Video Marketing: YouTube SEO

Nov 20, 2019

Whether you’re an industrial-sector company or a coffee shop down the street, marketing videos are amping up in popularity. To make use of this great content marketing option, posting videos on YouTube allows your company or organization to reach a large audience effectively. In addition to utilizing YouTube keywords and following these marketing video steps, there’s still a few more tips for improving your Search Engine Optimization on YouTube. Read on to learn more about video marketing: YouTube SEO.

Video Marketing: YouTube SEO

Add target keywords into video file name:

While you’re making the video and editing it on your computer, it’s normal to have your file named something like “video_1” or “draft_1.” We all fall into that last-minute, late-night file naming. On my computer now, I have a file titled “proposal_draft_nov_2_3” which I thought would help me remember exactly which version of my project it is. In fact, it confuses me more than anything. While this is fine (however confusing) for our own personal use, you’ll want to change your file name before posting your video on YouTube. This is just another way to help YouTube learn what your video is actually about. So simply add a keyword or subject into the file name before you upload.

Insert keywords into video title:

In the same vein as above, adding a target keyword into the video’s title helps both YouTube and potential viewers to know what your video is about. For the human viewers that you’re trying to attract, include the keywords naturally. Instead of titling your video with five buzzwords in a row, choose one or two keywords to put into a phrase format that sounds natural and like something a person would actually say or write.

Add screen cards:

Screen cards are what shows up when you click the little “i” icon on the top right corner of YouTube videos. These are notifications that you format into the video. You can use these to engage viewers with questions or you can suggest other videos on your channel that relate to the one they’re watching. This second option especially builds viewership on your channel. It works a bit like link-building on written content—creating a network of content that connects subject matter and relevancy.

Post consistently:

As with all matters of SEO, you need content to optimize. Posting videos consistently by sticking to a regular schedule builds up your content base. In addition, link your video on other posting platforms. On your social media pages, email marketing, and blogs, post links to your video content. This adds both SEO content to your other platforms and promotes your video to your audiences across the board.

Create a quality thumbnail:

Thumbnails depend on audiences. A click-baity thumbnail with a surprising picture might not be the best for an industrial-sector company. However, a high-quality picture with good design overlaid will up the response your video gets, no matter the target audience. Your thumbnail (combined with the video title) is the first thing your potential viewers see. Since we generally judge by appearances (even though we probably shouldn’t, but that’s a whole different philosophical blog post we don’t need to get into here), your thumbnail should reflect what your video is about. This keys potential viewers into what to expect from your video. When deciding whether to go with the YouTube generated thumbnail or making your own, remember that the originality of thumbnails is important. According to the Creator Academy, 90% of the best performing videos on YouTube have custom thumbnails.

Spend time on your description:

Don’t rush past the description. Invest time into what you write in your description. Here are some things to think about during the writing process:

  • Write more than a sentence or two. You have the space to include next steps, links, and bios, so use the space you have. (However, don’t take this to the extreme. Your viewers won’t read an essay.)
  • Use the “show more” button to your advantage. Leave the readers with a hook right before the “show more” button so they’ll want to click it.
  • Include keywords throughout. This is one other place where you can naturally and easily include keywords to direct YouTube in categorizing and suggesting your video to potential viewers.

Include a call-to-action:

At the end of the video especially, a call-to-action is important. This gives the viewers a suggestion on what next steps to take. An end card with links to your newest video, subscribing to your channel, or visiting your website are some classic (and effective) options to give viewers. Your end card is your chance to call the viewers to action in a visually pleasing way. Design these cards with the motivation that you’re leaving your viewers with a good taste in their mouth—a good representation of you and your company.

As always, if you’d like more information about marketing (video or otherwise), reach out to us at RedMoxy. Click here or call 262-363-4238 to speak with us. We’d love to talk!