Get 10x More Engagement With These Strategies ✨

#HTE 264- Master YouTube ads and much more!

February 10, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes

Hello there, HTE rock stars! 😎

Welcome to HTE’s newsletter! In this edition, we’ll go on a journey through the ever-evolving world of digital marketing! In this blog, we'll dive into the intricacies of YouTube Shorts, revealing expert tips, examples, and specs for mastering this platform.

But that's just the beginning! Explore the evolution of loyalty programs beyond traditional coupons, and uncover how leading brands are reshaping customer engagement.

And as our voyage continues, decode eBay's Advanced Promoted Listings Ads, gaining insights into cutting-edge advertising techniques.

Join us as we unravel the secrets of digital success and unlock the boundless opportunities that await in the digital realm! 🌟

Newcomers welcome to HTE's hub! Join 35k+ CEOs, CMOs, and marketers for game-changing insights. Get ahead, sign up for brilliance, and let's rise together! 🚀

🚀 Mastering YouTube Shorts: Ad Running Tips, Examples, Specs & More

💳 Beyond Coupons: The Evolution of Loyalty Programs

🔍 Decoding eBay’s Advanced Promoted Listings Ads

Brand of the Week✨

Top Reads📚

HTE Job Board- Get Your Dream Job With a Click✨💼

🚀 Mastering YouTube Shorts: Ad Running Tips, Examples, Specs & More

YouTube Shorts Ads: Elevate your advertising in the world of short-form videos! Engage with your audience through skippable ads (10-60 seconds) within the YouTube Shorts ecosystem. 📱 Reach a vast audience and benefit from monetization as a creator. 💰 Earn a 45% share of ad revenue with over 1,000 subscribers and 10 million views in 90 days. 

Shorts Ads are officially available for various YouTube advertising formats, including Video 

Reach Campaigns, Video Action Campaigns, App Campaigns for Install, and Discovery campaigns. Gain exclusivity with the limited availability of Shorts Select, a program for select advertisers. Stay ahead in digital marketing with Shorts Ads! 🚀

YouTube Shorts Ads 📱:

  • Reach diverse age groups 🌍 with millions of regular users.

  • Benefit from YouTube's two-decade legacy for stability 🏛️ and credibility.

  • Enjoy cost-effective advertising with CPVs ranging from 10 to 30 cents 💰.

  • Utilize advanced targeting options for precise audience reach 🎯, including filters, tags, location targeting, and interests.

  • Leverage rich user data for refined targeting based on interests 📊, including search history, watched videos, and engagement topics.

  • Capture extended audience attention with longer view times 🕒, as YouTube Shorts Ads offer more prolonged engagement compared to other platforms.

  • Stand out in the fast-paced digital landscape 🚀, ensuring your brand message resonates effectively with a wide audience.

Specs for Ads on YouTube Shorts

For optimal YouTube Shorts performance:

  • Orientation: Use a vertical format with a 9:16 aspect ratio for engaging Shorts. 📱

  • Resolution: Aim for 1920 x 1080 pixels for high-quality visuals. 🖼️

  • Duration: Keep Shorts Ads concise, up to 60 seconds. ⏱️

  • Title: Keep it under 100 characters for quick comprehension. 💬

  • Description: Limit to 5,000 characters for balance between detail and brevity. 📝

  • Alternative Format: Square format (1080 x 1080 pixels) is also viable, though consider its impact on viewer experience. 🔄

Adhering to these specs ensures optimal performance and viewer engagement.

Targeting YouTube Shorts Ads effectively involves strategic methods tailored to the platform's evolving features. Here are four precise ways to do it:

YouTube Select for Top Performing Videos: 🎯 Place ads strategically alongside popular and brand-safe videos in specific markets like beauty, technology, and sports. This ensures prominent placement next to relevant content, enhancing visibility and relevance. YouTube is testing "First Position on Shorts," guaranteeing prime ad placement to capture viewer attention right away. 

Targeting Shorts Explicitly: 🎯 Marketers with access to this feature can target Shorts directly, simplifying ad targeting. While not universally available yet, more marketers are expected to gain access gradually. 

