How to Create a YouTube End Screen

So, you're making awesome YouTube videos? Great! But getting people to actually watch them is only half the battle. The real trick? Nail those YouTube end screens. They pop up in the last few seconds and can seriously boost your views and subscribers. Think of them as a friendly nudge. This is your guide to making end screens that work.

Why Bother With End Screens?

Why are end screens so important? Simple. They do a few key things:

• More Watch Time: Suggest another video. Or even a whole playlist! Keep people watching your stuff. When YouTube sees people are sticking around, they show your videos to more people.
• More Subscribers: Make it easy for people to subscribe! Put that subscribe button right there. Turn those viewers into loyal fans.
• Promote Your Other Videos: Got other cool videos? Show them off! End screens are the perfect spot to cross-promote.
• Ask People to Do Stuff: Want likes or comments? Just ask! A call to action (CTA) can really get people involved.
• Look Pro: A good-looking end screen? It makes your whole channel look better. It shows you care!

What's in an End Screen?

End screens have a few key parts. Let's break them down:

1. Video: Suggest a specific video. YouTube can even pick one for you ("Best for Viewer"). Or show your latest upload.
2. Playlist: Encourage people to binge-watch a series. It's like saying, "Hey, there's more where that came from!"
3. Subscribe: The all-important subscribe button! Make it stand out.
4. Link: Got a website? (YouTube Partner Program members only). You can link to it here!
5. Merch: Selling stuff? (Eligible channels only). Show it off right on your end screen.

Finding the Right Template

Don't want to design an end screen from scratch? No problem! That’s where templates come in handy. They give you a head start. Here's what to look for:

• Matches Your Style: Is your channel about gaming? Cooking? Find a template that fits!
• Enough Space: How many videos do you want to show? Some templates are packed, others are simple.
• Easy to Change: Can you change the colors and fonts? Make it your own!
• Motion: A little animation can grab attention. But don't overdo it!
• Works on Phones: Most people watch YouTube on their phones. Make sure it looks good!

Where to Find Templates

So, where can you find these templates?

• Canva: Lots of choices. Free and paid options. Super easy to use.
• Adobe Spark: Animated templates. Add some pizzazz!
• MotionElements: Professional-looking templates. High quality!
• Envato Elements: Pay a monthly fee and get tons of templates.
• Fiverr/Upwork: Hire someone to make a custom end screen just for you.

Making Your End Screen: Step-by-Step

Okay, you've got a template. Now what?

1. Pick a Template: Remember to pick something that is in line with your brand.
2. Make it Yours: Change the colors, fonts, and images. Make it match your brand!
3. Add the Goodies: Add your videos, playlists, and subscribe button.
4. Put Them in the Right Spot: Make it look good! Where will people look first?
5. Tell People What to Do: "Subscribe Now!" "Watch Next!" Use clear language.
6. Test It Out: See what works! Try different things. Watch your numbers.

Tips for Awesome End Screens

Want to make your end screens even better?

• Keep it Simple: Don't overload people. A clean design is best.
• Use Good Pictures: Make sure your images look sharp. No blurry stuff!
• Stay Consistent: Use the same colors and fonts every time. This helps build your brand.
• Think Mobile: Most people watch on phones. Does your end screen look good there?
• Video Length Matters: Short video? Short end screen. Longer video? You can use a longer end screen.
• Check Your Stats: See what's working. What's not? YouTube Analytics can help.

Advanced Tricks

Ready to get fancy?

• Animated End Screens: Add some motion! Make things pop!
• Interactive Stuff: Polls? Quizzes? Get people involved!
• Personal Recommendations: Let YouTube pick videos based on what people like.
• Different End Screens: Create different end screens for different kinds of videos.
• A/B Testing: Try two different designs and see which one works best!

Making End Screens Part of Your Workflow

Make end screens part of your process.

• Use the Same Template: Saves time! Keeps things consistent.
• Add Them While You Edit: Don't forget! Put them in before you finish your video.
• Use Good Software: Programs like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro can help.
• Save Presets: Save your favorite end screen elements so you don't have to make them again.
• Batch Processing: Add end screens to lots of videos at once.

Are They Working?

How do you know if your end screens are doing their job?

• YouTube Analytics: Check those click-through rates!
• Watch Time: Are people watching longer?
• Subscriber Growth: Are you getting more subscribers?
• Traffic Sources: Where are people coming from? Your end screens?
• A/B Test Results: Which end screen design is the winner?

Keep an eye on your numbers. Keep tweaking your end screens. And watch your YouTube channel grow! Remember, consistent branding is key! Good luck!