Pre-Publish CTA Checklist

3 CTAs to 1 destination.

This system generated 40,000+ QR code scans alone for one client in 4 months, on top of standard link clicks, resulting in hundreds of thousands in additional revenue.

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The 3-Part CTA System

Include all three in every video

CTA #1 — Early Mention placed before AVD / ~30% mark.
Brief, natural, under 10 seconds.

CTA #2 — QR Code Lower-Third placed at ~50% mark.
Clean graphic, 8-15 seconds on screen, no verbal interruption needed.

CTA #3 — Earned Pitch placed at ~80% mark.
Outcome-driven language, 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Sell the result, not the product.

All three point to the same destination.
Don't split their attention, so use one link with one action.

Description + Pinned Comment

Make the link findable and trackable

Primary link in line 1 of the description, above the fold on mobile.
Max two links above the fold (one paid, one free).

Same link in pinned comment with one sentence connecting the video topic to the offer.

Link is tracked via bit.ly, short.io, or UTM parameters.
No raw URLs.

Before You Publish

End screen, cleanup, and final checks

End screen video chosen before filming.
Write the verbal bridge into your script, don't bolt it on in the edit.

End screen points to a specific next video, not "best for viewer" auto-pick.
Pair it with a verbal open loop so they feel they need to watch it.

Lead magnet is video-specific, not generic.
The more relevant to the topic, the higher the conversion.

Stop Doing

Don't waste your verbal CTAs on "like and subscribe." Nobody has ever subscribed because a creator reminded them to. Use those moments to drive actual business.

Don't beg for bell notifications. YouTube's notification system works fine without you asking for it.

Don't dump five links in your description. Every extra link above the fold competes with your primary link and reduces clicks across all of them. One link, or two max (one paid, one free).

Want to understand why this system works?

Read the full 3-Part CTA System lesson with examples, scripts, and the strategy behind each placement.

Read lesson