With 300 hours of videos uploaded every minute and over 30 million daily viewers, YouTube can safely be called the king of videos. But the success of a YouTube channel doesn’t solely depend on creating great content.
The key is to optimize your videos so that they rank high in the search results. One of the best ways to optimize is by adding an end screen to your videos.
In this article, we will talk about why the end screen is essential and how you can add one to your videos too.
What Exactly is a YouTube End Screen?
A YouTube End Screen, also known as End Card or End Slate, is a YouTube feature that appears in the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video. YouTubers can use this end screen to link a specific page of their website, videos, or playlist.
The primary purpose of adding an end screen is to increase the viewership of your videos by directing more traffic to your channel. You can also use it to promote merchandise or a crowdfunding campaign.
Why is Your End Screen Important?
Once your viewers finish watching your videos, tons of options are available to them. They can watch another video suggested in the video sidebar, head back to the YouTube homepage, or can leave YouTube altogether.
End screen removes the decision paralysis by guiding your audience to do what you want them to do- watch more of your videos and subscribe. A high-quality content, coupled with a compelling end screen, can work wonders in increasing the watch time of your channel.
A former YouTube tool called annotations was previously used for the same purpose. However, annotations worked only on desktops limiting the number of viewers who could see the linked videos.
YouTube creators can now add up to four end screens per video and reach a wider audience both on desktop and mobile devices.
What Should You Include in Your End Screen?
YouTube allows you to include four CTA elements to your end screen.
Subscribe Button
It is a clickable button that allows viewers to subscribe to your channel within the end screen.
Video or Playlist
You can link videos or playlists from your channel or any other channel, that you want your viewers to watch. It will provide them immediate access to a curated list of videos they’re interested in.
Channel
You can provide a link to another of your YouTube channel or the channel of other creators that you want your viewers to check out.
External Website
Here you can send the viewers to your associated websites. You may include a link to your blogs or any crowdfunding site.
However, to add a link to an external website, you must be on the YouTube Partner Program. This program has a set of requirements to join, including having 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch hours in the last year.
The engagement tab of the YouTube analytics lets you know which element works the best for you. You can use this insight to experiment with different elements that keep your viewers hooked.
How to Set Up End Screens for Your Videos?
Adding the end screen to your videos involves these few simple steps:
- Sign in to your YouTube account and find the video manager.
- Choose the video you want to add end screen to and click Edit.
- In the top tab bar, select the End screen.
- If the selected video contains annotations, follow the instructions to un-publish them. You can re-publish them at any time.
- You’ll see your video with the predefined grid and a timeline below that indicates the available part for the end screen. Click the Add element.
- Choose how to build your end screen. (Learn more below)
- Adjust the placement and size of each element on the grid and the time for them to show in the timeline below.
- Click save and preview your end screen.
How to Build Your End Screen?Add Element
A video can include up to four elements and at least one of them must be a video or a playlist. Select the element you want to add and fill in the required information. Then click Create element.
Copy From Previous Video
A simpler way is to copy an end screen from another one of your videos and edit the elements.
YouTube Template
Another convenient way is to choose from predefined formats that show combinations of elements.
If you’re looking for a professionally designed end screen template, InVideo is the right place for you. InVideo’s intuitive and free online outro maker allows you to create fantastic end screens in a few simple steps.
You can choose from the wide variety of customizable templates and modify the font, color, size, images to suit your brand image. Once you’ve created your perfect end screen, download the image and add it to your video using an editor.
Here again, Videocreek can come to your rescue. With VideoCreek, you can edit videos online professionally in just a few clicks.
Some Advance Tips and TricksLabel Your Videos
Take an additional step and insert terms like “Watch Next” or “Next Video” around your video element. This helps people understand that the element is clickable and encourages them to watch the video.
Avoid Cluttering
Your viewers should be able to focus on your end screen so that your message is clearly sent across to them. Too much information can confuse your viewers instead of directing them to your desired action.
Use a Verbal CTA
Consider adding audio over your end screen, calling your viewers to watch another video, or to subscribe. This will be more impactful than a silent end screen.
Add Social Icons
If you want to connect with your audience on other social media platforms as well, try adding icons to the sites you’re most active on. Though they’re not clickable, your viewers will at least know that you’re on those sites.
Extend Your Video to Accommodate End Screen
Most YouTubers make the mistake of having the end screen appear during the content portion of the video. Either your end screen will be completely ignored or will overlap your content.
Simply extending your video by a few seconds to accommodate the end screen!
Start Using YouTube End Screens!
Now that you’ve understood both the benefits and the techniques of adding an end screen, make the most of it to drive a massive amount of traffic to your videos.
Leave a Reply