Those who are aware of the changes in the virtual environment know that video content is gaining more and more space. The format is one of the favorites of users!
For this reason, to stand out among so much content in this format, reach the audience and increase engagement, it is essential to invest in quality videos.
However, in addition to , It is also necessary to think about how to attract users to that content and make them click on your video instead of so many others available on the Internet.
To do this, there are several resources that can be used, for example an attractive title, description or thumbnail, which will be the focus of our post today.
In this text you will find everything you need to know about thumbnails, as well as several tips to create attractive display images for your audience using simple tools.
Shall we start?
What is thumbnail?
Thumbnail is a reduced version of an image, created to facilitate the recognition process of the content that will be focused on in a video.
By the way, you have already come across several thumbnails on the Internet, you just didn’t know they had that name, right?
Actually, you find this type of display image on virtually every social network, even on , where the thumbnail is used as the cover of the video.
Basically, it serves to draw the user’s attention and make them choose your content and not others that also appear as search results for a certain keyword.
What is the importance of thumbnail?
Whoever thinks that the thumbnail is just a decorative element, that does not deserve attention and does not influence anything in the design, is mistaken. engagement of the audience.
Knowing how to create an attractive thumbnail may be what you need to increase the number of views of your videos.
We will now show you what this small image is so important for your strategy!
1. Get the user’s attention
The user who enters YouTube to search for a video on “medicinal plants”, for example, finds thousands of contents on the subject.
Therefore, perhaps reading the title and description of the video can lead the person to be interested in your content, but usually one of the first things that people look at is the image.
A thumbnail with an attractive, high-quality image catches the eye and shows the user that you really dedicated yourself to building that video.
This first impression is key for them to understand that your content adds value and is exactly the solution they were looking for.
Mainly in a social medium where the focus is on audiovisual content, it is easy to understand why users pay more attention to an image than to text, isn’t it?
2. Contextualize the user about the topic focused on the video
The use of thumbnail indicates to the users the type of information that will be transmitted in that content. With it, people identify elements that contextualize the topic and function as a summary of what will be discussed.
Let us return to the example of medicinal plants.
If your video shows how to grow them inside an apartment, the fact of clarifying it in the thumbnail already tells the Internet user exactly what will be shared.
Thus, you ensure that whoever is looking for that specific subject will quickly identify your video, as well as realize what they are really looking for.
Remember that Internet users are usually in a hurry and are not willing to spend time defining the content they are going to consume.
Therefore, if they have to read your video description or start watching it to better understand the content, you can be sure that they will choose another option.
The thumbnail works, then, as a means of transmitting all the necessary information from the beginning.
3. Determine a visual identity
Thumbnail is also important to establish a visual identity and ensure that the public identifies your videos and recognizes you in the midst of so much other content available on YouTube.
With them it is possible to personalize your and give a unique and special look to each playlist or theme that you are going to consider.
Using the same standard in all thumbnails makes your profile more organized and attractive. In addition, you highlight your videos for users to know, make them assimilate the type of content you share and make them interested in seeing other videos of your authorship.
Tips to make a good thumbnail
Well, now that you have seen how a good thumbnail can attract more users, clicks, views and shares of your videos, here are some tips to start customizing your display icons.
Make eye-catching images
If the idea is to stand out among other videos and attract the eyes of users, it is essential to use an attractive image in your thumbnail.
When it comes to colors, try not to use muted tones or mix with the colors of the platform where you will share your video.
For example:
If you are going to share your material on YouTube, avoid creating thumbnails with the colors black, white and red, which are used to characterize that social network.
Bet on contrasting colors, because your video will jump out to users on search pages, like green, blue or yellow, for example. But always remember to maintain the visual identity of your brand, so that it is possible to identify that the video is yours.
use short text
When you write texts in your thumbnail, think of a word or small phrase that summarizes all the content of that video.
In addition to being brief, it is important that the text is also eye-catching enough to instigate the audience and arouse interest.
In addition, the use of extensive texts can leave the image contaminated and harm the understanding of the message you want to convey.
Therefore, the ideal is that the details are in the title, the description or even in the video itself and that the thumbnail is simple and easy to assimilate.
Respect predefined sizes and formats
So that your thumbnail has quality and does not end up with a distorted or blurred image, it is important to respect the sizes and formats established by YouTube.
The display icon resolution must be 1280×720 (16:9 aspect ratio), with a minimum width of 640 pixels. The formats can be JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG.
Regarding the size, the thumbnail can have a maximum of 2MB.
Use images related to the topic
Since your goal is to show the audience the topic that will be addressed in the video, create images related to your content.
People must be able to quickly understand what the video is about and identify with the proposed topic.
Clarify the purpose of your content by using related elements such as, in the case of medicinal plants, photos, cultivated sites, tools used, etc.
YouTube suggests the use of frames for you to use as a thumbnail, although we suggest you do not do it
Have you heard that famous phrase that “a picture is worth a thousand words”?
So, spare no effort and use custom images, created specifically for that video.
avoid images clickbait
Has it ever happened to you that you click on the call of a video or text that promises to deliver unpublished and extraordinary content and when you enter you realize that it was nothing like you imagined?
we call that clickbait.
Of course, sensational calls aimed at instigating users’ curiosity and attracting thousands of clicks seem like wonderful solutions for those looking for traffic and increased views, but…
…if you want to deliver something of quality to your audience and create a good relationship with people so that they recognize your authority on a certain topic and revisit your channel, the images of clickbait are not the solution!
By misleading users, you harm their experience with your brand, greatly reducing the chances that they will consume any of your content again.
Thinking in the medium and long term, it is better to focus on less scandalous content, but one that is consistent and really valuable, don’t you think?
Have a visual identity for your thumbnails
We talked earlier about how much thumbnails are a good tool to maintain the visual identity of a channel on YouTube, so be sure to take advantage of them.
We suggest that you keep a pattern in the images used as thumbnails of your videos and try to always use the same colors, format and style.
Actually, by customizing your thumbnail you are guaranteeing that the public will identify you, recognize your profile and locate you on search pages.
To create a user base and strengthen the relationship with your audience you need to build your brand. Therefore, nothing better than a visual identity to give your videos a professional and unique appearance.
Research the competition
To stand out from the thousands of other videos it is essential that .
Discover what your competitors are sharing, what are the most used formats, the comments they receive from the public and the gaps they are leaving in the market.
Seeks to know in depth about the people or brands that act in the same niche. Only then can you create exclusive strategies that will make you stand out from the competition and attract more views.
Tools to create a thumbnail
It is necessary to pay attention to several details to create a quality thumbnail but, although it may not seem like it, it is easier than you imagine.
Several tools are now available to help you create your images easily and for free.
1.
This tool is one of the best known and used in the world. With it, it is possible to make various editions to your images, both basic and advanced.
who has knowledge in manages to take advantage of its different resources and create very attractive thumbnails.
But if that is not your case, do not worry. It’s also possible to get great results using just the basic editing features of Photoshop.
Unlimited use of the tool is not free, but it is possible to register and use some of its resources for free for a predefined period.
two.
To use this service you do not need any type of advanced knowledge in design.
Canva offers several free resources, as well as a paid with more options, if necessary.
However, to create a thumbnail it is more common – and recommended – to use a screenshot of your personalized video or photo. That way it is not necessary to invest financially to use the images of this tool.
The interesting thing about this service is that it offers pre-programmed formats already made in the correct sizes for each social medium. Fantastic! So you don’t have to worry about this detail, just with the filters, the text fonts that you will use and the elements that you want to add to the thumbnail of your video.
3.
PicMonkey is a paid photo editing tool, but you can use a free trial version for 7…
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