Best Practices for Creating Engaging Video Titles and Descriptions

          “Video is the future of content marketing.” – Forrester Research.

Videos are shared 1200% more often than text and images. You can also elevate the visibility of your business by creating videos for different platforms. However, many videos don’t get as many clicks as they should. They remain on the platform where they were uploaded without making any impact despite having valuable content for people. Why does this happen? Because of a poor title that can’t grab the attention of people.

A title plays a crucial role in getting more clicks and views on the video. It ensures transparency between you and your viewers, as they can discover what is inside the video from the title and decide whether to open it. Crafting engaging titles allows creators to attract as many viewers as possible to their videos. Moreover, descriptions help viewers to understand the video content before opening it.

However, many video creators find it challenging to write engaging titles and descriptions. Hence, this blog offers the best practices for creating engaging video titles and descriptions.

7 Best Practices for Creating Engaging Video Title

When a video comes across your feed, what makes you click on it? An intriguing and compelling title! You decide to open the video after seeing its title. When 97% of people who watch videos check the title first, it is too risky to ignore best practices for title creation. Isn’t it?

• Conduct Keyword Research:

Using keywords in the video title and description helps your video appear in relevant searches. If you incorporate the power of keywords in the title, your target audience can find your video easily. But don’t just put keywords in the title; it should look natural. Likewise, some video creators use too many keywords, making a video look spammy and unprofessional. Avoid making such a mistake.

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner and YouTube Search Suggest to find popular keywords. You can also use the local language of people related to your video topic. It helps to create instant interaction with the target audience.

Example:

Keyword-  Ways to burn fat fast

Title- 12 EASY Ways to Burn Fat Fast as Hell

• Keep It Short:

Short and meaningful titles catch viewers’ attention faster, as they can quickly figure out what’s inside the video. Although there is no restriction on writing long titles, the whole title might not appear on the screen, leaving a wrong impression on potential viewers.

That is why Google also recommends video creators be succinct while writing a title, as viewers may only see part of your title. So, aim for 60 characters or fewer. This makes the title suitable for YouTube and other video-streaming platforms.

Example:

Keyword-  Best productivity apps

Title- Best Productivity Apps You Need Right Now!

• Add Numbers:

Titles with numbers stand out in the search results and feeds. They draw viewers’ attention faster than titles that do not use numbers. Likewise, viewers can anticipate what they are going to watch. They can also understand how many tricks, tips, and techniques are explained in the video and how long they will have to watch it.

Moreover, studies have shown that titles with numbers have higher click-through rates. Number lists are more shearable than that of others. So, including a number in the title will be an effective step for creating an engaging video.

Example:

Keyword- Healthy breakfast ideas

Title- 7 Quick and Easy Healthy Breakfast Ideas to Fuel Your Day!

• Evoke Curiosity:

Curious titles attract viewers quickly as people want to know more about the topic. Use words that drive curiosity like “Secrets,” “Discovery,” “Never Before,” “Exposed”, and others. Moreover, you can use popular phrases going with the viral news and trends. If you know what type of content they like, it also helps in crafting an engaging title that evokes curiosity.

Additionally, understand their fear and preferences. Write a title using that emotion with the right words or talk about a universal fact with a contradicting title like “Earth is flat.”

• Highlight Benefits:

Understanding the topic thoroughly before creating a video will help you find crucial points and benefits. You can use these points in the video title to provide quick interactive information. Similarly, highlight benefits in the video title, helping you evoke viewers to open the video and gain all the benefits. Use phrases that address their desire, like “Learn,” “Unlock Success,” “Enhance,” or “Boost.”

Example:

Keyword-  Time management techniques

Title- 5 Time Management Techniques | Boost Your Efficiency

1. Align with Branding:

Creating a brand helps people remember your channel based on the specific types of video titles and descriptions. Using consistent language, tone, and style in the title will make your videos stand out and reflect your overall brand personality. What is your brand’s unique voice? Is it playful, professional, or informative?

Use relevant words and phrases for the title that resonate with your brand voice and target audience. If you have a tagline and slogan, try to include them in every video to improve recognition. People trust the creator more when they see consistency in the video’s title and description style.

Example:

Keyword-  DIY home decor

Title- Fun and Easy DIY Home Decor Ideas to Transform Your Space

• Avoid Clickbait:

No creator wants to harm their marketing efforts. But when they create a clickbait title, they move to this way. Well, clickbait headlines are only good at stopping people on your video for a second. If they don’t find what is promised in the video title, they will never believe your titles in the future. It’s not like you must never use clickbait titles. You can use them, but ensure you offer what you promise.

Titles like “How I Made $7 Million in a Month Working 3 Hours a Day” are clickbait until you actually explain how it is possible. Moreover, creating FOMO also intrigues viewers to click on the title.

So, avoid the type of title mentioned below.

Example:

Keyword- Fitness transformation

Title- How I Lost 30 Pounds in 1 Month | Here is what I did!

Focus on 3 Cs for a Perfect Video Title

You have learned about the best practices until now. However, creating a perfect title is still difficult without focusing on the 3Cs.

• Clear:

Google emphasizes accuracy and conciseness in the guide on how to write titles. The reason behind writing a clear title is simple; viewers can understand quickly what the video is about. It helps to make decisions without confusing them. We know you have to consider various things to create a compelling title, but if it is not clear, no one will be able to understand it.

• Creative:

A clear and creative title sparks interest, captures attention, and is easily understood. Creative titles stand out in the crowd and grab the attention of potential viewers. Use language that people like and speak. You can ask intriguing questions, evoke emotion, and use quotes; creativity has no boundaries. Nowadays, many AI tools are available to help create a creative title.

