YouTube Ad Types: Which One is Best for Your Business?
We have all been on the receiving end of long, boring ads blocking us from our videos. Hovering our thumbs over the Skip Ad button, waiting for it to unlock.
How much of the information from that ad did you actually retain?
Did anything happen to make you want to keep watching? Digital marketing is an essential form of advertising for small businesses. Especially when you consider more than 2 billion users watch YouTube every month.
So, if you are looking to use this platform to market your small business, you will need to know more about how YouTube ads work. Keep reading for more information on YouTube ad types. You might also want to learn a useful guide to ads and ad blockers.
YouTube Ad Types
Knowing the right types of ads and the best ways to use them to maximize consumer interest is key to a successful marketing campaign. Here are a few different ad types to consider.
Skippable Ads
If you want to run a long add, it will likely have a skip button. Here are Youtube’s skippable ad types.
TrueView
Users are able to “opt-in” and chose to watch TrueView ads. This feature allows curious viewers to watch your add and non-interested ones to skip it. This is beneficial to you because advertisers do not pay for TrueView ads run for less than 30 seconds.
There is no time limit to this ad type. They are available in two forms:
Video Discovery: This ad is shown when someone searches for something related to your brand. The videos will appear in the search result and on the YouTube homepage.
In-Stream: This ad plays before or during a video. Consumers will see 5 seconds of the video before getting the option to skip the ad. If you chose this ad type, you need a good elevator pitch.
Reel in the customers’ attention within the first 5 seconds and keep their thumb away from that skip button.
To use TrueView ads to their full potential, aim for a quick and concise call-to-action that makes the viewer want to engage further with your business. As for YouTube ad costs, these are a cost-effective solution.
Non-skippable Ads
Among the tools available on YouTube’s ad list are non-skippable ads. Here are some of your choices:
Bumper
This is the shortest type of ad used in YouTube advertising. Bumper ads are limited to 6 seconds and therefore unskippable. You likely won’t be able to get everything across in that timeframe, but they are good complements to other ad types.
The best way to use bumper ads is alongside longer marketing videos, like TrueView ads, as a way to remind your consumer base “I’m still here!”
Pre-roll and Mid-roll
Pre-roll ads are shown before or during (mid-roll), or after a video. The maximum time limit is 20 seconds. This gives you a little more time to reign in your customers.
Mid-roll ads may appear in YouTube videos that run for 10 minutes or more. The best way to use pre- or mid-roll ads are with an engaging CTA and link to your site.
Interactive Ads
Some ads you use may have interactive features to engage your customers. Here’s an example of a great interactive ad type.
Sponsored Cards
Sponsored cards are a type or “teaser” advertisement. Cards, or boxes, with your ad, appear in a relevant video for a view seconds. A user can click on the sponsored cards to be sent to your website, product page, or blog.
Sponsered cards are a good way to rope in a customer who is already viewing content related to your business.
YouTube Advertising
68% of YouTubers use videos to help them decide on purchases, making it one of the best ways to reach your clients and gain new customers. It’s essential to know what YouTube ad types work best for you.
Your new customers could be just one click away.
