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Video content is increasing in popularity daily as more and more businesses spend big bucks to create video-based campaigns and marketing. This means competition is getting more fierce if you want to do the same.

The key to solving this problem is knowing how to grab viewers’ attention as soon as they see your video.

How can you do that? Let’s jump right in.

Placing it Above The Fold

“Above the fold” used to be about how much information you could display on one screen at the same time–but in this case, we’re using above the fold as a primary option for showcasing your video before everything else.

Placing the video above the fold on your website makes it more visible since it is in, well, a presentable place. Many websites try to place their videos in the body of their website pages. This is quite a wasteful placement since only a fraction of visitors scrolls down that far, especially on text-heavy pages.

For your video to reach its maximum potential, you have to present it to as many people as possible, and above-the-fold is where it should go.

Landing pages are the best place to put your videos, because videos on landing pages can increase conversion rates by up to 86% (research by EyeView). Now, to make the video really hard to miss, show it before you show other amazing stuff on your landing page.

Picking a Compelling Thumbnail

Thumbnails are images that act as covers for your videos. They are powerful little modifications that can get your video a significant boost in click-through rates and engagements, which is why many people use them for marketing and SEO purposes.

In order to make compelling thumbnails for your videos, it should:

  • Have a strong first impression
  • Contain character
  • Clarify the video’s topic
  • Be high quality

However, many videos these days have only clickbait thumbnails that mislead viewers into thinking the video is about something completely different. Avoid using clickbait at all cost.

Misleading your viewers will negatively impact your brand building because it reduces viewership in the future as well as erodes brand trust.

Customizing Your Thumbnails

Customizing thumbnails, instead of choosing from the default options from YouTube or other video hosting sites, is better for getting more views for your videos.

The message in your video is not going to be apparent when you only choose one slide or scene from your video. You have to tailor a thumbnail that represents your video’s message as well as your brand.

Making your own thumbnail gives you the opportunity to include much more than just a scene from a video. You can apply the psychology of color, add some text, and even build your own signature thumbnails.

To make sure that you get the most out of your customized thumbnails, here are the things you should keep in mind when creating killer thumbnails for your videos:

    • Pick a high-definition image.

High-res images ensure that no matter at what size people see your thumbnail, it doesn’t look grainy. Having large resolution images also enables more editing possibilities.

    • Apply the psychology of color.

Applying color psychology is easier to apply to non-photographic thumbnails since it will not require much color modification. How you apply colors to induce certain emotions in your audience depends on the product or service that you offer.

This handy infographic shows the emotions that each color can trigger.
psychology of color

    • Put facial photos of an authority figure(s).

Having a photo of an authority figure for your YouTube video thumbnail gives your audience the impression that your video (and therefore your company) has a solid stand in that particular niche.

Ask a Question

The “ask a question” title format in a video often leads to viewers wondering what the answer to that question is, and it can lead them to at least checking to see if the answer is similar to what they had in mind.

With that thought process, it is really hard to not click on a video that has a question format for a title.

My own weakness for question format title is Vsauce’s videos:

Even if deep down I already know that Mars is okay to touch (if we can ever reach it), I want to see how they explain everything in the video. If you pay close attention, their other videos are mostly titled with questions as well (on the suggestion bar).

In short, question format titles often grab people’s attention in a way that makes them really want to know what the video is about.

How do you think your audience would react if you used one of these tips on your next video? Let me know in the comments.