1 1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,417 (rock music) 2 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:06,850 I'm Subscribe to Chris 3 3 00:00:06,850 --> 00:00:09,760 and when I open my sub feed, 4 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:11,620 or my subscription feed, 5 5 00:00:11,620 --> 00:00:15,590 or home page, the first thing I see 6 6 00:00:15,590 --> 00:00:18,740 is a series of YouTube thumbnail images. 7 7 00:00:18,740 --> 00:00:23,740 And as I scroll through them, if I see this particular font 8 8 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:27,550 with a particular type of outline, 9 9 00:00:27,550 --> 00:00:31,220 I automatically assume it's Chris' video. 10 10 00:00:31,220 --> 00:00:33,370 And I check the uploader, and yes, 11 11 00:00:33,370 --> 00:00:36,360 it is indeed usually Chris. 12 12 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:40,000 Because, after a while you develop a style 13 13 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,070 and that becomes your brand. 14 14 00:00:43,070 --> 00:00:46,260 So, when you consistently use a certain font 15 15 00:00:46,260 --> 00:00:50,120 or a certain color, or photo editing style, 16 16 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:55,060 then people will start recognizing your thumbnail as yours. 17 17 00:00:55,060 --> 00:00:57,910 Even if your face isn't in the thumbnail. 18 18 00:00:57,910 --> 00:01:01,130 You can choose anything to be consistent with. 19 19 00:01:01,130 --> 00:01:03,600 Even just a logo in the corner 20 20 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,253 or always using a split screen. 21 21 00:01:07,970 --> 00:01:09,680 It could be anything. 22 22 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:13,340 As for myself, I tend to be consistent within a series, 23 23 00:01:13,340 --> 00:01:15,660 if I have a series going at the time. 24 24 00:01:15,660 --> 00:01:18,440 So, in this example I have a thumbnail 25 25 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:22,260 from a video in my "Celeb English" series. 26 26 00:01:22,260 --> 00:01:25,930 It's a format where the text is always the same. 27 27 00:01:25,930 --> 00:01:27,850 The background is always white 28 28 00:01:27,850 --> 00:01:29,730 and the only thing that changes 29 29 00:01:29,730 --> 00:01:33,260 is the image of me and the image of the celebrity 30 30 00:01:33,260 --> 00:01:36,640 or public figure in the circle. 31 31 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:38,960 So, people know what they are going to get 32 32 00:01:38,960 --> 00:01:41,790 and they know exactly what quality to expect 33 33 00:01:41,790 --> 00:01:43,970 and they don't even need to read the title 34 34 00:01:43,970 --> 00:01:45,570 or check the uploader. 35 35 00:01:45,570 --> 00:01:47,590 They can just click. 36 36 00:01:47,590 --> 00:01:51,040 But, when you are just starting out, 37 37 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:54,570 you might want to remain a little flexible. 38 38 00:01:54,570 --> 00:01:55,483 It's up to you. 39 39 00:01:56,730 --> 00:01:59,170 But, let yourself play around a bit first. 40 40 00:01:59,170 --> 00:02:02,410 And then you can make adjustments here and there. 41 41 00:02:02,410 --> 00:02:05,130 Because you need to test the waters a little bit 42 42 00:02:05,130 --> 00:02:07,130 and see how your audience reacts 43 43 00:02:07,130 --> 00:02:10,210 to different thumbnail styles. 44 44 00:02:10,210 --> 00:02:12,540 I recommend the same to YouTubers 45 45 00:02:12,540 --> 00:02:15,543 who have been around for a few years. 46 46 00:02:16,580 --> 00:02:18,500 You don't have to stay the same 47 47 00:02:18,500 --> 00:02:22,330 if staying the same isn't working for you anymore. 48 48 00:02:22,330 --> 00:02:26,030 Eventually, you're gonna have to change and evolve, 49 49 00:02:26,030 --> 00:02:27,530 in my experience. 50 50 00:02:27,530 --> 00:02:31,753 My YouTube career would've been over after two years 51 51 00:02:31,753 --> 00:02:35,730 (laughs) if I didn't change it up. 52 52 00:02:35,730 --> 00:02:38,880 Time goes super fast in YouTube land. 53 53 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,190 So, be consistent 54 54 00:02:41,190 --> 00:02:45,783 but consistent for now, not necessarily forever.