[Updated] Mastering Live Thumbnails for Effective Branding

Mastering Live Thumbnails for Effective Branding

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!

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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

Expressions

Text

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

Conclusion

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Versatile YouTube Video Editor - Filmora

An easy yet powerful editor

Numerous effects to choose from

Detailed tutorials provided by official channel

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10 Best Yoga YouTube Channels to Follow in 2024- Keep Fit

YouTube channels have now become a great medium to help people in their real-life activities. That includes Yoga, too. In this article, we will share some of the best Yoga YouTube channels that you can follow in 2024 and keep yourself fit.

Part 1: 10 Best Yoga YouTube Channels to Follow

Here are the 10 top yoga YouTube channels that you can follow in 2024 to keep yourself fit.

1. Yoga With Adriene

Adriene is one of the best Yoga YouTubers you will find, and our list tops with Yoga with Adriene YouTube channel. If you are a beginner, Yoga With Adriene might be the best choice for you. The series on ‘Foundation of Yoga’ in this channel is something you must view. The update frequency of the channel is 2-3 videos per month. Here is a video link from the channel:

2. Faith Hunter

As a Yoga mind, you must know how important meditation is. And Faith Hunter can help you with that with her guided tutorial videos on meditation. She is one of the best yoga teachers on YouTube. You can easily follow her yoga classes, especially if you are a beginner. The author and yoga teacher updates her YouTube channel with 3-4 videos quarterly. Here is a video link from the channel:

3. Candace Cabrera

Candace Cabrera, also known as Yoga by Candace, is another of the best yoga YouTube channels that you can follow in 2024. The videos on this channel helps more with the technical instructions than just regular yoga exercising. This channel can help you perfect your physical alignment when doing a pose. The channel updates with 3-4 videos per month. Here is a video link from the channel:

4. Koya Webb

It is one of the best yoga channels on YouTube for beginners. If you are looking for someone who is a personal trainer herself, you have come to the right place. Koya Webb is a personal trainer, an author. Besides, she is a motivational speaker that influences her videos on the channel. She updates her channel with 2 videos per week. Here is a video link from the channel:

5. The Yoga Room

The name itself sounds like a dedicated space for yoga. It is one of the best yoga YouTube channels 2021. The channel is totally based on the studio of Zelinda Yanez, a yoga teacher. In this channel, Zelinda teaches how you can practice safe, comfortable yoga, no matter what shape you are in. The channel comes with 4-5 videos quarterly. Here is a video link from the channel:

6. Pregnancy and Postpartum TV

As the name suggests, the channel is for pregnant mothers or who have just entered their postpartum life. The channel is run by Jessica Pumple, a yoga instructor and a registered dietitian. The videos base on yoga exercises during pregnancy, like the floor exercises. The channel comes with 4-5 videos every week. Here is a video link from the channel:

7. Yoga With Bird

If you are looking for a certified yoga online YouTube teacher, this is the perfect channel for you. The channel is basically for beginners and focuses on morning yoga, restorative yoga, etc. Bird comes with fresh content every day, sometimes two times a day. Here is a video link from Yoga With Bird:

8. Spirit Voyage

If you are past the beginning level of yoga and are looking for something advanced, Spirit Voyage is the right place for you. Especially if you are interested in the more spiritual spectrums of yoga, like chanting, hand gestures, breathing, and so on, this channel is the right spot for you. With an aesthetic look, the channel becomes much more attractive to the audience. The channel releases 2-3 videos a week. The channel offers soothing, inspirational music as well, helping yoga advance even more. Here is a video link from Spirit Voyage:

9. Yoga With Tim

Finally comes one of the best yoga YouTube channels, run by a male yoga teacher. If you are looking for the top yoga YouTube channels that topped in 2021 and you can follow in 2024, then Yoga With Time is the right spot for you. The channel focuses on advanced aspects of yoga, especially the more physical parts of it. Hopefully, it will help you develop a healthy self-image like it has Tim. The channel updates with 1-2 videos per week. Here is a video link from the channel:

10. YogaX Team

YogaX Team is basically a yoga school, which you will find at Stanford University. The yoga YouTube channel releases videos of classes that evolves around yoga philosophy as well as its practice. The team comprises of researchers and psychologists, who are trying to bring the yoga psychology in practice. The instructors here offer different types of pose variations. Hence, you can choose from a wide range of options that work for you. YogaX Team releases 3-4 videos per month. Here is a video link from the channel:

Part 2: How to Choose the Right Yoga Channel for Yourself?

Based on your level of yoga practice and needs, the channel will vary. But it is better to divide yoga practitioners in two basic ways. One is the beginner-level practitioners, and the other is the advanced-level practitioners.

If you are a beginner-level yoga practitioner, you can try to pick one pose at a time and explore it as deep as possible with time. In this article, you will find the first six best yoga YouTube channels suitable for beginner-level yoga practitioners.

If you are already past the beginner level and want to take yourself to the next stage, you can go for the advanced styles. Some of the common yoga styles are Bikram, Ashtanga, etc. You should follow one style after discussing with your instructor. In our list, you will find the last four YouTube channels a perfect place for advanced-level yoga practitioners.

Part 3: How to Start Your Own Yoga Channel on YouTube?

Just a few years back, yoga was practiced and instructed only in studios. Yoga instructors would visit studios after studios to instruct the practitioners. But the time has changed now. Most practitioners now practice yoga from home and so do the instructors. Here are a few tips on how to start your own yoga channel on YouTube.

Tip 1. Set your target audience

There are different levels of yoga practitioners as well as their lifestyle. A working mom may give you 10 minutes from her morning routine while a college-going student can give you 10 minutes in the afternoon. Hence, first you need to set your target audience and create your content based on that.

Tip 2. Upload videos as scheduled

As you are instructing yoga through your YouTube channel, you need to keep your audience updated. A good way to keep them updated is creating a schedule to upload videos on a regular basis. You can also post the schedule on the description of your channel so that your audience waits for the next.

Tip 3. Brand the practice

Creating a brand out of yoga practicing is the next thing you can do. When people hear the name of your YouTube channel, they value it for its brand. Make it just like this. It can be under your name or your studio’s name. Nevertheless, it should propose a brand value.

Tip 4. Rank on SEO

The present era is full of competition. If you cannot rank among the top ones, you cannot actually get to the audience and make a business out of it. Hence, you should learn to rank on search engine optimization so that people interested in yoga get to your first.

Tip 5. Proper video editing

Promoting your content through videos on YouTube channel is not like doing it in person. So you need to make sure that your videos exert a similar experience as that of reality. A good initiative towards that is expert video editing. Being one of the best video editors available, Filmora can help you in this case. Also, it allows you to edit videos with minimal effort. Therefore, you can concentrate enough on your actual content- yoga.

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Tip 6. Collaboration with other channels

Time to time, you can collaborate with other channels to have a ‘shared audience’ who can later turn into your dedicated audience. Nevertheless, it is a no-harm method that you can try to increase traffic to your best yoga YouTube channel.

Conclusion

The best yoga YouTube channels are not only about the yoga material. It also involves how you draw traffic to your channel, the level of your video editing, and so many more. Hopefully, you will find the tips helpful while creating your own yoga YouTube channel.

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10 Best Yoga YouTube Channels to Follow in 2024- Keep Fit