Ways to motivate users to upload videos to new site?

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Ways to motivate users to upload videos to new site?

wjnesbitt

11:59 pm on Jun 2, 2009 (gmt 0)

I have a video-sharing site centered around cars and I'm looking for ways to get users to participate by uploading their videos.

It seems that since it's a new site that people are waiting around to see what other people are going to do. But if that's the case, then they'll be waiting forever it seems.

What are some ways to encourage them to upload their videos? Or better yet, to get them to actually upload them. I've thought of doing some sort of contest, but really don't have the funds to give anything substantial like money or an XBox or something to the winner.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

bill

6:13 am on Jun 3, 2009 (gmt 0)

Seed the site with your own videos for a while. That will give others the idea.

piatkow

8:30 am on Jun 3, 2009 (gmt 0)

It doesn't matter if you are talking about videos, photos or just forum posts, a new site has to find a critical mass of users.

The default location is going to be YouTube for people who want to upload videos. You need to establish yourself as an alternative. First is to have content that is going to bring in the enthusiasts. Then you need to have the site well seeded with your own videos.

I tried this with a niche photo site. It didn't work out as intended, I ended up with a very popular site for displaying my own photos rather than one displaying a pics from a variety of people. Trouble is it doesn't monetise very well, if it wasn't also my hobby I would have given up several years ago.

Emilio

11:57 pm on Jun 5, 2009 (gmt 0)

Can users also comment, rate, add the videos to their profile (do they have CUSTOMIZABLE profiles), can they embed the videos on their favorite forums/sites, etc.?

Being able to do all those things will encourage users to upload their videos.

What will also help, but may sound a bit silly at first is to make multiple profiles, upload videos, comment, rate, etc. from your multiple profiles and do all the things you want users to be doing.

Your videos must be different/unique enough for people to come visit your site instead of going to your biggest competitors (youtube?)

Emilio

wjnesbitt

11:42 pm on Aug 21, 2009 (gmt 0)

The site is very unique in that it allows users to post videos of cars they want to sell. My only problem is reaching private sellers and getting them to make and post their videos.

I've tried e-mailing them on other sites where they already have cars listed for sale, but this hasn't done much. I've also thought about maybe putting an ad in the newspaper, but don't really think that would be effective.

I have a dealer who currently uses the site and that has gotten me some videos, but I have to produce them for him and that is getting old. I really want to get the average car seller to use the site.

Any more suggestions about how I can reach these types of people?

StoutFiles

1:50 am on Aug 22, 2009 (gmt 0)

If you can get enough traffic there to make posting videos worthwhile, then you won't need to convince others to post videos.

People need to see some proof that they aren't wasting their time posting videos on a site no one goes to.

wjnesbitt

2:09 am on Aug 22, 2009 (gmt 0)

Thanks, StoutFiles. You're absolutely correct. And there lies the catch 22...getting the ball rolling w/people posting videos so that those that come later will want to post their videos. Traffic and content (their videos) are my issues. Like I said earlier, it seems as though people are waiting to see what others will do first. How do I get those first few interested? Has to start from somewhere, right?

Another part of my problem is getting traffic to the site. MAINLY, getting private sellers to post their cars. Not quite sure how to reach them. I've tried AdWords which gets to be a bit expensive. I've been reaching out to dealers who have some cars on there, but I want more private sellers than dealers.