No matter how big or small you are, no matter what industry you’re in, you’re sure to have a story to tell. Competition is intense for businesses thanks to global connectivity, so you’ve got to do all you can to engage meaningfully with your customers - and this is where storytelling as a medium really comes into its own.
Corporate brands of all shapes and sizes are now using video production in a raft of interesting and innovative ways to move beyond their faceless logos and celebrate the people who make up the backbone of the brand, telling their stories in a captivating way to help your audiences connect with you on a deeper level.
But how?
Of course, you need to make a stellar video that resonates with viewers, makes them think, encourages debate, drives them to get in touch, elicits a response, brings them joy, moves them to tears… however you make them feel, emotion is what it’s all about and if you can achieve this through your corporate videos, you’ll be onto a very real winner.
The problem is that everyone else in your niche is doing exactly the same thing. So how do you get audiences to pick your video over that of another brand?
There is an answer, you’ll be pleased to hear, and it all lies in the not-so-humble thumbnail, the little preview that you see before you click through to the video itself.
If you take the time to think about how best to utilise this hook and come up with something unignorable, something that instantly captures attention, you’ll soon see clicks coming your way.
What makes the perfect video thumbnail?
The aim of the thumbnail game is to drive clickthroughs and increase video views so that all your hard work doesn’t go to waste. Thus, it’s vital that your thumbnail is a true representation of what the actual video entails or you run the risk of audiences disengaging and losing interest.
zon’t fall into the trap of letting your video platform of choice autogenerate your thumbnail. The end result will be a blurry random screenshot. No engagement possibilities there!
Instead, come up with a custom thumbnail that really shouts about what people can expect to see when they watch your video, encouraging longer views, lower drop off rates and a better brand experience overall.
So, with all this in mind, here are our top tips for thumbnail design that will really wow the crowds!
High-quality imagery
Think about getting a great shot for your thumbnail while you’re shooting your video, so it’s all taken care of and you’re ready to roll. Alternatively, you can always use a still frame captured during post production, but you’ll likely get the best image by planning it out and making time for it on shoot day.
Spell out what the viewer can expect from a clickthrough with an engaging headline that’s succinct and to the point, easy to read and bold enough to stand out when overlaid on top of the image.
Always take every opportunity to link back to your organisation, using your brand colours, imagery and motifs to turn yourself into a household name.
Of course, these are only a few suggestions for thumbnail success. If you need any further help or advice, give the Magic Pie team a call today!
