This week’s Video Challenge… This week the challenge is to adopt a YouTube feature and make a video about it. (Of course if your video platform of choice is not YouTube feel free to adopt a feature from that website instead.) The purpose of this exercise is to educate newbies on how to use the video website more effectively and help them to participate within that community. And just think, explaining to people how to use the subscribe button (for example) might result in more subscribers for you!
These are the Features YouTube currently have up for adoption as it were.
- AudioSwap (use tags: audioswap, adoptafeature)
- Country and Language Options (use tags: countrypulldown, adoptafeature)
- Insight (use tags: insight, adoptafeature)
- Playlists (use tags: playlists, adoptafeature)
- Quick Capture (use tags: quickcapture, adoptafeature)
- Subscriptions (use tags: subscriptions, adoptafeature)
Things To Remember
Remember your video is being directed at people who are very new to these concepts. Don’t make too many assumptions about what you think they’ll know and what they won’t. Avoid using jargon – or, if you must, at least take the time to explain the terms you use.
Take time to explain the benefits of a particular feature. Before I learn about something I’ll want to know how I’ll be helped by knowing that information and using that feature.
Don’t just tell people how to do something, show them! Consider using screen captures (whether still images or video footage) to explain processes. Learn more about screencasting. Break down processes into step-by-step instructions.
Caveats
Be wary about sharing too much personal information while using screen capture. If you record your screen logging into YouTube, for example, people will know the number of characters in your password. Would be hackers use any and all information at their disposal. If your email address appears somewhere in that video, be aware that viewers might use or share that information.
Similarly if somebody sent a video that was ‘for your eyes only’ don’t let it appear in the video. Even a screen capture of a thumbnail for a video that wasn’t intended for public viewing can be an invasion of privacy which won’t endear you to its creator.
Don’t forget to include the relevant ‘Adopt A Feature’ tags (see above). Not only will it put you in running to be featured on YouTube (and in its Help Center) but other video creators will be checking out the competition and this can help your video’s view count.
Inspiration
Tyler Oakley takes on YouTube Insight
xGobobeanx Addresses Tag Subscriptions
YooTubeHD Walks You Through AudioSwap
TeylerJay’s Unique Take on Annotations
Are you up for this week’s challenge? Will you adopt a feature? Please include a link to your video in the comments section so I can check it out.
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