YouTube Channel – Video Content Optimisation

Top Tips 

• You’re going to need to have a Gmail or YouTube account up and running. 
• You will need to have high-quality videos ready for uploading.

 

Benefits 

• By following this blog, you will be able to ensure your video content is fully optimised, meaning it will more likely be seen as valuable content by YouTube – helping to increase your ranking. 
• Effective optimisation can lead to higher levels of visibility for your business, so it spread more awareness and recognition of your branding and values.

 

Set-up Process 

1. First of all, you need to set up an account for YouTube. 
   • In the event that you would like to set up a personal account on this platform, these are the steps that you can follow:
     • You’re going to need to use your Gmail account to sign in to YouTube.
     • Now you have the option of uploading your videos – this is something you can do by selecting the “upload” symbol.
     • In the event that you don’t already have a YouTube channel in place, you’re going to need to fill in the relevant form.
   • If you’re looking into how you can create a business account, then these are the steps you need to follow:
     • Follow the steps above to set up a personal account
     • Now go to the Channel Switcher on YouTube and then select “Create New Channel” 
     • Input a name for your YouTube business channel.
     • You will have the option to switch between the two channels – to do this, simply follow these steps:
       • Hover over to the icon to the right section of the screen 
       • “Switch Account” 
       • Click on the relevant account 

 

2. You need to set up an introductory video for the channel.
   • You will need to start on the homepage of YouTube
   • Now select the avatar – you will find this on the right section of your screen 
   • Select these in the following order:
     • “My Channel”
     • “Customise Channel” 
     • “For new visitors”
     • “+ Channel trailer”

1. • Now you need to click on the video that you’re intending to use as the introduction for your channel. 
   • Select the pencil on the right section of your screen so you can change your avatar. 
     • YouTube will then take you to an account page – where you will be able to choose a picture to upload. 
     • The account that you select will also be the avatar for your YouTube channel – be aware it could take several minutes.
   • So that you can add a customised header for your channel, you will need to select this button: “Add channel art”
   • The image that you choose needs to fit these measurements: 2048px x 1152px
     • After you have chosen an image for uploading, YouTube will then give you visuals of how this header is going to appear on various screen sizes. 
     • If you would like to change the header image’s position, then you’re going to need to hit the “Adjust” button. 

 

Crafting Video Content 

To start the process of YouTube video optimisation, you first need to make sure that the videos you’re putting out there are of high quality. To ensure that you’re getting the most of our advertising on YouTube, you need to utilise some of these elements:

1. You’ll need to conduct some keyword research to start this process – as you’re using YouTube, we’d recommend that you use tools such as Keyword Tool.  
2. Increase video lengths – Research has shown that videos which are longer get a better position in the search results.
3. If you can, input a keyword into the video’s title – when relevant of course, as YouTube, has now developed to the point where they check the captions of the video to ensure the title is relevant. 
   • By inputting the relevant keyword you will help YouTube present your videos when someone is making a search. 
4. Maximise on your videos by encouraging people to like, comment and subscribe to your channel.
5. Do your best to lower the bounce rate – in the event that users are only staying on your videos for a couple of seconds, then this will cause YouTube to assume that the video quality is low, this means that it will be put into a lower position in terms of ranking. 
   • To try and reduce your bounce rate, you’re going to need to make sure videos are dynamic. 
     • You can add effects and ensure that your visuals are stimulating so that you can grab prospects’ attention – because if you don’t, a competitor will! 
     • Make it clear what the value proposition of the video is within the first few seconds of the video to ensure you keep people engaged. 

 

Monetisation 

At this stage, you are monetising your videos so that you can give your video content further features. 

