How to Make the Most out of YouTube for Your Brand | Part Three
4 MIN READ
Now that you’ve optimized your video for YouTube, you might think you can sit back and relax while your video rakes in views and you check out some ASMR room videos you’ve sorely missed while improving your videos. Unfortunately, to have a really successful YouTube channel, there’s still a lot of work to do! As with any SEO, YouTube optimization doesn’t end once the video has been uploaded. Consider implementing these techniques to accelerate the success of your video.
Create custom image thumbnails
Consistent branding elevates your videos from obscurity to prominence. A straightforward method to ensure your videos stand out as part of your brand is by crafting custom image thumbnails for each one. These thumbnails maintain a cohesive aesthetic but are personalized with the title and other pertinent details. This allows casual YouTube browsers to swiftly recognize your video as belonging to your brand. A thoughtfully designed custom thumbnail also attracts new viewers and encourages them to engage with your content. Once entertained by the initial video, they're more inclined to explore further, recognizing subsequent videos as part of your brand.
Add cards and end screens
Another important way to keep viewers engaged with your content is incorporating cards and end screens. To those unfamiliar, cards are the boxes that can appear throughout your YouTube video that direct viewers to other videos, playlists, etc. that you want to easily bring to their attention. End screens are a type of card that appears solely at the end of a video that essentially acts as a call to action, giving viewers clear next steps on the best ways they can interact with your content. End cards can direct viewers to similar videos, other videos in the playlist, and more. Neal Schaffer offers a great overview of all the different applications for YouTube cards.
Optimize playlists
Playlists are a great way to get users to stay on your page and continue their viewing experience. However, much like individual videos, these should also be optimized with keywords in the title and video descriptions. In the case of Simon & Schuster, we looked at their “Thrills & Chills” playlist and recommended renaming it to “The Latest in Psychological Thrillers” as “psychological thriller” is a targeted keyword for Simon & Schuster with a high search volume and relevance to the brand. When updating your playlists, make sure to also include a description with keywords so users know what to expect when they watch the video series.
Build links
As with traditional SEO, one crucial way to get more views on your page is to have other high-value sites link to your site. The same applies to YouTube; however, you want to make sure that you’re getting links to both your channel and your individual videos, so you’ll have the necessary deep links while also giving viewers a chance to discover your channel as a whole. When looking for link opportunities, always look for websites with a trustworthy reputation that will add clout to your brand. When in doubt, a recognizable website name (like Forbes, Inc, Harvard Business Review) is preferable to a randomperson.com link.
Try YouTube Shorts
The cousin to Instagram Reels and TikTok videos, YouTube Shorts are an opportunity to introduce short form content to your YouTube channel and quickly capture the attention of potential subscribers. However, unlike Reels or TikTok, Shorts are limited to only 60 second snippets, so it’s essential to make the most of your limited screen time. In order to quickly capture and keep the attention of your viewer, keep the following best practices in mind.
Be concise: Dive straight into the subject matter to seize attention and maintain focus throughout the video. Avoid unnecessary introductions or prolonged pauses, which can detract from an otherwise engaging video.
Provide value: Ensure that your content offers some form of value, whether it's informative, entertaining, or humorous. Deliver this value promptly and clearly to keep viewers engaged.
Incorporate trends: Stay attuned to the trend culture within YouTube Shorts, incorporating popular audios and filming styles that align with your brand messaging.
Embrace rawness: While YouTube typically upholds high standards for video quality, Shorts offer an opportunity to experiment with less polished, more authentic footage. Embrace a raw, iPhone-style aesthetic without fear of appearing out of place.
With these practices in place, you can rest assured that your YouTube videos will receive the attention and engagement they deserve. To make putting together your next YouTube video a breeze, we’ve put together this downloadable guide with all the information you need to know before posting a video.
Click here or on the image to the right to download a PDF file of our YouTube SEO Guide.
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Originally published June 24, 2020. Updated February 22, 2024.
