Boost YouTube Videos’ Appeal - 3 Ways to Incorporate Neon Borders

Your YouTube video, or any other clip published on any forum, gets a larger number of hits if it has an attractive thumbnail. And, the fact is, a thumbnail becomes 10x more attractive when the main character that the image has have a neon border around it.

With that said, in the following sections, you will learn a couple of methods on how to add a YouTube thumbnail border around the main characters and/or objects that are significant to the clip.

In this article

01 Add Glowing Neon Border to YouTube Thumbnail with Filmora

02 Add a Glowing Neon Border in YouTube Thumbnail with Canva

03 Outline a Person in a YouTube Thumbnail with Photoshop

Part 1: How to Add Neon Border to YouTube Thumbnail for Free with Filmora

Being one of the most versatile and intuitive post-production tools available in the market today, Wondershare Filmora X allows you to add a neon border to a YouTube thumbnail quite conveniently. You can learn how to get this done on Windows or Mac by following the steps given below.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 1: Define Project Settings and Add Image to the Timeline

Launch Wondershare Filmora X on your PC (a MacBook Pro M1 is used here), ensure that the project aspect ratio is set to 16:9 (Widescreen) on the splash screen, and click New Project. On the main interface, click the Preview quality and display settings icon from the upper-right area of the Timeline, click Change Project Aspect Ratio, click to select 1280 x 720 (HD) from the Resolution menu of the Project Settings box, and click OK to save the custom project settings.

Then select My Media from the menu bar if not already selected, click Project Media from the navigation pane, and click Import from the Media box to select and import the image of the main character or object that you want to use in the thumbnail.

Now, drag the image from the Media box to the Timeline at the bottom.

Step 2: Clear Image Background, Add Border, and Add Custom Background

Go to Effects from the menu bar, click to select the Default tab and then AI Portrait from the navigation pane, and click and drag the Human Segmentation preset from the right box, and place it over the image track in the Timeline.

Double-click the image layer, scroll down the upper-left box to the Video Effects section, and use the Edge Thickness and Edge Feather sliders to adjust the character’s edges to make them as realistic as possible. Click OK when done.

Next, click and drag the Human Border preset over the image track in the Timeline, and follow the same procedure to customize the border. This will give the character a neon border effect.

Now, use the method explained earlier to import a custom image for the background, and drag and place it under the previous track in the Timeline.

If you are running the latest version of Filmora, you will find there are some neon light effects available under AI Portrait as well.

Step 3: Add Titles to Thumbnail

Go to Titles from the menu bar, click to select the Default tab and then Lower 3rds from the navigation pane, and click and drag your preferred lower-third preset from the right window to a separate layer in the Timeline. Double-click the lower-third layer, and use the available options in the upper-left window to change the text, its color, etc., and drag the textbox to place it to your preferred position on the image as well. Click OK to save the changes.

Next, click to select Titles from the navigation pane, and drag your preferred title from the right window to the upper-most track in the Timeline. Now use the method explained earlier to edit the text, its color, position, etc. to make it look professional.

For more tips and tricks for creating YouTube thumbnail, you can check this You Tube thumbnail creating guide.

Step 4: Get the Neon Border Thumbnail

Click the Snapshot (Camera) icon from the upper-right area of the Timeline, go to My Media from the menu bar, right-click the thumbnail of the screenshot you captured, and click Reveal in Finder (on Mac) or Reveal in Explorer (on Windows) to get to the folder the YouTube thumbnail border is saved in.

Part 2: How to Add a Glowing Neon Border in Your YouTube Thumbnail with Canva

Canva is another intuitive editing program that works on the web interface rather than having you download and install an app on your PC. You can add a neon border for YouTube thumbnails using Canva by following the instructions given below:

Step 1: Define Project Settings and Add a Background

After signing in to your Canva account, click Create a design from the top-right corner of the page, click Custom size from the bottom, define 1280 and 720 in the Width and Height fields on the box that appears respectively, and click Create new design.

Now, click to select Background from the navigation bar on the left (if the Background tool is not visible, click More and then choose Background from the expanded list), and click to select a background from the images available in the center pane.

Step 2: Upload an Image and Add Effects

Click Uploads from the navigation bar, click the More icon from the right of the Upload media button present at the top of the center pane, choose your preferred method to upload the image (with the transparent background) that you want to use, upload the image, and drag it from the center pane to the Canvas.

Note: You can use any of the tools available online to remove the background from your image for free.

To add a YouTube thumbnail border, make sure that the image that you added to the Canvas is selected, click the Duplicate icon from the upper-right area, and use the scaling handles of the copy of the image to increase its size a bit. Reposition the image back to its original location as well.

Then, click Edit image from the upper-left corner of the Canvas, click Duotone from the Edit image pane at the center, if need be, click See all, choose your preferred duotone effect to apply on the image, choose your preferred highlight and shadow colors from the box that appears next, and click Back from the top of the pane.

Next, click See all next to the Adjust section from the center pane, and drag the Blur slider to the right to increase the blur effect on the image.

Step 3: Position the Layers

While keeping the duplicate image selected, click the Position button from the upper-right area of the Canvas, and click Background to send the second image behind the first one to get the neon border effect for the photo.

Part 3: How to Outline a Person in a YouTube Thumbnail with Photoshop

Because YouTube thumbnails are nothing but static images, creating YouTube thumbnail border with Adobe Photoshop is comparatively easier. The process of doing this is given below:

Step 1: Define Document Preferences and Import an Image

Launch Adobe Photoshop on your PC, click Create new, and on the New Document customization box, define the width and height values to 1280 and 720 pixels respectively. Select Transparent from the Background Contents menu as well if not already selected. Click Create from the bottom to create a new Photoshop document with the specified document settings. Next, open the folder that contains the source image, drag the photo to Photoshop, and press Enter to place the photo.

