7 Powerful Video Call to Action (CTA) Examples to Boost Conversion

A video call-to-action is like making pancakes — easy in theory, but somehow ends up undercooked or burned. 

At first, it seems simple: tell people what to do, make it clear, and place the CTA at the end. So why does your audience still fail to take action, even when it feels like you’re following all the rules?

Because, like pancakes, it’s less about the ingredients themselves and more about how you put them together. A strong video CTA doesn’t feel like an interruption. Instead, it is the natural next step. When it lands at the right moment, framed in the right way, viewers don’t think twice about clicking, subscribing, or signing up.

That’s why in this article, you won’t just get a list of catchy lines. You’ll see 7 proven video CTA examples. And more importantly, the psychology and strategy behind why they work. Instead of guessing or recycling what everyone else is saying, you’ll know exactly how to craft CTAs that deliver results. 

7 Video Call to Action examples and why they work

Looking for effective call-to-actions for your next video? Here are 7 CTA examples and why they work for video content. 

1. Motivational call-to-action: PlayPlay

Action phrase: Give it a try and have fun creating videos. 

Why it worked: The CTA feels subtle and encouraging rather than pushy. Instead of leaning on FOMO or pressure, it motivates the audience to try the new feature by trusting the strength of the content itself. The video presents the information clearly and with confidence, so the CTA works more like a finishing touch — a bow around a present — than something bolted on at the end.

Takeaway: Sometimes the most effective CTA isn’t about urgency or scarcity. If your content is strong enough, you can let the information do the heavy lifting and use the CTA as gentle encouragement. 

2. Conversion call-to-action: Buffer

Action phrase: Head to Buffer.com to try it today. 

Why it worked: This is the standard, straightforward CTA: it asks the audience to complete a clear action. What makes it effective is the specificity. Instead of using vague directions like “click the link in our bio,” it tells viewers exactly where to go by spelling out the URL. That clarity removes friction and makes it easy for the audience to follow through.

Takeaway: A direct CTA can still stand out when it eliminates guesswork. The more precise you are about what action to take and where to take it, the less likely viewers are to drop off.

3. Content journey call-to-action: VidIQ

Action phrase: Find out in this fantastic next video.  

Why it worked: The CTA feels less like an ask and more like the natural next step in the viewing experience. The video ends with a kind of cliffhanger — teasing what comes next — which creates momentum and curiosity. 

The embedded thumbnail link also makes it effortless to click through, so viewers don’t have to think twice about continuing. Most importantly, the original video is already value-packed, the audience trusts the creator and feels rewarded enough to keep going. 

Takeaway: A strong video-to-video CTA relies on flow and trust. If you can end on intrigue while still delivering value, viewers will want more. 

4. Engagement call-to-action: tl;dv

Action phrase: Click on our link. 

Why it worked: The CTA blends into the story instead of standing apart from it. Because the video is framed as a direct response to a question from the community, the audience is already leaning in — they want the answer. By the time the CTA shows up, it feels like part of that answer rather than an extra ask. 

What makes it especially effective is how it’s delivered. Instead of a generic “click here” or “sign up,” the CTA shows up in a playful way (on a piece of paper), so it feels like part of the story’s cast rather than an interruption. The humor makes it more memorable, and the timing (toward the end) means it lands without derailing the flow.

Also worth noting is how the narrator stays committed to that story, genuinely focusing on answering the question rather than hijacking it for a sales pitch. That sincerity makes the CTA feel more authentic and trustworthy.

Takeaway: A CTA doesn’t need to shout to work. If you fold it into the flow of your story and deliver it with personality, it can capture attention without breaking immersion.

5. Mixed call-to-action: Connecteam

Action Phrase: Comment “Connecteam” and I’ll send you the link to try our app for free. 

Why it worked: This CTA pulls double duty. Instead of choosing between engagement or conversion, this CTA bridges both: it increases visibility while capturing intent. 

Asking viewers to comment “Connecteam” encourages in-platform interaction, which signals to social algorithms that the content is valuable and worth showing to more people. That organic reach boost means the video can snowball in visibility without additional ad spend.

