Being on YouTube for a long time can make creators think that everything they do, including their fans and money, revolves only around YouTube. But remember, there's a lot more out there.
Key Takeaways
- Diversifying distribution boosts reach
Posting on multiple platforms helps creators engage new audiences beyond YouTube.
- Increased monetization opportunities
Each platform offers unique ways to monetize content, providing creators with extra income sources.
- Platform-specific strategies matter
Tailoring your content to each platform’s format increases its impact.
- China's vast potential
Chinese video platforms like Douyin and Youku are critical for creators targeting young audiences globally.
You can get your videos seen by even more people by distributing them to different websites and platforms. We're going to show you how to do that today!
What is Video Content Distribution?
Video content distribution is basically about getting your videos out there for more people to see. You put your videos on different websites and apps so that you can catch the eye of as many viewers as possible. It's like throwing a bunch of fishing lines into the water at different spots and catching more fish. Whether you're uploading to YouTube, posting clips to Instagram, or sharing links on Twitter, the idea is to spread your video far and wide to get more views, likes, and shares. More eyes on your content = more opportunities.
Let's say, you are a YouTube creator. Your playground is the oldest and the biggest video platform with over 2.5 billion active users, where 52% of internet users access YouTube at least once a month. Why should you look around and consider opting for video content distribution? Let's take a closer look at this!
Source: Statista
How Do Video Distribution Platforms Help Content Creators?
Distributing your content on various VOD and OTT platforms provides you with a variety of truly worthwhile benefits. Here are just some of the perks you get.
Earnings
By distributing your content across different platforms, you unlock new ways to make money, which can protect your creator career even if you face challenges with your YouTube channel. There’s a variety of monetization options available for content creators on numerous video and streaming services. These options range from sharing in advertising profits and building to offering pay-per-view models entering into licensing agreements.
Broader Reach
Video-sharing platforms can help you reach really big audiences – we're talking about hundreds of millions of people around the world. These platforms can also show your videos to people in different places and in their languages. Here's an example: if you have a kids' channel, we can help get your videos onto many Chinese sites that have hundreds of millions of viewers. And don't worry about the cost or other details – we'll take care of translating, dubbing, and sharing your content without you needing to invest any money.
Discover tips for translated video content distribution.
Content Discoverability
Those video platforms are making it easy for their users to find your content. Much like YouTube, these sites use algorithms and recommendation engines to present content that aligns with user tastes. They provide features for adding tags, setting categories, and crafting descriptions, all of which enhance the discoverability of videos that match what users are looking to watch.
Content Promotion
Each video platform has its own ways to help people see your content. They might put new or trending videos up front, suggest videos based on what each person likes, make your content easier to find in searches, and let people share your videos easily. To climb higher in these platform rankings, you usually need to fine-tune your content. If you're looking for custom tips on how to do this, just reach out to us.
Maintaining Copyrights
Dealing with licensing and copyright issues can be really tough, but luckily, most video distribution platforms take care of that for you. But keep in mind that you need to make yourself familiar with all the rules and regulations of any platform you want to use to distribute your videos. We can provide you with all the details you need to protect your rights and keep your monetization transparent.
Choosing the Best Video Distribution Platforms
Before going straight into the video distribution process it's important to pick the right places to put your content on. There are lots of different video platforms out there, and AIR Media-Tech has made a list of the 12 best ones with all their details, so you can pick the platforms that work best for you. Let's begin!
TikTok
With over 1.7 billion users, TikTok has some impressive stats to share. There was a time when the social media platform surpassed other popular platforms like Instagram and Facebook in the number of monthly app downloads. According to research conducted by TikTok itself, it seems that TikTok users find the platform to be a place where they can discover new topics they weren't previously interested in. The majority of TikTok's audience consists of Gen Z and millennials, with the average age slightly younger than that of Instagram and Facebook users. Reportedly, TikTok users feel that this platform allows them to co-create, and 41% of respondents in the same study say they are more likely to trust a brand after seeing it on the platform. In general, this platform may help YouTube creators find a new audience and engage more people with their content.
TikTok is an excellent choice for sharing videos if you want to reach young people, but it has its own unique approach. If you'd like to repurpose your existing content for TikTok, it's better to edit it first to make it suitable for this short-form content platform. Alternatively, you can create videos specifically for TikTok, rather than using ones you've already made.
