-: You can use external images or graphics, 2 2
or add a little cartoon or emoji to your thumbnail image 3 3
if you think it'll make your thumbnail more attractive. 4 4
You can use stock images for this, 5 5
which Chris often does, 6 6
or you could even make your own. 7 7
You're going to want to choose an image 8 8
that is appropriate to the mood or genre 9 9
of your video, though. 10 10
In the example I have here, 11 11
you can see I've added a little cartoon 12 12
I made in GIMP. 13 13
It adds some color to my image, 14 14
which hopefully attracts the eye. 15 15
And it also communicates to the viewer 16 16
that the video is likely going to be 17 17
light and/or comedic. 18 18
It's an English lesson, actually, 19 19
but meant to be a fun and silly one 20 20
as the thumbnail suggests. 21 21
Some thumbnails even feature an emoji 22 22
like you would see in text messages. 23 23
So the laughing-crying emoji, 24 24
the hearts-in-the-eyes emoji, 25 25
or some angry emoji, 26 26
or whatever (laughs). 27 27
They would serve pretty much the same purpose 28 28
as my little cartoon, 29 29
they add an element of like fun, 30 30
they add some color, 31 31
and if your audience is young 32 32
and your video is meant to be just for fun, 33 33
then emojis may work really well for you. 34 34
But if your video is serious in nature, 35 35
then your thumbnail would probably work better 36 36
with a stock photo appropriate to your theme. 37 37
So, when using this technique, 38 38
just use your common sense. 39 39
A picture says a thousand words, okay? 40 40
So make sure what your thumbnail says 41 41
is in line with what your video says. 42 42
Now we're ready to make some thumbnails.