1. Title
2. Description
3. Thumbnails
4. Tags
5. Visibility
6. Playlists
7. Info Cards
8. Ends Screens
Bonus: Comments
YouTube has a bunch of features and they can seem like a bit much. I’m going to walk you through them, explain what they are and how to BEST use them!
There are two ways to get to editing information on your videos
1. When looking at a video click “edit video”
2. These features will also show up when uploading a video
Edit video:
OR
Upload video:
We'll go over the “Basic” settings, but let's be clear, this doesn't make you basic.
1. Title
This one is pretty obvious, this is where you'll put the title of your video.
All the information you could want for creating a title is in the Title chapter.
** Just make sure to use your keyword. More info on that from the Keyword chapter.
2. Description
The first line of the description should be the same as the title.
This means you'll be using similar keywords and phrasing in both the title and the description. Again, telling YouTube what your video talks about.
You also want to use the keyword in the description as much as naturally possible.
Unnatural for “solo travel” Example:
“I've been traveling solo for over 3 years now. WHen I first started solo travel I didn't know that solo travel is what I wanted to do. But after just a couple of months of solo travel I realized solo travel was ALL I wanted to do full time. If you want to solo travel as much as I have solo traveled then please subscribe to my channel to learn tips about solo travel. “ 😅 Wowza.
You want to use keywords but not EXCESSIVELY
3. Thumbnails
A thumbnail is the still photo that will be displayed on your channel before people click on your video.
This is important.
Thumbnail and title are the only two things people have to go off of to decide if they want to invest their time watching. I use canva.com to create mine. There is also an option on YouTube, I've never used it.
While your'e uploading a video you can add a thumbnail (photo below).
OR if you've already uploaded a photo you'll have to edit or change it (2nd and 3rd photos).
Go to Thumbnail chapter to know how to make a great thumbnail.
4. Tags
Tags: These are not #hashtags, they are more like google searches. Use the Keywords Chapter to know what a good tag is.
**Don't forget to use your name and/or channel name in the keywords so that if someone is looking for you they will find you.
5. Visibility
There are 4 options here when you are uploading:
1. Public: Anyone and everyone can see, and will show up in searches (most common)
2. Unlisted: Anyone with the link will see but it will not show up on you YouTube (If you just want certain people to find, but they could also share the link)
3. Private: Only people you INVITE will see the video up to 50 people (If you want a very specific group of people to see it, more work, not shareable)
4. Schedule: This one is exactly as it seems. You can schedule your videos to post (if you are batching your videos).
6. Playlists
Playlists are great ways to organize your videos so it makes sense for people “travel tips” “sister vlogs” “vlogs with Seth” etc.
The Playlist Chapter is great to reference!
Here is how you add a video to a playlist.
It's totally okay to add your video to more than one playlist. It's also great to add other people's videos to your playlists if they are about a similar topic because people are more likely to click on a video with more than 3 videos in a playlist. Plus it keeps them on your channel which you totally want to do!
The best example of this that I like to use is Yoga with Adriene you don't have to be a yoga instructor to understand what I'm talking about here. She puts them into categories for different people or things people are searching for!
– 10-15 min yoga
– Yoga for bedtime
– Guided meditation etc.
Some of these will overlap, that's totally okay but she's organized it in a way that is clear for her viewers!
7. Info cards:
Info Cards: What is an info card?
Info cards are the little text bubbles that pop up during a video usually when you reference a different video (great thing to do).
The info card will link your viewer to the video you're referencing so people can find it easily (and you keep them on your channel).
If you don't verbally reference another video, still use each of your 5 info cards to show other videos you have for people to watch.
Tip: Make sure to place them in the first 1/2 of your video and at the 3/4 mark where most people will want to go to a different video.
8. End Screen:
What is an End Screen?
An end screen is where other videos will pop up in the last 5-20 seconds of your video. THey are great to show other videos similar, ones the viewers make like or to encourage people to subscribe.
I've been leaving the last 20 seconds of my videos a black background but this would be a good place for some branded content.
Okay, How do I do it?
Go back to the first photo of this chapter and look at number 8. Once you click on that you will be brought to the photo below. Click “use template” to choose a template you like.
This is the template that I always use (below), I like that it includes a “subscribe” button, and has 2 videos without totally blocking the rest of the video. But you choose whichever one works for you!
What videos should you put here?
– If it's a generic video I will choose “best for viewer” and “Last uploaded”
– If the video is in a series, for example when we went to New Zealand we made 8 videos about it. At the end of each of those videos I will do “New Zealand Playlist” and one of the other New Zealand Videos. Or if its a video with my sister I will put another video with my sister and my sisters playlist.
TubeBuddy automation:
Tubebuddy allows you to make automated end cards. So for example, I have a “Best for viewer/most recent post” for generic videos or the New Zealand template for New Zealand videos.
9. Bonus Comments
Tubebuddy recommends pinning and hearting comments, and I’d like to add ENGAGE!
– Pinning Pin your own comment asking a question related to the video to create engagement.
– Hearting: this is similar to “loving” a comment on Facebook
– Engage: If I notice a pause in the growth of my subscribers usually if I go in and engage with people commenting it will start to grow again!
I always “like” the comment when I respond so I know quickly which I've responded to.
Chapter 8: Homework
Try uploading a video even if it's “Unlisted” or “Private” so no one can see it. Get in the practice of using these tools!