Videos were not the major priority of Facebook for a long time, but over the last few years, it has changed significantly. Currently, there are 8 billion daily video views on Facebook, with an average viewing time of 26 minutes per user. Nearly half of Facebook users belong to the millennial generation. This platform continues to rank among the top three most visited sites in the world, so ignoring it as a YouTube content creator would not be the best decision.
Different types of content gain popularity on this platform, but what usually goes viral is content that isn't overly promotional. This is an important point to remember when deciding to distribute your videos on Facebook. Similar to TikTok, creators should adapt their videos for optimal display on Facebook. It's crucial to grab the audience's attention quickly, as the first 3 seconds are crucial for hooking viewers. Additionally, don't forget to include captions; even a silent audience appreciates the full story, and captions can significantly enhance engagement and understanding.
If you aim to reach a larger audience and establish your presence, Facebook can be a valuable platform. Moreover, if you're considering monetizing your content on Facebook, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines for making money with your videos.
Vimeo
Though YouTube holds the crown for the largest audience, Vimeo's numbers are certainly noteworthy. With 260 million users reported in 2022 and showing no signs of slowing down, it's clear that Vimeo is a force to be reckoned with.
What's cool about Vimeo is how it helps you make money without bombarding viewers with ads like YouTube does. It's ad-free, which many viewers love. You can earn cash through subscriptions, rentals, and more, without relying on ads. This can be a viable revenue stream for YouTube creators looking to diversify their income sources.
Vimeo also gives you handy tools to track your progress. Their analytics dashboard goes beyond just basic stats, giving you insights into things like ROI for your campaigns.
Plus, Vimeo's user base is mostly made up of pros and creatives. This means you can get some really helpful feedback to make your videos even better.
Instagram is a top pick for sharing videos in 2024. It's been steadily growing in the video scene, with no signs of stopping. With over 2 billion monthly users, it's like nearly six times the entire population of the United States engaging with their profiles every month! Their audience is mostly between 18 and 34 years old with close to equal representation of men and women.
You can share videos in different ways on Instagram, like posts, stories, IGTV, and Reels. Each suits different preferences and lengths, giving you options to showcase your YouTube content. Stories and Reels are great for grabbing attention with short, engaging clips that can drive viewers to your YouTube channel.
Plus, Instagram offers more ways to make money and partner with brands. Building a strong presence here can attract sponsorships and ads not just for your Instagram but also for your YouTube channel.
Twitch
Twitch is one of the best video distribution platforms for your brand. It has become a key platform for video sharing, attracting a vast audience and a significant amount of content engagement. In 2022, it boasted 2.58 million active viewers and saw 22.4 billion hours of content watched, making it a prime choice for creators looking to expand their reach. Most Twitch users, about 73%, are between 16 and 34 years old, with the majority being male.
Twitch offers programs like Affiliate and Partner, giving creators more ways to make money. Once you qualify, you can earn cash through subscriptions, bits, and more, giving you diverse income streams compared to YouTube.
While YouTube has tons of users, Twitch is fantastic for live content, especially for gamers. Its algorithms and browsing features can suggest your content to viewers based on their interests, giving you more visibility.
Twitch is all about live interaction. You can chat with your audience in real time, answering questions and joining discussions as they happen. Plus, Twitch has its own unique culture with memes, emotes, and "raiding," which adds extra fun for both creators and viewers.
Check out our guide to the best music distribution platforms.
Other Platforms to Consider
DailyMotion
DailyMotion is often considered the European alternative to YouTube, with over 300 million unique users globally. Its straightforward video hosting model and free platform make it a great choice for creators wanting to distribute videos outside the YouTube ecosystem.
Creators can upload videos up to 2 hours with a maximum resolution of 4K. DailyMotion also offers monetization opportunities through ad revenue, which can benefit creators looking to diversify their income streams. The platform supports various categories, making it versatile for everything from tutorials to entertainment content.
Learn more about expanding your reach with AIR Media-Tech’s video distribution service.
Wistia
Wistia is a fantastic platform for creators and businesses focused on video marketing. Unlike other platforms geared toward social media-style engagement, Wistia is designed for brands looking to create high-quality, branded video content. It provides advanced analytics, including viewer behavior tracking, which is useful for fine-tuning your video strategy.
One of Wistia's standout features is its ability to embed videos on websites, providing a clean, customizable player without ads. It's a great choice if you're looking to maintain control over your content, enhance your brand, and generate leads through video.
