Skip to Main Content

You Tube

The State of Maryland is committed to using video to more completely connect with our citizens and increase transparency in government.  There are a few best practices that are important to the shared success of our state video presence.

YouTube is a video sharing website that allows people to view and share original content videos across the internet.  YouTube currently boasts that they host 3 billion views per day with the average person spending about 15 minutes of their day on the site.  As with many other social networking platforms, YouTube is free and all videos should be posted on the StateMaryland YouTube account.

You may go directly to YouTube for detailed posting information. Video is a creative and effective way to reach our stakeholders because it allows us to tell a multi-sensory story.  Be sure to get as much reach as possible with each video that you produce by pushing it out on your website, through your departmental intranet and on all established social media platforms.  Cross promotion is essential for shared social success.  It is often a good practice to embed your video into your website rather than simply providing a link.

Keywords drive the search engine and should be used extensively to increase the awareness of your videos.  Tag your videos with as many appropriate keywords as possible.  Also, add your videos to all applicable playlists.  Remember to specify the date and location and input a clear, concise and creative title and description.  Include links to your website or other locations where the viewer can gather even more information on the video subject.  Once your video is posted, it is available forever.  Never post raw video.  If you do not have an editing software package, use the provided video editor that is available through YouTube.  Be sure that you are satisfied with the finished product before posting.

With the advent of the smart phone, it is no longer essential to have a high end camera to create short interesting videos for our constituents. There are inexpensive editing applications that you can use on the spot to better present your video to your audience. Watch this video for some quick tips to help you get started. In addition, Vimeo Video School is a great place to gain knowledge from the pros to make better videos.

Tips for Using the StateMaryland Account:

  • If you’d like to have a video added to the StateMaryland Channel please reach out to Corbett Webb with the Governor’s Communications Office before making the video public (corbett.webb@maryland.gov).
  • Always disable the comments and unlist if it applies to a limited audience.  If you are committed to monitoring the comments on the videos you upload to the StateMaryland account, you may do so.  While enabling comments may boost your position in the search engines and capitalize on the social aspect of the YouTube platform, it also requires steady monitoring and feedback.
  • Be sure to familiarize yourself with the ODHH-Instructions so that you can caption all of your video content.  It is vital that all videos are as accessible to our constituents as possible.
  • Be mindful not to accept friends or spend time browsing on YouTube without first logging out of the StateMaryland account.
  • Never make any changes to the layout or settings within this state account.
  • Be aware of copyright laws and do not use music without permission.
  • If you need assistance with editing or creating a video you can put a request into the DoIT help desk Service.Desk@maryland.gov or call 410-260-7778.

All YouTube videos are limited to 15 minutes in length. YouTube videos are optimized for fast streaming so you may lose some quality in picture and sound.  YouTube also takes advantage of its extensive branding campaign by placing their logo on your video.  State videos must be posted to the StateMaryland YouTube account and then embedded into the departmental websites therefore the YouTube logo will always appear on your embedded videos. Use your various social media platforms to announce a newly uploaded YouTube video.  In a recent poll conducted by the Social Media Examiner, the marketers surveyed indicated that YouTube/video was the top area in which they planned to increase their social media efforts.  77% of respondents indicated this as a key growth area.  In our state government, videos can be used in a variety of ways:

  • Video News Releases (VNR’s) – Video news releases are short news-style videos shot to mimic more traditional news stories.  They include B-roll (video) and sound bites and may include voice-overs.
  • Video Statements – These simple productions contain a subject speaking directly into a camera and addressing an audience.
  • Instructional Videos – Instructional videos which consist of a subject talking into a camera while simultaneously demonstrating an action.
  • Extended Programming – Extended programming would include videos that are longer than 15 minutes such as a protracted speech, documentary, or news-style program.