A billion hours of content is watched on YouTube each and every day. It’s a giant search engine that is second only to Google. Since video is the preferred media that people take in, you need to make sure that your YouTube content is edited and optimized as effectively as possible.
One of the best ways to do this is by creating a YouTube video that sets the tone for your content. But how can you design a YouTube intro? What details should you remember?
We’re happy to explain.
Let the tips below help you when you need help creating the perfect YouTube intro for your brand.
1. Consider What People Look for in Your Brand
When you’re learning how to improve SEO with video, start by figuring out what makes your brand unique. Reverse engineer what problems you’re trying to solve in the world or what information or entertainment you’d like to impart. Having this as your foundation will help you stay on tone and on-brand every time that you create YouTube content.
Your YouTube intro kicks it off and sets the table for people to watch the rest of the video. Hook their attention, provide a sneak preview of what to expect, and make sure that it’s true to your brand and the things you do.
2. Figure Out the Best Length
When figuring out YouTube’s algorithms, things like the length of your video need to be examined. As a rule of thumb, keep your intro short and sweet, no longer than about 10 seconds or so.
People today have shorter attention spans, due in large part to the fact that they have so many content, information, and entertainment options. You’ll put people off and deter them from watching the rest if your intro drags on. Hit the key points of information and make sure that things move along.
Many brands opt to have a YouTube channel intro that teaches people all about the channel and the subsequent content that’s going to be released. This respects your viewers’ time and gives them the option to do a deep dive if they choose to.
3. Include Your Logo and Identifying Information
Many YouTubers make the mistake of leaving out crucial identifying information. Since the intro is the first thing people see, make sure that things like your logo, name, and social media tags are listed prominently and as early as possible.
This will help you leverage the effort that you put into writing a programming intro, shooting the video, and editing it, and will give you the payoff that you’re looking for. Even if people save your video to their “Watch Later” list to browse on their own time, they’ll have an impression of your company that will stick in their memory.
Choose a logo that is professionally designed, colorful, and pertinent to your brand. Your font and color choices should also match the logo so that you get the most from it.
4. Establish Goals for Your Intro
What are you trying to accomplish with your YouTube intro? Knowing this upfront will save you a lot of heartache in the long run. This way, everything from your word choices and sense of humor to your calls to action (CTA) will all be headed in the same direction.
It’s a principle that applies whether you’re publishing to YouTube, writing a TV intro, or even plugging a podcast or radio spot. Set goals that you can measure, and use your video analytics to figure out what works and what doesn’t This will let you fine-tune your future intros so that you’re hitting the mark and getting the best return on investment (ROI) for every second of content that you release.
Beginning with these points in mind will set the course for the rest of your channel, and will let you figure out your brand as you go.
5. Consider Using Animation
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when creating your YouTube intros. Animation is huge right now and is suitable for a wide audience. It also does away with physical restraints and the need for specific shoot locations and other variables. You can animate anything that you imagine, and it adds fun and creativity to your channel.
Today, there are plenty of freelance animators that you can hire to get the job done. Look through their portfolio to see their style, and find out what kind of software and production tools they use.
Animation doesn’t have to be expensive, since these intros aren’t particularly long. As you figure out how long a YouTube intro should be for your channel, make sure to compare the rates between a few different animators to see to it that you get the most bang for your buck.
Create the Best YouTube Intro
These tips are excellent if you’re trying to create a YouTube intro but don’t know where to start. Do your due diligence so that you’re able to create intros that set the tone for your videos and your channel, and put the required time, thought, and effort that goes into it.
Your next step is to make sure that you have the tools and equipment to get the job done or reach out to some production and marketing pros that can put it all together for you.
Start with the points presented and read our other articles to learn more about marketing, advertising, and other types of digital technology.