Best Practice Guide: Video Marketing for Hostels

[Hostels]

I've started a Wiki guide to Video Marketing for Hostels. I started an outline with some basic tips. If you have tips to add, just visit that link and click the "edit" tab to start editing

• What software do you use for video editing?
• Any tips for shooting video? (the filming tips I added were from my impression of watching a lot of hostel videos lately -- feel free to add alternate ideas)
• The page is mostly focused on YouTube because that is where the most traffic is, but if you like another site please post some tips about using it...

[EuroHostels]

Hi All,

Some useful info regarding promotional videos on the web and licensing regulations.

I have finally gone through the process of putting together a video of our Glasgow Euro Hostel for promotional purposes. The chosen route was to make something that is a little entertaining but still with shots of the property, and a general 'feel' of our operation, without being just a staid old video of rooms etc that some agencies offer. This video was for specific use on our Facebook page and for other Social Network pages, including YouTube. I filmed and edited this myself (a very VERY long process I might add) and the main character is my flatmate.

After adding a music backing track I then needed to make sure we were licensed to use that backing track. Our current PBL (Public Broadcasting License) does not cover the use of someone else's music for online purposes.

I have cut and paste the email recieved with details of the license required below.. but it simply boils down to this:

If it is your website, or a page that you are responsible for the content, you need a PRS Online license AND permission of the music publisher. Now, YouTube pay an inordinate fee each year on a world scale to cover all that upload videos/music so it is not required for YouTube.. BUT... Facebook do not as each business that 'makes' a Facebook page is therefore responsible for, and has control over, the content of that page.

A PRS Online license only costs £58GBP per year, so I have sent that off. I left many messages with Universal Music Publishing and they have not replied to me so I am risking (after recording the messages of course) that they don't care about a hostel company using one of their tracks and have gone ahead with uploading. The general policy, in small cases like this, is to simply send a Cease and Desist order, so I will do so should I receive one of those.

Just thought I'd pass this on as a 'best practice' tip. I will upload the video now and any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers


PRS Online Licence 2008

We are now in a position to offer our PRS Online Licence for 2008 which covers usage of music online where the mechanical right has required separate clearance, either via the publishers direct or through MCPS Licensing.

You have received details of this licence scheme for one of the following reasons:

You were previously licensed under our 2007 PRS Online Licence and as such are required to complete and return the 2008 application form. If you no longer use music please contact us direct to cancel the licence agreement.

You have requested details of the 2008 scheme to be sent.

You have applied for an MCPS licence and therefore also require a PRS Online licence.

Unlike the MCPS licence, the PRS Online Licence must be obtained by the person/company responsible for making the content available to the public. In almost all cases this is the person/company who owns the website where the content is available.

A PRS Online Licence Application Form is attached below in addition to the scheme summary & full terms and conditions. Please complete the form and return it to the specified address.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Online Licensing Team on 020 7306 4991.

Regards,

Ngozi Nzekwue l Online & Broadcast Licensing Advisor l Online Licensing.

The MCPS-PRS Alliance l 29-33 Berners St l London W1T 3AB
e: ngozi.nzekwue@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
t: +44 (0)20 7306 4991

[Hostels]

Thanks for posting a summary of your research.

That reminds me that there is also a lot of free audio out there. I've added a list of free music sites to the Video Marketing for Hostels Wiki page.