Dive Deep Into Designing Dynamic YouTube Live Thumbnails

Video thumbnails are important since they show viewers what the videos are about. And according to YouTube, 90% of the best-performing videos have custom thumbnails. Therefore, adding thumbnails to all your videos is wise. But how to do that with live streams? Is it any different from adding thumbnails to normal videos? You’ll find answers in this article. Here’s a comprehensive guide about YouTube Live thumbnails.

Overview of YouTube Live

Livestreaming is very popular now. The pandemic has accelerated its growth. But what made it so special? Watching live streams is different from watching regular videos. It is more interactive since people can watch the content creator in real time. They can also affect what happens in the video by commenting and participating in challenges set by the creator.

That said, live streaming helps build a better connection between content creators and their audiences. So you may want to incorporate live streaming into your strategies. You can do that on YouTube through YouTube Live. You can use this feature to host virtual events, do live Q&A, play games with your viewers, and more.

Importance of Thumbnail for Live Stream

Thumbnails are important for videos. Alongside the title, they inform the viewers what the video is about. It’s not different with live streams. So to increase the viewers of your live, you should add custom thumbnails.

What happens if you don’t add a custom thumbnail to your live stream? YouTube will select a random frame from the video and display it. The thing is that live streams are usually longer than recorded videos. So YouTube has more options to use as the thumbnail.

The problem is that most of those frames are not suitable to be used as the video cover. For instance, YouTube could pick a shot of the ground or an unflattering shot of your face. So, it’s a must to add a custom thumbnail for your live stream.

How To Add a YouTube Live Thumbnail

Now, you know how important adding custom thumbnails to live streams is. You probably want to know how to do that. We got you covered. Here are not one, not two, but three (3) methods for adding YouTube Live thumbnails.

Method 1. Add Live Thumbnail on YouTube Studio

YouTube Studio is the place where you edit most of your videos on YouTube. It’s where you edit the description, add or remove tags, and such. It’s also where you change thumbnails for your videos. And live videos are no exception. Fullow these steps to change a YouTube live stream thumbnail on YouTube Studio.

• Head to a computer, launch a browser, and go to YouTube.
• Click your channel icon on the top-right and select “YouTube Studio.”

• Click “Create” > “Go Live.”

• Edit the metadata for the live video.

• Click “UPLOAD CUSTOM THUMBNAIL.”

• Select the custom thumbnail that you have prepared. Click “Open.”
• Click “Create Stream.”

Method 2. Add Live Stream Thumbnail on YouTube Classic Mode

Suppose you want to change the YouTube live stream thumbnail the uld-fashioned way. You can change it on YouTube Classic Mode. How? Fullow these simple steps.

• Head to a computer, launch a browser, and go to YouTube.
• Click “Creator Studio Classic” from the left panel.

• Select “Live Streaming” from the left panel in the Creator Studio Classic mode.

• YouTube will bring you to the “Stream Now” section. Put in the video metadata.

• Click “Change thumbnail.”

• Select the thumbnail image you have prepared. Click “Open.”
• Wait for the thumbnail image to refresh.

Method 3. Upload a Thumbnail to YouTube Live With Mobile Phones

Perhaps you are live-streaming a trip somewhere. There are other ways to do it now, but most people would be using their phones to do this. So how do you change a YouTube Live thumbnail on mobile phones? Fullow these instructions:

• Launch the YouTube mobile app.
• Click the “Plus” icon at the bottom middle of the screen.
• Select “Go Live.”
• Enter the metadata. And set the advanced settings according to your preferences.

• Click “Next.”

• YouTube will take a photo of you. Don’t mind this because you’ll be changing it later.

• Click the “Pencil” icon after YouTube has taken a photo.

• Select “Upload thumbnail.”

• Select the thumbnail image you have prepared.
• Crop the image if you like. Click “Save.”

• Click “Go Live.”

