Do you want to improve the clickability of your YouTube thumbnails?
YouTube says, "More clicks lead to more views and watch time on your videos."
In this video, I'm going to share with you 10 design tips and tricks to make your thumbnails
win the click.
Hello, my name is Herman Drost from DrostDesigns.com If you want to grow your audience on YouTube
and generate traffic leads and subscribers on autopilot, hit the subscribe button or
hit the bell notification icon.
The purpose of YouTube thumbnail is to get the first click.
Otherwise, none of your videos will be watched.
If your videos received little or no views, your channel won't grow.
Here are 10 tips and tricks for improving the design of your YouTube thumbnails.
Number one, create a snapshot of your video.
The thumbnail is like taking a peek inside a window to see what's inside.
The thumbnail must represent the content of your video and the words and the images in
your thumbnail should motivate people to click on it.
Number two, use high-resolution images.
Shoot for a high resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.
When this large image gets reduced to a small thumbnail image on Google, YouTube, and mobile
devices, it can still clearly be seen.
Consider shooting high-resolution images of your face using a high definition camera instead
of just taking a screenshot of your video.
This will make the image of your face really pop when used in your thumbnail.
Number three, display emotion or intrigue.
People see new faces in their everyday lives.
If you include a face of yourself in your thumbnail, they'll be intrigued by it.
Viewers will immediately recognize that your thumbnail is associated with your channel
because there's only one face like yours in the whole world.
Grab viewer's emotion in your thumbnail by showing excitement, sadness, intrigue.
This will help liven up your image and get more people to click on it.
Number four, tell a story.
Think of your thumbnail as a beginning of a journey you want to take your viewer on.
It starts with your thumbnail then proceeds to your title, your video content, and ends
with your called action.
Thumbnails and titles should tell a cohesive story encouraging viewers to click and watch.
Number five, use contrasting colors.
Utilize colors in your thumbnail that compliment each other.
For instance, to make your text stand out, place it on a solid color background.
Number six, use filters to make your thumbnails pop.
If you're using the free online graphics tool Canva, adjust the brightness, contrast, and
saturation to make your images stand out.
You can also sharpen the image of your face by moving the blur tool to the left.
This will help to make it pop in your thumbnail.
Number seven, consider adding a branding element.
Including a logo and your face in your thumbnails helps viewers associate the thumbnail with
your channel.
This will then motivate them to watch more of your videos.
Number eight, use few words.
Too many words on your image make it difficult to read.
Just use two or three words from your title using a bold font so its stands out on your
image.
Alternatively, use different words that you used in your title to get across your main
point.
If your background image is busy, consider using a contrasting outline around your text.
Alternatively, place your text on a solid color shape to increase visibility.
Number nine, get audience feedback.
Test different thumbnail images by getting feedback from your audience.
When you've settled on the design that you and your viewers are happy with, use it as a template
for future videos.
Number 10, check if your thumbnails deliver.
Click on the audience retention report in YouTube Analytics to see if your viewers are
watching your video all the way through.
If you see a sudden drop in the first few seconds of your video this could mean that
your video content wasn't what viewers expected to see when they clicked on your video.
Let me ask you an important question.
What software are you currently using to create your YouTube thumbnails?
Put your answer in the comments below.
I'd love to read them and you'll help others too.
Click the card icon to download my video upload checklist.
You'll receive the ten things you need to do before going live on YouTube.
If you want to learn how to grow your audience on YouTube and generate views and subscribers
on autopilot, click the Subscribe button below and check out the related videos.
I'll see you in the next video.
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