Video Marketing: Facebook, Vimeo or YouTube?

Trying to figure out where you should be uploading your videos for social media?  Look no further. 

You've produced some cool content for your business.  So where should you upload it?

There are plenty of articles out there discussing the merits of YouTube vs. Vimeo - but where does Facebook play into the equation?

I'll tell you were it SHOULD play in.  Right at the time.

For years, YouTube was the leader in video.  Owned by Google, it STILL remains a monster when it comes to engagement, virality and search engine optimization.

Vimeo rolled out as a powerhouse for a more niche demographic.  Higher quality, the ability to customize and manage privacy settings and ads and a variety of other features gave filmmakers and business owners alike something that little, well, sexier.

But if you're looking to expand your interaction, you should be uploading DIRECTLY to Facebook now.

First of all, uploading directly to Facebook as opposed to linking your YouTube or Vimeo video to your Facebook page will give you a much greater organic reach.

And just as importantly, it allows followers to like, share, and comment directly on the video. You are able to see what your customers like about your company, products, etc.

Last quarter, Facebook passed 728 million daily users. There are big opportunities for your company in those numbers. Opportunities for you to reach out to them and share information about your company. With Facebook, you can share your information in many different ways to reach different kinds of people. 

Video uploaded directly to Facebook also now opens up new doors for you in terms of advertising to a highly, highly targeted demographic.  If you're NOT advertising on Facebook, you should be considering it.  It's the largest and most highly targeted platform for direct advertising that we've ever seen.

Some other things we need to take into consideration:

• Facebook's algorithm essentially curates videos for users, making recommendations on what you might appreciate for video content.  There's no video search functionality (yet), but the customization of recommendations based on your search and engagement habits is a frighteningly powerful tool.
• Facebook also now offers you the ability to embed your videos and posts into your website and other blogging platforms.  While the technology here is still a little...clunky...we're quickly seeing Facebook move in the direction of expanding it's reach far off Facebook.  Don't believe me?  Just Google "Facebook's Atlas".  More on that in a future blog.  But this enables Facebook to bring people back into their social graph through engagement on other sites.  Big win.
• YouTube is heavily diversified in terms of streaming technology.  What do I mean by that?  Try streaming Facebook videos to your TV through Apple TV, Roku, Smart TV's, etc.  One point, YouTube.
• Faceook reports that 88% of millennials get their news on Facebook.  Half get it there daily.  53% of all video views come from shares.  The video consumption levels are increasing massively as Facebook's credibility as a video platform continues to grow.

YouTube SHOULD be worried.  It's not just platforms like Vimeo and Facebook that present a threat.  Snapchat, Meerkat, Twitter (and Periscope) are all looking at the video giant with a hunger.

Predictions for the next 36 months in video platforms?  The Periscope or Meerkat of Facebook - true, live streaming like we see integrated with Twitter, is no doubt just around the corner (and long overdue).  Your thoughts?  

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Kyle Reyes is the President and Creative Director of The Silent Partner Marketing, New England's #1 Marketing Agency. We're a boutique marketing firm focused on helping businesses grow in an age of exploding technology. You can find him onGoogle+, Facebook and Twitter.