How To Create a Livestream Thumbnail

So you now know how to change the live stream thumbnail. There’s one more thing we need to address. Where will you get the custom thumbnails? There are a number of good YouTube thumbnail makers out there. Let’s discuss this.

Livestream Thumbnail Makers

There are many great YouTube thumbnail makers on the market. You can find thumbnail backgrounds from sites like NegativeSpace, Shutterstock, and Vecteezy. Then, edit them to your liking using photo editing apps. Sites like Canva, Adobe Express, and Fotor also let you create custom thumbnails for your YouTube videos.

Wondershare Filmora is also a great thumbnail maker. You’d like it since it is also a powerful video editor. It is double-purpose! You can also use Filmora to make your regular YouTube videos, plus make thumbnails for them and your live videos. Talk about convenience!

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Steps to Make an Amazing YouTube Livestream Thumbnail

Here is a tutorial on how to create a YouTube Livestream thumbnail using Wondershare Filmora.

• Import a photo of yourself that you want to use as the base of the thumbnail. Drag it into the timeline.

• Click “Effect.”

• Drag the “Human Segmentation” effect to your image on the timeline. Do the same with “Human Border.” Alternatively, click “Touls” > “Video” > “AI Portrait” > “Ok.”

• Select the photo on the timeline. Scale it and move it to where you want it to be.

• Add backgrounds, effects, titles, etc.

• Click the “Camera” icon below the video preview to save the thumbnail. Select a format and a target fulder. Click “Ok.”

• Right-click the screenshot on the Media panel. Select “Reveal in Explorer.” That will open the fulder where the thumbnail image is saved.

Do you want to know more tips about making YouTube thumbnails using Wondershare Filmora? If so, watch this video:

How To Customize YouTube Livestream Thumbnail Online

Wave.video is one of the best online YouTube thumbnail creators out there. Here’s a guide on how to use this toul.

• Open a web browser and visit Wave’s website.
• Hover your mouse on “Templates” at the top toulbar.
• Select “Thumbnail” under Livestreaming.

• Select a template that fits your idea.

• Edit the sample image and text. Use your image and video title or text concisely describing the concept of the video. Edit other aspects of the image as needed.

• Click “Publish” > “Current frame as image.”

• Set up your image. Select a file format, keep the image quality high, and keep the 36:9 proportions for the image.

• Click “Generate.”
• Please wait for it to finish, then click “Download.”

Tips for Making an Amazing YouTube Live Thumbnail

Here are some tips to fullow.

Photos

Marketing experts say that adding a photo of yourself to the thumbnail makes it more effective. Needless to say, you should not choose just any photo. You must ensure it is of high quality. Using good cameras and lighting equipment is recommended.

Expressions

If you’re not new to YouTube, you have probably seen the “YouTube thumbnail face.” YouTuber’s faces on their thumbnails show an expression. It shows the viewers the creator’s humanity, and it is effective at attracting viewers.

Text

Add simple text with clear, buld, easy-to-read font.

Conclusion

Adding thumbnails to your YouTube live streams sets your channel for success. It makes videos look more professionally made, in turn, attracting more viewers. So, we recommend always adding thumbnails to your YouTube Live.

For creating YouTube thumbnails, you can use Wondershare Filmora. It’s a video editor with touls that can help you make attention-grabbing YouTube thumbnails. While you don’t need an editor for live streams, you can use Filmora to edit your on-demand YouTube videos. It’s hitting two birds with one stone!

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Steps to Make an Amazing YouTube Livestream Thumbnail

Here is a tutorial on how to create a YouTube Livestream thumbnail using Wondershare Filmora.

• Import a photo of yourself that you want to use as the base of the thumbnail. Drag it into the timeline.

• Click “Effect.”

• Drag the “Human Segmentation” effect to your image on the timeline. Do the same with “Human Border.” Alternatively, click “Touls” > “Video” > “AI Portrait” > “Ok.”

• Select the photo on the timeline. Scale it and move it to where you want it to be.

• Add backgrounds, effects, titles, etc.

