Rank Higher and Capture Leads with Video SEO

Search engine optimisation has become an increasingly complex and uncertain endeavour. With search engines incorporating generative AI and adapting to present a more comprehensive array of results, devising a strategy to secure a top 5 ranking for your pages involves significant trial and error.

Video marketing presents an equally formidable challenge. The days of investing in professional equipment and hiring editors to create videos are long gone. Nowadays, virtually anyone can craft high-quality videos from the comfort of their home and edit them using cost-effective software. The level of competition in this arena is fierce.

So, where does the opportunity lie?

The opportunity lies in the fusion of these two marketing channels.

Allow me to elucidate:

• Videos exhibit exceptional performance in Google rankings, benefiting from dedicated sections within search results. This means you’re not competing directly against industry giants.
• Surprisingly, a limited number of video marketers are optimising their videos for organic Google search. This means that achieving such optimisation is a feasible endeavour.

Let’s delve into the video marketing opportunities we target in this discussion.

Videos are inherently search-friendly, provided you optimise them correctly. In this article, we will explore the strategies to enhance the search rankings and views of your videos on two prominent platforms, YouTube and Vimeo.

In the context of organic search, there are two valuable opportunities to explore:

1. Video Rich Snippets: These typically appear when you embed a YouTube video on your web page. These snippets provide a visual preview of your video within the search results.
2. Video Carousels (or Video Packs): These are distinct sections in organic search results where multiple video results are grouped. Earning a spot in a video carousel can significantly boost your video’s visibility.

To optimise your videos on platforms like YouTube and Vimeo for improved search rankings and increased views, consider the following strategies:

Optimise Titles

The title of your video holds significant importance in the quest for search optimisation. It serves as the equivalent of an SEO title for your video page on YouTube and Vimeo. Consequently, the standard rules of title optimisation apply.

Here’s how to optimise your video title effectively:

1. Length: Ensure your title is concise, with a character count of around 65 to 70 characters. This limit includes the main keywords you intend to rank for. A shorter identification is easier to digest and remember.
2. Keyword Inclusion: Incorporate the primary keywords you’re targeting in your title. This helps search engines understand the content of your video. However, avoid overloading the title with keywords, which can be counterproductive.
3. Appeal to Viewers: Your video title should not only cater to search engines, but also be appealing to human visitors. Think of it as the headline of a blog post; it should grab attention and entice viewers to click and watch.
4. Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Refrain from cramming too many keywords into your title. Keyword stuffing can negatively impact both user experience and search engine rankings.
5. Utilise AI for Title Ideas: Leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT can be an intelligent move for brainstorming creative and SEO-friendly video titles.
6. Brand Inclusion: If your videos enhance your personal or business reputation, consider including your brand name in the title. This helps reinforce your brand identity and recognition.

Optimise Descriptions

The description of your video plays a crucial role for several reasons. Firstly, the initial 160 characters of your video description serve as the meta description for your video page on YouTube and Vimeo. While meta descriptions may not directly impact rankings, they appear in major search engines and the platforms’ search results. Additionally, when you share your video on social networks like Facebook, these descriptions appear as snippets, making them valuable for attracting views.

Moreover, you have the opportunity to include links to your website within the video description. To maximise the effectiveness of this strategy, position your links near the beginning of the description. This is because YouTube and Vimeo typically truncate lengthy descriptions, and viewers must click “See More” or “Read More” to access content beyond the cutoff point.

In essence, crafting a well-optimised video description not only enhances the discoverability of your video on platforms and search engines but also serves as a promotional tool for sharing on social networks, potentially driving more views to your content.

Transcription

It is important to include your primary keywords, name, and business name in your video. YouTube automatically transcribes video content, which has several implications:

1. Improved Search Accuracy: Including your primary keywords and relevant terms in your video content helps YouTube index and categorise your videos more accurately. This can lead to better search results and increased discoverability by users searching for those keywords.
2. Enhanced Visibility: Mentioning your name and business name can strengthen your online presence and brand recognition. When users search for you or your business, videos with your name are more likely to appear prominently in the search results.
3. Transcript Value: YouTube’s transcriptions not only assist with search but also provide a valuable interactive transcript feature. This can be especially useful for viewers who want to follow along with the spoken content or access specific information within the video.

On a side note, if you’re concerned about verbal tics or habits like using “um” during your video presentations, these will become more noticeable in the interactive transcript. Being aware of these habits can help you improve your speaking skills and deliver more polished and engaging video content.

