YouTube advertising is a powerful tool for startups to reach a broader audience. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to create your first YouTube ad, tailored for founders looking to scale quickly.
Before diving into ads, you'll need a YouTube channel. If you don't have one, create it by signing into your Google account, clicking your profile picture in the top-right corner, and selecting "Create a channel." Once your channel is set up, upload the video you plan to use for your ad.
YouTube ads are managed through Google Ads. Head over to Google Ads and sign in using the same Google account linked to your YouTube channel. Create a new Google Ads account, and you're ready to start setting up your campaign.
Pro Advice: If you are creating a new Ads account, sometimes you can take advantage of $500 ads credit.
Linking your YouTube channel to Google Ads is crucial. Navigate to "Tools and Settings" in Google Ads, select "Linked accounts," and link your YouTube channel. This connection allows you to run ads directly from your channel.
In Google Ads, select "Create New Campaign." Choose "Video" as your ad type and "Custom video campaign" as your subtype. This will give you control over where your ads are shown and who sees them. Customize your campaign settings, including your budget, ad placement, and target audience.
Set your bid strategy, typically "Maximum Cost Per View," and choose your daily budget. Specify the networks where your ad will appear, such as YouTube videos. Target your audience by demographics and interests to ensure your ad reaches the right viewers.
Pro Advice: Targeting your audience is key in how you setup your Ads. You can target by interest (types of videos your audience likes to watch), you can target by specific channels (Pick the @YouTube channels that you think will get you the best bang-for-the-buck) and select the time of day, type of device, and geographic location of where your Ads are shown.
Finally, create your video ad. Paste the URL of your YouTube video, add a headline, call-to-action, and any tracking URLs. Once everything is set, click "Create Campaign" to launch your ad. Monitor performance through Google Ads to refine and optimize your future campaigns.
Running YouTube ads can be a game-changer for startups, offering a cost-effective way to reach millions. Follow these steps to get your first ad up and running, and watch your audience grow.