While often overlooked, LinkedIn is rapidly becoming a key player in video content distribution, especially for B2B marketers. With LinkedIn’s emphasis on professional networking, posting videos on this platform can help you connect with business-minded audiences, making it a strong choice for educational content, industry insights, or thought leadership.
LinkedIn supports both native video uploads and live video streaming. This platform can be a goldmine for creators targeting professionals, as videos generate higher engagement than other post types. Videos related to business strategy, professional development, and career advice thrive on LinkedIn.
X (Twitter)
X (Twitter) offers creators a fast-paced platform to distribute short-form videos. While it's not primarily a video platform, Twitter videos are highly shareable, which can help your content go viral quickly. The key here is to create attention-grabbing content that engages users within seconds.
Although Twitter videos have a maximum length of 2 minutes and 20 seconds, it is ideal for teaser clips, announcements, or snappy promotional content. It’s a platform where real-time engagement is crucial, so live tweeting alongside video content can significantly boost interaction.
Surprisingly, Pinterest has become a major platform for video content, especially for DIY, lifestyle, and instructional content. Pinterest users are highly visual, so your video should be aesthetically pleasing and offer real value, like tutorials, hacks, or creative ideas.
Pinterest allows users to pin and share your videos, which helps in reaching broader audiences, particularly among users seeking inspiration or practical tips. It's a great platform for evergreen content that can continuously drive traffic over time.
Vidyard
For those looking for a video marketing solution tailored to business needs, Vidyard offers powerful tools to help with lead generation, video personalization, and analytics. It's an all-in-one platform ideal for businesses and creators focused on monetizing video content beyond traditional ad revenue.
Vidyard excels in creating video content that converts viewers into customers. With features like email video marketing integration and personalized video creation, Vidyard is perfect for creators working with brands or businesses looking to optimize their video strategy for sales.
Did You Know?
DailyMotion has fewer restrictions on copyrighted music than YouTube, making it a more flexible option for creators who use music in their videos. Additionally, Vidyard's personalized video feature lets you greet viewers by name in video emails, increasing engagement by over 400%!
Chinese Platforms for Kids Content Distribution
Unlike much of the world, China doesn't use platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram. Instead, it has its own ecosystem of video and media platforms. Picture this: platforms like Douyin, Youku, and iQiyi have millions of users hungry for content. Douyin alone has 743 million users, Youku has 247 million monthly active users, and there are tens of other platforms. That's a lot of potential views and engagement you could be tapping into.
China is a digital giant, with over 800 million internet users. That's more than a fifth of internet users worldwide! Notably, a significant slice of this population is young, with over 18% under 18 years old. This demographic is eagerly looking for fresh, international content, especially for kids. If your content targets the younger audience, there's a vast, untapped market waiting for you in China.
Sure, there are tons of aspects to cover before your content goes live in China. But you can relax. Our team will handle everything for you from content translation dubbing to localization for Chinese audiences. Also, You don't need to spend anything to distribute your videos on Chinese platforms. Just send us a message, and we'll show you how it works.
How to tailor your content for different platforms
When spreading your content across various platforms, it’s vital to customize it to match each platform’s unique audience, format, and style. Here are some detailed suggestions:
- Know your audience: Before posting, understand the demographics and interests of each platform’s users. For instance, Instagram users are used to short and engaging videos, so tailor your posts accordingly.
- Use the right format: Each platform favors different types of content. Instagram thrives on visuals, so prioritize high-quality images or engaging graphics. TikTok users love short, entertaining videos, while Medium caters to longer, more in-depth articles. Adapting your content to suit these formats ensures it resonates with the platform’s audience.
- Optimize for search: Enhance the discoverability of your content by incorporating relevant keywords and phrases that align with search engine algorithms. This includes optimizing headlines, descriptions, and captions to improve your content’s visibility in search results.
- Tailor videos to platform specifications: When sharing videos, adjust the format, resolution, and aspect ratio to meet the requirements of each platform. This ensures your videos display correctly and maintain quality across different devices and platforms.
- Customize titles, descriptions, and thumbnails: Personalize these elements to appeal to each platform’s specific audience. Consider the tone, language, and visual style that resonates most with users on each platform to maximize engagement and click-through rates.
By implementing these strategies, you can optimize your content for each platform, increasing its impact, engagement, and overall success in your multi-platform content distribution strategy. A simple way to do that is to get in touch with AIR Media-Tech. We'll handle all the details, taking the weight off your shoulders as we distribute your content across different platforms.
