Day 2: Thumbnails: The Visual Hook That Reels Viewers In
Don’t Get Clicked Over: Master Your Thumbnails
Welcome back to 31 Days of YouTube Optimization Tips to boost your channel results.
THUMBNAILS!
Considering that thumbnails are more than likely the very first thing viewers will see when they are given the choice of what to click on. Whether they’re scrolling from a search or if they’re searching your channel, your thumbnail and it’s contents will likely be the reason people click on it or not.
Your video thumbnail is a miniature billboard on YouTube, competing for attention in a crowded search feed. A captivating thumbnail can significantly increase your click-through rate (CTR) and views. Here’s how to create high-quality thumbnails that stop viewers in their tracks:
YouTube Tip of the Day: Use contrasting colors, clear text, and close-up visuals to make your thumbnail stand out.
Crafting Click-Worthy Thumbnails:
- Visual Appeal is Key: Utilize bright colors, high-resolution images, and clear graphics to grab attention.
- The Power of Text: Include concise, easy-to-read text that conveys the video’s content.
- Close-Ups Make a Difference: Feature close-up shots of yourself, emotions, or intriguing objects to spark curiosity.
- Brand Recognition: Maintain a consistent visual style with your channel branding for easy recognition.
Remember: Great thumbnails are visually compelling, informative, and consistent with your brand identity.
Key Takeaways:
- Thumbnails are a critical element of video optimization, significantly impacting CTR.
- Use contrasting colors, clear text, and close-up visuals for maximum impact.
- Keep the text concise and informative, conveying the video’s content.
- Maintain a consistent visual style that aligns with your brand.
Tip of the day #2 – Your videos not getting any views? Consider that the three T’s are the main reason why few people are clicking on your videos. We’ve already discussed two of them. TITLE, THUMBNAIL, and our next blog about TAGS
Image Suggestion: A collage showcasing different eye-catching YouTube thumbnails with contrasting colors, clear text, and close-up elements.
🔙 See Day 1 Here: Creating Captivating Titles Stay Tuned for Day 3: Tag, you’re IT! 🔜
See all topics for this Series below
Day | Topic | Day | Topic | Day | Topic |
1 | Titles | 11 | Trailers & Featured Videos | 21 | Coming Soon |
2 | Thumbnails | 12 | Visibility Options | 22 | |
3 | Tags | 13 | Why It's Not Working | 23 | |
4 | Descriptions | 14 | Channel Descriptions That Convert | 24 | |
5 | Chapters | 15 | Customized Channel Sections | 25 | |
6 | Playlists | 16 | 26 | ||
7 | Subtitles | 17 | 27 | ||
8 | Info Cards | 18 | 28 | ||
9 | Too Old To Be A YouTuber | 19 | 29 | ||
10 | End Screens | 20 | 30 | ||
31 |
Looking for More YouTube Optimization Tips and Best Practices?
Throughout this 30-day series, we’ll explore various strategies to optimize your YouTube channel for maximum growth. Stay tuned for in-depth discussions on thumbnails, descriptions, tags (we’ll explain what those are!), and more!
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Fran’s vision is to empower creators of all ages to thrive on YouTube. Her patient and encouraging teaching style caters to mature audiences who prefer a clear, step-by-step approach to learning.
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Fran’s Favorite Resources
Resources for beginners and seasoned creators: Order these today to start making uploading so much easier!
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Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for some of the products and services I recommend. This means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I use and believe in.
Ronda Bowen says
Thanks for making this post – I always wondered about how folks created the really nice-looking thumbnails for their YouTube videos.
Fran says
Hi Ronda! There is a art to optimizing your YouTube channel and once you know it (because at first its overwhelming) you will wonder why you took so long to learn. I failed for 10 years on YouTube before finding my way. I hope you’ll hand around for the other 29 days to optimizing your channel.
Linda Reed Friedman says
This is the best!!! Thank you I’m keeping it in a safe place.
Fran says
Well Linda! Your comment made my day. I hesitated whether it was time to start building my blog again. (I’ve been slacking) But your feedback reassures me that there is a need for YouTube training here inside my blog. Thank you so much!
Safrianna Lughna says
So useful. I am building my YouTube right now, and I’ve been pondering what to do with my episode cards as I feel like they’re TOO busy. This is a great primer as I plan ahead. Thank you.
Fran says
Hi Safrianna! I am thrilled that this was helpful to you. If you can, look for the next 29 blogs which will include so much more. I hope to see you around!