YouTube video
Do you need your own channel?
If your unit only produces videos once or twice a year, then probably not. Instead, University Marketing and Communications can upload your video for free to ISU's YouTube archive channel, where it has the potential for more views and doesn't require regular maintenance.
If you'd like to create a YouTube channel for your unit, here are a few things to consider. Once your account is created, notify UMC so it can be added to the Social Media Directory.
Google account
To create a YouTube channel, you need a Google account. Once your new Google account is created, go to YouTube and click "Set up your channel on YouTube." Select "To use a business or other name, click here" to create your unit's channel.
If you already have a Google account, you are able to create a new channel by visiting Channel Switcher and clicking "Create a new channel."
Account name
If you're creating a new Google account so than you can use YouTube, include "Illinois State" or "ISU" as part of it. (This is different than a channel name, which we'll explain in the next section.) Acceptable account names currently in use include StudyAbroadISU or IllinoisStateRec.
YouTube will let you know the availability of your choice when you sign up.
Channel name
Your "channel name" is different than your account name. Your channel name can be longer, and it will appear when someone visits your YouTube channel or in search results.
Include "Illinois State University" as part of your channel name, such as Illinois State University Department of Agriculture or Career Center at Illinois State University.
Vanity/custom URLs
To get a shorter, custom URL for your channel, such as YouTube.com/ISUDepartment, your account needs to be in good standing and meet a few other requirements:
- 500 or more subscribers
- Channels is at least 30 days old
- Channel has uploaded a photo for the channel icon
- Channel has uploaded channel art
You can also qualify for a custom URL by linking and verifying your official webpage with your channel or +Page.
Important: You can't change your custom URL after you create it, so be sure you are comfortable with your choice before you finalize it.
Channel icon
Your channel icon is a small graphic that appears next to all of your videos. You can use your unit's established and official UMC-approved logo or icon, or the University's seal on a white background. Icons with small text are not advised, because they will display poorly.
Learn more about the required upload size of your channel icon.
Channel art
Your channel art is similar to a Facebook cover photo or Twitter header image. This is a great opportunity to provide viewers with a visual representation of what your channel is about.
Learn more about the required upload size of your channel art.
Optimizing videos
YouTube provides the Creator Playbook to help you make your video the best it can be once it's uploaded. A few small things can optimize your video for search, which increases viewers.
Title: Be concise but tell your viewers what they are about to watch.
Description: Give viewers a better idea of what they are watching, provide links to supplemental or related material, or give credit to the person on camera. This area helps with searches as much as your title.
Tags: These keywords and phrases help audience members search for your video on YouTube. YouTube will automatically suggest some tags as well.
Thumbnail: This is the image that will appear for your video when it comes up in a search or if you share it on your website or other social media. Find an engaging still shot from your video and use that, or create an image with text on it that acts as a "visual title."
Captioning: Videos uploaded to any ISU channel or website should include either a notice describing how videos can be closed captioned or be closed captioned for accessibility. Since many videos are based on pre-written scripts, you can use that script to upload the captions into each new video.
Playlists: Consider creating playlists to keep viewers watching your content for longer periods. Playlists are a great way to show off your most engaging content or provide your viewers with an easy way to watch several videos back-to-back. Videos with similar topics or themes can be added to playlists which can then be showcased on your channel's homepage. A video can be added to multiple playlists, and playlists can be embedded on your website the same way a single video can.
Other notes: YouTube will allow you to link other social media accounts from your main channel page, provide viewers with some background information on your unit's channel, create and promote playlists or similar videos, and even link to other YouTube channels.
Abandoned accounts
When creating a YouTube account, you need to be sure you can consistently upload content. If you only upload a couple videos a year, your channel and videos are much less likely to appear when people search for them. A stale or abandoned social media account that represents a campus unit is detrimental to the University's reputation—more so than not having that account at all.
Learn more about abandoned ISU social media accounts.
Questions, concerns, or issues? Contact UMC at SocialNetworks@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-8404.