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We can all agree that YouTube isn’t just where you go to watch cat videos or makeup tutorials anymore. Actually, this platform is a serious marketing goldmine with a huge, engaged audience.
Great, but what does this mean for affiliate marketers? YouTube ads open up a whole new way to reach tons of potential customers and boost conversions.
But you can’t just toss your ads up and cross your fingers, nope. To make real money on YouTube, you’ve got to know how YouTube Ads work and learn the ins and outs. Get it right, and you’ll be earning like a pro.
YouTube Ads and Affiliate Marketing
Did you know that YouTube has over 2.70 billion monthlyaustralia consumer email list users? Amazing, right? But one question arises here – what can you do with this?
For starters, you can learn about how ads work and how you can use them to your benefit.
Types of YouTube Ads
From a customer’s point of view, YouTube ads are getting worse. That’s only because there are lots of types:
Skippable in-stream ads: These are the ads that pop up before, during, or after YouTube videos. You can skip them after 5 seconds if you’re not interested.
youtube-ads-in-stream ads
Non-skippable in-stream ads: These ads have to be watched all the way through before you can get back to your video (looks the same as above, but with no Skip button).
Bumper ads: These are quick little ads that last up to 6 seconds and can’t be skipped. They play before your video and are perfect for a fast branding.
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image source: http://strikesocial.com
Overlay ads: You’ll see these as image or text ads that pop up at the bottom of the video while it’s playing.
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image source: strikesocial.com
Sponsored cards: These are cards that show up in the video, highlighting related products or services. If something catches your eye, you can click on the card to find out more.
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image source: strikesocial.com
Getting Started with YouTube Ads
We totally get that getting into a new advertising platform can feel a bit overwhelming. But if you learn the ropes of running ads on YouTube, you’ll be just fine. Here’s what you need to do:
Create a Google Ads account: Start by heading over to the Google Ads website and setting up your account.
Link your YouTube channel: Next, connect your YouTube channel to your Google Ads account so everything works smoothly together.
Set your campaign goals and budget: Figure out what you want to achieve with your campaign and set a daily or monthly budget for your ads.
Target your audience: Use demographics, interests, keywords, and video placements to make sure you’re reaching the right people.
Design engaging ads: Craft short, high-quality video content that really showcases the value of your affiliate offers. Check for YouTube ad specs to make them better.
Launch and monitor: Once everything’s ready, launch your campaigns and keep an eye on their performance and videos at the YouTube ads library.
PropellerAds_Media_ad_campaigns_youtube_news_blogs
Advertising
Media Ad Campaigns: How to Advertise on YouTube, Blogs, & News Sites?
Strategies and Techniques for an Effective YouTube Ad Strategy
Now that you know how to run ads on YouTube, it’s a good idea to study a couple of strategies. This way, you can choose a path to go on and try to get the most for your business.
Most YouTube affiliate marketers suggest that you keep your videos engaging. But how?
Well, for starters, your videos should be fun, informative, and relevant to your audience. Focus on showing the key benefits of your affiliate offers. Also, grab attention right away. You only have about 5 seconds to hook viewers, so make those seconds count.
Don’t forget to tell viewers what you want them to do, both in the video and in the description. Also, keep an eye on important stats like views, watch time, click-through rates, and conversions to see how your ads are doing.
propellerads-youtube-banner
Affiliate Marketing
YouTube Affiliate Marketing: How It’s Done
Pros and Cons of YouTube Ads for Affiliate Marketing
You have to know that any marketing strategy has its good and bad sides. Therefore, YouTube is also stripped of both benefits and potential drawbacks.
Pros:
Reach billions of viewers worldwide.
Connect with specific groups and interests.
Show off your products in action.
Use analytics to see what works.
Cons:
YouTube ads cost is fairly expensive
Compete against big brands with big budgets.
Viewers tire of repetitive ads.
Creating quality ads takes effort and skill.
Regulations and Restrictions for YouTube Affiliate Marketing
One thing that really bothers YouTube advertisers is the rules. Now, don’t get us wrong, these are not some strict rules that limit your creativity, no. These are rules about keeping your content campaigns compliant and ethical.
FTC Guidelines
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that affiliate marketers need to be upfront about their relationships with brands. Basically, you should let your viewers know that you might earn a commission if they buy through your affiliate links.
YouTube’s Advertising Policies
YouTube has its own set of advertising rules about what products and services you can promote, as well as how your ads should look and feel.
Community Guidelines
YouTube doesn’t allow content that’s harmful, misleading, or breaks copyright laws. It’s up to you to make sure your ads follow these guidelines to avoid getting penalized.
Restricted Categories
Some product categories, like iGaming, healthcare, or financial services, come with extra rules or specific disclosure requirements.
Promotional Methods
Avoid methods like incentivized reviews or misleading claims, as those are a no-go on YouTube. Being transparent and honest in your promotions helps you build trust with your audience.
