Only the first few sentences of your description will appear in search results or above the fold on a watch page - so make them count! Follow a template for all of your video descriptions to create consistency.

Accurately describe your video in one or two concise sentences.

Describe your channel and link to your channel page.

Drive viewers to subscribe (and include a subscribe link).

Link to other episodes or related videos and playlists.

Include your channel's release schedule.

3. Add Descriptive Tags

Tags are descriptive keywords that will help people find your videos. Create a set of standard tags for your channel that can be applied to any video you publish (e.g. filmmaking, animation, comedy, "Funny Videos," "Pet Videos," etc).

Include a mix of both general and specific tags.

Use enough tags to thoroughly and accurately describe the video.

Update catalogue videos' tags when new search trends emerge.

Properly format tags to ensure proper indexing of your video.

Include keywords from your title in your video's tags.

List them in order of relevance to the video and try to use the whole 500-character limit.

4. Create a Custom Thumbnail

Thumbnails show up in different sizes and formats all across the YouTube platform and outside of it. Make sure you've got a strong, vibrant image that pops no matter what size it is.

Use visual cues (colors, images, shapes, personalities) that are consistent with your brand.

Clear, in-focus, high-resolution (1280px by 720px min).

Visually compelling imagery that is well-framed with good composition.

Foreground stands out from background

Consider the legibility of your thumbnail at multiple sizes. Thumbnails change size depending on the YouTube placement and device.

Bright, high-contrast and close-ups of faces tend to work better.

5. Monetize / Adv. Settings N/A for Boundless

Enable ad types that perform best on your channel in order to maximize revenue.

Use YouTube Analytics to determine which Ad Types give you the highest CPM.

Make sure comments are enabled (unless you have a specific reason to disable them) in order to promote discussion.

6. Add Info Cards

Cards are a way to complement your video's content and enhance the viewer experience with contextually relevant information. They are a great way to encourage your viewers to engage with your video and take meaningful actions as a result. The key is to use cards to deliver additional value to your viewer.

When appropriate, set cards to open a new window when clicked. Be careful! Don't take viewers away from a video too soon.

Drive viewers to your website to check out product information.

Drive viewers to your other videos, playlists and channels as well as merchandise.

7. Add to Playlist(s)

Playlists make it easy for viewers to sit back and watch multiple videos of yours with minimal effort which increases views and watch time for your channel.

Add to more than one playlist if it makes sense to.

Add this video a to a Playlist marked as an Official Series Playlist in order to keep viewer from watch other channels after the video is over.

Create a new Playlist if this video doesn't fix into your existing Playlists

Also - QUICK TIP - when sharing video links, share the link while INSIDE the playlist. This will increase session time and auto load our next video ensuring a better session for us.

8. Engage with the Video

Get the conversation started and pointed in the right direction.

Be the first to comment on your video and ignite discussion

Like your video (you do like it, right??)

Get your friends or colleagues in early to engage as well

9. Promote Across Existing Videos

Use your existing videos to drive traffic to this new upload for an initial boost.

Add an Info Card and or Description Links across all your videos to this new upload.

10. Share on Social Media

Use social media to improve your content'??s discoverability and interact with your audience on multiple platforms.

Share on Twitter.com

Share on Facebook.com

Share on Instagram.com

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