Showing, rather than telling, has proven to be the best way of conveying a message, which is why videos are such powerful tools. People love watching videos for just about anything, and they value the way videos make something so easy for them to understand.

That’s why adding a video to your blog post is so important in this day and age. A video packs in a lot of complex information, capturing the interest of college students. In their mind, taking the time to view your blog is time worth spending as long as there’s visual content.

With the intention of engaging the Generation Y audience, knowing how to make a video – or retrieve it from elsewhere – and plop it in your blog are musts.

The millennial generation wants video

Millennials were raised with digital devices that bundle communication, entertainment and education all in one. This group is becoming one of the most important population types as not only the largest generation in the U.S., but also in the history of the world.

Just as significant, they are the most active video viewers among any other age group, according to YouTube’s demographics report released in March.

With the majority of Missouri State University’s current and future student body in this demographic, making your blog posts more engaging with video is almost a necessity if you want their viewership time and time again. And if you really want to capture and hold onto their attention, you need to have a compelling video to go along with your story.

In addition, research shows:

• Millennials compose 40-percent of digital video viewers.
• Millennials share and consume video collaboratively by posting favorite clips on social media.

Use the University YouTube channel

If you want a quick, simple way to incorporate videos with your blog posts, the MSU YouTube channel is a site worth checking out. You might just find the perfect video to go along with what you’re writing about.

For example, if you were to write a quick update about this year’s increase in freshmen and wanted to give a big congratulation to the University, the Moving in at Missouri State video corresponds with that. It provides a visual of these incoming students you’re writing about, really connecting your viewers with your words.

If you can’t find a video made by MSU that’s relevant to your post, the entire YouTube site is available to use.

How to place videos in your blog

If you’re not sure how to embed a YouTube video in your blog post, follow these steps:

• Copy the video’s URL from your web browser’s address bar

• In your WordPress editor, paste the URL where you want the video to appear. WordPress will automatically convert the URL to the video belonging to it.

Key takeaways

• Going the video route will take your blog to new cyber-heights.
• Aside from visual content appeasing your students’ tastes, it’s also a great opportunity to learn about one of the world’s biggest digital trends.
• Whether you’re making the video yourself or going elsewhere to find it, you’ll be conveying your message efficiently.

Key sources: YouTube demographics report, Missouri State University YouTube channel, Understanding your audience: current state of the millennial