Video Sharing Sites You May Not Recognize

We all know online video is the future of content marketing, and when it comes to video sharing websites, YouTube is still the boss with more than 30 million visitors per day. But there are plenty of alternatives to YouTube—many of which you might find more suitable if for no other reason than to make sure your video isn’t lost among the masses.

There’s a lot of quality content on YouTube; there’s also a lot of not-so-great content. And with more than 70 hours of video being uploaded to YouTube every single minute, its library is massive and far-reaching. You need to consider the size of the market you’re trying to reach. Is YouTube the place to get your clients’ attention?

If you’re looking for a platform that’s a little less crowded these video sharing sites may be more appropriate:

Vimeo: Founded in 2004 but a group of filmmakers, Vimeo has grown to be one of the most popular video sharing app alternatives to YouTube with 715 million monthly views. You can join Vimeo for free and upgrade to Vimeo Plus for more storage space and advanced features, or choose Vimeo PRO or Vimeo Business for marketing tools more specific to your professional needs.
Advantages: No advertisements at the beginning of videos and a cleaner layout.

Facebook: Despite not owning any content, Facebook has been dubbed one of the most influential media companies in the world and is the go-to source of video content for hundreds of millions of users each day. In January 2015, Facebook reported three billion videos were viewed on its site daily, up from one billion only six months earlier. Considering the rate at which video is replacing text as the preferred way to consume information, using Facebook for video sharing seems like a no-brainer.
Advantages: Native video (video that’s uploaded to or created on Facebook and not hosted by a third-party source like YouTube) performs better and boosts organic reach.

Flickr: Flickr’s mobile optimization is what makes this Canadian-created, Yahoo-owned video sharing app so great, though it works with apps on Mac, Android, and Windows operating systems too. Like most other video sharing sites, Flickr offers a free version plus a Pro version for $50 per year that provides unlimited storage and sharing.
Advantages: Flickr’s embed option allows you to paste thumbnail previews into forums, blogs, and social networking profiles

DropShots: If you’re looking for easy sharing to all of your social media sites, Dropshots is a good option, though its free plan is very limited, providing only enough space for 20 videos with a maximum length of two minutes each. There are paid plans, the most economical being DropShots’ lifetime membership (if you plan to stay with DropShots long term). For $100, you get unlimited photo and video storage free (videos can be as long as 10 minutes each).
Advantages: The DropShots app allows you to save uploaded photos from any device.

UStream: A great video streaming website for business owners and media, UStream offers a free, unlimited live streaming service as well as paid versions that start at $99 per month, which allow for monetization programs such as advertising splits and pay-per-view and subscription services. UStream might not be the best option for beginners, but definitely worth looking into for its monetization options.
Advantages: UStream gives you the ability to schedule broadcasts, which display as “Upcoming Shows” on your channel page.

Choose The Video Sharing App That Works For You

Whatever video sharing website you choose, remember to follow the Golden Rule of Sharing: Post original content. Create original videos that will showcase you and your business and the benefits of your products or services, and choose a video sharing platform that works best for you.