How to Set Up a YouTube Account for Your B2B SaaS Business [+ PDF Checklist]
From Zero to YouTube Hero: Tips for Setting Up a Successful B2B SaaS YouTube Channel
YouTube is a powerful tool for B2B SaaS companies to gain free, targeted, and organic traffic. However, to achieve success on YouTube, you need to optimize your channel for growth. Here's a step-by-step checklist to help you do just that.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE YOUTUBE CHANNEL SET UP GUIDE (NO SIGN UP NEEDED)
Content / Checklist
Decide the name of your channel
Add your website & social links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Decide the name of your channel
As a SaaS company or any company for that matter it probably makes sense to use the brand name, the same one that you use on your other social media channels that make your brand easily recognisable.
As YouTube is a social channel, there is a belief that people prefer to interact with non-branded channels. Examples of Hubspot, and Ahref show otherwise. However, if you would like to experiment with a personal channel, i.e. channel of the founder, you can do that too, always referencing your SaaS offer. If you change your mind in the future, you can change your channel name.
Both the brand and the founder's personal channel can serve the purpose of providing educational content. YouTube is a search engine after all. So as long as you create written content, you may want to consider visual and audio content as well to increase reach to your relevant audience.
Create your YouTube channel
You need a Google account before you can create a new YouTube Channel. So, if you do not have one, head over to accounts.google.com to create one. Once you've got your Google account, login to YouTube.com to get started.
Verify your YouTube channel
In order to access certain features of YouTube, you need to ensure that your account is verified. To verify your channel, you’ll be asked to enter a phone number. Google will send a verification code by text or voice call to that phone number. The tick on verified channels will appear when your channel exceeds the 100K subscriber mark though.
Create a subscription link
Sharing your subscription link on other platforms like your other social channels or your website prompts users to become easier members of your YouTube community. When they click on this link, they are presented with a pop- up to subscribe to your channel before they see any content. This is the link structure you should follow:
https://www.youtube.com/c/[CHANNEL NAME]? sub_confirmation=1
Here is how this pop up looks like:
Brand your channel
Here are three examples of branding designs to inspire you no matter the size of your business:
Audience will come to your profile via various sources. So when they see your channel, they need to know exactly what it is about and why they should subscribe to it. So use the header of your channel wisely. This is what it should include:
a) How regularly you post new videos. Are they posted on a specific day of the week?
b) A brief description of the type of content your channel offers.
c) Your logo.
d) Your avatar should be a quality photo of your brand or yourself and it should be the same profile photo you use on all of your social platforms for brand consistency.
e) (Optional) An offer, an ebook, or a guide they can exchange for their details, so you can keep them engaged outside of YouTube as well.
f) (Optional) Any accolades that build your authority.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE YOUTUBE CHANNEL SET UP GUIDE (NO SIGN UP NEEDED)
Add your website & social links
With all of the free, targeted, and organic traffic your YouTube channel will attract, you want to make sure you’re turning that traffic into potential customers and lifelong brand ambassadors! First priority, send your YouTube traffic to your conversion site. A conversion site is a place to convert your traffic into potential customers by adding them to an email list or sending them to an online signup page for a free trial. Examples of a conversion sites are:
a) Website
b) Landing Page
Second priority, is to add your social links to your channel. This is beneficial because then you can turn your YouTube traffic into community members on all of your social platforms so that you can deepen your relationships with your audience.
Add channel keywords
In the creator studio, under ‘channel’, under ‘settings’, select channel and under 'basic info' you want to add channel keywords to make your channel easier to find for your target audience. Make sure that these keywords match the exact words that your target audience is searching for when they’re looking for your content.
Fill your About section
Your ‘about’ section of your channel should be to the point! It’s designed to give your audience an idea of who you are, how you can help them, and why they should subscribe.
Add watermark to your videos
You want to add a logo or subscribe button to all of your videos at once? It will take you less than 5 minutes to do this.
Create playlists
Keeping people on your channel for long periods of time increases your channel watch time, which tells Google that you have really good content...which helps you rank higher in search! So, what’s an easy way to keep people on your channel? Playlists! Another benefit of playlists is that if you use the correct keywords in the titles, your entire playlist can rank in search for those keywords. This is a great way to increase your channel optimization.
Click here to set up your playlists and sections.
Create a channel trailer
When your business or even your YouTube channel are still in their infancy it is important to introduce your brand to new visitors to your channel and instantly tell them why they should subscribe! And if you don’t have a channel trailer already made, use one of your most popular videos as your channel trailer in the meantime to showcase your best work to potential new subscribers.
