Thumbnails
Make thumbnails that engage with viewers
Like YouTube, Rumble is a video hosting platform. Thumbnails are the advertisement for your videos and influence people to engage with your content. If you want to maximize your monetization, your thumbnails are an essential element. While these guidelines are a suggestion and not a rule, following them will help make your content more consumable. This will help your videos perform better, which means you earn more.
A properly formatted thumbnail has several elements:
- Hook
- Sub-hook
- Visual
- Brand
The example above has all of these elements.
Tip: Canva is an inexpensive program that has a large variety of customizable thumbnail templates.
Capture the Viewer
You have 1-3 seconds to capture the viewer.
Now that your thumbnail has done its‘ job, you have another hurdle. If you don’t grab the viewer’s attention in the first 1-3 seconds, you will lose the opportunity to keep that viewer.
A few pointers to creating an engaging video hook.
- Edit your video so your speaking happens right away. Too often the first few seconds of a video has a pause and this is fatal to engagement.
- Make your first few words simple, to the point, and stick with single keywords that reinforce your thumbnail hooks. For example: “TikTok. Creators. Ripped off.” Make it exciting and use sound FX.
- Use moving graphics or translations to draw in the eye. The human eye is attracted to movement, contrast, and colors. Use this to your advantage.
- Find royalty free soundtracks to attract the ear and match or reinforce the mood of your video.
Tip: Facebook Sound Library has tons of royalty free samples you can download.
Sound and Video Quality
Make your content pleasing to the ear and the eye
Successful content creators engage the senses. When a viewer listens to something, (especially on headphones), you are inside their head. Be a good guest. The same is true when their eyes are taking something in. Create content with audio and visual pleasantness in mind.
A few examples of best practices:
- Invest in quality mics. A good microphone can make all the difference in sound quality. Phone mics or camera mics are much better these days, but they lack processing that can truly warm and clarify the sound.
- Invest in a quality processor or sound board. Strive for that warm, pleasing sound of a radio broadcast. Avoid higher frequencies that can offend the ear and use (not overuse) reverb, compression, and noise suppression. Make sure your room where you are recording has no echo and consider turning off the AC or any fans while recording. Background noise, static, and anything not part of your content will cause you to lose engagement.
- Use quality background music to enhance and reinforce the mood of your production. Not all production needs music, but if you have the option to use music, it’s always a good choice. Be sure you mix the levels between the music and the speaking to where the music is almost barely audible. The music should be more subconscious than out in front.
- Use transitions the way you would chapter separations. Avoid obvious cuts between sentences and use B roll (video of the subject matter with no audio) to enhance your message. Create movement in the video without staying on the same shot for more than a few seconds. This can be done with multiple cameras switching to different angles or guests. For single subjects, use zoom edits to keep the content moving.
Tip: The Mackie DLZ Creator is a great audio board that is easy to use and has a great broadcast sound
Plan or Script Your Content
A clear, thought out message will keep your viewer engaged.
While some creators are podcasters, others create shorts, reels, and skits, the principle for planning your content remain the same. When you plan out your content, make your message clear, and stay on topic. If you do, your viewers will engage longer. What initially drew them in was your thumbnail and your keyword performance in the first 5-seconds. Stray from those topics and you may lose your viewer.
Some things you can do to add more structure include:
- Try using a teleprompter. There are a number of apps available that work on mobile phones and tablets. You can also set up apps on tablets that come with a slanted screen and install on a tripod camera set up, allowing you to look directly at the camera.
- Take the time to plan your content. Even writing down your thoughts on a piece of paper is better than nothing. We suggest using a modified format from TED Talks where you have your hook, the problem, your personal connection to the problem, your idea or solution, and finally, you close or call to action.
- Spend time researching your topic. There is nothing worse than having a guest or viewers commenting and calling you out on things you missed or overlooked. Be the authority on the subject and know your topic better than your guests and your viewers. Remember, they are watching you because you have something to offer to enlighten, educate, and entertain your viewers.
- Edit your content to further hone in on your message. It’s better to have too much footage than not enough. Be looking for highlights and good sound bites to be used to create shorts and highlight reels to promote your video and get more views. Some people want to sit down and watch an hour long video and others want you to give them the highlights. You need to serve both audiences.
Tip: Big VU is teleprompter app where the free version allows you to record up to 5 minute videos.
Final Thoughts
Remember someone is paying you for your work—especially Rumble!
As a content creator, always keep in mind that you are being paid for your work. That means both viewers who buy from you and Rumble who pays you. Approach your craft with the idea that you are a professional and your client deserves your best, as well as your viewer. Always strive to expand your skill sets and improve. The more your content improves, the more people will be willing to pay you for your work. Most of all, have fun and be passionate about your work. It will reflect in the final product.
Now get out there and create!