Steps for adding end screens and cards to your YouTube videos to ensure thorough guidance on promoting engagement:
Adding End Screens
1. Access YouTube Studio: Log in to your YouTube account and navigate to YouTube Studio.
2. Select Your Video: Click on the “Content” tab from the left sidebar to see your uploaded videos. Select the video you want to add an end screen to.
3. Open the Video Editor: Once you’ve selected the video, click on “Editor” from the left-hand menu.
4. Add an End Screen: Within the Video Editor, click on “End screen” from the menu on the left.
5. Choose Template: YouTube offers different templates for end screens. These templates provide layouts for displaying video thumbnails, subscribe buttons, and external links. Select a template that suits your engagement goals and preferences.
6. Customize End Screen Elements: Drag and drop the elements you want to include onto the end screen canvas. You can add video thumbnails from your channel, a subscribe button, a channel icon, or an external link. Resize and reposition these elements as needed to create an appealing layout.
7. Adjust Timing: Utilize the timeline at the bottom of the screen to adjust when the end screen appears in your video. YouTube recommends displaying the end screen for the last 5-20 seconds of your video. Ensure that it doesn’t interfere with any crucial content.
8. Preview and Save: Click on “Preview” to see how the end screen will appear to viewers. Take this opportunity to review the layout and ensure all elements are functioning correctly. Once you’re satisfied, click “Save” to apply the end screen to your video.
Adding Cards
1. Access YouTube Studio: Log in to your YouTube account and navigate to YouTube Studio.
2. Select Your Video: Navigate to the “Content” tab from the left sidebar and select the video you want to add cards to.
3. Open the Video Editor: Once you’ve selected the video, click on “Editor” from the left-hand menu.
4. Add Cards: Within the Video Editor, click on “Cards” from the menu on the left to access the card creation interface.
5. Choose Card Type: YouTube offers several types of cards, including video or playlist links, channel links, polls, and links to external websites. Select the type of card that aligns with your engagement goals.
6. Customize Card: Enter the necessary information for the card, such as the title and URL. Depending on the card type selected, you may also need to specify the point in the video where the card should appear. This could be a specific timestamp or a custom duration.
7. Save: Once you’ve customized the card, click “Create card” to apply it to your video. Repeat this process if you want to add multiple cards throughout the video.
Best Practices for End Screens and Cards
Be Strategic: Choose end screen elements and cards that align with your video content and goals. Consider what actions you want viewers to take after watching your video.
Keep it Relevant: Ensure that the content promoted in end screens and cards is relevant to the video and will be valuable to viewers. Irrelevant or misleading promotions can lead to viewer dissatisfaction.
Balance Placement: Distribute end screen elements and cards throughout the video to maintain engagement without overwhelming viewers. Avoid clustering too many cards in a short timeframe, as this can distract from the video content.
Track Performance: Use YouTube Analytics to monitor the effectiveness of your end screens and cards. Pay attention to engagement metrics such as click-through rates and watch time. Analyze the performance of different types of cards and end screen elements to refine your strategy and maximize viewer engagement.
By following these comprehensive steps and best practices, you can effectively add end screens and cards to your YouTube videos to promote engagement and encourage viewers to take action.