Blog

How to Use an Existing YouTube Video as a Pre-Roll Ad (Maximize Your Reach and Engagement!)

February 03, 2025

Pre-roll ads are one of the most effective ways to capture your audience’s attention on YouTube. If you have an existing YouTube video that aligns with your marketing goals, you can repurpose it as a pre-roll ad to maximize engagement and conversions.

With Pagesence Advertising, you can create high-performing pre-roll ads, optimize audience targeting, and track campaign performance to ensure the best ROI. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Set Up a Google Ads Account

To run a YouTube pre-roll ad, you need a Google Ads account linked to your YouTube channel. If you don’t have one, create an account at Google Ads and link it to your channel.

Step 2: Choose Your Existing YouTube Video

Select a video from your YouTube channel that:

Clearly delivers your message within the first 5-10 seconds.
Is engaging and visually appealing.
Includes a strong call-to-action (CTA) encouraging viewers to take the next step.

Step 3: Create a New Video Campaign in Google Ads

Log in to Google Ads.
Click on “Campaigns” and select “New Campaign”.
Choose “Create a campaign without a goal’s guidance” or “Leads” if you have a conversion objective.
Select “Video” as your campaign type.
Choose “Skippable in-stream ad” for your pre-roll ad format.

Step 4: Configure Your Campaign Settings

Set Your Budget: Decide on a daily or total campaign budget.
Select Your Target Audience: Choose demographics, interests, keywords, and placements relevant to your ad.
Define Your Bidding Strategy: Opt for CPV (Cost-Per-View) or Target CPA (Cost-Per-Acquisition) depending on your campaign goals.
Choose Your Ad Placements: Select YouTube videos, search results, or partner websites where your ad will appear.

Step 5: Upload Your Video Ad

Paste the URL of your existing YouTube video in the video selection field.
Add a headline and description to complement your ad.
Insert a clickable CTA button that directs viewers to your landing page or website.
Select a companion banner (optional) for added visibility.

Step 6: Launch and Monitor Performance

Click “Create Campaign” to launch your pre-roll ad.
Use Google Ads analytics to track views, watch time, engagement, and conversions.
A/B test different videos and CTAs to optimize results.

Best Practices for a High-Performing Pre-Roll Ad

Hook Viewers in the First 5 Seconds: Make an impact before they have the chance to skip.
Keep It Short and Clear: Aim for 15-30 seconds for better engagement.
Include Strong Visuals and Branding: Ensure your ad is recognizable and memorable.
Use a Persuasive CTA: Encourage users to take immediate action.
Test Different Videos and Formats: Experiment with messaging and visuals to see what resonates best.

Final Thoughts

Using an existing YouTube video as a pre-roll ad is a cost-effective way to expand your reach and drive conversions. By leveraging Google Ads targeting and optimizing your ad content, you can maximize engagement and ensure your brand stays top-of-mind.

For an even more effective campaign, Pagesence Advertising offers expert solutions to optimize your pre-roll ads, helping you target the right audience and boost ROI.