Video advertising has changed the game for publishers in terms of monetizing ads, as it has allowed them to show videos through multiple formats (outstream, instream, etc.), even when they don’t have any video content themselves.
That means you don’t have to create a YouTube channel to make money off your videos anymore. Google caught on to this trend and began enabling outstream video ads to meet the various publishers’ demand for multiple video ad channels.
However, when it comes to turning a profit, most publishers are still lacking in their video ad marketing strategies. If this sounds like you, then we’ve got five essential tips and tricks to adjust your next video ad campaign for maximum earnings.
Maximizing Your Video Ad Earnings
With digital videos accounting for 69% of all internet traffic, it’s safe to say that video ads are much more effective in garnering higher CPMs than your everyday static advertisements.
This is largely because videos are naturally engaging and easier on the eyes, so to speak, and thus, contribute to higher viewability rates. A well-made video ad will provoke more emotions and a better response from your users. It also helps that videos aren’t restricted to the same limitations as static ads, such as size and page location.
However, if you want to maximize your video ad earnings, you’re going to need to do a bit more than just be exceptionally creative. You’re going to have to take a step back and focus on the fundamentals of video advertising.
Here are our top five tips for maximizing your video earnings:
1. A selection of video demand partners
While you can place your own videos on your site as ads, bigger revenues depend on the quality and variety of ads you display. As such, having multiple video demand partners is the easiest way to make sure you have a steady pipeline of ads. There are ad networks that specialize in video such as Teads (one of Sortable’s partners).
Keep in mind that the more demand partners you have, the more competition you have bidding for your ad inventory which ultimately means more ad revenue for you.
2. Get mobile-friendly
As we’re in the throes of a digital age, it’s no secret that we use our phones and smart devices for virtually everything. From research and reading to ordering various products and services, for most of us, our phones are quite literally our connection to the outside world.
Reaching your audience over the internet means creating an effective and enjoyable user experience. That means ensuring that your video ads and your website are 100% mobile-friendly.
Having said that, you want to make sure that your ads and website are easy to sift through by decluttering your mobile pages. If your viewers can’t find what they’re looking for because they have to exit out of several pop-up ads and other video advertisements, they’ll likely just exit out of your page altogether.
3. Ensure you have the appropriate video player
On a more technical side, you need to make sure your website can properly handle video ads. If you work with an Ad Ops partner, they should have a video player ready for you to use that will work with your site and their ad stack. If you’re using Google’s services, for instance, the company only accepts certain video ad formats (medium or large rectangles) for display ads, and they include a list of permissible sizes for your video ads on their guides for inserting videos in different parts of your site.
For instream video ads, you’ll need to make sure you can integrate pre-, mid-, or post-roll ads.
4. Select which type of video ad works best for you
There are several video ad formats available: outstream, instream, in-banner, interstitials, and sponsored video. Each has their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. For example, outstream video is great if you aren’t capable, or willing, to produce your own video content. If you do produce your own video content, instream video is a great option to add video ads pre-, mid- and post-roll. It is best to select what works best for your site and users.
5. Monitor video ad performance
Once you’re set up and displaying video ads, it’s important to keep an eye on your ad performance to ensure you’re getting the most out of your video ads. Some metrics to watch are viewability, CPMs, and fill rate — all are good indicators of how well your ads are performing and if they’re been seen and filled by demand partners. You’ll also want to see which videos perform best and keep users entertained. Monitoring performance will help you optimize your ads and make your website more appealing to users and advertisers.
Monetize Your Website with Video Today
Don’t let video ads become a missed opportunity. Maximizing your video ad earnings is a fairly simple endeavor if you follow the above tips. Of course, the hard part is finding an Ad Ops partner to help you set it up. Once it’s done, it’s optimizing it from there.
If you’re looking for more ways to monetize your website or need some help monetizing your site with video, feel free to give us a shout. We have access to several premium video demand partners plus an experienced team of Ad Ops experts.