Step 2: Remove Background from the Image

Make sure that the image layer is selected in the Layers panel on the right, go to Select from the menu bar at the top, and click Subject. From the bottom of the Layers panel, click the Add a mask icon to get rid of the background, leaving only the human on the Canvas.

Step 3: Add a Custom Background and an Outline Around the Subject

Use the method explained earlier to import a background image of your choice to Photoshop. Drag the background image layer to the bottom in the Layers panel. Double-click the masked layer, click to select Stroke from the left pane of the Layer Style box, and use the options available on the right to manage the size, color, position, etc. of the stroke that has been added around the human subject. Click OK when done, and then export the image normally to use it as a YouTube thumbnail border.

Summary

It is important to know that the default resolution of a YouTube thumbnail is 1280 x 720 pixels that is usually written and referred to as 720p. While adding a YouTube thumbnail border, it is also imperative to have a good sense of color combination and fonts. Furthermore, a decent tool like Wondershare Filmora X must be used to add an appealing neon border around the main subject in the thumbnail image easily and quickly.

02 Add a Glowing Neon Border in YouTube Thumbnail with Canva

03 Outline a Person in a YouTube Thumbnail with Photoshop

Part 1: How to Add Neon Border to YouTube Thumbnail for Free with Filmora

Being one of the most versatile and intuitive post-production tools available in the market today, Wondershare Filmora X allows you to add a neon border to a YouTube thumbnail quite conveniently. You can learn how to get this done on Windows or Mac by following the steps given below.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 1: Define Project Settings and Add Image to the Timeline

Launch Wondershare Filmora X on your PC (a MacBook Pro M1 is used here), ensure that the project aspect ratio is set to 16:9 (Widescreen) on the splash screen, and click New Project. On the main interface, click the Preview quality and display settings icon from the upper-right area of the Timeline, click Change Project Aspect Ratio, click to select 1280 x 720 (HD) from the Resolution menu of the Project Settings box, and click OK to save the custom project settings.

Then select My Media from the menu bar if not already selected, click Project Media from the navigation pane, and click Import from the Media box to select and import the image of the main character or object that you want to use in the thumbnail.

Now, drag the image from the Media box to the Timeline at the bottom.

Step 2: Clear Image Background, Add Border, and Add Custom Background

Go to Effects from the menu bar, click to select the Default tab and then AI Portrait from the navigation pane, and click and drag the Human Segmentation preset from the right box, and place it over the image track in the Timeline.

Double-click the image layer, scroll down the upper-left box to the Video Effects section, and use the Edge Thickness and Edge Feather sliders to adjust the character’s edges to make them as realistic as possible. Click OK when done.

Next, click and drag the Human Border preset over the image track in the Timeline, and follow the same procedure to customize the border. This will give the character a neon border effect.

Now, use the method explained earlier to import a custom image for the background, and drag and place it under the previous track in the Timeline.

If you are running the latest version of Filmora, you will find there are some neon light effects available under AI Portrait as well.

Step 3: Add Titles to Thumbnail

Go to Titles from the menu bar, click to select the Default tab and then Lower 3rds from the navigation pane, and click and drag your preferred lower-third preset from the right window to a separate layer in the Timeline. Double-click the lower-third layer, and use the available options in the upper-left window to change the text, its color, etc., and drag the textbox to place it to your preferred position on the image as well. Click OK to save the changes.

Next, click to select Titles from the navigation pane, and drag your preferred title from the right window to the upper-most track in the Timeline. Now use the method explained earlier to edit the text, its color, position, etc. to make it look professional.

For more tips and tricks for creating YouTube thumbnail, you can check this You Tube thumbnail creating guide.

Step 4: Get the Neon Border Thumbnail

Click the Snapshot (Camera) icon from the upper-right area of the Timeline, go to My Media from the menu bar, right-click the thumbnail of the screenshot you captured, and click Reveal in Finder (on Mac) or Reveal in Explorer (on Windows) to get to the folder the YouTube thumbnail border is saved in.

Part 2: How to Add a Glowing Neon Border in Your YouTube Thumbnail with Canva

Canva is another intuitive editing program that works on the web interface rather than having you download and install an app on your PC. You can add a neon border for YouTube thumbnails using Canva by following the instructions given below:

Step 1: Define Project Settings and Add a Background

After signing in to your Canva account, click Create a design from the top-right corner of the page, click Custom size from the bottom, define 1280 and 720 in the Width and Height fields on the box that appears respectively, and click Create new design.

Now, click to select Background from the navigation bar on the left (if the Background tool is not visible, click More and then choose Background from the expanded list), and click to select a background from the images available in the center pane.

Step 2: Upload an Image and Add Effects

Click Uploads from the navigation bar, click the More icon from the right of the Upload media button present at the top of the center pane, choose your preferred method to upload the image (with the transparent background) that you want to use, upload the image, and drag it from the center pane to the Canvas.

Note: You can use any of the tools available online to remove the background from your image for free.

To add a YouTube thumbnail border, make sure that the image that you added to the Canvas is selected, click the Duplicate icon from the upper-right area, and use the scaling handles of the copy of the image to increase its size a bit. Reposition the image back to its original location as well.

