Last updated on 30th November 2022
CTA stands for ‘call-to-action’. A CTA on a video is one of the most effective ways to increase conversions. Semrush says “CTAs encourage your audience to take deliberate action.”
A video CTA can be anything from asking viewers to subscribe to your channel, buy your product, or simply to like and share your video.
In this article, we’ll look at examples of the best video CTAs and tips on how to make yours just as powerful!
What is a video CTA?
A video CTA is a way to end your video that usually includes a prompt for your viewer.
Strong CTAs can be effective in gaining new customers, subscribers, likes and shares, allowing you to build your customer base.
A video call to action is typically written as a command or action phrase, such as ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Buy Now’.
Video CTA words & phrases
5 Tips for a better video CTA
1. Make sure your CTA is clear and concise
Viewers have already watched your whole video, so your CTA should be short and simple. A couple of words plus a clear simple action such as ‘contact us today’ is all you need.
2. Make it relevant to your video’s content
Your video call to action should also compliment your video’s message. For example, if your video is a short explainer video, directing viewers to ‘Get Started’ or ‘Find out more’ is appropriate.
3. Use different types of CTAs
This all depends on the subject matter, audience, and type of video. But different words and phrases work for different purposes. For example, in your product video, it makes sense to urge viewers to ‘Buy now!’ but in your demo video, it’s probably more appropriate to ask your audience to ‘Learn more’.
4. Use a sense of urgency in your video CTA
Your video CTA is the time to make your audience realise they must take action! Using highly actionable verbs such as ‘Try now!’ or ‘Sign up today!’ is the most effective way to do this.
5. Make your video call to action both visual and verbal
Psychologist Albert Mehrabian says a massive 93% of all communication is non verbal, so make sure the action is both said in the voiceover and as either text on screen or a clickable button.
12 powerful video CTA Examples
Here are some powerful video CTA examples that you can use to increase conversions and get people to take action:
Ask viewers to like and share your video
These types of CTAs are most commonly used in YouTube videos. This is because it’s especially important on this platform to have engagement on your videos.
Asking viewers to take these actions at the end of your video means that they can do them straight away.
Once you have this engagement, it makes it more likely that people will see more of your videos.
Examples:
In this video by Matt Byrom, the CTA to subscribe and like the video is both said, and shown on screen. This really hammers the message home.
Jeremy Jahns ends his videos with the same call to action each time, in a comically fast pace he fits in asking his viewers to like, see more and comment on the video.
Ask viewers to buy your product
This is a simple video CTA with high rewards!
If your video is showcasing a product, it makes sense for your CTA to be where to buy it. This can be added as an interactive button, to make it as simple as possible for your viewers.
Examples:
This video by glasses brand Felix Gray gives the viewer all the information about buying the product, via voiceover and URL on screen.
This short and simple video from HelloFresh has an equally concise CTA, simply ‘order a box today’. This is really effective as it’s telling the viewer exactly what to do.
This video by BrightStores approaches the ‘buy now’ CTA a little differently, with the phrase ‘To have these features on your site…’. This works because it’s directly addressing the video’s intended target audience.
Ask viewers to request a demo
A massive 73% of people say they’d prefer watching a shorter video. So, including all the info in a video isn’t always possible.
Giving viewers the elevator pitch in an explainer video and then asking them to request a demo is a great way to get around this.
Examples:
This video from Previsico asks the viewer to ‘See how our technology works for you’ this is personalising the CTA and helps them relate to the action suggested.
Lead Doubler uses their video CTA to persuade the viewer to get a free demo. Telling them that it’s free is a good way to persuade the viewer to take the next step.
Ask viewers to contact you
That’s right, your video call to action can be as simple as that!
Asking potential customers to contact you gives them an action to do once their interest has been piqued by your video content. And if your video has done the job you intended, they’ll have no choice but to get in touch.
Examples:
This video by Century21 has no voiceover so images and text on screen are used in place asking viewers to contact them – this still works perfectly!
ParentMail offers their audience more information in return for contacting them, which is a great way to get them to engage.
Direct viewers to another video, webpage or piece of content
This could be the next video in a series, content such as a report or ebook or even just a specific page on your website.
Whatever it is, your video CTA is the perfect time to lead viewers to it, keeping them engaged with you for at least another step.
Examples:
In this video from Salesforce, the viewer is offered a downloadable report.
Dollar Shave Club’s legendary video points the audience towards their website.
Poppulo directs their viewers to download a whitepaper.
Conclusion
Video CTAs are a great way to engage your audience, even at the very end of your video.
Leaving them with an action to complete, instead of just finishing your video and clicking away is the best way to leave a lasting impression.
Here’s our list of the best explainer videos ever, see how they implement their CTAs.