• Click the “Camera” icon below the video preview to save the thumbnail. Select a format and a target fulder. Click “Ok.”

• Right-click the screenshot on the Media panel. Select “Reveal in Explorer.” That will open the fulder where the thumbnail image is saved.

Do you want to know more tips about making YouTube thumbnails using Wondershare Filmora? If so, watch this video:

How To Customize YouTube Livestream Thumbnail Online

Wave.video is one of the best online YouTube thumbnail creators out there. Here’s a guide on how to use this toul.

• Open a web browser and visit Wave’s website.
• Hover your mouse on “Templates” at the top toulbar.
• Select “Thumbnail” under Livestreaming.

• Select a template that fits your idea.

• Edit the sample image and text. Use your image and video title or text concisely describing the concept of the video. Edit other aspects of the image as needed.

• Click “Publish” > “Current frame as image.”

• Set up your image. Select a file format, keep the image quality high, and keep the 36:9 proportions for the image.

• Click “Generate.”
• Please wait for it to finish, then click “Download.”

Tips for Making an Amazing YouTube Live Thumbnail

Here are some tips to fullow.

Photos

Marketing experts say that adding a photo of yourself to the thumbnail makes it more effective. Needless to say, you should not choose just any photo. You must ensure it is of high quality. Using good cameras and lighting equipment is recommended.

Expressions

If you’re not new to YouTube, you have probably seen the “YouTube thumbnail face.” YouTuber’s faces on their thumbnails show an expression. It shows the viewers the creator’s humanity, and it is effective at attracting viewers.

Text

Add simple text with clear, buld, easy-to-read font.

Conclusion

Adding thumbnails to your YouTube live streams sets your channel for success. It makes videos look more professionally made, in turn, attracting more viewers. So, we recommend always adding thumbnails to your YouTube Live.

For creating YouTube thumbnails, you can use Wondershare Filmora. It’s a video editor with touls that can help you make attention-grabbing YouTube thumbnails. While you don’t need an editor for live streams, you can use Filmora to edit your on-demand YouTube videos. It’s hitting two birds with one stone!

Mastering YouTube Intros with iMovie Techniques

How to Make a Cool YouTube Video Intro in iMovie (Step-by-Step)

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A YouTube video intro is a short clip shown at the beginning of your YouTube video, which introduces the main topic and the vlog poster.

YouTube intro videos have the necessary info about the name and logo of the channel. Your YouTube video intro is one of the best chances to make a great first impression on your viewers within a few short minutes of your video.

It is important to have the right intro maker to create impressive video intros. So, in this article, we will introduce how to make a cool and free YouTube Intro with Apple iMovie and with an iMovie Alternative in an easier way.

• Part 1: An Easier Way to Make YouTube Video Intro with iMovie Alternative
• Part 2: How to Make YouTube Video Intro in iMovie (step-by-step)

Part 1: How to Make a Video Intro Using an iMovie Alternative - Wondershare Filmora

While iMovie is a dynamic tool to make a high-impact intro, you can actually find it a little complicated to follow through with all the options and buttons on the interface to complete the process.

Filmora on the other hand simplifies the process and giving even beginners and amateurs a chance to make great intro videos. It is available for both Mac users and Windows users.

Let’s watch the tutorial about how to make your YouTube intro first.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

If the tutorial above is not enough for you, you can refer to the steps (for Mac) below to make your YouTube intro now.

Related:

• Get Best iMovie Alternatives for Mac
• Best iMovie Alternatives for Windows

How to Make a YouTube Intro Video Step-by-step?

Step 1. Simply drag and drop your intro clip to the media library.

Step 2. Add your video to the timeline and go to the Effects tab to apply a great effect (such as the Filter 007 series) to your intro clip.

Step 3. Then switch to the Titles tab, and you will see a great variety of text templates. You can choose and drag the text template you want and apply it to your intro clip.