Then, click Edit image from the upper-left corner of the Canvas, click Duotone from the Edit image pane at the center, if need be, click See all, choose your preferred duotone effect to apply on the image, choose your preferred highlight and shadow colors from the box that appears next, and click Back from the top of the pane.

Next, click See all next to the Adjust section from the center pane, and drag the Blur slider to the right to increase the blur effect on the image.

Step 3: Position the Layers

While keeping the duplicate image selected, click the Position button from the upper-right area of the Canvas, and click Background to send the second image behind the first one to get the neon border effect for the photo.

Part 3: How to Outline a Person in a YouTube Thumbnail with Photoshop

Because YouTube thumbnails are nothing but static images, creating YouTube thumbnail border with Adobe Photoshop is comparatively easier. The process of doing this is given below:

Step 1: Define Document Preferences and Import an Image

Launch Adobe Photoshop on your PC, click Create new, and on the New Document customization box, define the width and height values to 1280 and 720 pixels respectively. Select Transparent from the Background Contents menu as well if not already selected. Click Create from the bottom to create a new Photoshop document with the specified document settings. Next, open the folder that contains the source image, drag the photo to Photoshop, and press Enter to place the photo.

Step 2: Remove Background from the Image

Make sure that the image layer is selected in the Layers panel on the right, go to Select from the menu bar at the top, and click Subject. From the bottom of the Layers panel, click the Add a mask icon to get rid of the background, leaving only the human on the Canvas.

Step 3: Add a Custom Background and an Outline Around the Subject

Use the method explained earlier to import a background image of your choice to Photoshop. Drag the background image layer to the bottom in the Layers panel. Double-click the masked layer, click to select Stroke from the left pane of the Layer Style box, and use the options available on the right to manage the size, color, position, etc. of the stroke that has been added around the human subject. Click OK when done, and then export the image normally to use it as a YouTube thumbnail border.

Summary

It is important to know that the default resolution of a YouTube thumbnail is 1280 x 720 pixels that is usually written and referred to as 720p. While adding a YouTube thumbnail border, it is also imperative to have a good sense of color combination and fonts. Furthermore, a decent tool like Wondershare Filmora X must be used to add an appealing neon border around the main subject in the thumbnail image easily and quickly.

02 Add a Glowing Neon Border in YouTube Thumbnail with Canva

03 Outline a Person in a YouTube Thumbnail with Photoshop

Part 1: How to Add Neon Border to YouTube Thumbnail for Free with Filmora

Being one of the most versatile and intuitive post-production tools available in the market today, Wondershare Filmora X allows you to add a neon border to a YouTube thumbnail quite conveniently. You can learn how to get this done on Windows or Mac by following the steps given below.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 1: Define Project Settings and Add Image to the Timeline

Launch Wondershare Filmora X on your PC (a MacBook Pro M1 is used here), ensure that the project aspect ratio is set to 16:9 (Widescreen) on the splash screen, and click New Project. On the main interface, click the Preview quality and display settings icon from the upper-right area of the Timeline, click Change Project Aspect Ratio, click to select 1280 x 720 (HD) from the Resolution menu of the Project Settings box, and click OK to save the custom project settings.

Then select My Media from the menu bar if not already selected, click Project Media from the navigation pane, and click Import from the Media box to select and import the image of the main character or object that you want to use in the thumbnail.

Now, drag the image from the Media box to the Timeline at the bottom.

Step 2: Clear Image Background, Add Border, and Add Custom Background

Go to Effects from the menu bar, click to select the Default tab and then AI Portrait from the navigation pane, and click and drag the Human Segmentation preset from the right box, and place it over the image track in the Timeline.

Double-click the image layer, scroll down the upper-left box to the Video Effects section, and use the Edge Thickness and Edge Feather sliders to adjust the character’s edges to make them as realistic as possible. Click OK when done.

Next, click and drag the Human Border preset over the image track in the Timeline, and follow the same procedure to customize the border. This will give the character a neon border effect.

Now, use the method explained earlier to import a custom image for the background, and drag and place it under the previous track in the Timeline.

If you are running the latest version of Filmora, you will find there are some neon light effects available under AI Portrait as well.

Step 3: Add Titles to Thumbnail

Go to Titles from the menu bar, click to select the Default tab and then Lower 3rds from the navigation pane, and click and drag your preferred lower-third preset from the right window to a separate layer in the Timeline. Double-click the lower-third layer, and use the available options in the upper-left window to change the text, its color, etc., and drag the textbox to place it to your preferred position on the image as well. Click OK to save the changes.

Next, click to select Titles from the navigation pane, and drag your preferred title from the right window to the upper-most track in the Timeline. Now use the method explained earlier to edit the text, its color, position, etc. to make it look professional.

For more tips and tricks for creating YouTube thumbnail, you can check this You Tube thumbnail creating guide.

Step 4: Get the Neon Border Thumbnail

Click the Snapshot (Camera) icon from the upper-right area of the Timeline, go to My Media from the menu bar, right-click the thumbnail of the screenshot you captured, and click Reveal in Finder (on Mac) or Reveal in Explorer (on Windows) to get to the folder the YouTube thumbnail border is saved in.

Part 2: How to Add a Glowing Neon Border in Your YouTube Thumbnail with Canva

Canva is another intuitive editing program that works on the web interface rather than having you download and install an app on your PC. You can add a neon border for YouTube thumbnails using Canva by following the instructions given below:

Step 1: Define Project Settings and Add a Background

After signing in to your Canva account, click Create a design from the top-right corner of the page, click Custom size from the bottom, define 1280 and 720 in the Width and Height fields on the box that appears respectively, and click Create new design.

