WEAREFAITH
YOUTUBE
W
hat is the definition of “old”? Nearly 40, I’ve never considered myself old. However, trying to preach the Gospel in online spaces like YouTube makes me realize that there’s a completely different language and culture amongst those younger than me. (Duh!) I’m thankful to get to work with digital natives, those who grew up or were raised online, as they keep me relevant and up-to-date on social trends (posting rhythms, acceptable hashtags, slang). As an Online Team, we have been working on creating & curating content for YouTube with the hope that it can meet any one of the 122 million daily users right where they are.
BY: ANDY SCHULTZ
When we meet as a team, one of our exercises is sharing what type of content grabbed our attention that week. From video game reviews to quirky interviewers roasting celebrities to music videos, the common thread amongst the shared content in the meeting is that it has attracted the attention of many viewers. Then, we analyze why that might be the case. What techniques are being used for viewer retention? Why is this video so engaging to draw 20 million views?! Since our focus is ministry, we’re not necessarily in the business of general entertainment, but there are elements to consider from successful YouTube content. Currently,
