YouTube is brilliant for social media campaigns if you know how to use it. You have to make your videos appealing while also standing out. More importantly, you have to produce things that make your promotional channel more intriguing. This will bring in more YouTube subscribers and more visits to your site or store.
There are a few special tricks for getting your YouTube videos to be easier to read and more dynamic.
Get Verified
You need to be verified to get more out of YouTube. A verified account will have access to more functions. These include the ability to add custom thumbnails to a video or to make your videos a little longer. Authentication ensures that you can do more because YouTube knows that your channel is legitimate. That is, an automated program does not run the channel.
Your account will be listed on YouTube as being fully confirmed. People who go onto your channel will note that it has been certified as a verified channel. People are more likely to trust your channel if they know it has been verified. This is similar to what happens when your Facebook page has been verified.
The process to get verified on YouTube:
1. Go to YouTube.com/verify after you log into your account.
2. Select the country where your channel is based.
3. Choose to get a verification code sent to your mobile phone.
The code can be sent through a text or through an automated voice message. It may take a few minutes for you to get the code sent to your phone.
1. Enter the code.
2. Your account should now be verified.
Using Your Own Custom Thumbnails
When you start using YouTube, you will have the option to work with random thumbnails on each video. Over time, you can be approved to work with custom thumbnails. These add a unique image that lets people see what you want to share before clicking on it. It could include details on what a video is about or some other display feature that is more intriguing to the reader.
You can only get a custom thumbnail added if you are verified on YouTube. You can also use one if you have access to the live streaming system.
To make a custom thumbnail ready:
1. Go to the Video Manager section of your Creator Studio.
2. Click the Edit button on the video you wish to edit.
3. Click the Custom Thumbnail button.
4. Upload a thumbnail you have already produced on your computer.
5. Click to save changes.
The custom thumbnail should be designed so that it draws the user’s attention.
What Can a Custom Thumbnail Include?
A custom thumbnail must entail the following:
• The thumbnail can include text or logo features that describe what is on your video. This might produce a more professional appearance to your video.
• You could also choose a specific shot on your video that was not covered by the thumbnails YouTube has automatically generated. Still, this might not be as professional as getting a custom image applied.
• Produce something with a resolution of 1280×720.
• The thumbnail must be 2 MB or less in size.
• A 16:9 aspect ratio is best, as that is the layout used on most devices and players.
Whatever the case may be, make sure the thumbnail is suitable. Like with the actual video itself, your thumbnail is subject to YouTube’s content advisory rules. You cannot use something objectionable or questionable for your thumbnail. Be sure it is appropriate and is easy to follow.
Creating a Channel Trailer
A channel trailer is a video that you upload that will be played on your channel page when someone who has not subscribed to your page comes across it. The video usually plays back automatically. The trailer can be any kind of video, but it is best to use one that illustrates what your business is all about. The video is generally the first thing that you should show to someone who is not familiar with your business. It creates a welcome approach to explain to the viewer what you do and what makes your work special.
When a person subscribes to your page, that channel trailer will no longer appear. The channel will just look like any other YouTube page with the newest videos at the front and sections for individual playlists organized. However, the trailer itself is necessary for getting people to become subscribers. Your trailer will make your work interesting and valuable without being unusual in its appearance.
To create a channel trailer:
1. Upload the video that you want to use as your trailer.
2. Go to the Customize Channel button on your channel page after you have logged in.
3. Click on the For New Visitors tab.
There should be two tabs on your channel. The first shows what subscribers to your channel will see. The second is for new visitors.
1. Click on the Channel Trailer box.
2. Select the specific video that will go into the box.
At this point, the trailer will appear on the screen for anyone who has not subscribed to your channel. The video will play automatically after the person gets onto the channel.
What Should the Channel Trailer Include?
The channel trailer can be anything you want it to be. Here are a few of the things to look into when getting a trailer prepared:
• Produce something that explains to people what you do.
• Explain something of value to the viewer. This might include a specific product or service that you want to market.
• Do not keep the trailer too long. Keep it 30 to 60 seconds in length if possible.
• Produce a strong hook in the first few seconds that will get people to pay attention. It might include a question about an issue.
• Make the video as though the viewer has never actually heard of you. The trailer should be an introduction.
• Ask people to subscribe to your channel.
Creating Playlists
Maybe you’ve got some YouTube videos that link up to each other in some way. For instance, you might run a website that offers hosting services. Perhaps you have some videos that show how to work with a blogging platform. Maybe you have a series of videos about online commerce functions and how a web host handles them. Whatever the case is, you could potentially have some videos that link up to each other based on the content or subject matter.
You can create playlists highlighting everything that is similar in some way. With a playlist, you share information in a series of organized spaces that let people know specific things about your business. They might also include points on your business and how it operates, or your knowledge about things relating to your niche.
To create a playlist:
1. Go to a video that you want to use in your playlist. This should be the first video in that planned playlist if possible.
2. Click the Add To button under the video.
3. Click on the Create New Playlist option.
4. Enter the name of that new playlist.
5. Go to other videos on your channel and repeat the same. You should have the option to add the video to the new playlist you just created.
6. Go to the Playlist menu on your channel and select Edit Layout on your new playlist. This lets you adjust the order in which the videos will appear on the playlist. You can delete videos from the Edit Layout menu if needed.
Using Captioning
There might be times when someone wants to see your YouTube video, but that person has to keep the sound down to keep from bothering people. Other users might be deaf or hard of hearing. Use captions on your video to bring in more people. A person could click on the proper captioning icon on your video, and a series of captions will appear at the right moment.
Even better, this might help with getting people to find your video. The transcript you use can be loaded up by anyone who watches it. This transcript will be read in a search, thus allowing your video to be easily found when a proper keyword is used. This means your script will make a real difference when trying to get people to see your work.
To get captions added to your video:
1. Click the video you want to edit within the Creator Studio.
2. Go to the Subtitles/CC tab.
3. Select the language of the video.
4. Select the method to add your subtitles or captions.
You have the option to let YouTube transcribe your video. This option is not recommended. YouTube’s speech recognition algorithm can only go so far when finding out what you are working with. The best method is to create new subtitles yourself.
1. Type something you want to add. Whatever you enter will first appear on the screen at the precise time you entered it.
2. Click the plus button to add the caption.
Try to caption about five to ten seconds of text at a time.
1. Move to the next section of the video where you want a new caption to appear.
2. Enter the next caption.
3. Repeat for the length of the video.
This process takes a bit of effort, but it makes your videos easier for people to understand. It may especially do well for your search engine optimization as you get more keywords from your transcript. This adds to the potential to get a better link for your video.
The video captioning highlights keywords. Clearly, you need to write the script before you produce your video. With captioning, you can at least ensure you are getting the keywords you want emphasized. This should produce a more attractive video with enough valuable data.
Add Calls to Action
You need plenty of calls to action around your YouTube page and your videos. These include calls to encourage people to visit your website or your place of business. More importantly, you have to add calls to action for things relating specifically to YouTube. Interacting with your viewers through your videos and other features is fundamental.
There are a few things you can do when adding calls to action:
• Include a message to tell people in a video to subscribe to your channel.
• Ask people to leave comments in your video. Tell them to let you know what they think about your work.
• Invite people to share your video on other social media sites. Encourage them to use the forwarding features below the video player too.
• Use a link to another site for embedding purposes.
Whatever you do, never appear as if you are forcing or threatening people to do it. Be polite with your calls to action. Invite people to follow you. Do not use aggressive language when asking people to follow your instructions. Your viewers appreciate when you show a sense of control and interest in others on your site.