Now, click to select Background from the navigation bar on the left (if the Background tool is not visible, click More and then choose Background from the expanded list), and click to select a background from the images available in the center pane.

Step 2: Upload an Image and Add Effects

Click Uploads from the navigation bar, click the More icon from the right of the Upload media button present at the top of the center pane, choose your preferred method to upload the image (with the transparent background) that you want to use, upload the image, and drag it from the center pane to the Canvas.

Note: You can use any of the tools available online to remove the background from your image for free.

To add a YouTube thumbnail border, make sure that the image that you added to the Canvas is selected, click the Duplicate icon from the upper-right area, and use the scaling handles of the copy of the image to increase its size a bit. Reposition the image back to its original location as well.

Then, click Edit image from the upper-left corner of the Canvas, click Duotone from the Edit image pane at the center, if need be, click See all, choose your preferred duotone effect to apply on the image, choose your preferred highlight and shadow colors from the box that appears next, and click Back from the top of the pane.

Next, click See all next to the Adjust section from the center pane, and drag the Blur slider to the right to increase the blur effect on the image.

Step 3: Position the Layers

While keeping the duplicate image selected, click the Position button from the upper-right area of the Canvas, and click Background to send the second image behind the first one to get the neon border effect for the photo.

Part 3: How to Outline a Person in a YouTube Thumbnail with Photoshop

Because YouTube thumbnails are nothing but static images, creating YouTube thumbnail border with Adobe Photoshop is comparatively easier. The process of doing this is given below:

Step 1: Define Document Preferences and Import an Image

Launch Adobe Photoshop on your PC, click Create new, and on the New Document customization box, define the width and height values to 1280 and 720 pixels respectively. Select Transparent from the Background Contents menu as well if not already selected. Click Create from the bottom to create a new Photoshop document with the specified document settings. Next, open the folder that contains the source image, drag the photo to Photoshop, and press Enter to place the photo.

Step 2: Remove Background from the Image

Make sure that the image layer is selected in the Layers panel on the right, go to Select from the menu bar at the top, and click Subject. From the bottom of the Layers panel, click the Add a mask icon to get rid of the background, leaving only the human on the Canvas.

Step 3: Add a Custom Background and an Outline Around the Subject

Use the method explained earlier to import a background image of your choice to Photoshop. Drag the background image layer to the bottom in the Layers panel. Double-click the masked layer, click to select Stroke from the left pane of the Layer Style box, and use the options available on the right to manage the size, color, position, etc. of the stroke that has been added around the human subject. Click OK when done, and then export the image normally to use it as a YouTube thumbnail border.

Summary

It is important to know that the default resolution of a YouTube thumbnail is 1280 x 720 pixels that is usually written and referred to as 720p. While adding a YouTube thumbnail border, it is also imperative to have a good sense of color combination and fonts. Furthermore, a decent tool like Wondershare Filmora X must be used to add an appealing neon border around the main subject in the thumbnail image easily and quickly.

02 Add a Glowing Neon Border in YouTube Thumbnail with Canva

03 Outline a Person in a YouTube Thumbnail with Photoshop

Part 1: How to Add Neon Border to YouTube Thumbnail for Free with Filmora

Being one of the most versatile and intuitive post-production tools available in the market today, Wondershare Filmora X allows you to add a neon border to a YouTube thumbnail quite conveniently. You can learn how to get this done on Windows or Mac by following the steps given below.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Step 1: Define Project Settings and Add Image to the Timeline

Launch Wondershare Filmora X on your PC (a MacBook Pro M1 is used here), ensure that the project aspect ratio is set to 16:9 (Widescreen) on the splash screen, and click New Project. On the main interface, click the Preview quality and display settings icon from the upper-right area of the Timeline, click Change Project Aspect Ratio, click to select 1280 x 720 (HD) from the Resolution menu of the Project Settings box, and click OK to save the custom project settings.

Then select My Media from the menu bar if not already selected, click Project Media from the navigation pane, and click Import from the Media box to select and import the image of the main character or object that you want to use in the thumbnail.

Now, drag the image from the Media box to the Timeline at the bottom.

Step 2: Clear Image Background, Add Border, and Add Custom Background

Go to Effects from the menu bar, click to select the Default tab and then AI Portrait from the navigation pane, and click and drag the Human Segmentation preset from the right box, and place it over the image track in the Timeline.

Double-click the image layer, scroll down the upper-left box to the Video Effects section, and use the Edge Thickness and Edge Feather sliders to adjust the character’s edges to make them as realistic as possible. Click OK when done.

Next, click and drag the Human Border preset over the image track in the Timeline, and follow the same procedure to customize the border. This will give the character a neon border effect.

Now, use the method explained earlier to import a custom image for the background, and drag and place it under the previous track in the Timeline.

If you are running the latest version of Filmora, you will find there are some neon light effects available under AI Portrait as well.

Step 3: Add Titles to Thumbnail

Go to Titles from the menu bar, click to select the Default tab and then Lower 3rds from the navigation pane, and click and drag your preferred lower-third preset from the right window to a separate layer in the Timeline. Double-click the lower-third layer, and use the available options in the upper-left window to change the text, its color, etc., and drag the textbox to place it to your preferred position on the image as well. Click OK to save the changes.

Next, click to select Titles from the navigation pane, and drag your preferred title from the right window to the upper-most track in the Timeline. Now use the method explained earlier to edit the text, its color, position, etc. to make it look professional.