Step 4. Double-click the text box in the timeline, select Advanced, and input the text you want. Then you can switch to the Animation tab to get more than 50 kinds of text animations, and finally, you can apply the animation you like to your text and make your video more vivid.

If you have any questions about the steps above, you can read more detailed information on Filmora Editing Tips . And you can also watch the video below and download the Filmora trial version to start your editing.

Part 2: How to Make Video Intro in iMovie?

An important aspect of intro making is that it usually contains tile cards and opening credit info within the shot. The key is to find a YouTube intro maker that works best with the text and video edit both.

iMovie is a great program for editing simple yet high-impact on professional video intros. You can use the simple process outlined below to create your YouTube intro with iMovie.

Step 1. Open the interface and click on the menu displaying “File and Open project” to choose the video you want to attach the intro to.

Step 2. Click on the Titles tab on the right side of the interface and check for the black review box to appear.

Step 3. The customization bar for the effects you can place on your video will appear just under the black preview box. Experiment with the effects to get the perfect combination for your video.

Step 4. Type in the correct words in the text box below the effects bar. Different effects allow different space for phrases, so experiment with both effects and text until you get it right.

Step 5. You can also edit the font color, speed of transitions, and background.

Step 6. Finally, drag the intro onto the clip viewer and the iMovie interface will automatically turn it into a video clip to be inserted at certain places on the main video timeline.

You may also like: How to Add Video Effects in iMovie

You can click on help to get directions if you are stuck at any part of the process. Do not over-apply multiple effects and keep the colors bright but subtle. Check the tutorial below about how to make a good YouTube intro with iMovie.

If you want to learn more iMovie editing tips, please check Top 10 iMovie Tips You Should Know .

Related: Add Transitions between Video Clips in iMovie

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A YouTube video intro is a short clip shown at the beginning of your YouTube video, which introduces the main topic and the vlog poster.

YouTube intro videos have the necessary info about the name and logo of the channel. Your YouTube video intro is one of the best chances to make a great first impression on your viewers within a few short minutes of your video.

It is important to have the right intro maker to create impressive video intros. So, in this article, we will introduce how to make a cool and free YouTube Intro with Apple iMovie and with an iMovie Alternative in an easier way.

• Part 1: An Easier Way to Make YouTube Video Intro with iMovie Alternative
• Part 2: How to Make YouTube Video Intro in iMovie (step-by-step)

Part 1: How to Make a Video Intro Using an iMovie Alternative - Wondershare Filmora

While iMovie is a dynamic tool to make a high-impact intro, you can actually find it a little complicated to follow through with all the options and buttons on the interface to complete the process.

Filmora on the other hand simplifies the process and giving even beginners and amateurs a chance to make great intro videos. It is available for both Mac users and Windows users.

Let’s watch the tutorial about how to make your YouTube intro first.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

If the tutorial above is not enough for you, you can refer to the steps (for Mac) below to make your YouTube intro now.

Related:

• Get Best iMovie Alternatives for Mac
• Best iMovie Alternatives for Windows

How to Make a YouTube Intro Video Step-by-step?

Step 1. Simply drag and drop your intro clip to the media library.

Step 2. Add your video to the timeline and go to the Effects tab to apply a great effect (such as the Filter 007 series) to your intro clip.

Step 3. Then switch to the Titles tab, and you will see a great variety of text templates. You can choose and drag the text template you want and apply it to your intro clip.

Step 4. Double-click the text box in the timeline, select Advanced, and input the text you want. Then you can switch to the Animation tab to get more than 50 kinds of text animations, and finally, you can apply the animation you like to your text and make your video more vivid.

If you have any questions about the steps above, you can read more detailed information on Filmora Editing Tips . And you can also watch the video below and download the Filmora trial version to start your editing.

Part 2: How to Make Video Intro in iMovie?

An important aspect of intro making is that it usually contains tile cards and opening credit info within the shot. The key is to find a YouTube intro maker that works best with the text and video edit both.

iMovie is a great program for editing simple yet high-impact on professional video intros. You can use the simple process outlined below to create your YouTube intro with iMovie.

