YouTube is a massive force in the social media world, providing a fantastic way for companies to connect with their audiences. With more than 2 billion people logging in each month, it’s a game-changer for boosting your brand’s presence and interaction. Dive into this guide to get the lowdown on using YouTube for business promotion and how to set up a YouTube business channel.
Why choose YouTube for your business?
By setting up a YouTube business page, businesses can showcase video content that strikes a chord with their intended viewers, whether it’s how-to guides, behind-the-scenes clips, or glowing customer reviews. Video is a magnet for attention and interaction, positioning YouTube as a top platform for advertising your business. Plus, YouTube’s comprehensive analytics tools enable businesses to keep tabs on their content’s success, tweak their methods, and more efficiently hit their marketing targets. Essentially, YouTube acts as a dynamic space where businesses and customers can engage, share, and flourish, making it indispensable in today’s digital marketing landscape. And don’t forget, you could also make money on YouTube.
Getting your YouTube business page up and running
Starting a YouTube business page is pretty straightforward, but it’s crucial to get the steps right for a well-optimised channel. Here’s your step-by-step guide:
- Log in with Google: Start by signing in to YouTube using your Google account. Don’t have one? No worries, you can create one.
- Head to YouTube Studio: Once logged in, click on your profile icon in the top right and select “YouTube Studio.”
- Make a New Channel: In the Studio, find the option to create a new channel. Pick “Create a brand account” for a business-oriented page.
- Name Your Channel: Go for a name that mirrors your business and is easy for people to remember.
- Personalise Your Channel: Upload a profile picture (usually your logo) and a banner that reflects your brand. Make sure they look sharp and are the right size.
- Fill in the About Section: Craft a compelling description of your business, detailing what your channel will offer and linking to your website or other social profiles.
- Upload Your First Video: Kick things off with a strong intro video or a standout piece of content that embodies your brand.
- Create Playlists: Group your videos into playlists to help viewers find what they’re interested in more easily.
- Fine-Tune Your Channel: Use YouTube’s settings to tailor your channel, including privacy options, featured channels, and a call-to-action button.
- Spread the Word: Share your channel link on your site, social media, and other marketing platforms to start drawing in viewers.
Personalising your YouTube business page
Once you’ve nailed the basics, it’s all about tweaking your YouTube business page to fit your brand’s vibe. This personalisation not only makes your channel more attractive but also boosts its effectiveness as a marketing tool. Here’s how you can jazz up your page:
- Design a Killer Channel Banner: This is the first thing people see, so make it pop and represent your brand. Stick to the recommended size to ensure it looks good on all screens.
- Use a Professional Profile Pic: Usually, this is your logo, and it needs to be crisp and clear at the suggested size.
- Write an Engaging Channel Description: Clearly state what viewers can expect from your content and sprinkle in some relevant keywords to improve searchability.
- Add Links: YouTube lets you pop links onto your channel banner, sending traffic to your website, other social platforms, or specific landing pages.
- Set a Custom URL: Once you have 100 subscribers, create a custom URL to make it easier for people to find you.
Managing your YouTube content
The videos you post are the heart of your YouTube business page. Keeping your content fresh and engaging is key to growing your audience. Here’s how to handle content management on YouTube:
- Plan Ahead: Set up a content calendar to schedule your video uploads. This keeps you consistent and ensures your content aligns with your business aims.
- Optimise Titles and Descriptions: Choose clear, snappy titles with relevant keywords. Your descriptions should give more context, link to your site or products, and include a call to action.
- Create Eye-Catching Thumbnails: Custom thumbnails that look great and accurately depict your video can boost click-through rates. Stick to the recommended size.
- Tag and Categorise: Tags help YouTube get a handle on your video’s content and improve its discoverability. Pick fitting tags and slot your video into the right category.
- Leverage End Screens and Cards: These features guide viewers to more of your videos, your website, or prompt them to subscribe, keeping them hooked on your content.
If you’re looking for advice or help with the above, you could contact a company like Deepbluemedia which offers video editing in Tenerife as well as other locations globally.
