In last weeks’ blog post we covered the first 5 steps needed for you to start creating videos that your audience is dying to know. The 5 steps covered your YouTube video’s topic, how to identify your ideal audiences pain points, planning out your videos, the most suitable video for you to create and finally getting ready for your YouTube video close-up.
Today we’ll finish up with the last 5 steps you will need to take to earn YouTube video success. Ready?
Image Credit: Tumblr
6. Create custom thumbnails for your YouTube videos.
If you plan to upload your completed video to YouTube, you’ll need to create a custom thumbnail. Although YouTube automatically selects 3 thumbnails for each video that is uploaded, it is extremely rare that one of the stills chosen will be your title graphic, so what that doesn’t happen it is best if you upload your own. A good thumbnail explains to your audience at a glance what your YouTube video will be about both visually and from the title text on the image.
7. Include your lead magnet in the video.
Make sure that your giveaway or lead magnet relates to the content of your video. Also, make certain to talk about your giveaway in your video and provide a link to it.
If your video shows how to prepare your business for a tax audit, then a great lead magnet might be an ultimate checklist on how to properly prepare for an audit. This will be a valuable asset for your audience if you are a tax attorney or CPA.
8. You can also create social media videos featuring tidbits from your video and use them to increase awareness of your video across all platforms.
During the editing phase, take the time to create a custom version for your preferred social media platform. Share on platforms your audience is on and understand that each platform is unique and separate from the other. What works on one platform will not automatically work the other. Take the time to learn the best lengths and content type for each. For example:
- Facebook – Upload natively videos up to 2 minutes long and pin url to YouTube in the comments, not the description field
- LinkedIn – any length and can be shared directly from YouTube
- Instagram – up to 1 minute customize to match 1:1 size requirements
- Twitter – up to 45 second and link to YouTube
9. Now you are ready to upload your video to YouTube.
Upload your videos individually or in bulk as private. There are a few things you need to do before you publish your videos.
First, you need to optimize your video, by adding your description, keywords tags, links to your lead magnet and website in the description. Check your closed-captions for spelling errors. Upload your custom thumbnail and prepare your blurb for announcing to Google + and Twitter. Once you are ready, then you can schedule the best time for your channel.
10. Share your YouTube video.
Finally, once your video has published, within the first 24-72 hours upload it to Facebook. Use YouTube to share on all other platforms.
Create a blog post about your video’s topic and embed the video code on your website blog
Create a similar blog for your LinkedIn post, and then feel free to share on any other platforms you use such as Quora or Medium.
A cool tool to help you with this is Missinglettr, I’ve just started using it myself and so far I like it.