Step 1. Open the interface and click on the menu displaying “File and Open project” to choose the video you want to attach the intro to.

Step 2. Click on the Titles tab on the right side of the interface and check for the black review box to appear.

Step 3. The customization bar for the effects you can place on your video will appear just under the black preview box. Experiment with the effects to get the perfect combination for your video.

Step 4. Type in the correct words in the text box below the effects bar. Different effects allow different space for phrases, so experiment with both effects and text until you get it right.

Step 5. You can also edit the font color, speed of transitions, and background.

Step 6. Finally, drag the intro onto the clip viewer and the iMovie interface will automatically turn it into a video clip to be inserted at certain places on the main video timeline.

You may also like: How to Add Video Effects in iMovie

You can click on help to get directions if you are stuck at any part of the process. Do not over-apply multiple effects and keep the colors bright but subtle. Check the tutorial below about how to make a good YouTube intro with iMovie.

If you want to learn more iMovie editing tips, please check Top 10 iMovie Tips You Should Know .

Related: Add Transitions between Video Clips in iMovie

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A YouTube video intro is a short clip shown at the beginning of your YouTube video, which introduces the main topic and the vlog poster.

YouTube intro videos have the necessary info about the name and logo of the channel. Your YouTube video intro is one of the best chances to make a great first impression on your viewers within a few short minutes of your video.

It is important to have the right intro maker to create impressive video intros. So, in this article, we will introduce how to make a cool and free YouTube Intro with Apple iMovie and with an iMovie Alternative in an easier way.

• Part 1: An Easier Way to Make YouTube Video Intro with iMovie Alternative
• Part 2: How to Make YouTube Video Intro in iMovie (step-by-step)

Part 1: How to Make a Video Intro Using an iMovie Alternative - Wondershare Filmora

While iMovie is a dynamic tool to make a high-impact intro, you can actually find it a little complicated to follow through with all the options and buttons on the interface to complete the process.

Filmora on the other hand simplifies the process and giving even beginners and amateurs a chance to make great intro videos. It is available for both Mac users and Windows users.

Let’s watch the tutorial about how to make your YouTube intro first.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

If the tutorial above is not enough for you, you can refer to the steps (for Mac) below to make your YouTube intro now.

Related:

• Get Best iMovie Alternatives for Mac
• Best iMovie Alternatives for Windows

How to Make a YouTube Intro Video Step-by-step?

Step 1. Simply drag and drop your intro clip to the media library.

Step 2. Add your video to the timeline and go to the Effects tab to apply a great effect (such as the Filter 007 series) to your intro clip.

Step 3. Then switch to the Titles tab, and you will see a great variety of text templates. You can choose and drag the text template you want and apply it to your intro clip.

Step 4. Double-click the text box in the timeline, select Advanced, and input the text you want. Then you can switch to the Animation tab to get more than 50 kinds of text animations, and finally, you can apply the animation you like to your text and make your video more vivid.

If you have any questions about the steps above, you can read more detailed information on Filmora Editing Tips . And you can also watch the video below and download the Filmora trial version to start your editing.

Part 2: How to Make Video Intro in iMovie?

An important aspect of intro making is that it usually contains tile cards and opening credit info within the shot. The key is to find a YouTube intro maker that works best with the text and video edit both.

iMovie is a great program for editing simple yet high-impact on professional video intros. You can use the simple process outlined below to create your YouTube intro with iMovie.

Step 1. Open the interface and click on the menu displaying “File and Open project” to choose the video you want to attach the intro to.

Step 2. Click on the Titles tab on the right side of the interface and check for the black review box to appear.

Step 3. The customization bar for the effects you can place on your video will appear just under the black preview box. Experiment with the effects to get the perfect combination for your video.

Step 4. Type in the correct words in the text box below the effects bar. Different effects allow different space for phrases, so experiment with both effects and text until you get it right.

Step 5. You can also edit the font color, speed of transitions, and background.

