Video thumbnails - components and what you should look out for

As a marketer, it is important to understand how important the video thumbnail is to the success of a video on demand format. It is the first thing viewers see before they decide whether or not to click on the video.

A poor or uninteresting thumbnail can cause potential viewers to overlook your video storytelling, while an eye-catching and engaging thumbnail can help increase your click-through rate.

But which components are important for thumbnails in video marketing and what should you pay attention to in order to achieve the best results with your video thumbnails?
To answer this question, this article discusses the different options for your thumbnail selection, creation and publication, including custom and auto-generated thumbnails.

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Definition: What are video thumbnails?

A video thumbnail is a small preview image that serves as a thumbnail for a video. It is usually displayed next to the title and description of the video and gives the viewer a first visual impression of what the video is about.

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Components of a video thumbnail

- The picture:

The image should be clear and well-lit to convey the content of the video. It should also be tailored to the format of the video to avoid distortion.

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- The text:

The text in the thumbnail should be concise and meaningful. It should encourage the viewer to click on the video by giving a brief overview of the content of the video.

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- The branding:

Branding is an important component of the thumbnail. It helps to identify the video as part of your brand and increase your brand awareness.

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What you should look out for in video thumbnails

- Attract attention:

An eye-catching thumbnail attracts the viewer's attention and encourages them to click on the video. Use bright colors, strong contrasts and appealing images to attract attention.

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- Consistency:

Make sure that the thumbnail matches the content of the video. It should not mislead or confuse the viewer. If you have multiple videos on a specific topic, you can use a consistent design to emphasize your brand and topic.

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- Relevance:

The thumbnail should convey relevant information about the content of the video. If the thumbnail does not match the content of the video, the viewer will be disappointed and may no longer be interested in your content.

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- Size:

The size of video thumbnails varies depending on the video platform and device. As a rule, however, the thumbnail should have a resolution of at least 1280 x 720 pixels to ensure that it is easy to read on different devices. Most video platforms recommend an aspect ratio of 16:9 for thumbnails. If the thumbnail is smaller than 640 x 360 pixels, it will be displayed blurred or pixelated on the platform.

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Tip: It is important to check the specific requirements of the platform on which you are uploading your videos to ensure that your thumbnails are displayed optimally. Make sure the thumbnail is easy to read and reflects the content of the video in an engaging and memorable way.

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How do I choose the right video thumbnails?

There are two ways to select thumbnails: automatic and user-defined thumbnails.

- Automatic thumbnails

Many video platforms and free tools offer automatically generated thumbnail templates. These are often generated from a random frame of the video and can sometimes be inappropriate or uninteresting. If you opt for automatic thumbnails, make sure it is relevant and appealing.

- User-defined thumbnails

Custom thumbnails are individually designed thumbnails that are created specifically for your video. You have full control over the design and can ensure that it reflects the content of the video in the best possible way. There are various tools you can use to create custom thumbnails, including graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop or Canva. With a well-structured video platform, there is also the option to add custom thumbnails.

Tip: When choosing your video platform, find out whether it offers the option of adding your own thumbnails.

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If you decide to use custom thumbnails, there are a few tips you should keep in mind:

- Use clear and distinct fonts:

Use fonts that are easy to read and place the text of the thumbnail in the foreground.

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- Use memorable images:

Choose images that reflect the content of the video and are interesting and eye-catching at the same time.

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- Keep it simple:

Don't try to pack too much information into the thumbnail. Keep it simple and meaningful.

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Upload thumbnails

Once you have selected or created a thumbnail, you must upload it to the video platforms. Most platforms allow you to select or upload a thumbnail when you upload the video.

Some tips for uploading thumbnails are:

- Make sure that the thumbnail is the right size: Make sure that the thumbnail is the recommended size for the respective platform. Most video platforms have specific requirements for the size and aspect ratio of thumbnails.

- Save the thumbnail in the correct format: Make sure that the thumbnail is saved in the correct format. Most platforms accept JPEG, PNG and GIF files.

- Check the thumbnail after uploading: Check the thumbnail to make sure that it is displayed correctly and that it reflects the content of the video well.

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Conclusion

In addition to an elaborate customer journey, the video thumbnail is an important component of video content marketing. It can make the difference between a high and a low click-through rate. There are many ways to select, create and upload corporate video thumbnails.

Regardless of which method you choose, make sure the thumbnail is eye-catching, relevant and meaningful. With these tips, you can ensure that your thumbnails are successful and that your product videos, video podcasts and other video formats get the attention they deserve.