10 Essential YouTube Features to Leverage for Marketing

Photo by Szabo Viktor on Unsplash

YouTube has now become a prominent marketing business for every savvy business out there. From new-freshly launched startups to big enterprises, more and more videos are created to win the hearts and minds of today’s internet users.

Many features have been added to the platform to make it easier for users to reach out to their target audience and get the most out of their overall marketing campaigns through the platform.

So, what are essential YouTube features that can take your YouTube marketing to the next level? We’ve listed some of them below.

Why YouTube Marketing?

YouTube has over 2.1 billion monthly users, making it one of the most popular social networking platforms. In fact, It's the second-largest search engine worldwide. Meaning that it receives more searches than any other website except Google.

That said, it’s no wonder that marketing on YouTube has become so popular as well. After all, what better way to reach your target audience than through a platform they are already using and enjoying?

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some features that can make your YouTube marketing even more effective.

YouTube Features to Use for Marketing

Now that we’ve established that YouTube marketing can be beneficial for your business, let’s look at some features you can use to make the most out of it.

1. Video Annotations

This feature allows you to add interactive annotations to your videos. These can be used to highlight key points, promote other videos, or even lead viewers to your website. This is a great way to keep viewers engaged and encourage them to take action.

2. Cards

YouTube cards are a feature that allows you to display additional information about your video without interrupting the viewing experience. You can use cards to promote other videos, give viewers more information about your product or service, or even link directly to your website. This is an excellent way to increase viewer engagement and drive traffic to your website.

3. End Screens

End screens are a great way to promote other videos or encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel. You can use end screens to showcase other videos from your channel, highlight a playlist, or even link directly to your website. This is an excellent way to keep viewers engaged and ensure that they don’t forget about your channel after watching one of your videos.

4. YouTube Analytics

YouTube provides analytics that allows you to track how your videos are performing. You can see how many views, likes, and comments your videos have received. You can also track how long viewers are watching your videos and where they’re coming from. This information is valuable as it allows you to adjust your marketing strategy accordingly.

5. YouTube Live

YouTube Live is a great way to connect with your audience in real-time. You can use YouTube live to host Q&As, give updates on products or services, or even just chat with viewers. This is an excellent way to build a connection with your audience and keep them engaged.

6. YouTube Creator Academy

The YouTube Creator Academy is a great resource for those looking to get the most out of their YouTube channel. The academy provides courses on everything from building your audience to creating engaging content. This is an excellent way to learn how to Optimize your YouTube Channel for Success.

7. YouTube Shorts

With TikTok-style videos being all the rage, it’s no surprise that YouTube has jumped on the bandwagon with its own version – YouTube Shorts. YouTube Shorts allow you to create short, engaging videos that are perfect for social media. This is an excellent way to reach a wider audience and increase your chances of going viral.

8. Community Tab

The Community Tab is a great way to encourage engagement with your audience. You can use the community tab to post polls, ask questions, and even share behind-the-scenes content. Think of it as a Facebook post where everyone can leave comments

9. Video Descriptions

You can include links in your video description to any web page, including your website or blog. This is an excellent way to drive traffic to your website and encourage viewers to take action. Description sections also help you with video SEO, making it easier for your videos to be found in search results.

10. Closed Captions (CC)

Closed captions are a great way to make your videos accessible to a wider audience. They also help with SEO, as they allow YouTube to index your videos for specific keywords.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there are many features that YouTube has to offer that can take your marketing to the next level. These are just a few of the essential features that you should be taking advantage of. Leveraging those features will allow you to reach a wider audience, engage with viewers more effectively, and drive more traffic to your website.

Author

 
Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning explainer video company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order).

Twitter: @breadnbeyond

Email: andre@breadnbeyond.com

LinkedIn: Andre Oentoro

 

Previous Post Next Post