How to Create YouTube Thumbnails in 5 Minutes

Creating eye-catching thumbnails is crucial for YouTube success, and Virginia Kerr shares her expert tips in her video “How to make thumbnails to get more VIEWS- In just 5 minutes!”. If you’ve ever struggled with making thumbnails or felt overwhelmed by the process, this video will change the game for you. Virginia not only simplifies thumbnail creation but also demonstrates how her methods yield higher click-through rates than ever before.

Virginia emphasizes that thumbnails are like a book cover or movie poster – they must grab attention and spark curiosity. Without an engaging thumbnail, viewers won’t click, no matter how great the content is. She insists that human connection is key, especially for educational or personal brand channels. Her advice? Include your face in thumbnails with expressive, genuine emotions to connect with your audience.

Virginia shares five thumbnail rules that are easy to follow. First, keep text minimal (four words or less) and use readable fonts, especially since most viewers use mobile devices. Second, place text on the left side to avoid being obscured by YouTube’s overlay elements. Lastly, don’t repeat the video title in the thumbnail. Instead, evoke emotions or highlight the benefit of watching the video. By combining an engaging title with a complementary thumbnail, you maximize viewer interest.

Virginia also demonstrates three ways to create thumbnails in under five minutes. The first method uses Instagram to remove the background of a photo and add simple text. The second method uses Canva, where you can easily remove backgrounds and design professional thumbnails. Her third method is perfect for efficiency: take a video screenshot, upload it to Canva, and use a pre-made template for consistency. These methods ensure your thumbnails are quick to create yet highly effective.

 

Virginia’s practical advice makes thumbnail creation approachable, even for beginners. Her strategies prove that simplicity and intentional design can lead to impressive results.

 

If you’re ready to boost your channel with better thumbnails, watch the full video for step-by-step guidance and examples: