This guide shows you how to upload video directly (also known as posting natively) to Facebook. Videos uploaded directly to Facebook have more reach than links to external websites do.
This guide covers the following:
- Posting Natively: Effect on Captions and Statistics
- Downloading a Video from Wistia
- Uploading a Video to Facebook
- Setting a Custom Thumbnail
- Adding Captions to a Facebook Video
- Scheduling a Facebook Video Post
Posting Natively: Effect on Captions and Statistics
When you upload a video directly to Facebook, that video post is managed through the Facebook video player and not the Wistia video player.
Consider the following when posting natively to Facebook:
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Captions will need to be re-uploaded. It’s a Money Thing videos on your Wistia account come preloaded with captions, but captions do not transfer over when you upload a video to Facebook. Luckily, the subtitle (.srt) files included with every It’s a Money Thing Content Pack make it easy to add captions yourself (see section on Adding Captions to a Facebook Video, below).
- Wistia statistics will not track Facebook activity. Your Wistia account only tracks activity that takes place within the Wistia platform. Wistia videos you’ve embedded or linked to are measured, but videos you’ve uploaded to Facebook are not.
Note: To view video metrics for your Facebook uploads, log into your Facebook account and go to your Business Facebook Page. In the left sidebar, click on Insights, and then select Videos.
Downloading a Video from Wistia
From your Folder Page, click on the video you wish to download. This takes you to the Media Page.
From the Media Page, in the sidebar along the left of the screen, click on Download.
You will see the option to Download Video Files and Assets in various formats and sizes.
Click on the Download Asset icon to the right of your desired format and resolution. The file will begin downloading to your Downloads folder.
Note: Facebook recommends video resolutions of 1080p or less.
Uploading a Video to Facebook
Note: The following instructions feature a Facebook Business Page, accessed via desktop computer. The process may vary slightly depending on the device you are using.
From your Facebook Page, click on the Photo/Video button (located under the Create Post button). This will open your computer’s file manager.
Select the video file you wish to upload and click Open. Your video will start uploading to Facebook.
While your video is uploading, you can compose your post. Click on the Video Options button to add more details to your post.
Give your video a title and some keyword tags.
Note: Make sure your tags include your credit union name and your geographic location, as well as any keywords your members might use to find your video.
Setting a Custom Thumbnail
To customize your video’s thumbnail image, from the Video Options panel, click on Change Thumbnail.
Select the Choose From Video option.
Drag the video playhead to the desired frame, then click on the Save button. Your video thumbnail will be updated to match your selection.
Adding Captions to a Facebook Video
When you upload a video directly to Facebook, you need to upload captions to go with it. Uploading your video’s subtitle (.srt) file to Facebook ensures accurate and perfectly timed captions.
A note about It’s a Money Thing subtitle (.srt) files:
Subtitle (.srt) files are included with every It’s a Money Thing Content Pack. Before adding captions, locate the subtitle (.srt) file for the video you are uploading.
Note: Need help matching a video episode to its subtitle (.srt) file? Use this article as a reference. It lists It’s a Money Thing episode titles and their respective Content Pack numbers. Titles appear in the same order as the episodes on your Wistia account.
To add captions to your Facebook video, from the Video Options panel, click on Add Captions.
Click on the Upload button. This will open your computer’s file manager.
Select the subtitle (.srt) file for your video and click Open.
Click on the Save button to set your Video Options.
Note: To add captions to a video that has already been posted to your Facebook Page, locate the video post on your Timeline. Click on the “three dots” icon in the top right corner of the post and select Edit Post. Then follow the instructions above for Adding Captions to a Facebook Video.
Scheduling a Facebook Video Post
To schedule your Facebook post, from the Create Post panel, click on the calendar icon at the bottom of the panel.
This will open the Schedule post panel. Select the date and time you want your post to publish and click on the Save button.
To finalize your video post, click on the blue Schedule Post button at the bottom of the Create Post panel.
Note: If you choose to publish your video immediately instead of scheduling it for a later date, you will see a Post button instead of a Schedule Post button.
Your video will be posted to your Facebook Page at the specified date and time.