YouTube, aka the most popular online video streaming site, has changed so much since it was launched in 2005. From being a library of videos for entertainment, it has evolved into a platform that allows creators to upload a wide array of content. It’s now a virtual space where singers, artists, actors, directors, and other professionals come together to share their craft with their subscribers.

Since each channel is a repository of tutorials, movies, digital series, and podcasts, it’s no wonder that YouTube is attractive to brands and organizations. With billions of people from all over the world checking in every day to see what new videos it has to offer, it comes as no surprise that companies are willing to invest in video marketing or ad placements. They see the value in it, and they’re confident that they’ll be getting their money’s worth.

Now, this raises the question: how do you get these companies to place ads on your videos? For starters, you need to have a substantial amount of viewers and subscribers. You need to think about what kind of content viewers actually look for. To do that you can either look for tutorials or some kind of surveys. Another way to do this is by creating great content and captivating intros for your YouTube videos.

Creating YouTube Intros with Canva

Vlogs with opening billboards send the message that the creator is serious about every content they make. Aside from showing their professionalism and creativity, it also reveals the kind of personality that they have.

Some vloggers hire professional editors to do this task for them. This is fine, but if you’re looking to create your YouTube intros yourself, you may do so with Canva. Here’s how to do it:

• You have two options; you can either start from scratch, or use the template with the label “YouTube Intro.” Or “make a YouTube intro”
• Upload your own photos (PNG or JPG), videos (MP4 or MOV) or GIFs.
• If the photos you want to use for the intro are already uploaded on Dropbox, Google Drive, or Facebook, you can simply include them without closing the app.
• There are thousands of fonts available in the library. Find one that suits your brand perfectly.
• Add fillers via the stock videos available in the library, or upload your own.
• Choose an audio track that would work well with your theme.
• If you’re up for it, add illustrations to make your intro more interesting. There are static and animated options available in the library.
• Watch your intro to see if there are elements that you went to change or errors that need to be fixed.
• Download and add your intro to your vlog!

Easy Peasy Editing

A lot of vloggers opt-out of creating their own intros because they find it overwhelming. Knowing how to edit videos is one thing, but working on animations for a show-stopping YouTube intro requires a different set of skills. This is why the folks at Canva decided to offer this service to everyone.

Unlike other editing platforms, you don’t need to worry about those annoying watermarks plastered across your videos once you download them. With Canva, a free account allows you to create unlimited watermark-free YouTube intros in less than a minute. You can also access Canva via your web browser and edit on the go. Easy peasy, right?

Before you start working on your opening billboard, think about your brand and how you want to introduce yourself to your audience. Do you want them to see you as someone adventurous? Creative? Funny? Serious? Dramatic? However you go about answering these questions will help determine your font, theme, image, animation, and song selection for your intro. This also keeps you from getting distracted by the thousands of design elements present in Canva’s library.

You’re probably all revved up and ready to start working on your YouTube intros. We can’t blame you, we were just as excited the first time we learned about this development! Good luck!