The first impression, they say, lasts long. And let’s be honest, the two primarily irretrievable things are wasted time and a poor first impression. 

In today’s highly competitive digital age, you don’t have up to ten seconds to catch anyone’s attention, let alone hold it.

That means, to keep and convert a subscriber or a lead from your shoppable videos, you need first to catch their fancy. To do that, you need an irresistible video thumbnail. 

But what are video thumbnails? And how do you go about creating ones that stop viewers in their scrolling tracks?

If you don’t yet have the answers to the above questions, we’ve got you covered.

Read on to learn more about video thumbnails, their importance, as well as how to design compelling thumbnails that will increase your click-through rates. 

What are video thumbnails, and why are they important?

Have you ever been on a website, streaming service, or social media platform that had static images or graphics that accompanied the video it was promoting?

If so, you’ve seen video thumbnails. 

Thumbnails are the preview images you see on feeds, websites, or anywhere you can watch a video online. You can think of them as movie posters or book covers. They need to be visually appealing to attract your audience’s attention. 

A personalized video thumbnail is just as important as good branding – it’s packaging, only the product is your online video. And the goal is to make your online video SHINE!

It’s all about making that lasting first-time impression, after all. 

Video thumbnails are so commonly used these days that major webinar hosting and video streaming platforms, such as YouTube, Vimeo, and even eboov, allow and encourage you to upload them.

According to Youtube, 90% of top-performing videos use a custom video thumbnail. And for good reason. Most users choose what video to watch depending on how attractive or irresistible the thumbnail image is. This means you have one shot to wow the socks off of your users. 

Not only can thumbnails help you do that, but they’re also a great way to increase your engagement, video conversions, and click-through rates. They improve watch time, help to retain your audience’s attention, and give your channel a more professional, cohesive look. 

Case in point: video thumbnails rock! And can help take your channel to the next level. 

What are the elements of a good thumbnail?

A thumbnail is the first visual element of your video that your audience sees. Therefore, a good first impression will greatly benefit your video content. Looking at the elements of a good thumbnail is vital.

In essence, your thumbnail should:

• Be optimized for mobile and any other respective device. 
• Convey your video’s message with clarity.
• Use the right size and format.
• Include your brand’s logo.

Tips for designing custom video thumbnails.

A good thumbnail is a well-designed and compelling image that allows you to sell yourself and give your audience a reason to watch your video. Below are a few tips on how you can effectively design custom video thumbnails. 

Get the technical requirements right.

When you want to design a custom thumbnail, ensure you’re up to date on the platform’s image size and resolution specification. For instance, YouTube thumbnails require a resolution of 1280×720 (with a minimum width of 640 pixels.) It shouldn’t be larger than 2MB.

Try to make your thumbnail within the above size limits and use a 16:9 aspect ratio, which means the balance of the image’s width to its height. Many video streaming platforms like eboov have made this easy.

Use color to make it appealing. 

Remember, the goal is to capture the viewer’s attention and make a lasting impression. To do this, use bright colors that add attractive and decorative flair. A good graphic designer can help with this, but if you have to DIY, try Canva.

A simple design principle is to use lots of contrast because high-contrast images are more noticeable than low-contrast ones.

Make it consistent with the rest of your branding.

If you’re considering using video thumbnails for your channel, ensure they have a consistent look and feel for your brand. This will help viewers recognize and identify you, increasing your brand awareness and positioning.

With consistently branded thumbnails, your videos will stand out and catch the attention of the right eye. That said, ensure you refrain from violating thumbnail policies so you don’t lose privileges of the platform.

Create show-stopping video thumbnails today!

Have you tried the eboov yet? 

If you haven’t, we encourage you to watch the eboov demo to learn more and see how you can take your video conversions from ordinary to extraordinary.