Normally, stacking two CTAs could feel overwhelming, but here it works because the first action (commenting) is a natural gateway to the second (getting the link). One leads directly into the other, making the process feel effortless for the viewer.

The takeaway: A smart CTA doesn’t have to do just one job. When designed thoughtfully, it can fuel platform growth and customer acquisition in the same breath — without burdening the audience with too many asks. 

6. FOMO call-to-action: Warwick Castle

Action phrase: Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer and secure your FREE second-day entry today!

Why it worked: This video tapped into the popular “Jet 2 holiday trend,” giving the brand a fun and familiar format to ride. Pairing that trend with a limited-time offer made the CTA feel timely and urgent. The use of on-screen text kept the message clear and visible without breaking the flow of the video. And because the offer was positioned as a bonus (FREE second-day entry), it felt rewarding rather than pushy.

Takeaway: Don’t just tell people what they’ll miss; show them why they need to act now. Blending trend-based content with scarcity messaging makes your CTA feel relevant, urgent, and hard to ignore.

What is a video call-to-action? 

A video call-to-action (CTA) is a short prompt — usually 5 to 10 words — that directs your audience on what to do next after watching your video. It clearly communicates the action you want them to take, such as subscribing to your YouTube channel, signing up for your product, or visiting a link in your bio.

What makes a good video call to action?

A good video call-to-action checks the following boxes: 

1. Concise 

Concise means the call-to-action is short, clear, and easy to understand. It delivers the message in just a few words (ideally 5–10) so viewers immediately know what to do. 

Here are some examples of concise vs. wordy and long-winded video call-to-actions. 

The concise CTA examples are shorter, easier to understand, and quickly communicate the exact action you want the audience to take. 

2. Relevant 

A good CTA is directly connected to the video’s core message. It feels like a natural next step rather than an interruption. Relevant CTAs extend the value of the video and guide the viewer toward an action they’re already primed to take.

Suppose you just watched a video about advertising a new SEO course. In that case, relevant CTA examples include: 

• Enroll in the SEO course today.
• Start learning SEO — join now.
• Get instant access to the SEO course.
• Sign up and master SEO step by step.

By contrast, if the video ended with “Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more marketing resources,” it would feel odd. While subscribing may help the creator, it isn’t the logical next step for someone already interested in the course. 

3. Specific

A specific CTA removes friction by pointing to one next step instead of many. When multiple requests are stacked together (e.g., “Like, subscribe, share, and click the link”), it overwhelms the audience and reduces the chance they’ll do any of them. A single, specific action keeps the focus sharp and makes it more likely the viewer will follow through.

Here are some examples:

4. Well-timed

A good CTA appears when the viewer is most ready to act. This is usually toward the end of the video — after you’ve delivered enough value or information for them to see the benefit of taking the next step. Placing it too early feels pushy; placing it too late risks losing attention. The timing should feel like a natural conclusion that guides the audience forward.

Well-Timed CTA: 

• After a product demo: “Book your demo today to see it in action for your business.”
• After an educational tutorial: “Download the free checklist to put these steps into practice.”

Poorly Timed CTA:

• Asking for a sign-up in the first 15 seconds before showing any value.
• Dropping a CTA after the outro when most viewers have already clicked away.

How do you write an effective video call-to-action? 

To write a compelling video call-to-action: 

• Start with relevance: Tie the CTA to the content of your video so it feels like a natural next step.
• Be specific: Give your audience one clear action to take, not a laundry list.
• Use action-oriented language: Words like try, watch, download, and join make the step feel direct and doable.
• Place it at the right moment: Don’t just tack it onto the end; deliver it when the viewer is primed to act.
• Keep it simple: The easier the CTA is to understand, the more likely people are to follow through.

Ready to create video call-to-actions that work for your brand? 

Now that you know how to create effective video CTAs, the real test is putting that knowledge into practice. Start creating videos and experimenting with different approaches to see what resonates with your audience.

To make that easier, use a tool like PlayPlay — simple, online video software with ready-to-go templates that let you focus on your message instead of wrestling with editing. That way, you can spend less time on production and more time crafting CTAs that actually drive action.

Try PlayPlay for free for seven days.