For more tips and tricks for creating YouTube thumbnail, you can check this You Tube thumbnail creating guide.

Step 4: Get the Neon Border Thumbnail

Click the Snapshot (Camera) icon from the upper-right area of the Timeline, go to My Media from the menu bar, right-click the thumbnail of the screenshot you captured, and click Reveal in Finder (on Mac) or Reveal in Explorer (on Windows) to get to the folder the YouTube thumbnail border is saved in.

Part 2: How to Add a Glowing Neon Border in Your YouTube Thumbnail with Canva

Canva is another intuitive editing program that works on the web interface rather than having you download and install an app on your PC. You can add a neon border for YouTube thumbnails using Canva by following the instructions given below:

Step 1: Define Project Settings and Add a Background

After signing in to your Canva account, click Create a design from the top-right corner of the page, click Custom size from the bottom, define 1280 and 720 in the Width and Height fields on the box that appears respectively, and click Create new design.

Now, click to select Background from the navigation bar on the left (if the Background tool is not visible, click More and then choose Background from the expanded list), and click to select a background from the images available in the center pane.

Step 2: Upload an Image and Add Effects

Click Uploads from the navigation bar, click the More icon from the right of the Upload media button present at the top of the center pane, choose your preferred method to upload the image (with the transparent background) that you want to use, upload the image, and drag it from the center pane to the Canvas.

Note: You can use any of the tools available online to remove the background from your image for free.

To add a YouTube thumbnail border, make sure that the image that you added to the Canvas is selected, click the Duplicate icon from the upper-right area, and use the scaling handles of the copy of the image to increase its size a bit. Reposition the image back to its original location as well.

Then, click Edit image from the upper-left corner of the Canvas, click Duotone from the Edit image pane at the center, if need be, click See all, choose your preferred duotone effect to apply on the image, choose your preferred highlight and shadow colors from the box that appears next, and click Back from the top of the pane.

Next, click See all next to the Adjust section from the center pane, and drag the Blur slider to the right to increase the blur effect on the image.

Step 3: Position the Layers

While keeping the duplicate image selected, click the Position button from the upper-right area of the Canvas, and click Background to send the second image behind the first one to get the neon border effect for the photo.

Part 3: How to Outline a Person in a YouTube Thumbnail with Photoshop

Because YouTube thumbnails are nothing but static images, creating YouTube thumbnail border with Adobe Photoshop is comparatively easier. The process of doing this is given below:

Step 1: Define Document Preferences and Import an Image

Launch Adobe Photoshop on your PC, click Create new, and on the New Document customization box, define the width and height values to 1280 and 720 pixels respectively. Select Transparent from the Background Contents menu as well if not already selected. Click Create from the bottom to create a new Photoshop document with the specified document settings. Next, open the folder that contains the source image, drag the photo to Photoshop, and press Enter to place the photo.

Step 2: Remove Background from the Image

Make sure that the image layer is selected in the Layers panel on the right, go to Select from the menu bar at the top, and click Subject. From the bottom of the Layers panel, click the Add a mask icon to get rid of the background, leaving only the human on the Canvas.

Step 3: Add a Custom Background and an Outline Around the Subject

Use the method explained earlier to import a background image of your choice to Photoshop. Drag the background image layer to the bottom in the Layers panel. Double-click the masked layer, click to select Stroke from the left pane of the Layer Style box, and use the options available on the right to manage the size, color, position, etc. of the stroke that has been added around the human subject. Click OK when done, and then export the image normally to use it as a YouTube thumbnail border.

Summary

It is important to know that the default resolution of a YouTube thumbnail is 1280 x 720 pixels that is usually written and referred to as 720p. While adding a YouTube thumbnail border, it is also imperative to have a good sense of color combination and fonts. Furthermore, a decent tool like Wondershare Filmora X must be used to add an appealing neon border around the main subject in the thumbnail image easily and quickly.

Launchpad to Success: The YouTube Entrepreneur’s Guide

Hello, I’m looking to start my journey as a YouTuber, but I do not know how the process works. Please, can you share with me how I can create a YouTube channel and make money from it? Kindly, help.

Starting a successful YouTube channel is very tricky. So, if you’re wondering how to create a YouTube channel and make money, worry less, we understand your struggle, and that is why we’ve created this YouTube beginners guide.

Regardless of whether you’re looking to start a tech YouTube channel, a money-making online YouTube channel, a lifestyle YouTube channel, or other topics, this guide will walk you through the simple process of how to create a YouTube channel and make money from it.

1. Video Editor – Wondershare Filmora
2. Google Keyword Planner
3. YouTube Studio
4. VidIQ

• Tips & Tricks to Make your YouTube Grow Faster

Part 1: Why choose YouTube to make money?

Boasting over 2 billion active users globally, YouTube remains the most used video-playing platform on the internet with all kinds of videos.

Today, many folks use YouTube as a means of generating income because it offers users more opportunities to reach a wide range of audiences, and the means of generating income via YouTube easily. As of when this article is written, research shows that an average YouTuber could earn up to $10,000 yearly.

Also, YouTube is a free marketing platform. So, if you have a website, you can add links to your website in the video description, thus enabling you to boost your website traffic via the platform. And it’ll allow you to advertise your product or services 100% free.

Part 2: 5-Step Formula to Start a YouTube Channel

Now you understand why you should choose YouTube to make money, the following steps will teach you how to create a YouTube channel within a few clicks. So, read on.

Step1 Create a google account

To get started, you need to create a google account. But if you already have a Google account you can skip this step.

