by Google
Today we will focus on the importance of titles and thumbnails in your videos. These elements are like advertising banners that attract followers. We'll show you how to create enticing previews and titles and how to track their effectiveness with analytics tools.
Create thumbnails that stand out
Before creating them, think about the target group of your video. If you want to reach your subscribers, choose something that is familiar to them, such as a picture of you. To attract a wider audience, you can use universal elements and think about what your video has to offer and how you can preview it to make it even more appealing.
It is important that the preview accurately describes the content of the video, which contributes to a longer viewing time. A preview that doesn't match what's in the video can lead to shorter viewing times because viewers can quickly switch to another video when they find the content doesn't match the preview. It's just one of the mistakes that writers often make. Be sure to read 10 tips on what to do and what to avoid when creating YouTube videos.
Emotions are also decisive. Think about how the preview could convey a story or emotion, such as showing a climax, conflict, or excitement.
When filming, take photos of faces or key props for multiple preview options. Don't forget that the preview must also follow the community rules.
Design Tips
The preview must be clear even on small screens, as many viewers watch content on mobile devices. We recommend a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels, an aspect ratio of 16:9, and a JPG, GIF, BPM or PNG format. Use the rule of thirds, which is a well-known tool in visual design, where you divide the image into thirds horizontally and vertically, while the main object should be located at the intersections of these lines.
Remember that less can be more. Dynamic colors and composition are enticing, but should not be overdone. Don't be afraid to experiment with new styles or update old previews to make your videos more appealing to new viewers.
What about the title of the video?
Titles have a similar role to previews - they help viewers decide whether to watch the video. Easy-to-search titles are simple and straightforward, such as: "How to tie a tie", and are suitable for viewers with specific interests. Interesting titles do not necessarily contain keywords, but they are designed to arouse a lot of curiosity. For example, the title "This is not yellow" may appeal to viewers who are not looking for content on specific topics.
Don't forget these three tips when writing the title: the title must be concise and accurately represent the content of the video; the title should be short, with important words at the beginning; and use capital letters and emojis minimally and thoughtfully.
Analyze performance
Finally, analytics can help you track the effectiveness of titles and previews and find inspiration for more. Look at click-through rates and total watch time in the first 24 hours after uploading your video to see how your video is doing.
Click-through rate shows how often viewers click on a video after viewing a preview. Total watch time reflects how long viewers stay with the video. Look at click-through rates in the subscription feed for subscriber engagement, and click-through rates on the homepage, suggested videos section, and search for regular viewers.
It is important to monitor the overall performance of the video, not only the click-through rate, but also audience retention and total watch time. If you have a high click-through rate but lower total watch time and audience retention, it could mean that your titles and previews are enticing, but the video itself doesn't hold their interest, or that the preview and title aren't catchy enough.
In the Audience and Survey tabs in the analytics in the Studio, you can find other videos that your audience is watching, and you can draw inspiration from them for your own titles and previews.
Creating engaging thumbnails and titles for YouTube videos is more of an art than a science. As mentioned, the key is to create interest and curiosity without lying or misleading the audience. At the same time, it is important that previews and titles are consistent with the content of the video to retain viewers longer and improve the overall performance of the video.
Don't be afraid to be bold and innovative, because this is what can set you apart from others and attract more viewers to your videos. Constant learning and adaptation are the keys to success on YouTube. If you need more advice, especially if you're just starting out, check out Top 7 tips to get started on YouTube
Good luck!
