Blog Post
Top Tips for Video SEO & Engagement
Mark Mitchell • Jul 20, 2020
The script is written, graphics are designed, music is chosen, filming is complete, and editing is done. Time to hit publish on your shiny new video and watch the views roll in!
And then...crickets.
Video content takes more time and energy than almost any other type. So watching those views sit at a standstill day after day is maddening!
To be successful with video, creators need to take a different approach to most other types of content. So here are some tips you can use to get the most out of your video and start seeing results.
Video Content & Posting
Before you consider how to promote and optimize your video content, you have to create it! Keep these tips in mind when making your next video to start off on the right foot.
Content Tips
Content Tips
Just because a video appears in a search result, that doesn’t mean you’re going to get the view. You need a great thumbnail image to increase the chances that viewers will hit play. As many as 90% of the best performing videos on YouTube have custom thumbnails!
A good thumbnail entices your viewers and makes your video look appealing. If you just use a still frame from the video, you may end up with a blurry or low-rez image. Instead, take a few still photos during the filming process so you’ll have good clear images for your thumbnail. You can also add some text over the image to tease the video content.
Once they’ve hit play, people make up their minds about your video content very quickly. Most lost viewers abandon a video within the first 30 seconds, so you need to make those first seconds amazing. Don’t save the good stuff for later in the video.
A higher retention rate on your own website will help your site’s search rankings. And on YouTube, better retention will mean similarly boosted rankings.
Posting Tips
Whether your videos are part of a YouTube channel or are posted on your own website, it’s important to release them consistently — just like blog posts. Post the same number of videos each week, preferably on the same day. Not only will this make you more reliable in Google’s eyes, but it will help your viewers to know exactly when to check your site for new content.
When you put the video on your website, put it at the top of your page. If your video is far down the page, some of your site visitors will bounce before they ever reach it. Posting it in a prominent position can improve your video’s play rate.
And if your page has more than one video, make sure the one you want to rank is first. Google usually only indexes one video per page, so put your best work in that prominent “rank me!” position.
Subtitles and Transcripts
Tips for YouTube
YouTube is its own animal with specific best practices to follow for visibility and engagement. If you like to cross post your videos to YouTube as well as on your own website, here are some things to keep in mind.
Keyword Research
To start, you’ll need to do YouTube keyword research, rather than general keyword research. People search for different things on YouTube than on a search engine. To see what people are looking for, you can type a basic keyword into YouTube’s search field and see a list of topic suggestions. This is an invaluable tool that will provide key insight into common YouTube searches.
You can also use the free chrome extension TubeBuddy to find out what tags your competitors are ranking for. Try to create better content for those tags to snag some of their views. Even if you can’t outrank them, your video may show up in the “suggested videos” feed on the right-hand side of the screen, helping you to get more views.
Add cards and end screens
Cards and end screens can encourage engagement with your YouTube videos as well as promote your other video content.
Add cards throughout your video content on YouTube to get viewers to take an action. Cards can link to your website, other videos, or can ask a question or poll to get audience engagement. You could ask, for example, what kind of content viewers would like to see in the future.
End screens appear in the last seconds of your videos, and they can send viewers to your other videos or show a big “Subscribe” button.
Use these tools to keep your viewers engaged and encourage them to watch more of your helpful videos or make a purchase on your website.
YouTube Search Optimization
Just like videos posted elsewhere, you’ll want to release videos regularly and include an interesting custom thumbnail. And when you upload your video, make sure to fill out the fields entirely, with a focus on your keyword. Start with a keyword-optimised video title. Choose a few applicable tags — including your keyword as one — and choose an appropriate category.
In the description box, write a few hundred words to help YouTube understand the purpose of your video. If you have links or a CTA you want users to see, keep them “above the fold” — that is, before viewers have to click the “See More” button to expand your description.
Upload subtitles and a transcript, too. This additional copy will contribute to your overall word count and ranking optimization. Don’t rely on YouTube’s automatic subtitling. It will have errors that will make your content less helpful to viewers.
Video Sharing Tips
Once your videos are completed and uploaded to your website or YouTube, it’s time to promote them. The most obvious way is to share them on social media, especially Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. But there are more places you can and should promote your video content.
Send a simple email newsletter out promoting your video. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated — just some enthusiastic text explaining what your new video is about. Don’t forget to explain how the video content will help the viewer! It’s all about them, not about you.