Optimise Thumbnails

Taking advantage of the ability to select a thumbnail for your YouTube and Vimeo videos is a crucial step in video optimisation. A well-chosen thumbnail can have a significant impact on viewership. Here’s why it’s important:

1. First Impressions: Your video’s thumbnail is often the first thing potential viewers see when browsing search results or suggested videos. A compelling thumbnail can catch their attention and entice them to click, while a poor one may deter them.
2. Differentiation: When your video is competing with numerous others in search results or related videos, a visually appealing and distinctive thumbnail helps your content stand out from the crowd.
3. Viewer Expectations: A relevant and eye-catching thumbnail can set clear expectations for the video’s content. When viewers see an attractive thumbnail that aligns with their interests, they are likelier to click and watch.

To create a compelling thumbnail:

• Use high-quality, clear images that accurately represent your video’s content.
• Ensure the thumbnail is visually appealing and relevant to the video’s topic.
• Avoid using misleading or clickbait-style thumbnails, which can lead to viewer dissatisfaction.

Choosing an engaging and relevant thumbnail for your videos can increase the likelihood of attracting more viewers and encouraging them to click and watch your content.

Embedding

Increasing the visibility and views of your videos involves some smart strategies, including:

1. Allowing Video Embedding: Allowing others to embed your videos is a fantastic way to expand their reach. When viewers share your videos on their websites or social media, it exposes your content to a broader audience.
2. Creative Commons License: Adding a Creative Commons license to your videos, available through the Advanced Settings on both YouTube and Vimeo, encourages more people to share and use your content. This can lead to increased backlinks and broader exposure.
3. YouTube Gallery Plugins: Utilising YouTube gallery plugins on your website is an excellent method to showcase your video content. This allows you to present your videos in an organised and visually appealing manner, making it easier for visitors to explore and engage with your content.

By implementing these strategies, you can make your videos more shareable and accessible, ultimately driving more views and potentially expanding your reach and influence.

Channel Optimisation

Optimising your YouTube channel is crucial to engage and convert viewers into subscribers. Here are some steps to ensure your channel is user-friendly and appealing:

1. Complete the About Section: Provide a comprehensive and informative description of your channel in the “About” section. Share details about your content, your mission, and what viewers can expect. This helps potential subscribers understand your channel’s focus.
2. Add Your Links: Include links to your website, social media profiles, and other relevant online platforms in the “About” section. This makes it easy for viewers to connect with you and access more of your content.
3. Set up a Welcome Video: Create a brief and engaging welcome video that introduces new visitors to your channel. This video should give them an idea of what your channel is all about and why they should subscribe. Make it friendly and inviting.
4. Add a YouTube Channel Header Image: Your channel header is like a visual introduction to your brand. Use a high-quality image that represents your channel’s theme or content. Ensure that your header is visually appealing and aligns with your brand identity.
5. Set up a Channel @Username: Having a memorable @username makes it easier for viewers to find and remember your channel. Use the suggested tool to create a unique and catchy username that reflects your channel’s identity.

Take advantage of Pinterest

Using Pinterest as a platform to promote your videos can be a smart move to increase traffic, views, and backlinks. Here’s how you can effectively utilise Pinterest for video promotion:

1. Pin Your Videos: Pin your content on Pinterest to expand your reach. Videos from both YouTube and Vimeo can be shared on Pinterest. When users come across your pinned video, they have the opportunity to engage with your content directly.
2. Link Back to Your Channel: When you pin videos from YouTube or Vimeo, Pinterest provides a link back to the video itself and your YouTube or Vimeo channel. This enhances your online presence and offers additional paths for viewers to discover more of your content.
3. Autoplay on YouTube: Videos pinned from YouTube will automatically start playing when users click on your pin. This autoplay feature can capture attention and encourage users to watch your video.
4. Thumbnail Image for Vimeo: Videos from Vimeo are typically pinned as thumbnail images. Users can click on the image to access the video. Ensure that the thumbnail is visually appealing and accurately represents your video content.

By leveraging Pinterest in this manner, you can tap into its vast user base and potentially drive more traffic and views to your video content, all while receiving valuable backlinks to enhance your online presence.

