YouTube
YouTube is where your trailer lives permanently. Every other platform links back to it, embeds it, or references it. Upload the trailer as a standard video (not a Short) so it has a full URL, a searchable title and description, and the ability to accumulate views over time.
Optimise the YouTube upload: write a title that includes your server name and a keyword players would search ("Epic Fantasy SMP Launch Trailer 2026" performs better than "Server Trailer"). Write a description that includes the server IP, Discord link, and a one-paragraph summary of the server. Add the server IP prominently in the end card.
Discord
Post the trailer in your announcements channel with a proper message - not just a link drop. Write two or three sentences about why this trailer matters and what players should expect. Use the YouTube link so it auto-embeds in Discord with a preview. Pin the message so new members joining after launch can find it easily.
If your Discord is larger, cross-post in community channels as well. Encourage members to share it. The first 30 minutes of engagement in Discord after posting will set the tone for how the community receives the trailer.
Server listing sites
Planet Minecraft, Minecraft-Server-List.com, and similar sites support embedded video on your listing page. Add the YouTube link to your listing. A listing with a trailer embedded converts significantly better than a listing with screenshots only - the trailer does the emotional work that static images cannot.
When you update your listing description for a new season or update, also update or replace the embedded trailer. An outdated trailer for a previous season undermines the fresh start messaging of a reset announcement.
Post to r/MinecraftServer and relevant subreddits as a video link post. The title of your Reddit post matters as much as the trailer itself - it is what appears in the feed before anyone clicks. Write a title that gives context: "We just finished Season 3 and Season 4 drops Friday - here is the trailer" performs better than "Check out our new trailer."
Do not paste a bare YouTube link with no context. Write 2-3 sentences in the post body describing the server and what is new. Stay active in the comments for at least 60 minutes after posting - engagement velocity on Reddit determines how long the post stays visible.
Twitter / X
Post the full trailer or a 30-60 second clip from the most visually striking moment as a video tweet. For maximum impact, post 2-3 days before launch to build momentum rather than on launch day itself. Include the server name and Discord link in the tweet text. Pin the tweet to your profile during the launch period.
Twitter video plays automatically in the feed, which means the visual hook of your trailer's first few seconds is doing its job even for users who do not specifically click to watch.
TikTok and Shorts
Short-form vertical video requires a different cut than the standard widescreen trailer. A 15 to 30-second clip from the most visually impressive or exciting moment of your trailer, reformatted to vertical, works well on TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The Minecraft audience on TikTok is substantial and a clip that performs well there can bring in players who would not have found you through traditional channels.
Do not upload the widescreen trailer directly to TikTok with black bars on the sides. It signals low effort and underperforms compared to properly formatted vertical content.
What a vertical cut is and why you need one
A vertical cut is an edited version of your trailer formatted in 9:16 aspect ratio (portrait orientation) rather than the standard 16:9 widescreen. It is designed for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and WhatsApp Status.
A vertical cut is not just a cropped version of the widescreen trailer. The framing changes - subjects need to be centred in a taller, narrower frame. Some wide shots that work in widescreen may need to be replaced with closer shots for vertical. The duration is typically shorter (15-30 seconds rather than 60-120).
Ask for a vertical cut when commissioning your trailer. The incremental cost is a fraction of the original production but it significantly expands where the trailer can effectively be deployed. Without a vertical cut, you are leaving short-form platform distribution entirely off the table.
The cheapest time to get a vertical cut is when you are commissioning the original trailer, not after delivery. Add it to your brief before production starts and the editor can account for it during recording and editing. Requesting it afterwards is more expensive and sometimes requires a separate recording session if the original footage was not captured with vertical framing in mind.
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