YouTube is a critical online platform for reaching voters with your campaign’s messages, but you may not realize it’s more than just a site for hosting videos. YouTube is also a widely used search engine and Google Search also includes video results for some search keywords.
We’ve shared previously how to write titles and create thumbnails that bring more views to your videos, but the description that accompanies each YouTube video offers another opportunity to increase your reach and discoverability.
Describe Your Video’s Content
This may seem obvious, but it’s an often overlooked step in the YouTube video creation process. Write a couple of paragraphs that describe what your video is about, who is in it, and include links for more information.
This brief overview will help someone decide if they want to commit the time to watching the full video or not. It also helps with discovery in search and recommendation algorithms that rely on text to understand what is contained within a video file.
You can use an AI tool such as ChatGPT to help you write your video description by prompting it with a few details and keywords or providing the video’s transcript.
Include A Call To Action
Your YouTube video description is another chance to convert a viewer to a supporter by inviting them to take action. If the video you uploaded is a campaign announcement, for example, add a link to sign up for more updates. If it’s a clip from a debate or forum, link to the issues page of your website.
YouTube only shows part of the video description by default before a user must click “See More,” so it’s important to include your call to action at the front.
Add Timestamps For Longer Videos
Using YouTube’s timestamp feature helps a viewer quickly scan the video and jump to the relevant section. Using timestamps in your video description also helps boost performance on search results.
Create A Default Description For Each Video
In addition to the description that’s unique to your video, you can set a default video description for every upload to your channel. This should include links to other social media profiles, information about how to support the campaign as a donor or volunteer, and more details about your election.
Conclusion
Though often overlooked, an effective YouTube video description can significantly enhance your video's reach and engagement. By accurately describing your video's content, including a clear call to action, adding timestamps for longer videos, and creating a default description, you can make sure that each video you upload is optimized for discoverability and viewer interaction.
Remember, every element of your video, from the title to the description, plays a vital role in the overall success of your campaign.
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