Thumbnail idea generator

Thumbnail idea generator: how to use it

1. Describe the main moment in your video and the feeling you want the thumbnail to give, such as surprise, curiosity or pride.
2. Look at the 5 ideas. Each one lists the picture to show and up to 4 words. Choose the one that is still clear when it is small.
3. Make a quick mock-up by placing the picture and the words, then view it at phone size before you upload it.

Example

Written by hand to show the format. Your result will be different.

You type

I tested three cheap phone tripods, and the cheapest one wobbled. Mood: honest and a little funny.

You get something like

Idea 2. Picture: close-up of a tripod shaking under a phone. Words: WOBBLY. ACTUALLY? Idea 4. Picture: three tripods in a row, one with a drawn sad face. Words: WHICH ONE? (and 3 more)

Tips

• Use big, bold words with few letters. Short text stands out at the small size most viewers see.
• Show one clear subject. A busy picture with three objects is hard to read at a glance.
• Let the thumbnail and the title do different jobs. The title says what the video is, and the thumbnail adds the moment or the feeling.

Questions

Should my thumbnail show my face?

Not always. A clear object, a close-up of an action or a simple drawing can work well, as long as the picture shows what the video is about.

Can I use stock photos in a thumbnail?

Only if your licence allows that use for your channel. Check the terms before you publish, and prefer images you made or own.

How many words should go on a thumbnail?

Keep it to a short phrase. A few words are easier to read on a phone than a full sentence, and they leave room for the picture.

When one video grows into a run of them, Mubuz can plan the episodes and produce each one as a vertical video with captions and voice, ready for a paid-plan schedule.