#eTubeGuide : How To Add Youtube Channel Trailer Video spotlight on New Youtube Channel

How to Add a YouTube Channel Trailer Video Spotlight on a New YouTube Channel

A channel trailer is a short video that plays automatically for new visitors to your YouTube channel. It's a great way to introduce your content, showcase your personality, and convince viewers to subscribe. This is especially important for new YouTube channels, as it provides an opportunity to capture the attention of first-time visitors and give them a reason to stay and subscribe.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add a channel trailer to your YouTube channel:

1. Create Your Channel Trailer Video

Before you can add a trailer to your channel, you’ll need to create one. Here are a few tips for creating an effective trailer:

• Keep it Short: Your trailer should ideally be between 30 seconds and 1 minute long. You want to keep the audience engaged without overwhelming them.
• Introduce Yourself: Briefly introduce who you are, what type of content you create, and why viewers should subscribe to your channel.
• Call to Action: Encourage viewers to subscribe by mentioning it directly in the video, as well as in the description.

Once you’ve created your trailer video, upload it to your YouTube channel as you would any other video.

2. Upload Your Channel Trailer Video to YouTube

If you haven’t already uploaded your trailer video, follow these steps:

1. Log in to YouTube: Go to YouTube and log in with your Google account.

2. Go to Your Channel: Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner, and then click "Your Channel" from the dropdown menu.

3. Upload the Video:

   • Click on the "Create" button (the camera icon with a plus sign) in the top-right corner.
   • Select "Upload video" from the dropdown.
   • Follow the prompts to upload your trailer video file from your computer.

4. Fill Out Video Details:

   • Give your video a title (e.g., "Welcome to [Your Channel Name]!").
   • Add a description and relevant tags to help your video get discovered.
   • Make sure to select the correct visibility setting (Public, Unlisted, or Private). For the trailer to be visible to new visitors, it needs to be set to Public.
   • Choose an engaging thumbnail for the video (if you don't select one, YouTube will automatically generate one).

3. Set Your Video as the Channel Trailer for New Visitors

Once your trailer video is uploaded, follow these steps to set it as the channel trailer for new visitors:

1. Go to Your Channel’s Customization Settings:

   • Open your YouTube channel by clicking on your profile picture, then "Your Channel".
   • On your channel page, click the "Customize Channel" button. This will take you to the YouTube Studio Customization section.

2. Navigate to the "Layout" Tab:

   • In the YouTube Studio Customization page, you will see three tabs: Layout, Branding, and Basic Info.
   • Select the "Layout" tab. This tab allows you to customize your channel's homepage layout.

3. Set the Channel Trailer:

   • Under the "Featured sections" section, you'll see options for "Channel trailer for people who haven't subscribed" and "Featured video for returning subscribers".
   • For new visitors (who haven’t subscribed yet), click on "Add" or "Edit" under the "Channel trailer for people who haven’t subscribed".

4. Select Your Trailer Video:

   • A list of your uploaded videos will appear. Select the channel trailer you just uploaded.
   • You can also choose whether to feature a different video for returning subscribers. This is optional and will only show for viewers who are already subscribed to your channel.

5. Save Changes: After selecting your trailer video, click "Publish" to save the changes. Now, when new visitors come to your channel, your trailer video will automatically play on your channel homepage.

4. Review the Trailer Placement

After setting your channel trailer:

1. Go to Your Channel: Visit your YouTube channel as a non-subscriber (you can use an incognito/private browsing window or log out of your account to view it as a non-subscriber).

2. Check for Trailer: When visiting the channel, the trailer video should automatically start playing for new visitors who haven't subscribed.

   • For subscribers, the channel will show the featured video (if you've set one for returning viewers).

5. Optional: Customize Channel Sections and Layout for Better Visibility

If you'd like to customize your YouTube channel further, consider adding more sections to your homepage, such as:

• Popular Uploads: Show off your most popular videos to help first-time viewers get an idea of your best content.
• Playlists: You can also group your videos into playlists (e.g., Tutorials, Vlogs, Reviews), which will help viewers quickly navigate your channel.

To do this:

1. In the "Layout" tab of the Customization page, scroll down to "Featured Sections".
2. Click "Add Section" and select the section type (e.g., "Uploads," "Popular Videos," "Playlists").
3. Rearrange sections to highlight your trailer and best content for new visitors.

6. Promote Your Channel Trailer

Once your trailer is live, consider promoting it across other platforms to attract new subscribers. You can share the trailer video on social media, your website, or even in your email signature. A good call-to-action in your trailer, asking people to subscribe, will help boost subscriber numbers.

7. Track Performance

Finally, you can monitor how well your trailer is performing by checking the analytics for that video. In YouTube Studio:

1. Go to YouTube Studio (click on your profile picture and then "YouTube Studio").
2. Select "Analytics" from the left-hand sidebar.
3. Check "Traffic Source" and "Engagement" to see how many new visitors are watching your trailer and how well it’s performing.

Conclusion

Adding a channel trailer is an excellent way to make a strong first impression on new visitors to your YouTube channel. By setting up a well-crafted trailer, you can attract and engage potential subscribers. Don’t forget to optimize your trailer video, and keep your channel layout clean and organized to help visitors easily find your best content.