April 25

How to make a custom YouTube thumbnail

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” gutter_width=”3″][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title” title=”on” meta=”on” author=”off” date=”off” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”on” featured_placement=”background” parallax_effect=”on” parallax_method=”on” text_orientation=”center” text_color=”light” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”rgba(25,25,25,0.39)” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” title_all_caps=”off” meta_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” title_font_size=”33px” title_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”125px||125px|”]
[/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”15″ text_line_height=”1.8em” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”||20px|”]

A custom Youtube thumbnail is like a the cover of a book – yes we all want to think we don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but we do!  Making an enticing video thumbnail will convince people to click the ‘play’ button.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code” max_width=”550px”]<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/-SNgDbnksaw?showinfo=0″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”15″ text_line_height=”1.8em” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”20px|||”]

Thumbnails are great for branding and give your videos a distinctive look so it’s easily recognizable in the Youtube feed.  I’ll show you step-by-step how to make a quickly make a YouTube thumbnail – without any expensive software (ahem, Photoshop, ahem) or degree in design!

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Heading” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”25″ text_text_color=”#2fabc4″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” text_line_height=”1.8em” custom_padding=”40px|||”]

Step 1

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”15″ text_line_height=”1.8em” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

When you’re filming, pause and hold the pose you want to use for your thumbnail.  I usually try a couple different poses so I can choose the one I like best.
It’s better to do it this way, rather than take an actual picture, because the proportions are the same.
Then, scroll through your video to find the pose you like and take a screen shot of it.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#81d8d0″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”off”]
[/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Heading” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”25″ text_text_color=”#2fabc4″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”40px|||”]

Step 2

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”15″ text_line_height=”1.8em” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Go to the free online tool Canva.

 

From the upper right-hand corner, choose ‘Use Custom Dimensions’ and put in 1920 x 1080.  This is the exact dimensions of what YouTube needs for your thumbnail so it will fit in the frame perfectly.

 

Drag your image onto the browser with Canva and it will upload.

 

Click on your image and drag it into the frame.  You can adjust your image size – I always like to overlap the edges by just a little bit so there’s no white space.

 

For myself I like to use a transparent colored shape to give a bit of definition.  Then I put on my text.  There’s also free images you can use with Canva (and some which are available for $1), so in this case I decided to use a Youtube play button so people can quickly see it’s about Youtube.

 

When you’re done, click ‘Download’ from the upper right hand corner.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”http://www.thecopypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/how-to-make-a-Youtube-thumbnail.png” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”center” max_width=”400px” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_margin=”30px||30px|”]
[/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#81d8d0″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”off”]
[/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Heading” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”25″ text_text_color=”#2fabc4″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”40px|||”]

Step 3

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”15″ text_line_height=”1.8em” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Go to your uploaded video and upload your thumbnail.  Click ‘Save’ and you’re done!
Did you like this video?  Please subscribe to my channel and share!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Signoff” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.8em” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

To making your Youtube covers watch-worthy,

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Katie signature” src=”http://www.thecopypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/xoxo-momo-1.png” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” max_width=”150px” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” use_overlay=”off”]
[/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” padding_mobile=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” gutter_width=”3″ column_padding_mobile=”on” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” background_color_1=”rgba(216,216,216,0)” padding_right_1=”15px” padding_left_1=”15px”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#81d8d0″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”off”]
[/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Call To Action” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.8em” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” text_font=”Bree Serif||||” text_text_color=”#2fabc4″]

Have you made any custom YouTube thumbnails? Pop the link to your video below!

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_comments admin_label=”Comments” show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_button=”off” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″]
[/et_pb_comments][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_sidebar admin_label=”Sidebar” orientation=”left” area=”sidebar-1″ background_layout=”light” remove_border=”off”]
[/et_pb_sidebar][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” global_module=”11171″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” background_image=”http://www.thecopypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BackgroundParallexBlue.png” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”on” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row global_parent=”11171″ admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text global_parent=”11171″ admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” text_font_size=”28″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Love this?

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text global_parent=”11171″ admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

There’s more great stuff where this came from!  I love putting together my (mostly) weekly tips to help you grow your business.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_signup global_parent=”11171″ admin_label=”Email Optin” provider=”mailchimp” mailchimp_list=”7bbd4ec670″ aweber_list=”none” button_text=”Give me tips!” use_background_color=”on” background_color=”rgba(126,190,197,0)” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_focus_border_color=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_button=”off” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ header_font_size=”28″ body_font_size=”18″] [/et_pb_signup][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” global_module=”11170″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” background_image=”http://www.thecopypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BackgroundParallexPink.png” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”on” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row global_parent=”11170″ admin_label=”Row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” padding_bottom_2=”40px” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image global_parent=”11170″ admin_label=”Image” src=”http://www.thecopypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/katieshow4-copy.png” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”on” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
[/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text global_parent=”11170″ admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” text_font_size=”28″]

And in case we haven’t met yet…

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text global_parent=”11170″ admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” text_font_size=”16″]

Hi!  I’m Katie Momo.  I help businesses grow through strategic digital marketing + engaging social media.

Let’s showcase your business’ personality online so you can build rich, lasting, and profitable relationships.  I’ll help you connect with your ideal clients – whether located on the other side of town or other side of the world.  A stellar social strategy, combined with fabulous Facebook ad funnels, makes for a fiercely effective system.

When I’m not helping businesses become socially savvy, I enjoy jogging slowly over short distances, dancing like nobody’s watching, and hunting for the perfect latte. I pride myself for only falling down the rabbit hole of Home and Garden Television once a week.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button global_parent=”11170″ admin_label=”Button” button_url=”http://www.thecopypro.com/work-with-us/” url_new_window=”off” button_text=”Let’s grow your business!” button_alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” custom_button=”on” button_border_width=”5″ button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon=”%%28%%” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″]
[/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]


Tags


You may also like

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Get in touch

Name*
Email*
Message
0 of 350
>