What is a YouTube Premiere?

A YouTube Premiere lets artists and their fans watch and experience a new video together in real-time. When you set a premiere, you create a public watch page for your video. Share this with fans ahead of time so they set reminders, chat, and leave comments before the video goes live. This helps build excitement by allowing viewers to set reminders, chat, and leave comments before the video goes live. Premieres appear across YouTube just like regular uploads, offering all the benefits of early engagement and increased shareability.

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How to Create and Customise Your Premiere

Creating and customising your YouTube Premiere is straightforward:

1. Upload Your Video: Start by uploading your video via YouTube Studio.
2. Choose Premiere Type: Decide whether to create an instant premiere or schedule one for a later date. We recommend scheduling for a later date to maximise engagement.
3. Schedule Your Premiere:
   • In the visibility tab, select "schedule."
   • Set the desired date and time.
   • Check "set as premiere."
4. Share Your Watch Page: Once scheduled, you'll receive a public watch page link to share with your network.
5. Customise Your Premiere:
   • Click on the "Set Up Premiere" prompt.
   • Select a Countdown Theme.
   • Set up a live redirect.
   • Add a trailer (if eligible).
6. Save and Schedule: Once customised, click "Save and Schedule."

Best Practices for a Successful Premiere

To make the most of your YouTube Premiere, follow these best practices:

• Timing: Check your analytics to see when your audience is most active. Generally, releasing your video at 10 AM on a weekday or at 5/6 PM on a Friday can maximise viewership.
• Advance Scheduling: Schedule your premiere at least 48 hours in advance and share the watch page link across your social media platforms.
• Custom Thumbnails: Create and upload a custom thumbnail to attract more viewers.
• Engage During the Premiere: Respond to live chats and let your viewers know you’re watching with them. This enhances the shared experience and builds stronger connections with your audience.
• Countdown Timer: The countdown will start at the scheduled time, building anticipation for your video.
• Live Redirect: Use this feature to send your audience to another premiere or live stream after your premiere ends. Redirecting to your own live stream can further engage your fans and keep the momentum going.
• Trailers: If you have at least 1,000 subscribers, you can upload a trailer to play before your premiere. This provides another opportunity to share pre-save content and build excitement.
• Monetisation: If you’re in the YouTube Partner Program, you can access additional features to monetise your channel. Check out our blog post here on how to monetize your channel.

Conclusion

YouTube Premieres offer a unique way to launch new content and engage with your fans in real-time. By following these steps and best practices, you can create a memorable premiere experience that drives engagement and excitement for your new video. For more tips and tricks on setting up a YouTube premiere, check out YouTube's official blog post.