Why Should You Create A Thumbnail for Your YouTube Videos?

Make A Youtube Thumbnail

I’ll ask the question again, Why should you make a thumbnail for your YouTube Videos?

In today’s environment it is essential to capture the viewers’ attention NOW> This is why you should create a thumbnail for your YouTube videos. In my latest video tutorial, I show you how to create a quick and easy YouTube Thumbnail for your video.

But Weezy I need software to create graphics to create my thumbnail for YouTube!

Not to worry. I am going to direct you where you can do this. Go to Canva.com, free software to make graphics for all your projects. Canva is a web service that provides easy templates so your graphics look fabulous out of the gate.

But first. I am going to give you 3 reasons WHY is it important to have a custom thumbnail for your videos on YouTube?

#1- strictly appeal. Capturing the viewer’s interest to want to watch your video

#2-makes your video look more professional

#3-You don’t want a super random photo showing up in your video menu.

On point #3-

here’s what happens when you upload your video to YouTube. The software crawls through your footage and picks 3 frames (photos) and offers them up as a choice you to use as your thumbnail.

I want to direct you where you can make sure you can get permission to do custom thumbnails. Goto my video How To Customize Your Channel. Here I explain why it is so super important to get verified to enable you to make and upload Custom thumbnails.

Look below and see the screenshot below where to find this information if you haven’t done your verifications.


I have circled in red the information you are looking for to enable the permissions to upload a custom thumbnail. I also circled the time code so you can easily find the information within the video on how to do the YouTube verification process.

Taking selfie for your custom YouTube Thumbnail
Get a good photo for your YouTube Thumbnail

How to Make a Good Thumbnail for Your YouTube Video

I believe it is best practice to take a good photo of the speaker/presenter in the video. This lets your audience who is giving voice to your topic. Making visual appeal is so important and it gives you the opportunity to sell and advertise.

Photo ideas:

  • Selfie
  • product
  • project
  • guest
  • group shot
  • logo
  • social icons-optional
  • subscribe

Background from templates

The text needs to include:

  • Title– needs to be the biggest text format to capture attention
  • Names- yourself or anyone appearing in video
  • website

I explain all of this in the video. I guide you through the process of creating your Custom Thumbnail the following

  • select the template
  • making changes to the photo
  • changing color on background
  • arranging and adding other elements to your thumbnail
  • selecting text/font
  • size of text
  • color of text

I hope you find this information helpful. If you have questions, you can click here to find my contact information.

Louise “Weezy” Summey

Video Strategist

Weezy loves to help people find their voice in their journey by using video and podcasts as
an alternative way to reach their audience. We show you how to produce your own content.

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