These are the steps you’re going to need to take so you can ensure channel monetisation: 

1. 1. You need to start on the homepage of your YouTube channel and click on these in the following order:
      • “Settings” 
      • “View Additional Features”
      • “Monetisation” 
   2. If you haven’t chosen a location for where you have made your channel, then you’re going to need to click the relevant country before enabling monetisation. 
      • So select “Choose your country location” and then hit this button: “Monetisation” 
      • You will now be taken to a page which will allow you to choose your channel’s location – so that you can do this, you’re going to need to go further down the page and make sure that you select “Save” 
   3. You need to start out on the homepage of YouTube, and then select these in the following order:
      • “Settings” 
      • “View additional features”
      • “Monetisation” 
   4. You will notice that there are four steps to set up your channels’ monetisation. 

• • • YouTube Partner Program 

You will notice the stages you need to go through – make sure to read through Terms & Conditions so you’re aware of what signing up to. 

• • • AdSense Account – Sign Up 
    • Preferences For Monetisation

• • • Review Process

This is something you’re going to need to do after 10,000 views. 

 

At this stage, you only need the ability to add tailored thumbnails – you may benefit from demonetising the videos that you’ve already uploaded, as well as the ones that you were intending to upload. 

So that you are able to demonetise the videos manually, you need to follow these steps:

1. Select your icon in the right top corner, and then select:
   • “Creator Studio” 
   • “Video Manager” 
2. You’re going to need to ensure all videos are selected by ensuring the box next to this drop-down menu: “Actions” has been clicked. 
3. Now make sure you’ve selected this drop-down menu and clicked on “Demonetise”

The process of monetising your YouTube channel can be difficult, however in the event that you want to add customised thumbnails then you will benefit. 

You will be unable to monetise your videos if you have less than 10,000 views – this needs to happen so that you can get the videos reviewed by YouTube. 

 

Ranking Signals – YouTube Optimisation 

Optimisation For The Following Is Important:

• Video Title 
  • To get a video set up on YouTube, you need to hit the “upload” button – you will then be encouraged to add a video title.
  • You’ll benefit from adding a keyword into the title of your video – again, as long as it is relevant. 
• Video Description
  • Try to make it persuasive to grab the attention of prospects – again try to use keywords – for best results, we’d advise the description is around 250 words (minimum). 
• Video Tags 
  • These tags are basically just keywords – you will benefit from using a few so that YouTube will have an awareness of the content of the video. 
  • Thes tags are something you can add when you’re choosing to upload a video. 
  • You can add a tag by selecting the box labelled “Tag” and then input keywords – you will need to split them up using a comma, ensuring you hit the “Enter” key after each keyword. 
  • There isn’t a requirement for you to add more than 3 keywords – so make sure that the ones that you do use are relevant!
• Customised Thumbnail 
  • You will be shown several screenshots from YouTube – it’s your choice whether you decide to use one of these as the thumbnail.
  • To benefit the most, a customised thumbnail would be best – this is because it will make the thumbnail appear more interesting to users. 
  • You will only be able to add a customised thumbnail in the event that you’ve got 10,000 views and your channel is monetised. 

1. 1. 1. Once monetisation has been put into place, you will be able to add a customised thumbnail by doing this:
         • Start on the homepage of YouTube 
         • Select “Creator Studio” and then “Video Manager” 
         • Now you’re going to need to select the button labelled “Edit” 
         • Hit this button: “Custom thumbnail” and then choose the thumbnail. 
         • Finally, select “Save changes” 
      2. Once the video has been uploaded, you will still have the option of altering these features. This is the process you will need to do this successfully:
         • Click on your account icon and then select these in the following order:
           • “Creator Studio”
           • “Video Manager” 
           • “Relevant video” 
           • Button – “Edit” – this will enable you to alter the element you’re intending to optimise. 

• Include Multiple Cards 

This is something that you can use to help boost watch time. A card on YouTube is basically a piece of information which you are able to click – it gives users more of an engaging experience.

5 Type Of Cards Available 

1. Channel 
2. Donation 
3. Link
4. Playlist / Video 
5. Poll 

So that you are able to add these, you’re going to need to do this:

1. Start out on the homepage of YouTube select the following in this order:
   • Top right side icon
   • “Creators Studio” 
   • “Video Manager” 
2. You will then be presented with a list showing uploaded videos – to set up the cards, you’re going to need to click:
   • The arrow next to this button: “Edit” 
   • “Cards” – this will be an option on the dropdown list
   • “Add Cards”
   • Now you need to choose the card you’re intending to use.

