7 key things to do AFTER uploading your YouTube video

Summary

In this video, Kevin Colby shares seven essential steps to maximize the reach of your YouTube videos after uploading. From optimizing your title and description to setting up end screens, custom thumbnails, and playlists, Kevin explains how these elements help increase views and engagement. He also covers the importance of visibility settings, managing comments, and creating a strong connection with your audience. By following these practical tips, you can significantly improve your video's discoverability and overall impact on YouTube.

Takeaways

• 😀 Make sure to create a compelling, accurate title for your video that reflects the content and engages viewers, while avoiding clickbait.
• 😀 Your video description matters—add a clear, concise summary of the video content and include relevant keywords naturally without overloading.
• 😀 Don’t forget to add end screens to your videos; these elements promote additional videos and keep viewers on your channel.
• 😀 Upload a custom thumbnail for your video to grab attention and increase the likelihood of clicks, or test different thumbnails to see which performs best.
• 😀 Group related videos into playlists, as this improves discoverability and encourages viewers to watch more of your content.
• 😀 Adjust the visibility of your video to make it public, unlisted, private, or scheduled based on your needs.
• 😀 Engage with your audience by responding to comments—this increases viewer interaction and sends positive signals to YouTube's algorithm.
• 😀 Pin important comments or provide links to other videos or affiliate offers to kick-start conversations and provide additional value.
• 😀 Title optimization is key—experiment with different titles to see which resonates best with your audience, and always save your changes.
• 😀 Descriptions should be short but informative; don’t treat them like blog posts, but ensure they accurately represent the video’s purpose.
• 😀 Ensure you’ve added any necessary disclaimers for affiliate links or sponsorships, as this builds trust with your viewers and complies with guidelines.

Q & A

Why is creating a video for YouTube only half the work?

Creating a video for YouTube involves a lot of effort, but the other half of the work is ensuring the video is properly optimized and promoted after uploading to maximize its reach and potential views.

What is the importance of the video title on YouTube?

The title is crucial for catching the audience's attention and ensuring the video is discoverable. It should be accurate, engaging, and potentially include keywords, but avoid keyword stuffing.

Can you change the title of a YouTube video after uploading?

Yes, you can change the title of your YouTube video at any time, which gives you flexibility in fine-tuning it for better performance.

How important is the video description on YouTube?

The video description is important for providing context about the content of the video. While YouTube doesn't specify its exact weight in the algorithm, it’s recommended to include a concise and informative description to help both viewers and YouTube's algorithm understand your video.

What is an end screen on YouTube, and why is it useful?

End screens appear at the end of a video and can be used to promote other videos, encourage viewers to subscribe, or link to external content. They're a great way to increase viewer engagement and keep people on your channel longer.

Can you add multiple elements to an end screen on YouTube?

Yes, you can add multiple elements, like a video, subscribe button, or link to external content. You can also move the elements around on the screen to suit your preferences.

How do you upload a custom thumbnail on YouTube?

To upload a custom thumbnail, click on 'Upload file' under the 'Thumbnail' section, select the desired image from your computer, and hit 'Save'. Custom thumbnails can help your video stand out.

What is the advantage of using a custom thumbnail over an autogenerated one?

A custom thumbnail allows you to create a more engaging and visually appealing image that can attract viewers. While autogenerated thumbnails are randomly selected, custom thumbnails give you control over the visual representation of your video.

What is the purpose of playlists on YouTube?

Playlists help organize videos by themes or topics, making it easier for viewers to find related content. You can include videos in multiple playlists and share them to increase engagement and visibility.

How do you manage the visibility settings of a YouTube video?

You can set the visibility of a video to public, unlisted, private, or scheduled. Public videos are immediately visible, unlisted videos can only be seen by those with the link, private videos are restricted to the uploader, and scheduled videos can be set to go live at a later time.