YouTube is the most popular social media platform and has almost 2 billion active users. More than 500 hours of video content are uploaded to the platform every day. Brands are on the constant lookout for opportunities to create video content and connect with their YouTube followers. While this is a welcome move, you need to realize that unless your videos have exceptional content, they will get lost in a sea of YouTube content.
While having a poignant introduction is important to retain the viewers, you need to pay due attention to the last few seconds of the video. Reiterating the core message of the video helps in convincing the viewer to act on your words. The appropriate use of YouTube cards, CTAs, and end screens play an important role in deciding the impact of the video. This makes outros one of the most important aspects of a YouTube video. In this article, we will discuss some tips that will allow you to create effective YouTube outros.
Be Clear on the Outro Requirements
Before you get to making YouTube outros, you need to be clear on the specific requirements for outros.
Aspect Ratio
A significant fraction of YouTube viewers watches videos on small devices such as mobile or tab screens. If the aspect ratio of your outro is maintained at 16:9, it will be optimized for mobile viewing. That way, it will be a comfortable viewing experience, and you can add up to four end screens for a video.
Resolution
We recommend that you maintain a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels for the outros. That way, there will be superior image quality, and your viewers will find it easy to read the textual content of your outro. Also, 1920 X 1080p is an industry-accepted video resolution and will not cause any unnecessary increase in the video file size.
Outro Length
If you want your viewers to process the contents of your outro, you must ensure that the outro remains on the screen for at least 8 seconds. For videos that are longer than an hour, you may want to go for longer outros. Ensure that under no circumstances should you choose videos that are longer than 20 seconds for your outro.
Consistency is the Key
As a firm, you may be keen to explore the potential of YouTube to build a brand identity. The first step to do that would be by choosing a consistent color palette for the logo and the outro theme. If you can have a similar editing style in all your outros, it increases the brand recall.
For example, let us imagine a situation where you are an interior decorator who runs a home décor vlog. If you can create similar outros in all your vlogs that link to your website, it will simplify things for your viewer. That way, they do not have to go through the hassle of searching your services on Google after they enjoy your video. This increases the chances of them visiting your website and gets more organic traffic to the landing page.
Add a Sensible CTA
Failing to add a call-to-action at the end of your video may take the average viewer to watch just another video after they are done with your content. That way, you cannot generate leads or boost sales. To avoid such a situation, try to add a sensible CTA to direct the viewer’s actions.
The CTA will take the viewer into some other video, your brand website, or a landing page. The more time that your viewer spends on your brand page, the more likely they will be to purchase from you. As a brand, you need to ensure that the CTA which you create is relatable to the audience. Directing the viewer to an unrelated webpage or video will leave them annoyed and may even cause them to unfollow your channel.
Choose an Appropriate Tool
While there are multiple outro maker tools for you to choose from, InVideo is the best choice for YouTube videos. Here, the interface is simple and intuitive, and you just need to drag and drop the different elements to their position. The tool gives you a wide range of font and color choices, and you can personalize your outro to meet the brand’s unique identity.
InVideo is a free video-making tool and offers you an extensive media library of animations, music, images, and video clips to use in your outros. For those who are keen on experimentation, InVideo allows you to play with animations, transitions, music, and a lot more. You have the luxury of previewing the outro at each stage of editing. After you are satisfied with your handiwork, you can download the video to your device and add it to the video.
Maintain Simplicity
While creating outros, you should always remember that its goal is to improve engagement. Choose a no-nonsense outro so that the audience is not distracted by its contents. While we recommend that you use a contrasting font, avoid going for fluorescent colors.
Irrespective of the theme of the video, try to go for a sleek and sophisticated outro template. As far as possible, try to personalize the outro with your brand colors, logo, or tagline. These days, many brands are using a verbal call-to-action in their promotional videos. While this is a welcome step, we recommend that you avoid jarring music and opt for a soft and soothing outro.
This, you see that the process of creating poignant intros requires meticulous planning. You need to draw the line between too little and too much and enjoyably present your content. There is no one-stop formula, and what works for others may not be feasible for you. The more videos you create, the better you will get at figuring out what works for your organization. At every stage of your video marketing journey, try to ensure that the outro effectively conveys the intended message and that it is in sync with your brand values.