Use Youtube Analytics

Monitoring the performance of your YouTube and Vimeo videos is crucial for refining your video marketing strategy. Here’s how to effectively use video insights to evaluate what’s working and what’s not:

1. Discover Video Referrals: Use video insights to identify where your video has been linked or embedded on the web. This can help you understand which websites or platforms drive traffic to your content.
2. Analyze Traffic Sources: Video insights provide data on the sources of your video traffic. You can see which keywords, search engines, or external websites drive viewers to your videos. This information is valuable for optimising your content and promotional efforts.
3. Evaluate Engagement Metrics: Pay attention to engagement metrics like watch time, click-through rate, and audience retention. These metrics reveal how well your videos are holding viewers’ attention and whether your content is resonating with your target audience.
4. Track Viewer Demographics: Video insights often include demographic data about your viewers, such as age, gender, location, and more. This information helps you tailor your content to match your audience’s preferences.
5. Identify Popular Content: Analyze which of your videos are performing exceptionally well and identify the elements that make them successful. This can guide your content strategy and help you create more of what your audience loves.
6. A/B Testing: Experiment with different video titles, thumbnails, and descriptions to see which elements generate better results. Video insights will help you compare the performance of various versions.

Create a sales journey from each of your videos

Integrating your video content with your website and sales funnel is a smart way to drive conversions and effectively engage your viewers. Here are key strategies to keep in mind when creating and uploading videos to YouTube or Vimeo:

1. Mention Your Product or Service: In your video content, subtly mention or showcase your product or service, focusing on how it addresses the viewer’s needs or problems. This can pique their interest and encourage further exploration.
2. Use End Cards: Utilise end cards in your videos, including contact details and QR codes that lead viewers to your website. These end cards can act as a clear call to action, guiding viewers to take the next step in your sales funnel.
3. Include Important Links: In the video description, include links that direct viewers to specific landing pages or resources on your website. Encourage viewers to check the video description for clickable links, making it easy for them to take action.
4. URL Parameters for Tracking: Implement URL parameters to segment traffic from YouTube and Vimeo. This allows you to identify the source of each lead or visitor, enabling you to personalise follow-up strategies based on the traffic source.
5. CRM Solutions: Utilise Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions to streamline the segmentation of your traffic and enhance your lead management. CRM tools provide valuable insights into user interactions and help tailor your outreach accordingly.

By integrating these strategies, you can transform your video content into a powerful traffic generation tool that drives viewers to your website and encourages them to engage with your sales funnel. This approach can significantly enhance your overall marketing efforts and help you achieve your conversion goals.

Snowball effect

Promoting your videos is a crucial aspect of your optimisation strategy, and it can significantly impact their visibility and ranking within video networks. Here’s how you can effectively promote your videos and enhance their performance:

1. Leverage Promotion Techniques: Promote your videos just as you would with your blog content. Share them across your social networks, including video links in your email newsletters, create dedicated blog posts around your videos, or even establish a web page on your site exclusively for your video content.
2. Boost Views: Increasing the number of views your videos receive is vital for improving their rankings. As videos accumulate more views, they are more likely to appear higher in search results within video networks.
3. Encourage Engagement: With more views, you can expect more shares, embeds, and backlinks from other websites. These signals positively affect the video’s rankings in search engines and networks.
4. Cross-Promotion with Influencers: Collaborating with YouTube influencers can be a powerful strategy. They can publish your videos on their channels, such as through interviews or podcasts. This builds associations between your content and popular YouTubers, increasing visibility in recommended videos.
5. Hari Ravi’s Example: Hari Ravi’s approach to implementing these strategies effectively can serve as a valuable case study to learn from. Observing successful implementations can offer insights into tailoring your video promotion tactics.

By proactively promoting your videos, increasing their views and engagement, and exploring collaborations with influencers, you can boost the visibility and ranking of your video content within both video networks and leading search engines like Google and YouTube.

Inexpensive Ways to Make Videos

Getting started with video marketing doesn’t have to be intimidating or costly. Here are some quick and cost-effective ways to create engaging videos:

1. Host Live Videos: Platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram offer live streaming features. Host live sessions, Q&A, or discussions related to your industry. Inviting industry experts for panel discussions can help you tap into their audience and gain extra views.
2. Record Interviews: Use tools like Skype or Zoom to interview experts, customers, or thought leaders in your niche. Interviews can provide valuable insights and build credibility.
3. Screencasts and Tutorials: Utilise software like Screen flow or Fantasia to record screencasts and tutorials. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise or showcase your products or services.
4. Animated Videos: Consider using tools like Video Scribe to create animated explainer videos or visual stories. Animation can be a captivating way to convey information or tell a story.
5. Customer Testimonials: Encourage customers to share their testimonials in video format. This adds authenticity to your brand and product, and you can record these testimonials at your business, conferences, or other relevant locations.

By incorporating video marketing into your content strategy and combining it with organic search optimisation techniques, you can tap into a dynamic and engaging medium to connect with your audience, build brand awareness, and drive traffic to your website. It’s an effective way to take your content marketing to the next level.