Most business YouTube channels are missing a channel trailer which is slowing the growth of their business channel but why is it important and what should you include? Watch the video below or scroll down for the old fashioned text version.

What Is A Channel Trailer?

A channel trailer appears at the top of your YouTube channel for anyone who hasn’t subscribed but what is it for?

If a viewer has watched and enjoyed one of your videos, the next thing they will most likely do is click on your channel to see what other content you have. The first thing they will see is your channel art, if you’re not sure what to include then watch this video.

A trailer appears at the top of your YouTube channel.

As they scroll down the next thing to jump out to them is your channel trailer. The purpose of a channel trailer is to give your viewer a reason to subscribe. So what should you include?

What Should You Include In A Trailer?

This is very similar to your channel art, you need to let them know what kinds of content you provide, how that content will help them with their problems and how often you will be releasing new videos.

Don’t worry, the trailer doesn’t have to be lengthy, I shouldn't be any longer than a minute.

Let’s use my favourite example, a dog training centre. Your trailer could read like this:

‘Hi, welcome to Dave’s Dog Training, we have been helping owners like you train their dog for over 12 years. Do you struggle with teaching your dog new commands? You’ve just adopted a new dog and you need help teaching them the basics or maybe your dog has a few naughty habits that you would like to address! You’ve come to right channel. Each week we give you simple, easy to follow training that will help you train your dog to become your perfect companion. Subscribe and ring the bell now to start your journey to dog training excellence.’

Let’s break this down. We start with a line about who we are and why you should trust us. Next, we address a few common problems that most viewers will have by asking questions that the viewer will relate to. Then we show the viewer how we are going to help them overcome these problems and move forward. Lastly, we finish with a call to action asking the viewer to subscribe and ring the bell. Don’t know what ring the bell means? Then watch this video.

Bonus tip! For a stronger call to action, you could also include an end screen directing your viewers to which content they should watch first. Not sure how to create an end screen? Watch this video.

End screens work even better when you tell your viewers why they should watch the videos, for an example of this, watch the video at the top of this post until the end.

How To Setup A Channel Trailer

So how do you get a trailer on your channel? First, create and upload your video, add any end screens and fill out the rest of your video details. You can either have your video as unlisted (meaning it will only appear on your channel page) or public so that people can find it in the search results.

Now, starting on the YouTube homepage click your logo in the top right and click ‘Your Channel’.

Next, click the blue ‘Customise Channel’ button in the top right. Make sure the tab ‘For new visitors’ is selected.

Select Customise Channel and make sure ‘For new visitors’ is selected.

You should now see a button for ‘+ Channel trailer’. This will bring up a list of all of your uploaded videos. Select your video and click ‘Save’. And you are done.

Select your channel trailer from your videos.

That’s A Wrap

A channel trailer appears on your channel for viewers who haven’t subscribed yet. A good channel trailer should address the viewers problem, show how your videos are the solution and give them a call to action to subscribe.

What’s the best channel trailer you have seen? Leave a link in the comments so that I can check it out. If there is a topic you would like me to cover in the future please get in touch and let me know.

Do you want to make sure your YouTube channel is bringing in profits for your business? Then make sure you check out our new video series ‘Your Essential YouTube Checklist - 5 ways to make sure your channel boosts your business’ right here!