This is what you need to do in the event that you want to add a playlist or video card – select the relevant option and then do this:

1. • • Choose from the already uploaded video list, or the alternative is to input the link to the video you’re intending to use as a card and enter this info into the URL field.
     • “Customise the teaser text and/or add a custom message” – this is the option you need to select. 
     • You need to input teaser text as well as your personal message. 
     • To ensure that your card will appear at the ideal time, make sure that you adjust the indicator for the timeline to narrow down where it needs to pop up. 
   • So that you are able to add a card for your channel, you will need to select the “Channel” from the drop-down menu. 
     • Input the relevant channel link that you’re intending to share using the video card.
     •  Ensure that there is a customised message in the relevant box 
     • Teaser text will also need to be inputted in the relevant field.
     • Select “Create card” 
     • To ensure that your card will appear at the ideal time, make sure that you adjust the indicator for the timeline to narrow down where it needs to pop up. 

 

• Video Transcripts 

1. These are not compulsory steps, however, you will benefit from doing it. 
   • It increases the accessibility of your videos.  
   • It will help to ensure that Google and YouTube are aware that the text is the same as the audio in the video – helping search engines to crawl through and group content.
     • So that you are able to set up a transcript, you’re going to need to follow this process:
       1. Start on the manager for videos 
       2. Now you will need to go to the video which you are intending to include a transcript for.
       3. Next to the button: “edit”, you’re going to need to select the arrow and click “Subtitles/CC” and then “Add new subtitles or CC” 
       4. In the event that your channel is available in several languages, then you’re going to need to click the language you would like the transcript to be available in.
       5. There are 3 choices available to you relating to how you are able to get a transcript set up. 

1. 1. 1. • File Uploads:
           • Click on this choice and then the file type which you are intending to upload.
           • Now upload the file (it will need to be a .txt file) 
           • Select this button: “Set timings” 
         • Transcribe & Auto Synchronisation Process 
           • You will need to click on this choice and then input the transcript.
           • Select “Set Timings” 
           • Now you will need to set up subtitles or CC.
             • Click this option and input the first sentence of audio. 
             • Select this button “+”
             • You can alter the caption’s timing – you can do this manually by selecting a specific time frame between the beginning and end time.
             • This is something you’re going to need to do for all of the captions 
             • Now you will need to select this button: “Publish” 

 

• Adding Video Content To Playlists
• This is not a compulsory stage, however, it may be beneficial to you as by setting up a playlist, you can increase watch time. 
• These are the steps you need to follow to get videos set up in a playlist.
  • Start on the manager for video 
  • Find the video you would like to add into a playlist and tick the box next to it.
  • Now you will need to select “Add to” and then “Create new playlist” 
  • You’re going to need to give the newly created playlist a name and then make sure to select “Create”
  • Ensure that you have ticked the playlist which you are intending to add the video too.  

 

After Publication 

Once publishing and optimising has been set up, you’ll benefit from maximising on it, so here are some things you can do. 

1. Work on ensuring that you reply to all of the new comments within 2 days of them being posted – make sure that you are notified of any new comments – you can do this by altering the settings of your account. 

• • Start on the homepage of YouTube and click “Settings” and then “Notifications”
  • Look beneath “Comments and Activity” and ensure the following has been selected “Activity on my videos or channel” 
  • You will be able to boost the visibility of the video by ensuring you have it embedded in a relevant blog post – you can do this by inputting the video’s URL into the blog. 
  • Promote the video content – you can do this by spreading awareness of it across your business’s social media accounts, or sending it out to people who you feel would be interested. 
  • Ensure that you are consistent – post your video content on a regular basis rather than a lot of videos all at once.

 

And… you’re done! 

Congratulations, you have now successfully completed the process of optimising your YouTube video content.

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Thanks for reading!