Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has transformed the way we communicate and interact with one another. And it can be addictive too. As a result of the unlimited scrolling feature, sometimes it’s unavoidable to lose track of time. But it’s not all bad news. In fact, platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have proven to be incredibly valuable in boosting the growth of the OTT industry. In this article, we will delve into this subject and explore how exactly social media platforms impact the video sector. Let’s dig in!

The Perfect Marketing Engine

Social media connect people from around the world. Looking at impressive numbers of monthly active users (Twitter – 450 million, YouTube – 2,68 billion, Facebook – 2,95 billion), social media seems like the ideal place for marketing activities. And it certainly is.

On social media, streaming services can share engaging posts that can help reach broader audiences and promote content more effectively and at lower costs. Moreover, social media allows OTT platforms to target their audience based on factors like interests, demographics, and location. It gives streaming platforms the opportunity to connect with the right audience, in realtime. And it is an excellent place to generate buzz around upcoming shows or films.

If you follow Netflix’s account on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you probably know what we mean, when we talk about engaging content. Netflix’s social media ninjas are masters in creating highly shareable social media posts.

The result? Netflix’s attracts millions of followers across various social media channels. Its killer social media marketing strategy is mainly based on sharing lots of trending content in the format of videos, memes, and through insightful interactions with followers. So if you want to take your OTT platform’s social selling to another level, Netflix should definitely be your next role model.

User-Generated Content

On social media, streaming platforms can easily market movies and TV shows available in their libraries. But what’s even better is that some legendary titles (found in those libraries) can also be marketed through user-generated content.

You can find plenty of profiles that talk about top-rated movies, share short videos of the best scenes, and are fanbases of selected productions. In light of the trends that reign on TikTok and Instagram, social media content creators can make a significant contribution to the marketing activities that we discussed previously.

Let’s take a look at the latest trend that is gaining attention. As Wes Anderson’s latest film (Asteroid City) enters theaters, social media is going crazy in the most creative ways. How? Users on TikTok are creating short films inspired by Wes Anderson’s aesthetics, using a specific color palette and symmetrical frames.

The result of the following trend is that Wes Anderson, along with his movies, is gaining in popularity. Looking at Google Trends, keywords that ask “where to watch Wes Anderson productions” are on the rise. Is this the snowball effect of this innocent TikTok trend? We think very much so.

Multichannel Live Streaming

Multichannel live streaming refers to the simultaneous broadcasting of live content across multiple channels. If you’re a content creator with your own streaming platform or planning to launch one, social media can help you reach more people during your live stream.

By broadcasting live content across multiple channels, creators can be seen by more people and create an interactive viewing experience. Viewers can comment, like, and share content in real-time, building a stronger sense of community for both creators and viewers.

For creators, multichannel live streaming helps build a loyal following and reach a bigger audience, leading to more monetization opportunities. For viewers, it provides a platform to connect with like-minded individuals and feel a sense of belonging.

Last Words

Social media has become an essential tool for the growth and marketing of the OTT industry. With billions of monthly active users on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, it’s no wonder that streaming services have turned to social media for promotion and engagement. It not only provide a space to share engaging content, target specific audiences, and create a sense of belonging. With all these benefits, it’s clear that social media is a game-changer for the OTT industry. We hope that its positive impact on the video sector will continue to be felt in the years to come.