YouTube is reworking their ranking algorithm.  Videos that can capture their audience’s attention longer will get higher rankings than those that just have more clicks.  The logic behind it is simple: Holding someone’s attention is more important than just getting it.

That logic also has some important implications for entrepreneurs trying to leverage the internet, and more specifically, the viral video to their advantage.  Here are 7 tips on creating stronger engagement:

1. Don’t waste your time trying to beat the system

Instead of spending valuable time trying to hack into the ranking algorithm, dedicate your time to making a better video.

2. Know your audience

This seems simple, but what might be funny or interesting to you and your peers might be completely irrelevant to your target market.  Do your research.

3. Give them a reason to stick around

Just like a good story has to capture the reader’s attention in the first sentence, the first 5-10 seconds of the video are crucial in keeping the viewer’s attention.

4. Plan ahead

Great videos don’t just spontaneously appear.  Put in the time to do a story-board, gather materials, and present a decently polished video.  Just because the video is short doesn’t mean that it won’t take any time to create.

5.  Have energy

No one wants to watch a stiff performance.  The more dynamic your presentation, the better (without crossing into being obnoxious).

6. Take risks

You’re an entrepreneur, so put those unconventional thinking skills to the test.  The best part is, the most you have to lose is some time.

7. Pay attention to the headlines and descriptions

Your video might be great, but without the correct keywords, no one will be able to find it.  Use Google Keyword Analytic to see if your word choices are popular.

One of the main things to remember is to be consistent in producing videos and don’t give up too soon.  Building a strong and loyal audience takes time and dedication.

Focus.com posted a fantastic summery of 12 key characteristics demonstrated by prominent entrepreneurs. Their 6th trait, simplicity, really struck me as something that more budding entrepreneurs need to hear.

The following excerpt has been replicated from the post 12 Characteristics of Successful Internet Entrepreneurs.

The Trait: Simplicity. The Entrepreneurs: Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim. The Company: YouTube.

Engineers have an old saying that drives the field to this day: KISS, or “keep it simple, stupid.” YouTube founders Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim understood this better than most when they created a site that existed to do nothing more than let the average Joe upload his own videos. Without any delusions of grandeur or pretense about changing the world (which it has arguably done anyway), YouTube rose to Internet stardom by simply creating a cool, useful service that people would enjoy using daily. The fact that YouTube links are shared over IM, text, and Facebook all day long is a testament to the value of simplicity in business, and explains why Google snapped up the video sharing site for over $1 billion in 2007.

It is important to not let ideas of grandeur get in the way of solving a problem. It is OK to change your vision for the future once you get there but too often Entrepreneurs don’t stick with one idea long enough to get to that point. There is an old adage that states the good is the enemy of the best. Don’t let that apply to you.

Additionally, the simpler your idea is, the easier it is to explain it to others. The easier it is to explain, the more likely friends are going to tell others. The more people who relate to your idea the easier it is to explain and the more opportunities you will have to pitch your idea.

Find the one need you want to address and stay focused. Don’t let the solution become something more than it needs to be. Also, don’t ever discredit an idea because it sounds simple. Some of the most innovative products –a personal computer for example- have come from very simple beginnings.

A rapidly-growing section of the Internet is videos. Google owns YouTube and also has its own video search, so obviously they’ve caught onto this trend. Because of this, it’s pretty easy to figure they use videos in the ranking algorithm – and they do.

But how can I optimize a video for search?? It’s easier than you think… For example, YouTube already provides a way to add a title,  keywords, and a description to your video when you upload them, so simply take advantage of those in the same way you take advantage of headings and content on your pages. Simply by doing this, you will help your videos be found on both YouTube and Google.

But what should I put in my video description? Well, a simple summary of the content and maybe a quick site promo would be a good start. The next step would be a transcription of the video. If your video is a lesson or promo, it probably has tons of relevant keywords already in it. Simply harness that in your description.

What about videos embedded on-site, not just YouTube?

This new camera by Canon, along with the other video capable DSLR camera’s available from nikon and other camera companies, is going to change the world of photography and video as we know it. Canon, who just released this new full frame camera has officially made full frame, incredible quality video and photography available to a non-professional market. While the price for this camera is fairly steep (a cool $3500 body only), its price tag pales in comparison to the $5000+ cost of other professional quality cameras in the canon line. The new 5d canon boasts a 22 mp full frame sensor with incredible low light sensitivity (think iso 25,600, which for those who do not know camera lingo, this means you can shoot photos in darker situations). This, paired with the camera’s video capabilities, makes it a must have for up and coming cinematographers and photographers. It is so incredibly versatile and feature packed in comparison to other video camera’s (ex: RED which retail in the $17000). It also allows you the ability to purchase other high quality lenses that allow you to customize your rig to the type of shooting you are aiming to do.

Now, what does this have to do with entrepreneurship? In today’s world, the ability to produce quality media and marketing is essential for survival in this digital age. A camera like this allows you to be confident with quality while spending a significantly lower amount of money on your camera. Plus, with the canon line, you can invest in lenses and so that when this body gets outdated, you will not have to start from scratch – you can simply use your old lenses on the newer body.

Are you familiar with the huge headache that comes with trying to sell your house? Instead of taking some Ibuprofen, try using Pixloo instead. This company is designed to help both realtors and individuals sell houses by taking advantage of the internet and the recent explosion of social media. Signing up for Pixloo gives home sellers the opportunity to upload information, pictures, and videos of their home.  The site will then send everything to major online real estate sites like Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, etc. free of charge. If

you want more than a free basic package (one tour and five exports) you can upgrade for a cost, but most can do it with the basic startup.  What is unique about Pixloo is that it is also connected to the social media sites.  Your information will appear on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube which helps your information reach a broader market.  It is so broad of a market that it even reaches worldwide, though most of the business is focused on the United States.

Pixloo is pleased with their current standing: they had 500 customers signed up even before the press released anything on the company.  One thing Pixloo understands is the importance of social and mobile media.  They plan to expand into the cell phone world by having a mobile support as well as sending text messages about new listings which will only make it easier to connect home buyers to home sellers.  This could change the entire outlook people have about selling their home.  The normally painful headache has turned into an easy relaxing task thanks to the help Pixloo provides by connecting homeowners with good realtors and the ability to figure out just how much your house is worth.  With the great amount of stress already in day to day life, you don’t need any more if you’re thinking about selling your house.  Pixloo can help.

After digging around Uncrate a little more, there were a couple neat features I found -

Uncrate followers have the ability to create their own Uncrate.com page to add products they’re interested in. I believe this is extremely helpful for frequent followers because many of the products on Uncrate are expensive, so this allows them to save products and buy them later when they’ve made it big.

I know this feature would be extremely beneficial to me. There are many times I see a product I want to buy but can’t afford it. If a product has a save button, I believe the chances of me going back to buy that product increase significantly; otherwise, I might forget all about it.

Another feature I liked on Uncrate.com was the VIDEOS tab. This tab is linked to another site called Devour.com, which sifts through the videos on YouTube to pick out the best ones.

I’ve been to Devour before, but I didn’t know it was connected to Uncrate. I thought this was very interesting. When you’re done looking at Uncrate, move on over to Devour to check out the latest and greatest videos.