Head to Google Account and click Create Account at the top right corner.

On the new screen, enter the necessary details and click Next.

Provide your phone number and other required details. Then, click Next.

On the new page, click I Agree to accept Google’s terms and conditions. Then finish the Google Account setup.

Step2 Create a YouTube account

Once you’ve successfully created a Google account, the next thing is to create your YouTube account. You just have to do the following to carry out the operation;

Open YouTube’s official website in your browser and click Sign in from the top right corner.

On the new page, sign in to the Google account that you want to use in creating your YouTube channel.

After you sign in to your Google account, you’ll be prompted back to the YouTube home interface. Click on your profile icon from the top right corner and select Create A Channel from the drop-down list.

Choose the Name you want to appear on your YouTube channel profile and upload a preferred Picture. Then, click Create Channel to proceed.

Step3 Customize your YouTube channel

After you’ve successfully created the channel, the next thing is to customize the channel as per requirement. Click Customise Channel from the left-hand side.

You’ll be prompted to the YouTube creator studio. There, you’ll find Layout, Branding, and Basic Info options displayed at the top of the page.

In the Layout section, you’ll be allowed to apply customization of how you want your YouTube channel homepage to look.

Under Branding, you can upload your brand logo as a profile photo, upload a banner image, and add the video watermark that you want to appear on all videos you upload on YouTube.

Under Basic Info, you’ll be able to enter a description for your YouTube channel, edit your channel URL, and do lots more. However, remember to always use the PUBLISH button to save customization.

Step4 Upload your first YouTube video

Now, it’s to upload your first YouTube video. To do so, navigate to the top-right corner of the page and click Create New. Select Upload Video.

If you have a video ready, click Select Files and upload the video you want to post.

Complete the required editing/settings after the video is uploaded.

Speaking of videos, you upload on YouTube, there are certain types of videos that can make you popular within a short time. Such YouTube video category includes;

1. Singing
2. Teaching
3. Fashion Advice
4. Cooking Tutorial
5. Make-Up Tutorial

Step5 Make your YouTube channel discoverable

It’s time to start making your YouTube channel discoverable online. You need the subscribers, views, and all that a creator like you is worth having. However, to make this possible, you need to do the following;

Optimize Video Titles

Using Google-friendly titles for your videos is vital to allow them to rank well on Google search ranking. It should be catchy and compelling that users will be prompted to want to know what the video is about. Make sure it contains keywords too.

Optimize Video Description

Adding descriptions to your video is as important as the title. This will help search engines understand what your video is all about. So, make sure you add rich keywords to your video description and keep it concise.

Promote Your Channel on Other Social Media Platforms

You shouldn’t limit yourself to just creating videos and uploading them on YouTube. Make sure you always make it a priority to promote your YouTube videos on other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. This will help you give your existing fans a heads-up that you’re starting a YouTube channel.

Add Tags to your videos

When we say add tags to your videos, it does not mean you should add any tag to any video you upload on YouTube. Only add tags that’s relating to the theme of your video.

Tags will help YouTube understand the kind of video you’re uploading, and it’ll help you maintain the quality of not just your videos but your YouTube channel.

Use Keywords in Your Videos

Using rich keywords in your YouTube videos is a great way to increase the chances of your videos being seen online. Make sure you use the right keyword in the video title, as it’ll help guide viewers to your video when they search for similar words or phrases online.

Part 3: YouTube Must-Have Tools: What Are They?

Congratulations on creating your YouTube channel. But, before you get over-excited, there are essential tools you need as a YouTuber to help you stand out in the industry. These tools include the following;

1. Video Editor – Wondershare Filmora

As a YouTuber, regardless of your niche of expertise, you need an efficient video editing tool like Wondershare Filmora to create quality videos. Filmora is different from the regular video editor you find online, and it offers a plethora of video editing features that you can rely on to edit your videos and spice them up without requiring any kind of video editing knowledge.

See how you can use Filmora video editor on your YouTube videos;

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Step1 Go to the official website and install the Filmora video editing software on your computer. Then, launch the tool and import the video you want to edit using the Import button.

Drag-n-drop the video to the timeline.

Step2 Click Effects from the top of the screen. Select AI Portrait from the left-hand side and find a preferred AI Portrait effect. Then, click on it and drag-n-drop the effect to the Timeline.

Adjust the effect starting and ending point of where you want the AI Portrait effect to be displayed.

Step3 Again, adjust the AI Portrait effect settings by double-clicking on it, then, from the pop-up, apply the preferred settings.

Step4 You can also add a “Subscribe” watermark to your YouTube video. To do so, just click the >> icon next to Export at the top of the screen, then select Element.

Select the ‘Social Media Show Element 07’ Effects. Then, drag-n-drop it to the Timeline.

Step5 Lastly, preview the edited video, and if you’re okay with it, click Export from the top bar and select Burn DVD from the drop-down list.

From the pop-up window that appears on your PC screen, select the Folder Path and give the video file a preferred name. Then, click Export to complete the operation.

2. Google Keyword Planner

The Google keyword planner is vital to help you do keyword research and see the trends of how a particular keyword is searched in a particular month, within a given year, or more. It’ll help you understand how people are searching for a particular keyword and what time of the year it usually has more searches from folks.

By using Google Keyword planner, you’ll put yourself ahead of your competitors by using the right keyword that you need for your SEO and PPC strategies at the right time. From search volume to trends, CPC, competition scores, and more, it’s crucial you have this tool at your fingertips. Besides, it’s 100% free to use.