Your script for your channel trailer should include:
1.Pain points of your buyer persona.
2.How your brand solves those.
3.How your content will benefit your viewers
4.A call-to-action to subscribe to your channel and also to go to your
5.Website for more information
Here is an examples of a channel trailer.
Use custom thumbnails
Custom Thumbnails help you stand out from the crowd and also act as an extension of your branding. They should be consistent in text and color and align with your brand aesthetic. A face, a logo, and eye-catching text usually work best.
Fun fact: 90% of the best-performing videos have custom thumbnails.
Promote your channel
YOU ARE SET! Now, promote your channel and new video content on your social media platforms, blog, and to your email list! And don’t forget to use your custom subscription link: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user= (YOURUSERNAME)
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE YOUTUBE CHANNEL SET UP GUIDE (NO SIGN UP NEEDED)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should my B2B SaaS business have a YouTube account?
YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world and a powerful platform to reach your target audience. By creating a YouTube account, you can showcase your B2B SaaS business, share valuable insights, and build brand awareness. You can also leverage YouTube to generate leads, improve customer engagement, and increase sales.
How do I create a YouTube account for my B2B SaaS business?
To create a YouTube account for your B2B SaaS business, you'll need to sign up for a Google account first. Then, go to YouTube.com, click on the "Sign In" button, and follow the prompts to set up your YouTube account. Once you've created your account, you can customize your channel, upload videos, and start engaging with your audience.
What type of content should I create for my B2B SaaS business on YouTube?
The content you create for your B2B SaaS business on YouTube should be informative, engaging, and relevant to your target audience. You can create how-to videos, product demos, industry insights, thought leadership pieces, and more. Make sure your content is high-quality, visually appealing, and provides value to your viewers.
How can I optimize my YouTube videos for search engines?
To optimize your YouTube videos for search engines, you should focus on creating relevant titles, descriptions, and tags. Use keywords that your target audience is searching for and include them naturally in your content. You can also optimize your videos by adding captions, annotations, and transcripts.
What are some best practices for promoting my YouTube channel and videos?
Some best practices for promoting your YouTube channel and videos include optimizing your videos for search engines, promoting your videos on social media, collaborating with other YouTubers in your industry, and using paid advertising. You should also engage with your audience by responding to comments, hosting Q&A sessions, and creating community features on your channel.
How can I measure the success of my YouTube marketing efforts?
You can measure the success of your YouTube marketing efforts by tracking metrics such as views, engagement, watch time, and conversions. You can use YouTube Analytics to get insights on your audience demographics, traffic sources, and other key metrics. You should also track how your YouTube marketing efforts impact your overall business goals, such as lead generation and sales.
Can I use YouTube to generate leads and sales for my B2B SaaS business?
Yes, you can use YouTube to generate leads and sales for your B2B SaaS business. By creating informative and engaging videos, you can attract your target audience and provide value to them. You can also include calls-to-action in your videos and descriptions, encouraging viewers to visit your website or sign up for your services.
Are there any legal considerations I need to be aware of when using YouTube for my B2B SaaS business?
Yes, there are legal considerations you need to be aware of when using YouTube for your B2B SaaS business. You should ensure that your content complies with YouTube's policies and guidelines, including copyright and intellectual property laws. You should also disclose any sponsored content or affiliate links in your videos.
How can I stay up-to-date with the latest YouTube trends and features?
To stay up-to-date with the latest YouTube trends and features, you can follow YouTube's official blog and social media channels. You can also join YouTube communities and forums to connect with other creators and industry experts. Additionally, you can attend YouTube conferences and events to learn about the latest developments and network with other professionals.
How much time and effort should I devote to my YouTube marketing strategy as a B2B SaaS business owner?
The amount of time and effort you should devote to your YouTube marketing strategy depends on your business goals and resources. Generally, you should aim to create high-quality, informative videos on a consistent basis, while also promoting your channel and engaging with your audience. You may want to start with a few videos per month and gradually increase your output as you see results. It's also important to track your metrics and adjust your strategy accordingly to maximize your ROI.
About me
I am a Growth Marketing Manager with an MSc in Digital Marketing. I have over 10 years of experience in the digital marketing space, where I have successfully helped clients achieve over £1.5M in additional annual recurring revenue (ARR) through new business, cross-selling, and upselling services. As a professional, I am well-versed in growth strategies for B2B and B2C firms. In the last year, I am focusing on leading marketing strategy, growth, innovation, and improving marketing functions for SaaS firms.
Want to hire me? Reach out to me at ctsiripidou@gmail.com