Boosting your YouTube channel’s visibility
Content creation is just the start—you also need to market your YouTube channel to draw viewers and expand your audience. Here are some tips for effective promotion:
- Share on Social Media: Post links to your videos and channel across the most popular social platforms. Every time you drop a new video, blast it out on your networks.
- Embed Videos on Your Site: Use your videos as content on your website or blog. Embedding not only lifts your site’s SEO but also drives traffic to your YouTube channel.
- Team Up with Other YouTubers: Collaborating with other channels can introduce your content to a wider audience. Seek partnerships with businesses or influencers in your field.
- Invest in YouTube Ads: Think about putting some budget into YouTube ads to push your channel or specific videos. Targeting options let you zero in on specific groups, making audience growth easier.
- Use Email Marketing: Add links to your latest videos in your newsletters. Encourage subscribers to watch, comment, and share your content.
Keeping your YouTube audience engaged
Interaction is the secret to building a devoted following on YouTube. By actively engaging with your viewers, you can nurture a sense of community and keep them returning for more. Below are some tips for how to enhance engagement (note we also have this article featuring extensive YouTube tips for success) :
- Respond to Comments: Take the time to answer comments on your videos. Engaging with your audience shows you value their input and prompts more interaction.
- Seek Feedback: Use your videos and the community tab to ask what your viewers want to see more of. Feedback can provide insights into what clicks with your audience.
- Go Live: YouTube Live lets you connect with your audience in real time. Use it for Q&As, product launches, or behind-the-scenes tours.
- Utilise the Community Tab: As your channel grows, unlock the community tab to post updates, polls, and chat with your audience beyond videos.
- Encourage Subscriptions: Remind viewers to subscribe and turn on notifications so they never miss out on your new uploads.
Fine-tuning your YouTube strategy
To hit the mark with your YouTube business page, keep a close eye on your progress and tweak your approach as needed. YouTube offers a treasure trove of analytics to help you gauge your content’s performance. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Monitor Engagement: Watch metrics like watch time, average view duration, and audience retention to see how well your videos are keeping viewers hooked.
- Analyse Your Audience: YouTube Analytics breaks down your audience by age, gender, and location. Use this data to tailor your content and better meet their needs.
- Check Traffic Sources: Find out where your viewers are coming from to refine your promotional tactics.
- Review Your Content: Regularly assess which videos are smashing it and which aren’t. Let this guide your future content efforts.
Other platforms you might want to consider
Of course, YouTube is one of very many social media platforms that allow business pages. To learn more about integrating these other platforms, see below for info:
How to set up a Instagram business page
How to set up a LinkedIn business page
How to set up an Facebook business page
Different social media channels work best for specific types of business. To learn more, click to learn about the benefits of social media channels on business.
Wrapping up
Launching a YouTube business page is a crucial move in building your brand’s online footprint. Yet, to really thrive on this platform, you need more than just setting up a channel and throwing out videos. Here are some parting tips to help you get the most out of your YouTube business page:
- Use the Right Image Sizes: Ensure your branding looks slick across devices by using the correct sizes for your banner and profile pic.
- Stay Consistent: Consistency is vital for growing your audience. Aim to upload new content weekly and stick to a regular schedule so your viewers know when to expect fresh videos.
- Make Thumbnails and Titles Pop: Eye-catching thumbnails and compelling titles can significantly boost your click-through rates. Ensure they accurately reflect your content.
- Include Visuals in Posts: When using the community tab or promoting your videos elsewhere, use visuals to make your posts more engaging.
- Keep Tabs on Analytics: Regularly check YouTube Analytics to track how you’re doing. Use this info to refine your strategy and meet audience needs.
- Maintain Branding: Your YouTube channel should mirror your brand’s identity. Use consistent colours, fonts, and imagery across your videos, channel art, and thumbnails.
- Engage Actively: Building a community on YouTube requires you to be active. Answer comments, participate in discussions, and engage with other content on YouTube.