3. YouTube Studio

YouTube Studio is a crucial analytic tool that can come in handy to help you improve your video as you grow your YouTube channel. It is like Google Analytics in a way. It’ll allow you to track the analytics of how people view your videos, comment on your video, and more. YouTube Studio is available for free. You can use it through the Android App, on your PC or online from YouTube itself.

4. VidIQ

Are you looking for a tool to grow your YouTube channel efficiently? Then VidIQ is the ideal tool for you. Yes, with VidIQ, you’ll get access to essential tools to grow your YouTube audience faster than you can think. It’s just a scorecard that offers you in-depth analytics of how your YouTube videos are performing compared to your competitors, thus allowing you to get helpful info on how you can get ahead of them and stand out in the industry.

With VidIQ, you’ll get access to a checklist that will highlight titles, descriptions, cards, end screens, closed captions, and lots more in your videos. And of all, it’ll suggest tags that you can use in your videos to get more traffic and improve SEO.

Part 4: Tips & Tricks to Make your YouTube Grow Faster

Stay Consistent

There’s no doubt that the key to succeeding in whatever you do is to stay consistent. It can be quite hard for anyone, especially newbies to keep up with different difficulties encountered in the pursuit to create a successful YouTube channel.

So, for you to achieve your dreams of being a popular YouTuber, you must keep up with the consistency of creating quality videos, promoting your videos, and doing the right thing that’s needed for your YouTube channel to stand out online.

Collaborate With Other YouTubers

Don’t be shy to reach out to your fellow YouTubers for collaboration. Yes, by collaborating with popular YouTubers, you get to enhance your online presence, thereby increasing your subscriber base and increasing your video views.

YouTube SEO Is Crucial

You might have heard of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) being crucial for websites to rank well, but the truth is it also applies to YouTube channels. YouTube SEO is a great way to optimize your YouTube channel and video to make it rank well on online search results.

It’s important you understand how YouTube SEO works and implement it in your YouTube channel, as it’ll increase your chances of more viewers visiting your channel and watching your videos.

Final Words

That’s all you need to know about creating a successful YouTube channel. If you fancy creating videos, the above tips will teach you how to create a YouTube channel and make money. Also, if you read the article to this point, we believe you’ve understood different ways you can make your YouTube channel stand out and enhance your chances of making more money on YouTube. Don’t hesitate to start your journey now!

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Part 1: Why choose YouTube to make money?

Boasting over 2 billion active users globally, YouTube remains the most used video-playing platform on the internet with all kinds of videos.

Today, many folks use YouTube as a means of generating income because it offers users more opportunities to reach a wide range of audiences, and the means of generating income via YouTube easily. As of when this article is written, research shows that an average YouTuber could earn up to $10,000 yearly.

Also, YouTube is a free marketing platform. So, if you have a website, you can add links to your website in the video description, thus enabling you to boost your website traffic via the platform. And it’ll allow you to advertise your product or services 100% free.

Part 2: 5-Step Formula to Start a YouTube Channel

Now you understand why you should choose YouTube to make money, the following steps will teach you how to create a YouTube channel within a few clicks. So, read on.

Step1 Create a google account

To get started, you need to create a google account. But if you already have a Google account you can skip this step.

Head to Google Account and click Create Account at the top right corner.

On the new screen, enter the necessary details and click Next.

Provide your phone number and other required details. Then, click Next.

On the new page, click I Agree to accept Google’s terms and conditions. Then finish the Google Account setup.

Step2 Create a YouTube account

Once you’ve successfully created a Google account, the next thing is to create your YouTube account. You just have to do the following to carry out the operation;

Open YouTube’s official website in your browser and click Sign in from the top right corner.

On the new page, sign in to the Google account that you want to use in creating your YouTube channel.

After you sign in to your Google account, you’ll be prompted back to the YouTube home interface. Click on your profile icon from the top right corner and select Create A Channel from the drop-down list.

Choose the Name you want to appear on your YouTube channel profile and upload a preferred Picture. Then, click Create Channel to proceed.

Step3 Customize your YouTube channel

After you’ve successfully created the channel, the next thing is to customize the channel as per requirement. Click Customise Channel from the left-hand side.

You’ll be prompted to the YouTube creator studio. There, you’ll find Layout, Branding, and Basic Info options displayed at the top of the page.

In the Layout section, you’ll be allowed to apply customization of how you want your YouTube channel homepage to look.

Under Branding, you can upload your brand logo as a profile photo, upload a banner image, and add the video watermark that you want to appear on all videos you upload on YouTube.

Under Basic Info, you’ll be able to enter a description for your YouTube channel, edit your channel URL, and do lots more. However, remember to always use the PUBLISH button to save customization.

Step4 Upload your first YouTube video

Now, it’s to upload your first YouTube video. To do so, navigate to the top-right corner of the page and click Create New. Select Upload Video.

If you have a video ready, click Select Files and upload the video you want to post.

Complete the required editing/settings after the video is uploaded.

Speaking of videos, you upload on YouTube, there are certain types of videos that can make you popular within a short time. Such YouTube video category includes;

1. Singing
2. Teaching
3. Fashion Advice
4. Cooking Tutorial
5. Make-Up Tutorial

Step5 Make your YouTube channel discoverable

It’s time to start making your YouTube channel discoverable online. You need the subscribers, views, and all that a creator like you is worth having. However, to make this possible, you need to do the following;

Optimize Video Titles

Using Google-friendly titles for your videos is vital to allow them to rank well on Google search ranking. It should be catchy and compelling that users will be prompted to want to know what the video is about. Make sure it contains keywords too.