• Concise:

Try to offer a lot of information in a few words. Aim for 60 characters or fewer to write a concise title in fewer words. Shorter titles are fully visible on platforms, while long ones are not; they can confuse viewers. A title should be clear to viewers; otherwise, they can slip through the cracks and land on your competitor’s video.

How to Use the Emotional Triggers in the Title?

All video creators try hard to create engaging titles, but they often forget they are developing titles for emotional beings. Titles without emotional triggers have less chance of getting clicks. According to human psychology, emotions connect people and drive decision-making. Identify the core feelings you want to evoke in your viewers, such as fear, excitement, happiness, curiosity, and joy.

Use emotionally charged words like:

1. Bad ideas for fat loss
2. 5 easy Ways to Travel within a limited budget 
3. 3 skin-care secrets that no one tells you
4. Transform your life by earning $600 online in 15 days.

How to Write Video Descriptions for Enhanced Engagement?

Video description is also a game-changer in enhancing engagement on video. It provides valuable information to encourage interaction. Since most businesses spend money on video marketing, focusing on every aspect is crucial.

Online video advertising spending across the globe

Steps to write a compelling video description:

Step 1- Match Description with Title:

Your video title and description should not sound different or focused on different ideas. In the title, you have a limited scope to tell what the video is about, but you can explain the entire video through the description. It helps search engines to find, understand, and rank your video. A difference in the main idea of the title and description can confuse search engines and viewers. So, ensure they resonate with one main idea.

Step 2- Include Complementary Keywords:

You know already that the primary keyword is crucial, and using it 4-5 times in the description is effective for search engines. However, using primary keywords every time in the description leads to redundancy and keyword stuffing. So, incorporate complementary keywords in your description to avoid keyword stuffing and ensure natural writing.

Examples of complementary keywords:

• Meal planning
• Nutrition tips
• Easy recipes
• Balanced diet
• Cooking strategies

Step 3- Use Call to Action Words & Links:

Link your social media accounts in the YouTube description. Provide links to blog posts, products, services, and others. Often, viewers ask for the link of the products to influencers. It’s better to list all the products in the description for easy and quick access. These links work like a call to action.

Step 4- Write Like a Human:

This step is vital in the world of AI content. No one likes to read content written by a robot, so only take the help of AI tools and never wholly rely on them. Taking help will save you time that you can use to refine the description and make it sound more human. Use simple terms that anyone can understand and language that people use in everyday conversations.

Human Writing:

“Struggling to get out of bed? Here are 5-morning habits to make your day!

AI-generated:

“This video lists five habits to improve morning energy levels. Implement these habits for better daily performance.”

Step 5- Write Some Hashtags:

Include hashtags in the description to help viewers find your video. They work somewhat like keywords. You can include these hashtags anywhere in the description, but they will appear above the video title. Ensure hashtags are relevant to your video title, which will help your video reach the right audience. Use 3-5 hashtags according to the content, as too many can look spammy.

Step 6- Keep Description Easy to Read:

No one likes to read a long piece of content. Format your video description so that people can understand it easily. Write short sentences and two to three-line paragraphs as they are legible. Mention the main ideas in the bullet points. However, it depends on your video topic, how long and short a description can be, and what points will be most suitable with a bulleted list or number list.

Top 5 Tools for Creating Video Titles & Descriptions

Why waste your time creating video titles manually when the market is full of tools to do it for you? You can edit and refine your title and descriptions with the help of the tools presented below. Have a look

• FlexClip:

FlexClip offers various features that help create engaging video titles. It provides readymade title video templates. You can also use these titles for music videos, movies, and YouTube videos. First, you must upload a video clip or image file and select an engaging text for your audience. Now, define your title motion and get an engaging title for your video.

• Coschedule:

It is a free title generator that many blog and video creators use to craft engaging titles. This AI-powered tool can help you increase the reach of your video by improving its titles. It’s so simple to use Coschedule. Just enter your topic and keyword in the search bar, choose the type of content from the drop-down list, and click on Generate Titles.

• TubeBuddy:

Do you want to create a catchy title to attract more viewers? TubeBuddy is another effective tool in the list. You can use its browser extension on Chrome, Firefox, and others. It also helps you create attention-grabbing videos with catchy titles. So, you can transform ordinary titles into click magnets.

• Canva:

Looking for a mindblowing title for your video? Canva offers endless flexibility options, from delicate to subtle. You can give a personalized touch to your title and create a unique image among your viewers. Whether it is about a center, right, or left alignment of the title, tailor it to your specifics. 

1. Portent Content Idea Generator:

You often get stuck when making a title creative and unique. In this case, move to the portent content idea generator. Type your keyword in the bar and click on Generate idea. You will see a unique title on the screen as you click the Generate Idea button. If you want, you can edit the title as you need.

Final Thought

Creating a compelling title and legible description helps viewers and search engines understand your video content effectively without even opening it. Plan your title after thoroughly researching the topic; keep it short, and creative, and include numbers, add emotional words, and more. Offer your audience what you promise in the title. Considering the information in the blog will help you develop an engaging title quickly and improve your brand image.

Are you thinking about where to upload videos with these creative titles? YouTube can be the best option. YouTube is the most popular video streaming platform. More than 90% of marketers use it to increase their business’s visibility. You can also use Vimeo, the fastest-growing video streaming platform, and others like TikTok, Vidyard, and Wistia.

You have now unlocked the secret of a creative and engaging title for your upcoming video. So, Get Ready to Attract Millions of Views!