Campaign Setup Tricks for Increased Visibility: Maximize visibility by creating vertical videos and selecting "Mobile" placements. This increases the likelihood of ad appearance on Shorts. As Shorts expands, more advertising opportunities are likely to emerge, rendering these tricks less necessary. 📱

Affinity Targeting: Beyond Shorts, advertisers can target ads based on users' interests and online behavior. This method helps reach specific audience segments interested in their products or services. 

Best Practices for Your YouTube Shorts Ads

Continuous Testing and Diverse Ads: Utilize ad groups to test different Shorts ads and optimize campaigns. Include at least five shorts in a single ad group for effective testing. Experiment with various lengths to gauge audience resonance.

Film Vertical Ads: Opt for a vertical orientation for an optimal Shorts experience. While YouTube accepts horizontal videos for Shorts ads, vertical filming yields better creative results.

Start with Remarketing Lists: Initiate your targeting strategy with remarketing lists to reach relevant customers from the outset. Expand reach gradually while maintaining relevance.

Utilize Hooks: Capture viewer attention with compelling hooks to encourage longer viewing. Align ad style with organic content for seamless integration into the Shorts experience. Communicate a clear message about your product to enhance engagement and minimize confusion.

💳 Beyond Coupons: The Evolution of Loyalty Programs

In today's competitive retail landscape, brands are employing innovative strategies to foster customer loyalty. One such trend gaining momentum is the offering of members-only access to new or exclusive merchandise. Let's delve into how this approach is reshaping the loyalty landscape.

Kith, Claire's, and Hanna Andersson: Leading the Charge 🚀

  • Kith's Tiered Loyalty Program: Kith, the renowned streetwear apparel retailer, recently introduced a three-tiered loyalty program, enticing customers with perks such as exclusive access to custom products and new items.

  • Claire's VIP Access: Accessories retailer Claire's revamped its loyalty program, now boasting VIP access to new items and collection launches, reinforcing its bond with loyal patrons.

  • Hanna Andersson's Exclusive Offers: DTC children's apparel brand Hanna Andersson unveiled its inaugural loyalty program, granting members early access to new merchandise and exclusive limited-edition products.

The Evolution of Customer Loyalty 💖

Traditionally, customer loyalty revolved around tangible rewards like discounts and points. However, the paradigm is shifting towards emotionally enriching benefits, such as exclusive product access. Ian Baer, founder of Sooth, emphasizes the significance of emotional connections in driving purchases and enhancing brand loyalty.

Unlocking Emotional Bonds 🤝

  • Building Lasting Connections: Brands recognize that emotional bonds forged through exclusive access lead to a fourfold increase in lifetime value and prolonged customer retention.

  • Claire's and Under Armour: Claire's and Under Armour exemplify this approach by offering early access to new merchandise, exclusive events, and compelling content from athletes and fitness experts.

Tailoring Rewards to Customer Preferences 🎁

  • Customized Experiences: Brands tailor rewards to suit diverse customer preferences, ranging from collaborative limited-edition products to monthly redemption offers.

  • Insightful Engagement: Loyalty programs deepen emotional connections and provide invaluable insights into consumer behavior and product demand, aiding inventory planning and product development.

Meeting Elevated Expectations 🌟

  • Customer-Centric Approach: Success hinges on aligning products and services with loyal customers' expectations, necessitating robust customer service resources and tailored experiences.

  • Continuous Adaptation: Brands must continually adapt their loyalty programs to meet evolving consumer preferences and maintain relevance in an ever-changing market landscape.

In essence, by offering exclusive access to coveted products, brands foster deeper emotional connections with consumers and gain crucial insights to drive strategic decision-making and enhance overall customer satisfaction.

🔍 Decoding eBay’s Advanced Promoted Listings Ads

eBay Promoted Listings Advanced ads have officially launched before Holiday 2023. These CPC ads offer sellers and brands exclusive access to placements across eBay, featuring targeting and budgeting options that streamline advertising on eBay, making it more accessible and cost-effective than anticipated.