You can also embed your videos in relevant blog posts. This will help your blogs to perform better, AND create a backlink to your video.
Another good option is to share your video on Quora as an answer to a relevant question. The more places you can find viewers, the better!
Give Your Video A Chance!
Well-optimized video content can perform incredibly well, but there is more competition than ever. If you’re going to invest the time and money into video marketing, give your videos the best chance of getting results by following these tips.
Are you looking for help navigating the ever complicated digital marketing space? We can help!
The Harvest
In today's digital age, having an online presence isn't merely an option—it's a pivotal driver of success. At Digital Harvest Marketing, we pride ourselves on creating not just websites but immersive digital journeys that fortify brand identity and catalyze growth. Here's why businesses, big or small, trust us with their digital aspirations:
The home services industry, whether it's landscaping, plumbing, or interior designing, thrives largely on trust and reliability. And in today's digital age, a substantial chunk of that trust is established through an effective online presence. Let's delve into the pivotal elements that make a home services website not just informative but also a powerful tool for conversion.
The modern culinary world isn't just about delightful dishes and exquisite drinks; it's also about offering a digital experience that matches. With the rise of online ordering, reservations, and digital payments, a strong online presence for the food & beverage industry has become more critical than ever. Let's dive deep into the essential features and benefits of a website tailored for the food & beverage sector. 1. Mouthwatering Design First impressions count. A clean, appetizing design can convey the atmosphere of your restaurant, cafe, or bar. High-quality images of dishes, drinks, and your establishment can instantly attract and entice visitors. 2. Online Ordering Made Easy Today's consumers cherish convenience. Integrating an easy-to-use online ordering system allows your customers to enjoy your culinary offerings from the comfort of their homes. This not only broadens your reach but can significantly boost revenue. 3. Safe & Secure Credit Card Processing In a world increasingly moving towards cashless transactions, offering diverse credit card processing options is crucial. Ensure your website integrates with reliable payment gateways, prioritizing the safety of your customer's data.
The digital realm is the frontline for any business's first impression. While there are numerous companies offering web development services, it's essential to partner with one that understands your business's unique needs and can translate that into a powerful online presence. Here's why businesses consistently choose Digital Harvest Marketing for their web development projects. 1. Bespoke Designs Tailored to Your Brand At Digital Harvest Marketing, we believe in the power of individuality. We don’t employ cookie-cutter templates; instead, we delve deep into your brand's ethos, ensuring every design choice mirrors your company’s identity and goals. 2. Experience & Expertise Our team comprises seasoned professionals with years of experience across various industry verticals. This expertise allows us to cater to the diverse needs of our clientele, be it e-commerce, B2B, non-profit, or any other niche.
In the digital age, online reviews can make or break a restaurant's reputation. For restaurant owners and operators, managing Google reviews might feel like a full-time job. Crafting personalized responses to every review, staying on top of new ones, and tactfully addressing any negative feedback can be overwhelming and highly time-consuming. What if there was a solution that could handle all this while you focus on what you do best - creating unforgettable dining experiences? Enter ReviewReplyGPT. Revolutionizing Google Reviews Management ReviewReplyGPT is a groundbreaking AI-powered platform designed to automate the process of managing your Google reviews. Here's what it offers: Automated Review Responses The first, and perhaps the most significant, feature of ReviewReplyGPT is its ability to generate professional, tailored responses to all your reviews. No more spending countless hours figuring out how to respond to each review. Instead, you can let the AI do the heavy lifting and free up your time to focus on other aspects of your restaurant business.
Discover free digital marketing tools for small businesses. Use Google Analytics to track website activity and demographics. Leverage Canva for eye-catching graphics. Utilize Mailchimp for email marketing and social media coordination.
Learn how to grow your Instagram following organically. Optimize your profile, create a content calendar, post relevant content, engage your audience, collaborate with influencers, and share your Instagram everywhere.
Avoid common TikTok marketing mistakes and maximize your business's presence. Create engaging videos, use music effectively, avoid sales-driven approaches, and leverage the platform's editing tools.
Email marketing is a crucial part of running any business today. Let us help you write that email that achieves a good conversion rate. Here are our most important tips.
Link building is still important for SEO in 2023 but there needs to be a change in the way this important SEO initiative is done to extract the maximum value from it.