YouTube setup standards

Why does the title and thumbnail matter?

The thumbnail and title are the first things users see. Titles that are clear and consistent provide a much higher chance of our services being watched, and we want to reach as many people as we can with the Word of God.

Standardised names

Do not include titles (such as Pastor, Ps, Dr, etc…)

Names of recurring preachers should use the same name, nickname or alias for consistency (such as Andy Denny rather than Andrew Denny).

The standardised names and spellings for some of our regular speakers are:

• Dave Lovell
• Andrew ‘AJ’ Johnston
• Andy Denny
• Donna Clarke
• Michelle Cook
• Mike Peautagitama
• Steve Blyth

Multiple Speakers

If there are two speakers,

• If they are married and share the same last name, use the convention “Firstname & Firstname Lastname” (use an ampersand symbol). The order of names doesn’t matter so much, so use whatever sounds right or however they typically introduce themselves.
• Otherwise, use the convention “Firstname Lastname + Firstname Lastname”, even if they share the same last name (use a plus symbol).

Occasionally there will be a panel discussion in place of a typical sermon, which can slightly change the naming convention.

• If the panel has a moderator, don’t include their name in the title.

• Names should appear in the order the speakers are seated from left to right.
• Use the convention “Firstname Lastname, Firstname Lastname + Firstname Lastname” (use commas between all speakers, replacing the last one with a plus).
• If the panel represents a ministry of Bendigo Baptist (such as MADCOW, Nexus BYT, House Youth), include the names of the panel speakers if space allows; otherwise, include the ministry’s name.
• If the panel represents an external organisation (such as Baptist Union of Victoria, Capernwray Australia), include the name of the organisation and omit the names of the panel speakers.

Generating the Livestream

Video Title: see “Naming the Video” below.

Thumbnail: apply the series title thumbnail. If a sermon specific thumbnail is available, this may be used instead.

Playlist: ensure that the livestream has been added to the Sunday Services playlist and this sermon series’ playlist (or this year’s one-off messages playlist). YouTube may automatically add the livestream to the playlists of the previous video, so you may need to remove the livestream from some unrelated playlists.

Naming the Video

Video Title: Sermon Title | Preacher’s Name

• Do not include Bendigo Baptist Church, LIVE, or the date; these have their own fields on the video’s page.
• Regarding including the series title:
  • If the sermon does not have a title, include the series title and scripture reference instead. Connected | John 15:1-5 | Dave Lovell
  • If the series title is integrated into the sermon title, include the complete title. Unexpected Call | Donna Clarke (Unexpected series)
  • Otherwise, do not include the series title. A Disciple’s Journey | Dave Lovell (Like HIM series)

• The primary scripture referenced in the sermon may be included in the description, but not the title (unless the sermon is not titled).
• Title-Case is to be used (capitalise the first letter of major words), and ALL-CAPS is to be avoided.
  • Names given to God where “LORD” appears capitalised in the Bible may also be capitalised. JEHOVAH SHALOM | Dave Lovell (Name Above All Names series)

• Regular exceptions for annual events include Vision Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Anniversary Service, Father’s Day, Christmas Together and Christmas Eve.
  • Vision Sunday includes the year in the title. Vision Sunday 2023 | Dave Lovell
  • Good Friday includes the year and omits the preacher’s name in the title. Good Friday 2023
  • Easter Sunday is often included in an existing sermon series and would be treated as most other Sunday Services.
    • If it is a stand-alone sermon that has a title, don’t include Easter Sunday in the title. Jesus the Saviour | Dave Lovell
    • If not titled, include Easter Sunday and include the year and preacher. Easter Sunday 2023 | Dave Lovell
  • Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are usually one-off messages and follow the standard naming convention
    • If it has a title, don’t include Mother’s Day or Father’s Day in the title. My Amazing Father | Dave Lovell
    • If not titled, include Mother’s Day or Father’s Day and include the year and preacher. Mother’s Day 2023 | Jacqui Naunton
  • Anniversary Services typically focus on the work God is doing through our church rather than have a regular message.
    • If the service has a title, include it and the service type & year, and omit the preacher’s name. This Is Us | Anniversary Service 2024
    • If the service has no title, just keep the service type & year (but still omit the preacher’s name). Anniversary Service 2024
  • Christmas Together includes the year and omits the preacher’s name in the title. Christmas Together 2023
  • Christmas Eve is usually a stand-alone sermon, and includes the year in the title. Christmas Eve 2023 | Dave Lovell
    • If it is instead an entry in that year’s Christmas series, use the standard naming convention and omit Christmas Eve from the title.

Finalising the VOD

Thumbnail: apply the sermon specific thumbnail.

Playlist: check that the video is still included in the appropriate playlists.