How to add a video CTA to increase conversion rates
Written by Syed Balkhi | 19th February 2025
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It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; video marketing has become one of the cornerstones for businesses that want to connect with their audience and build rapport.
Video has proven to be one of the most engaging media types available today. It allows us to teach, tell stories, and inspire action that eventually leads to conversions. And that is exactly why you need to add a video call-to-action (CTA) to your content.
It’s estimated that 91% of businesses use video marketing to improve brand awareness and sales!
However, considering that the average person watches around 100 minutes of online video content throughout the day, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Adding a CTA is proven to boost engagement, increase sales, and drive traffic to key parts of your website. It’s the perfect way to drive potential customers to take the next step with your business, whatever that may be.
Today, I’ll show you the benefits of adding a video CTA and share actionable strategies you can use to get better results from your next video.
Let’s dive in!
Benefits of Adding a Video CTA
- Improve Conversions – As the name implies, a strategically placed CTA leads viewers towards taking action, like joining your email list or buying from your site, which will help you improve conversions across the board.
- Boost engagement – Interactive CTAs encourage viewers to participate instead of just watching from the sidelines. Whether clicking to learn more or participating in a poll, a well-placed call-to-action is a surefire way to encourage audience engagement.
- Drive Traffic – CTAs are an excellent source for sending viewers to landing pages, product pages, or your social media profile. You can guide the viewer exactly where you want them to go by putting links in your videos, which can help drive traffic toward your most valuable pages.
- Increase brand awareness – Since your CTA can highlight brand messaging and your visual identity, it’s also great for making more people aware of your company and what this means for them. Someone might think you’re just a YouTube channel until they see the link back to your website!
- Gather Valuable Data – Trackable CTAs give marketers valuable information on viewers’ behavior and preferences and show the general impact of video campaigns. Knowing which CTAs result in the most engagement will help you improve future marketing campaigns.
6 Effective Ways to Add a Video CTA
Use Text Overlays
First, a simple but powerful way to include a call to action is to use text overlays within your video. Short, clear, action-based messages are a great way to convince viewers to take the next step.
For example, if you want viewers to join your email list, include a clickable signup button on the screen while you’re talking about the benefits of joining.
Text overlays should be visually attractive. Ideally, they should stand out against the background of the video yet be subtle enough to not disrupt the viewer’s experience.
Add an Interactive End Screen
End screens offer a really good opportunity for calls to action. Basically, at the end of the video, you can include links that lead to related videos or other places you want them to check out, like your website.
In my experience, the key to creating conversion-worthy end screens is to make sure it’s relevant to both the video they just watched and what you want them to do next.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different end-screen combinations until you find one that yields the best results. You’ll want to consider the context of the video, where you expect viewers to be in your sales funnel when they see it, and the results of similar videos.
Consider Adding Annotations
Annotations are another fantastic way to get people to act while watching your video. In this context, an annotation is a popup designed to add context to something the person speaking is saying.
For instance, a clickable “Get Started” button in the middle of a demonstration video could compel viewers to take immediate action. Ideally, they should appear at times that are valuable to the viewer, not distracting.
Add a CTA in the Description
If someone misses your in-video call-to-action, you’ll want to make sure it’s somewhere they can find it. That is why adding a call to action to your video description is so important.
You can simply include the same text with a link that goes where you need them to go. This seemingly simple strategy will help you keep people engaged who otherwise may have decided to leave.
Beyond not hearing you correctly, some people may have simply not noticed your CTA, which is why having it placed somewhere else on the same page can help drive more conversions.
Don't Forget Spoken Calls-to-Action
Sometimes, the most powerful call to action is just a verbal cue integrated into the video narration. Saying something like, “Visit our website to learn more” or “Download our free guide below” can add personality and a much-needed sense of urgency.
Verbal calls-to-action work really well with instructional or story-type videos because the conversational tone helps the request flow naturally from the speaker. This strategy will bridge the gap between passive observation and active decision-making by setting clear guidance on what viewers should do next.
Refining Your Video Call-to-Action Strategy
simpleshow is a powerful AI-driven platform for businesses who want to take their video marketing to the next level. Known for its brilliant explainer video tools, simpleshow gives users the chance to create videos that get people to take action.
Notable features, including customizable text overlays and a variety of end-screen options, make it very easy to add CTAs that best represent your goals.
The super simple user interface is perfect for marketers who want to create professional-grade videos without using complicated tools or having in-depth knowledge of editing.
If you want to see how simpleshow can simplify your video marketing and boost engagement with actionable CTAs, sign up today and request a demo!
Refining Your Video Call-to-Action Strategy
There you have it! It’s clear that adding the right CTAs within your video content is a must-use strategy for video marketers across all industries.
With the tips I shared today, you’ll get the chance to add different CTAs to your videos so you can figure out what works best for your brand.
When done correctly, there’s no question that it will boost engagement and ultimately help you reach your marketing goals.
Author's bio
Syed Balkhi is the founder of WPBeginner, the largest free WordPress resource site. With over 10 years of experience, he’s the leading WordPress expert in the industry. You can learn more about Syed and his portfolio of companies by following him on his social media networks.
