If you’re responsible for marketing, or are the business owner, and you are uploading a video to YouTube, it may seem easy at first glance. It is not, and proper optimization is imperative.
When you optimize, you up your chances of increasing your video's reach and engagement. This ensures it ranks well in search results, attracts the right audience, and supports your video marketing goals.
At Minifridge Media, we want your videos to succeed. We’ve prepared this step-by-step guide to help you fully optimize your videos before you tap upload on your YouTube channel.
Step 1: Change the Filename and Thumbnail
Before you tap upload on your video, ensure that the filename relates to the subject matter. It shouldn’t just be “myvideo__final version.mp4”. Change the filename to include the keywords and describe what your video is about.
Let’s say your video is about travel tips and tricks, then traveltips.mp4 is an appropriate filename. Naming your filename properly with the right keywords makes it more likely to appear in searches on YouTube and Google.
The same premise applies to the thumbnail image. Be strategic in how you name your thumbnail.
Lastly, change the filename before you upload your video to YouTube as you won’t be able to rename it afterwards. Unlike the title of the video on YouTube, which you can change all the time.
Step 2: Write the Title and Description
Put your main keywords in the video title, but don't go over the 100-character limit. This helps both the audience and the YouTube algorithm understand what your video is about.
Let’s continue with the travel tips example. You’ll want to come up with different keyword-loaded options, such as:
● 10 Essential Travel Tips for Stress-Free Adventures
● Travelling Like a Pro: 15 Insider Tips for a Smooth Trip
● Travel Hacks You Need to Know Before Your Next Trip
ChatGPT is also a great option to help generate a list of title ideas.
Pick the best one and keep the others as backup for later. Unlike the filename, you can always change the title and experiment if your initial title isn’t performing well.
Similarly, you want to write a short, snappy, keyword-laden description.
If your video is linking to other websites and affiliate links, you’ll want to add these in the description. Just remember not to go over the 5,000-character limit.
For example, “Visit my blog for more travel tips at www dot mytravelblog dot com or follow us on Instagram at instagram.com /travelpeople.”
Helpful tip: If you use the same links in your video descriptions, you can set them as upload defaults. Just go to YouTube, then Settings, and add Upload Defaults. It’ll allow you to reuse these details for future videos
Step 3: Add the Video to a Playlist
Add the video to a relevant playlist on your channel. Playlists are a great way to organize your content and make it easy to find. For instance, you may have a ‘Tips & Tricks’ playlist where you give advice, you can add this video to that playlist.
It also teaches the YouTube algorithm about the types of videos you post while keeping your channel organized and enjoyable for visitors.
Step 4: Check all the Right Boxes
The next step is to check all the right boxes under ‘Details’. These include the audience, age restrictions, paid promotions, automatic chapters, feature places, tags, language, license, and category. Let’s go over each:
● Audience: For your business or brand, set it to “No, it’s not ‘Made for Kids’”.
● Age restrictions: This is an advanced setting that lets you restrict content to viewers over 18.
● Paid promotion: Check the box if the video contains product placement, sponsorship, or the like.
● Automatic chapters: Allow it since this YouTube feature divides the video into sections with timestamps.
● Featured places: To encourage viewers to explore public places that appear in your video, checkmark it.
● Tags help the YouTube algorithm understand your video content. Include as many relevant keywords as you can, but make sure to stay under the 500-character limit.
● Language is automatic, but you can set it up too.
● The license default is ‘Standard YouTube License’, which you can leave as if you don’t want other people to use the video. Under this section, allow embedding so others can embed the video in their sites. Lastly, check ‘Publish to subscriptions feed’ to notify subscribers when you upload a video to YouTube.
● You can add your video to a Category, like ‘How-to’. This helps viewers find your video more easily.
● You can allow comments, or select ‘hold potentially inappropriate comments for review’.
● If you have monetized your content, turn on "monetization". You can add ad breaks if desired. By placing them yourself, you control where they go. This way, they won’t interrupt your video at awkward times, unlike YouTube’s automatic placement.
● Lastly, allow video and audio remixing in the advanced settings when uploading a video to YouTube.
Step 5: Add an End-Screen
Add an end screen in the 'Video Elements' section. This will help YouTube direct viewers to another one of your videos. This way, they will stay on your channel longer. Don't risk losing your audience.
The best practice is to choose one video to include on your end screen—too many options can overwhelm viewers. This is also helpful if you mention it in your call to action. For example, say, “If you liked this, check out our top 10 budget-friendly places in Asia!” Always encourage viewers to engage and view more of your video content.
Helpful tip: If your video doesn’t have a YouTube-friendly ending, consider adding one. Ask viewers to like, subscribe, or turn on the notification bell button. Then, consider which video you'd like to direct viewers to next and mention it in your call-to-action.
Step 6: Save (But Don’t Publish Yet!)
You don’t want to hit unlisted or public. Set it to Private first, so you can check the video quality. Here's what to review:
● Check that it’s in 4K quality.
● Make sure the captions are working.
● Ensure the title, description, links, and thumbnail look good before you go live.
Step 7: Do a Final Check, Then Publish
Once your video is ready for your YouTube channel homepage, hit publish!
BONUS: After publishing, post a call-to-action in the comments and pin it to the top. You can connect to a different video or advertise a deal to boost interaction and feedback.
See the Views Roll-In
Follow these steps on how to upload and optimize your video to YouTube—now sit back and watch the views roll in!
If you aren’t getting views, remember you can change the title, description, tags, and thumbnail. This might help them perform better! Never settle for lacklustre performance. Keep tweaking until the algorithm rewards you and you get the views and engagement you deserve.
Ready to take your YouTube presence to the next level?
If creating high-quality, YouTube-friendly optimized videos feels like a lot of work, let us help! Hiring a professional video production company will save you time and ensure your video content is polished and engaging. You can also Transcript Youtube Video easily !
At Minifridge Media, we make cool videos to resonate with your audience and turn them into customers. Contact us today to get your project on a roll.
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