Engagement is a key factor for growing a successful YouTube channel. Creators often look for ways to keep their viewers interacting with their content, leading to higher views, increased subscribers, and more interaction with their brand. YouTube provides powerful tools for boosting engagement, among which End Screens and Cards play a crucial role. These features allow creators to keep their audience engaged even after the video ends and encourage them to explore more of your content.
In this article, we will dive into how to effectively use YouTube’s End Screens and Cards to drive engagement and retention on your channel. By understanding and leveraging these tools, you can ensure your audience stays connected to your content, ultimately contributing to your growth and success on the platform.
What Are YouTube End Screens and Cards?
Before diving into how to use these features effectively, it’s important to understand exactly what End Screens and Cards are and how they work.
YouTube End Screens
End Screens are interactive elements that appear during the final 5–20 seconds of a video. This feature allows you to add a visual call to action for viewers, which can include promoting other videos, playlists, channels, or asking them to subscribe. End Screens are displayed after the main content ends, making them the perfect moment to drive further interaction from your audience.
The beauty of End Screens is that they are customizable, meaning creators can choose which elements to display. You can showcase up to four elements such as video suggestions, playlists, and links to your website or social media profiles.
YouTube Cards
Cards are interactive notifications that appear at any point in a video, allowing creators to promote additional content, merchandise, or links during the video. Cards can be used for a variety of purposes, such as promoting related videos, encouraging subscriptions, or linking to external websites.
There are several types of cards available to YouTube creators, including:
- Video or Playlist Cards: Promote related videos or playlists.
- Channel Cards: Recommend other YouTube channels for viewers to explore.
- Poll Cards: Ask viewers for feedback or opinions on a topic.
- Link Cards: Direct viewers to external websites or merchandise.
Both End Screens and Cards are important because they provide opportunities to drive further engagement and keep your audience connected to your content. Let’s explore how to use them effectively.
How to Use End Screens to Boost Engagement
1. Promote Related Videos or Playlists
One of the most effective ways to use End Screens is to promote related videos or playlists. If viewers are watching your content, they are likely interested in similar videos you’ve created. By using End Screens to promote your other videos, you increase the chances of viewers clicking through to watch more, keeping them on your channel longer.
End Screens allow you to feature up to four videos or playlists, so it’s a good idea to strategically choose which videos to highlight. You can pick videos that are contextually related to the current video or older videos that could still attract views. For example, if you are creating a series, use End Screens to direct viewers to the next video in the series, increasing your total views and watch time.
2. Ask for Subscriptions
Another simple yet powerful use of End Screens is to ask for subscriptions. Since the goal of any content creator is to grow their channel, a clear call-to-action (CTA) to encourage subscriptions is essential. You can use the End Screen to display a subscribe button or an icon that prompts users to subscribe to your channel.
While most creators assume viewers already know how to subscribe, adding an End Screen subscription prompt ensures that you reach users who may not be aware or might have forgotten to hit the subscribe button. A friendly reminder, combined with appealing visuals, can significantly boost your subscription rate.
3. Link to Social Media and Websites
If you have a blog, merchandise store, or social media accounts, you can use End Screens to drive traffic to these platforms. By providing viewers with an easy and visible link to your website or social media channels, you expand your digital footprint beyond YouTube.
For example, if you’re promoting a new product, use your End Screen to link directly to the product page. Or, if you want to grow your Instagram following, create an End Screen with a call to action to follow you on Instagram. This adds more value to your YouTube content, allowing you to connect with your audience across multiple platforms.
4. Reinforce Your Branding
End Screens provide an excellent opportunity to reinforce your channel’s brand identity. You can use End Screens to display consistent branding elements like your logo, color scheme, and slogan. This helps increase brand recognition and association with your content.
For example, if your channel’s branding is minimalist, make sure your End Screen matches that aesthetic by choosing simple, clean elements that align with your overall design. Having a cohesive visual identity makes your content feel more professional and encourages viewers to return to your channel for more.
How to Use Cards to Boost Engagement
While End Screens appear toward the end of your video, Cards can be used at any point throughout the video to prompt viewers to take action. Here’s how to leverage YouTube Cards to maximize engagement:
1. Promote Related Videos During Your Content
Cards can be inserted at relevant points during your video to recommend related videos. For example, if you’re creating a tutorial or explaining a concept, you can use a Card to direct viewers to another video that elaborates on a particular detail.
By linking relevant content throughout your video, you can keep your audience engaged for longer. If viewers are already interested in the topic you’re discussing, they will be more likely to click on a Card to explore further.
2. Create Interactive Polls
YouTube Cards also allow you to create interactive polls. Polls are a great way to encourage viewer interaction and keep them engaged with your content. You can ask viewers for feedback on the video’s content or ask a fun, relevant question related to the topic.
Polls can also be a way to gather insights about your audience and tailor your future content based on their preferences. For example, if you’re asking which video topic your audience would prefer to see next, you can use the results to guide your future video creation strategy.
3. Suggest External Links
In addition to promoting videos and channels, YouTube Cards also allow you to link to external websites. If you have a blog or website with valuable content, linking to it can drive traffic and increase engagement outside of YouTube.
For instance, if you’re a fitness channel, you could link to your website where viewers can download a free workout plan. This type of CTA gives your audience more ways to engage with your content and provides added value that enhances the viewer’s experience.
4. Encourage Subscriptions Mid-Video
Just as End Screens allow for subscription prompts at the end, Cards can encourage viewers to subscribe at any point during the video. If you’re covering a topic that might excite or interest the viewer, this is the perfect time to add a Card to prompt subscriptions.
You can use cards to display an eye-catching visual encouraging viewers to subscribe, without disrupting the flow of the video. It’s a gentle reminder that can help boost your subscriber count over time.
Best Practices for Using End Screens and Cards
To get the most out of End Screens and Cards, it’s essential to follow some best practices to ensure maximum effectiveness:
1. Plan Your Video Structure
When planning your video content, always consider how you’ll use End Screens and Cards to drive engagement. Having a clear plan for where to place your Cards and how to design your End Screen will help you integrate these features seamlessly into your video.
2. Use Custom Thumbnails
Custom thumbnails for your recommended videos in End Screens make them more attractive and clickable. Thumbnails are often the first thing viewers notice when they see suggested videos, so ensure they are visually appealing and consistent with your branding.
3. Keep the Call to Action Simple and Clear
Your call to action should be clear and simple. Whether you’re asking for a subscription, promoting a related video, or directing viewers to your website, the CTA should be obvious and easy for viewers to understand. The simpler the request, the higher the likelihood of action.
4. Don’t Overload Your End Screen
While End Screens allow you to include multiple elements, it’s best not to overcrowd the screen. Too many elements can overwhelm the viewer and reduce the effectiveness of your call to action. Limit the number of videos or links you include to ensure your End Screen remains visually appealing and impactful.
Conclusion
Using YouTube’s End Screens and Cards effectively can dramatically boost engagement on your channel. These tools allow you to promote related videos, encourage subscriptions, and drive traffic to external platforms, all of which help increase your visibility and audience retention.
By strategically planning when and how to use these features, you’ll be able to guide your viewers toward more content, increase interaction with your brand, and ultimately build a more engaged audience. Keep experimenting with different approaches to find the combination that works best for your channel, and you’ll soon see the benefits of these powerful YouTube tools.
