Beginner’s Guide to YouTube Ads: Launch and Optimize Your Video Advertising Campaign
With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube presents unmatched opportunities for companies to raise brand awareness and expand their audience through a well-crafted YouTube ad campaign.
Not only is YouTube the largest video platform globally, but it is also an incredibly effective advertising tool, allowing businesses to reach millions of potential customers. Learning how to advertise on YouTube can transform your marketing strategy by tapping into this massive audience.
If you’re new to YouTube advertisements and unsure where to begin, this article will guide you step-by-step to successfully create and optimize your YouTube ad campaign for maximum results.
- What are YouTube Ads?
- Types of YouTube Ads
- How to Run a YouTube Ad?
3.1 Sign up for Google Ads.
3.2 Define your campaign objectives.
3.3 Upload your video to your YouTube channel.
3.4 Identify and select your target audience.
3.5 Establish your budget and choose a bidding strategy.
3.6 Set up targeting and refine keywords.
3.7 Finalize details and launch your campaign.
- How to Optimize a YouTube Ad Campaign?
- Conclusion
What are YouTube Ads?
YouTube ads are video advertisements that run on websites within the Google Display Network (GDN) and also on YouTube’s website and mobile apps. They are displayed by advertisers and content creators, and the advertiser pays based on either cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM). These advertisements take advantage of all of Google’s user data in order to assist marketers in locating and reaching the audience they are looking for.
Moreover, the average YouTube ad view cost is $0.10 to $0.30, so it is advisable to spend as much or as little on YouTube ads.
Types of YouTube Ads
There are different types of YouTube ad campaigns that can help you in achieving various marketing goals:
Skippable video Ads
Before, during, and after 12-to-6-minute videos, skippable in-stream ads—formerly TrueView ads—can run. Five seconds into the ad, a side Skip Ads button emerges. Advertisers only pay for 30-second YouTube ad viewers who are interested in their product.
Non Skippable in-stream ads
Non-skippable in-stream adverts precede, interrupt, or follow videos. They last 15 seconds and are non-skippable. Moreover, a countdown will replace the Skip Ad option to let viewers know how long it will take to return to their video.
Short, non-skippable adverts limit bidding. Also, remember that advertisers pay per 1,000 YouTube views or impressions (CPM).
Ad bumpers
Bump commercials resemble non-skippable ads except for duration. These six-second adverts cannot be skipped before, during, or after a video. YouTube advertisements like these are swiftly watched, so utilize them to communicate briefly.
Masthead Ads
YouTube homepage masthead advertisements last 24 hours. It plays silently for 30 seconds with a CTA or banner. Thus, you need a Google sales rep to make this YouTube ad. It’s ideal for brand recognition and fast, massive audience growth.
Discovery Ads
In-feed video advertising helps consumers locate videos in YouTube search results. So try googling “learn how to bake a cake.” Sponsored videos rank above organic search results.
Display Ads
Display advertising on YouTube desktop sidebars. Images and videos don’t play automatically. This means you have to hover over the display ad because only then it will play the sound. Google owns YouTube. Therefore, display advertising is fantastic. Furthermore, you may display YouTube campaign videos or graphics in unique Google Display Network placements.
How to Run a YouTube Ad?
Follow the steps below to run ads on YouTube:
1. Sign up for Google Ads.
In order to create and manage advertisements on YouTube, you will utilize the same dashboard that you use for Google Ads (which was formerly known as AdWords). Create a Google Ads account suitable for your company. In order to register, you will need to provide information about your company, including its name, website, and YouTube account. The first step is to click the New Campaign button in the Google Ads dashboard after the campaign has been created.
2. Define your campaign objectives.
Determine your marketing goals before crafting a YouTube ad. What do you expect from your ads? Is it suitable for YouTube marketing?
YouTube campaigns typically aim to:
- Sales leads – Website traffic – Product/brand evaluation.
- Reach and brand awareness App promotion.
- Store visits and local marketing.
Know your goals early to begin your ad creativity. A campaign without a goal is possible, but understanding your aim might assist you in picking the optimal bidding technique.
3. Uploading Video to the YouTube channel.
Create an advertisement video for YouTube after deciding on an objective. If you want your static films to be more attractive, hire a skilled video editor. Another application that might help you avoid the “Skip ad” button on YouTube is descript, which allows you to create transitions, video templates, and animated subtitles.
Click on Upload Video in your YouTube Studio once you’re done editing your video ad.
4. Identify and select your target audience.
After posting your YouTube video, set your Google Ads Manager audience. Target people on YouTube on the following basis: Location, Language, Demographics (age, gender, parental status).
Only in some countries you can target households by income in your campaign settings. However, targeting settings impact weekly performance estimates. Thus, it would help if you targeted eligible users to prevent squandering YouTube ad money.
5. Establish your budget and choose a bidding strategy.
Select the amount of money you want to spend on YouTube ads on the next page. Choose a payment currency and a daily cap on how much you can spend. Your ads will run every day until they run out of money. In the same way, plan your approach. The effort will end on its own when the end date comes up.
6. Set up targeting and refine keywords.
For audience targeting, Google Ads offers various video choices. First, determine your prospect’s preferences. Then, consider all choices and be specific. The primary methods are:
- Interests and themes.
- Keyword or phrase.
- Placement, like YouTube subscribers from other channels.
7. Finalize details and launch your campaign.
Lastly, the final page displays your YouTube ads campaign setup, including the following: campaign name, video ad, landing page, button, headline, targeting options, budget, and billing information for your first campaign.
How to Optimize a YouTube Ad Campaign?
Your YouTube ad campaign must be optimized after creation and launch. However, optimizing is difficult, so follow these simple strategies to avoid wasting time:
Assess and adjust targeting.
Monitor your bottom-line KPIs and YouTube advertisements performance throughout your campaign. Remember that YouTube ads’ CPC or CPM relies on targeting and breadth. Find your finest targeting choice by experimenting. Also, create ad groups with slightly varying targeting settings to obtain the most clicks and conversions.
Enhance your advertisements and communications.
Top YouTube campaigns need to be more scientific. As an art form, tests can show which creatives make viewers click the call to action instead of skipping the video.
Also, test your YouTube ad on YouTube by adjusting aspects. Avoid confusing potential clients with numerous pitches, and keep your marketing consistent.
Remarket to specific audiences.
Retarget channel subscribers, website visitors, and product searchers with a specific audience ad campaign. Consequently, remarketing efforts can boost revenue and leads. Research shows that retargeting clicks are eight times cheaper than generic clicks.
Choose the finest video ad editing tools.
Using the correct editing tools makes video advertising engaging. Moreover, professional YouTube video editors can help you produce commercials that keep consumers interested and taking action.
Conclusion
Starting and maximizing a YouTube ad campaign might seem intimidating, but with the correct approach, it could revolutionize your company. Start small, play about with many approaches, and use data-driven insights to hone your marketing.
Following this advice will help you to design powerful YouTube advertisements that increase the profile of your business and provide significant results. Recall that distinguishing out on a site as active as YouTube mostly depends on consistency and imagination.
We hope you found this guide on “How to Advertise on YouTube” helpful. Are you ready to elevate your advertising performance? If so, partner with Elevate Digitally—our YouTube Advertising Services provide expert advice and tailored strategies to ensure your YouTube campaigns achieve success.