industry

Video Blogs

Video Sharing

Video sharing allows users to host their videos on the Internet for little or no cost. Through these websites, users can post, share, and view others’ videos as well. Many of these free services allow members to comment and rank videos of their choice.

What is YouTube™?

Top Transit Usage

YouTube

Create a channel to upload current and past commercials, instructional videos and more.

YouTube is the largest video-sharing website today accounting for nearly 50 percent of all videos viewed on the Internet. Due to YouTube’s popularity, it is becoming more frequently used by news organizations as a mass distribution outlet. When a video receives upwards of one million views it is comparable to a highly rated TV show. Anyone can view videos on YouTube, but in order to comment on, rate, or upload a video one must have a YouTube account. Those with accounts will receive video suggestions from the website based on previously watched or rated videos. There are other video hosting websites on the Internet like Vimeo, however, they do not allow for the hosting of business or commercial content.

Monitoring

YouTube offers extensive monitoring capabilities with an Insight tool. This allows businesses to track:

  • Video Traffic / Views
  • Geographic regions of viewers
  • Popularity graph
  • Discovery tab revealing how users found your organization’s video

How to Set Up a YouTube Channel

To create a YouTube account your organization must either use an existing Google™ Account or create one. YouTube Channels allows users to fill out a profile and customize their background content. For help getting started visit www.youtube.com/t/yt_handbook_home

Examples

NCTR on YouTube

Using the bike rack on a public bus: Portland, Maine

Washington Metropilitan Area Transit Authority

Hampton Roads Transit

Benefits

  • Creation of a channel allows for brand customization
  • The most popular video sharing and viewing site on the internet
  • Easy to use and monitor
  • Highly customizable
  • Users are given “suggested” videos to watch given their viewing history

Drawbacks

  • Low ratings could deter viewers from watching
  • Video responses have potential to bring negative attention to your organization
  • Users could take your organization’s video and manipulate it for negative purposes


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Nov 23, 2009.)