(upbeat rock music) 2 2
-: Over 80% of my viewers watch my videos on a mobile device. 3 3
Here in Asia especially, we are on the move all the time 4 4
watching videos on the train, bus, 5 5
in the backseat while our drivers chauffer us around. 6 6
So your YouTube video's thumbnail image 7 7
needs to be able to communicate a message 8 8
or make an impact, you know, 9 9
in a space smaller than a postage stamp. 10 10
And I don't wanna get out my reading glasses 11 11
just to read the text on your tiny tiny thumbnail. 12 12
So if you need, you know, or want text on your thumbnail, 13 13
then make sure the text is large enough to catch my eye 14 14
and easy for your potential viewers to read, 15 15
even if they're on a smartphone. 16 16
Also, don't feel you need to repeat 17 17
every word of your title in the thumbnail. 18 18
The thumbnail is to catch the eye, 19 19
and the title is usually 20 20
supposed to explain what the video is about. 21 21
So feel free to have even no text at all 22 22
if you think that works best. 23 23
Remember, there are exceptions to every rule. 24 24
This is an art after all. 25 25
If you decide you want text on your thumbnail image 26 26
but your long video title 27 27
doesn't fit nicely on your thumbnail 28 28
then just pick some keywords 29 29
and figure out how to shorten it. 30 30
Again, the text on your image 31 31
doesn't have to match the title, okay. 32 32
You can see in examples one and two 33 33
that the wording itself is not too long, 34 34
so now we can afford to make text large 35 35
and easy to read on a smartphone. 36 36
Also, make sure you choose a color that pops. 37 37
This will differ 38 38
depending on your background color of course. 39 39
And then you just add a drop shadow and/or an outline 40 40
and then make it pop even more.