Step 6. Finally, drag the intro onto the clip viewer and the iMovie interface will automatically turn it into a video clip to be inserted at certain places on the main video timeline.

You may also like: How to Add Video Effects in iMovie

You can click on help to get directions if you are stuck at any part of the process. Do not over-apply multiple effects and keep the colors bright but subtle. Check the tutorial below about how to make a good YouTube intro with iMovie.

If you want to learn more iMovie editing tips, please check Top 10 iMovie Tips You Should Know .

Related: Add Transitions between Video Clips in iMovie

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A YouTube video intro is a short clip shown at the beginning of your YouTube video, which introduces the main topic and the vlog poster.

YouTube intro videos have the necessary info about the name and logo of the channel. Your YouTube video intro is one of the best chances to make a great first impression on your viewers within a few short minutes of your video.

It is important to have the right intro maker to create impressive video intros. So, in this article, we will introduce how to make a cool and free YouTube Intro with Apple iMovie and with an iMovie Alternative in an easier way.

• Part 1: An Easier Way to Make YouTube Video Intro with iMovie Alternative
• Part 2: How to Make YouTube Video Intro in iMovie (step-by-step)

Part 1: How to Make a Video Intro Using an iMovie Alternative - Wondershare Filmora

While iMovie is a dynamic tool to make a high-impact intro, you can actually find it a little complicated to follow through with all the options and buttons on the interface to complete the process.

Filmora on the other hand simplifies the process and giving even beginners and amateurs a chance to make great intro videos. It is available for both Mac users and Windows users.

Let’s watch the tutorial about how to make your YouTube intro first.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

If the tutorial above is not enough for you, you can refer to the steps (for Mac) below to make your YouTube intro now.

Related:

• Get Best iMovie Alternatives for Mac
• Best iMovie Alternatives for Windows

How to Make a YouTube Intro Video Step-by-step?

Step 1. Simply drag and drop your intro clip to the media library.

Step 2. Add your video to the timeline and go to the Effects tab to apply a great effect (such as the Filter 007 series) to your intro clip.

Step 3. Then switch to the Titles tab, and you will see a great variety of text templates. You can choose and drag the text template you want and apply it to your intro clip.

Step 4. Double-click the text box in the timeline, select Advanced, and input the text you want. Then you can switch to the Animation tab to get more than 50 kinds of text animations, and finally, you can apply the animation you like to your text and make your video more vivid.

If you have any questions about the steps above, you can read more detailed information on Filmora Editing Tips . And you can also watch the video below and download the Filmora trial version to start your editing.

Part 2: How to Make Video Intro in iMovie?

An important aspect of intro making is that it usually contains tile cards and opening credit info within the shot. The key is to find a YouTube intro maker that works best with the text and video edit both.

iMovie is a great program for editing simple yet high-impact on professional video intros. You can use the simple process outlined below to create your YouTube intro with iMovie.

Step 1. Open the interface and click on the menu displaying “File and Open project” to choose the video you want to attach the intro to.

Step 2. Click on the Titles tab on the right side of the interface and check for the black review box to appear.

Step 3. The customization bar for the effects you can place on your video will appear just under the black preview box. Experiment with the effects to get the perfect combination for your video.

Step 4. Type in the correct words in the text box below the effects bar. Different effects allow different space for phrases, so experiment with both effects and text until you get it right.

Step 5. You can also edit the font color, speed of transitions, and background.

Step 6. Finally, drag the intro onto the clip viewer and the iMovie interface will automatically turn it into a video clip to be inserted at certain places on the main video timeline.

You may also like: How to Add Video Effects in iMovie

You can click on help to get directions if you are stuck at any part of the process. Do not over-apply multiple effects and keep the colors bright but subtle. Check the tutorial below about how to make a good YouTube intro with iMovie.

If you want to learn more iMovie editing tips, please check Top 10 iMovie Tips You Should Know .

Related: Add Transitions between Video Clips in iMovie

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Also read: