Tips and tricks for bringing your audience into your content.
When you think of a professional YouTube video, you probably think of sleek editing and advanced motion graphics. But without an equally impressive intro, even the best-made content is likely to go unwatched. So, how do you create an attention-grabbing setup for your channel? Here’s what you need to know . . .
Types of Intros
There are a variety of intro types, and you want to go with the one that best suits the video you’re creating. That means first understanding the options you have to choose from.
One of the simplest, most common intros is the “logo sting,” a quick logo or branding animation that usually stays the same from video to video. Check out the captainmidnight and Creative Dojo channels for good examples.
Next, you’ve got “titled” intros. These are intros that show the name of an installment, which change from video to video based on the content covered. You’ll see them on a lot of vlog or episodic-style content, like Casey Neistat‘s 2018 vlogs, and they can be simple or elaborate.
Then, you have “full-length” intros. These tend to be higher-quality productions, like a video montage or animated opening, that closely resemble something you’d see on a TV show. They may even introduce characters or locations. See Filmmaker IQ and Ben Marriott for prime examples.
You can also combine intro types: Shutterstock and PremiumBeat have plenty of options that blend logo and title intros.
Which Intro Type Is Best?
In order to determine the best intro for your videos, you need to take a step back and look at your content and audience. For example, if you’re making a quick-tip tutorial, it probably doesn’t make sense to have a long, drawn-out intro; instead, you want to use something short-and-sweet, like a logo sting.
Also, check out the intro types on content that is similar to yours: What are other creators doing? How can you add your own spin to that?
How to Get Started
Now that you’ve decided on an intro type, how do you go about creating it? Start by checking out tutorials related to the intro style you want to create. Two of the most popular programs to do this in are Premiere Pro and After Effects. There are also plenty of free software options, such as DaVinci Resolve, that you can use as well.
Creating the Video Intro: Simple to Technical
When it comes to video intro creation, you have a variety of options. If you’re looking to make titled intros, you may want to look at using a Premiere Pro template that will be quick and easy to edit for each video.
If you’re creating more of an episodic, full-length intro that showcases footage or people, check out Boone’s tutorial on 5 Ways to Use the Rotobrush in After Effects. You can use techniques like this to add intro text behind people or subjects.
If you’re looking for some more After Effects tutorials showcasing motion-graphics tips, check out the PremiumBeat tutorials for How to Create Matte Text Animations and Easy Compositing for Creating Professional-Looking Titles. Both of those tutorials showcase several techniques used in professional video intros.
How About Using Some FREE Assets?
Both Shutterstock and PremiumBeat offer a ton of FREE assets you can use to help create your video intros. You’ll find Free Video LUTs, Free Sound Effects, numerous Free Video Assets, and more. A couple of my notable favorites are the Free Hand-Painted Fonts and the Free Animated Gritty Textures.
Start Light
Don’t bog yourself down by trying to create the perfect intro right out of the gate. Odds are, your video intro will change several times in the beginning because you’re still establishing the look and feel of your content. The last thing you want to do is spend hours creating a full-length intro, only to quickly realize that a shorter intro—like a logo sting—works better with your content.
Another tip: If you’re making titled intros for every video, or creating a title template, make sure it’s edit-friendly. For example, if the only thing that changes episode to episode is the last part of the intro, don’t render the entire length of the video intro every time — just render the final section where the changes occur.
Finally, experiment. Have fun. Don’t be afraid to try something new to establish your own look.
For more technology tips and advice, check out these articles:
- How to Start a YouTube Channel – Everything You Need
- 7 YouTube Channels on Filmmaking, Camera Reviews, and Gear
- How Artists Can Reach New Creative Heights Through Artificial Intelligence
- The 10 Best YouTube Channels for Photographers in 2021
- Visualizing the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Images
Cover image by dzmat.ph.