Optimize Video Description

Adding descriptions to your video is as important as the title. This will help search engines understand what your video is all about. So, make sure you add rich keywords to your video description and keep it concise.

Promote Your Channel on Other Social Media Platforms

You shouldn’t limit yourself to just creating videos and uploading them on YouTube. Make sure you always make it a priority to promote your YouTube videos on other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. This will help you give your existing fans a heads-up that you’re starting a YouTube channel.

Add Tags to your videos

When we say add tags to your videos, it does not mean you should add any tag to any video you upload on YouTube. Only add tags that’s relating to the theme of your video.

Tags will help YouTube understand the kind of video you’re uploading, and it’ll help you maintain the quality of not just your videos but your YouTube channel.

Use Keywords in Your Videos

Using rich keywords in your YouTube videos is a great way to increase the chances of your videos being seen online. Make sure you use the right keyword in the video title, as it’ll help guide viewers to your video when they search for similar words or phrases online.

Part 3: YouTube Must-Have Tools: What Are They?

Congratulations on creating your YouTube channel. But, before you get over-excited, there are essential tools you need as a YouTuber to help you stand out in the industry. These tools include the following;

1. Video Editor – Wondershare Filmora

As a YouTuber, regardless of your niche of expertise, you need an efficient video editing tool like Wondershare Filmora to create quality videos. Filmora is different from the regular video editor you find online, and it offers a plethora of video editing features that you can rely on to edit your videos and spice them up without requiring any kind of video editing knowledge.

See how you can use Filmora video editor on your YouTube videos;

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Step1 Go to the official website and install the Filmora video editing software on your computer. Then, launch the tool and import the video you want to edit using the Import button.

Drag-n-drop the video to the timeline.

Step2 Click Effects from the top of the screen. Select AI Portrait from the left-hand side and find a preferred AI Portrait effect. Then, click on it and drag-n-drop the effect to the Timeline.

Adjust the effect starting and ending point of where you want the AI Portrait effect to be displayed.

Step3 Again, adjust the AI Portrait effect settings by double-clicking on it, then, from the pop-up, apply the preferred settings.

Step4 You can also add a “Subscribe” watermark to your YouTube video. To do so, just click the >> icon next to Export at the top of the screen, then select Element.

Select the ‘Social Media Show Element 07’ Effects. Then, drag-n-drop it to the Timeline.

Step5 Lastly, preview the edited video, and if you’re okay with it, click Export from the top bar and select Burn DVD from the drop-down list.

From the pop-up window that appears on your PC screen, select the Folder Path and give the video file a preferred name. Then, click Export to complete the operation.

2. Google Keyword Planner

The Google keyword planner is vital to help you do keyword research and see the trends of how a particular keyword is searched in a particular month, within a given year, or more. It’ll help you understand how people are searching for a particular keyword and what time of the year it usually has more searches from folks.

By using Google Keyword planner, you’ll put yourself ahead of your competitors by using the right keyword that you need for your SEO and PPC strategies at the right time. From search volume to trends, CPC, competition scores, and more, it’s crucial you have this tool at your fingertips. Besides, it’s 100% free to use.

3. YouTube Studio

YouTube Studio is a crucial analytic tool that can come in handy to help you improve your video as you grow your YouTube channel. It is like Google Analytics in a way. It’ll allow you to track the analytics of how people view your videos, comment on your video, and more. YouTube Studio is available for free. You can use it through the Android App, on your PC or online from YouTube itself.

4. VidIQ

Are you looking for a tool to grow your YouTube channel efficiently? Then VidIQ is the ideal tool for you. Yes, with VidIQ, you’ll get access to essential tools to grow your YouTube audience faster than you can think. It’s just a scorecard that offers you in-depth analytics of how your YouTube videos are performing compared to your competitors, thus allowing you to get helpful info on how you can get ahead of them and stand out in the industry.

With VidIQ, you’ll get access to a checklist that will highlight titles, descriptions, cards, end screens, closed captions, and lots more in your videos. And of all, it’ll suggest tags that you can use in your videos to get more traffic and improve SEO.

Part 4: Tips & Tricks to Make your YouTube Grow Faster

Stay Consistent

There’s no doubt that the key to succeeding in whatever you do is to stay consistent. It can be quite hard for anyone, especially newbies to keep up with different difficulties encountered in the pursuit to create a successful YouTube channel.

So, for you to achieve your dreams of being a popular YouTuber, you must keep up with the consistency of creating quality videos, promoting your videos, and doing the right thing that’s needed for your YouTube channel to stand out online.

Collaborate With Other YouTubers

Don’t be shy to reach out to your fellow YouTubers for collaboration. Yes, by collaborating with popular YouTubers, you get to enhance your online presence, thereby increasing your subscriber base and increasing your video views.

YouTube SEO Is Crucial

You might have heard of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) being crucial for websites to rank well, but the truth is it also applies to YouTube channels. YouTube SEO is a great way to optimize your YouTube channel and video to make it rank well on online search results.

It’s important you understand how YouTube SEO works and implement it in your YouTube channel, as it’ll increase your chances of more viewers visiting your channel and watching your videos.

Final Words

That’s all you need to know about creating a successful YouTube channel. If you fancy creating videos, the above tips will teach you how to create a YouTube channel and make money. Also, if you read the article to this point, we believe you’ve understood different ways you can make your YouTube channel stand out and enhance your chances of making more money on YouTube. Don’t hesitate to start your journey now!

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

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