Adding graphics to your videos isn’t just about making them look pretty. There are reasons for using graphics and once you learn their purpose in your video editing, it can result in a very effective video production.
So far, I’ve written posts about what types of graphics to add to your videos and where to find graphics online and what file types work best for graphic overlays.
To someone who is just starting to film and edit videos, it might seem like an unnecessary task to worry about. However, when you learn about the “why” for using certain graphics and what function they have, then it’s just about taking small steps to include them in your videos while editing them.
Reason #1: Remind viewers who you are
If you have a YouTube channel for a business or brand name, then it might be a good idea to introduce yourself as the individual behind the brand’s logo.
If you already have a YouTube channel for a personal brand then this could mean adding an overlay that communicates where else they can find you, like on Instagram, Twitter, or even your website’s domain name.
Why? Because sometimes people are coming across your video for the first time and don’t have any idea who you are or why they should watch your video.
Other times, people may have watched your videos before but they also want to connect with you on other platforms, so adding where else you’re active will help them get to know you more.
Reason #2: Encourage viewers to take action
Do you want people to subscribe to your channel? How about “leave a comment”? Or maybe you want your viewers to click on a link in your description.
You can add graphics that specifically tell people what to do and it doesn’t matter that you’re already saying it in the video. These graphic overlays will simply be that attention-catching, bright flashing sign with neon lights telling your viewers to DO SOMETHING.
Reason #3: Emphasize a message that you couldn’t explain in the video
There might be times where you record demonstration of something but don’t actually get the chance to explain why you did what you did.
I saw this recently on a Netflix documentary series who was demonstrating how to train dogs but then used a lower third text overlay to explain why he was doing it or what the reason was for using his particular technique
Another way to use this would be to add in a graphic to highlight something that you forgot to mention in your video clips. For example, maybe you have a crafting video or recipe video and forgot to mention a material or ingredient or maybe you made a mistake and mentioned the wrong thing. You could use a text overlay to mention the missing ingredient or include something like, “Oops, I meant to say this not that”.
Reason #4: Reference something that already exists
When you’re referencing something that already exists this could be seen in a few ways. You could be talking about a certain social media platform and one way to reference this platform is to include a graphic for the logo of that platform.
Another way to implement this is to include a graphic of a YouTube thumbnail for a video that you’re talking about.
If you are talking about products that you’ve bought and used, include a screenshot of the product you purchased.
Reason #5: Give viewers a visual break from a long video clip
Usually this reason for using graphics will come into play when you have a video clip where you are in one place for a long time.
For example, you may be seated in front of the camera talking about some tips and tricks for doing something. Well, instead of just having your viewer watch you talking, switch it up and add in a graphic that visually represents what you are explaining.
Another situation where you may want to use this is in some kind of video clip that shows a long process. I always think of DIY renovation videos where you’re watching people paint a room or something like that. You could add a voiceover to the video clip and that could add an interesting element to that part of the video or you could add a pop-up graphic like an emoji or lower third that describes how you’re feeling or what you’re thinking in that moment.
Reason #6: Summarize a long explanation into short key takeaway points
Have you ever come across those Powerpoint presentations in school where people write an entire paragraph of text on a particular slide? Powerpoint presentations are intended to highlight short point form pieces of summarized information and including text graphics in your videos will work in the same way.
You can speak for as long as you want on a particular topic but the text graphic might summarize what you’re saying into a few words.
A graphic image could also be used in the same way. For example, maybe you’re talking about how bad it is to use plastic bags for shopping. Well, instead of including a text overlay as your graphics, you could use a graphic with a plastic bag and that red circle with a diagonal line to symbolize “no plastic bags” while you’re speaking.
Reason #7: Make your videos accessible to those watching your videos without sound
When it comes to making your videos accessible, that’s usually in the form of using captions. Some places, like YouTube, may generate captions for you but that’s not 100% of the time.
There are a lot of reasons to use captions in your videos. Most of the time it’s so that people can know what is going on in our video by reading, instead of listening.
For me, I tend to watch a lot of videos with the sound off, especially on Facebook and Instagram, and only turn the sound on when I’m truly interested in listening to the full video and I’m in a moment where I can listen to the video without distractions.
Another way that I’ve seen captions used is for translations. You might be targeting an audience that only speaks English but maybe you are able to communicate in another language and end up including video footage in that foreign language. In this case, you could add a custom caption graphic to the bottom of the video with the English translation.
Are you looking for some custom designed graphics to match the branding for your business?
Let’s connect and see how we can make that happen!