What is Promoted Listings Advanced (PLA)?

eBay's Promoted Listings Advanced campaigns prioritize Above Standard and Top Rated Sellers' listings at the top of search results for specific keywords, limited to four sponsored listings per search. Advanced campaigns now focus solely on the site where items are listed to improve performance. Using a second-price auction pay-per-click model, bids are influenced by factors like listing quality, keyword relevance, bid amount, competitors' bids, and eBay's minimum click value. Sellers can streamline campaign management by organizing listings into ad groups based on shared attributes and audiences. 

Promoted Listings Standard vs. Promoted Listings Advanced

Top-of-SERP placement incurs charges per click, with advanced campaign management options resulting in a 50% sales increase. Conversely, Promoted Listings Standard operates on a cost-per-sale model, appearing in multiple eBay locations and targeting customers based on product data. Sellers pay a predetermined percentage of the sale price only when purchases are made within 30 days of clicking the ad, making PLS ads a cost-effective choice for broad exposure.

How do Promoted Listings Advanced Ads Work?

PLA ads utilize targeting and budget controls to secure top-of-search and premium slot placement for relevant keywords, enhancing product visibility. Total campaign costs depend on keyword bids, competitors' bids, and clicks received. Unspent daily budget does not roll over. Winning the auction involves bid amount, listing quality, keyword relevance, and daily budget. Low-quality listings targeting irrelevant keywords won't display ads.

Promoted Listing Advanced Ads Rules and Requirements

  • Must have product in stock

  • Cannot be in the following categories: Wholesale & Job Lots, Cars, Motorcycles & Vehicles, Events Tickets, Property, E-Cigarettes, Vapes & Accessories, or Everything Else

  • Buy It Now listings only; Cannot be an auction, even if that auction has a “Buy It Now” option

  • To verify the eligibility of a listing, visit your Seller Hub or view your product’s listing. Item eligibility will be listed under the “Promotions” column.

Best Practices for eBay Promoted Listings Advanced Campaigns

  • Craft an Optimal Product Page 🛍️

To excel in eBay auctions, prioritize quality listings. Ensure completeness, utilize appropriate formats, and categorize accurately. Apply optimization principles across platforms for maximum impact. Emphasize ample data, refined titles and descriptions, and top-tier imagery to boost shopper confidence.

  • Combine Promoted Listings Strategies 🚀

Maximize visibility efficiently with both Promoted Listings Standard (PLS) and Promoted Listings Advanced (PLA) ads. Choose based on competition, organic ranking, and conversion potential.

  • Monitor Organic Listings Regularly 👀

Organic or paid listings vie for visibility. Focus promotional efforts on weaker keywords for strong organic listings. Enhance organic positioning through refinement. Prioritize Promoted Listings for challenging scenarios.

  • Allow Time for Data Accumulation ⏳

Promoted Listings thrive with eBay's optimization and campaign duration. Allocate time for refining targeting and addressing issues.

Brand of the Week🔥

Flings, the brainchild of food entrepreneurs Ben and Dino, are a reinvention of beloved childhood snacks. These innovative treats offer the same nostalgic joy with upgraded, healthier ingredients. Inspired by a camping trip, where traditional toaster pastries left them feeling unsatisfied, Ben and Dino set out to create a better alternative.

They transformed the formula by removing excessive sugars and heavy carbs, replacing them with high-quality proteins and natural sweetness from fruits and spices. The result is a delightful toaster pastry that combines the best of pies, cookies, and donuts in one guilt-free, decadent rectangle.

Enjoy Flings hot or cold, at home or on the go, for a high-protein, low-carb, and low-sugar snack experience. Discover innovation and nostalgia in every bite with Flings, brought to you by RetroSnacks Inc.

Top Reads📚

HTE Job Board- Get Your Dream Job With a Click✨💼

Welcome to the HTE Job Board. We connect talented individuals with exciting career opportunities. Browse through our latest job listings and find the perfect match for your skills and aspirations. 

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