How to Host Video on Your WordPress Site (With or Without WordPress.com)
Video is arguably the most engaging and popular way to share information online. Thanks to platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, it’s never been easier to put a video on your website. But beyond just using these sites, you can also use services like Revver, which provides a self-hosted video player that works with your WordPress site.
Whether you have a few minutes or a few hours to devote to each new video you post, you can use the time you do have to master a few simple techniques that will help your videos stand out and engage your audience.
Vary Your Video Content
With the rise of TikTok, short-form videos have risen in popularity. They’re simple, have an upbeat tempo, and often incorporate vibrant colors or quirky animations. While you don’t necessarily have to avoid longer-form videos in order to fit into this category, you should vary the content you post on your blog. If you only post long-form videos and don’t post any shorts, TikTok will have you beat in terms of engagement. Varying your content makes it more interesting to your audience and ensures they don’t get bored.
Include Calls to Action
Whether you’ve taken the time to prepare a helpful guide or an intriguing infographic, your videos should include some kind of call to action. This could be a button, a link, or even the text “read more.” You can also use a call to action as part of a longer URL that will take your readers to more information about the topic you’re discussing in the video. This might seem like a lot of information, but you can use this one-two punch to get your viewers to take the action you want them to.
Use High-Quality Pictures
The quality of the picture you use in your video will impact your audience’s experience of it. Since videos are usually viewed on screens, it’s important to use high-quality images. Avoid anything less than 720p for video’s uploaded to YouTube and Vimeo. Also, don’t just use any old photo you find online to use in your blog; instead, find a stock photo service that can provide photos in various sizes and formats, as needed.
Invest In Good Lighting
Lighting is important when taking photos or videos, and it’s even more important when doing so outside. The environment you’re in will have an impact on the look of your photographs and videos, so you want to ensure you’re not missing out on any good lighting opportunities. This means investing in good lighting equipment, either with natural light or by using artificial light. If possible, avoid taking photos and videos at night, as there’s rarely good lighting then, and the surrounding environment could also impact the look of your photos.
Consider Your Audience
There are many reasons why you might want to host a video on your site, from simply wanting to share an interesting fact with your audience to using the platform as part of a marketing campaign. When choosing content to post, it’s important to consider not only your personal preference but also what will be the most engaging for your audience. You might want to consider sharing a longer-form video with other platforms like YouTube, where a short-form video could overwhelm your audience.
Use Subtitles
Subtitles accompany any video and can be used to provide additional context or clarify a point. Even if your video is brief, you might want to include subtitles for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. You can also use the captions as a way to engage your audience and provide additional information about the content you’re discussing.
Post Regularly
Frequent posting keeps your audience interested in your content, as it ensures they’ll see new content often. Even if you only have a handful of videos to post regularly, it’s worth the effort. Ensure you have a regular schedule when posting videos, as audiences get bored of content they see too frequently. In today’s world, time is constantly on peoples’ minds, as people want to be entertained and stay informed, all while being productive.
Consider Different Video Platforms
If you have a limited amount of time to spend on your blog, you might want to consider using different platforms for video content. Not only do they allow you to put video content on your site more easily, but they also provide you with additional features you can use to engage your audience. YouTube is a great example of a video platform that provides you with additional features, like live chats with your viewers and the option to engage with them through the use of polls and quizzes.
Not only is video content growing in popularity, but it also provides you with a fantastic opportunity to engage with your audience. Make the most of it! If you’re interested in putting video content on your site, simply follow the tips in this article to start your journey.