Some entrepreneurs might think that video content is all that matters when using YouTube for marketing. Though the quality of video is truly the king on YouTube, other elements of a channel can also pose significant effects to a brand’s growth on social media.
Graphic Design for Clicks and Channel Optimization
Before viewers get to enjoy the content of your video, they first need to be interested enough to click and play it. In this sense, being able to maximize the potential of graphic design is important. A good design, along with a compelling title, would give the viewer that last push to actually check out the video.
This makes video thumbnails an important part of increasing views and attracting a cold audience or those who are not yet familiar with the videos that you do. But once someone clicks on the video and starts enjoying it, another graphic element needs to perform well in order to sustain attention and interest – the YouTube Banner.
The Importance of YouTube Banner
When someone is impressed by your video, chances are, that viewer will click on your profile to see more videos from you. That very instance is a significant and crucial moment for any brand – it’s a chance to make a good impression and encourage the viewer to subscribe to the channel.
Needless to say, it’s important to correctly set up the channel’s banner since it’s the first thing that viewers see when they check out the page. Plus, especially for companies who also use YouTube for marketing can benefit from using a banner that promotes their products and services. Here are some examples of channels that maximize the use of a YouTube banner in communicating their brand identity and encouraging viewers to invest more attention and interest.
1. McDonald’s
McDonald’s knows the power of social media and makes the most out of its YouTube channel to market its brand to customers. And rightly so, the channel’s banner often displays images about ongoing promotions or new products – almost like a banner advertisement. The banner also features clickable links to the fast-food chain’s website and other social media accounts.
2. Verizon
Verizon’s banner offers a fresh visual that communicates its identity of “enhancing the ability of humans, businesses, and society to do more new and do more good.” What’s great about the banner image is that it looks natural and not manipulated to fit the size requirements of a banner.
3.Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola’s banner displays an image of its current campaign about diversity and inclusive societies, dubbed Together is Beautiful. The banner, just like the marketing collaterals for the campaign, offers a monochrome color palette that minimizes distraction and encourages audiences to focus on its message.
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4. Netflix
With over eight million YouTube subscribers, Netflix knows that its YouTube viewers are all potential clients – after all, these viewers are already online and ready to watch content. Netflix maximizes the function of its banner by marketing its newest shows and offerings.
5. Starbucks Coffee
Starbucks Coffee’s YouTube banner uses the power of a stylized product image to express its identity as a coffee expert. A fresh palette of minty green and white offers a fresh background to the iconic Starbucks cups showing swirls of coffee and cream.
6. Target
Target knows how simplicity and loyalty to its design concept could make for the best images online. Consistent with its logo of red and white circles, the banner communicates an identity that could immediately be associated with the brand. Read this article about things you need to think about before your logo consultation.
7. Apple
Apple’s banner banks on its current marketing message of protecting the privacy of its users. The image is clear, concise, simple, and most of all, direct to the point. Instead of the usual links to social media accounts, the banner’s link directs to a landing page discussing how the brand’s products were designed for user privacy.
8. Game of Thrones
The marketing arm of Game of Thrones knows fairly well that fans are likely to head to their YouTube account while waiting for the next season to air. The channel’s YouTube banner is quite simple. It eliminates distractions to viewers who are on the channel to watch teasers and other videos related to the show.
9. Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton’s YouTube banner is an epitome of simple classiness – a blue sky and a whimsical touch of white clouds with a foreground of what appears to be ivory scaffolding. At the center is its seasonal hashtag: #LVFW19, which stands for Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2019. Check out this article about using graphic design to add brand value.
10. Beyonce
Beyonce has 18 million followers on YouTube, which means, her social media team really knows what they’re doing! Her channel banner displays a simple image of her 2016 album, Lemonade.
11. Bloomingdale’s
Bloomingdale’s is known to be a brand that targets high-end customers. As a result, they have money to spare for luxury apparel and accessories. The channel’s banner displays a classic and elegant black and white photo of its store during its early years.
12. Airbnb
Airbnb’s brand is anchored a lot on client testimonials all over the world. Its YouTube channel banner is a good reflection of this, expressing diversity and promising stories about its community of hosts and travelers.
13. Khalid
Khalid’s channel banner is a simple image of his sophomore album, Free Spirit. It could be noted that his Twitter link seems to take center stage on the banner. This makes sense since Khalid’s fans mostly consist of the younger market.
14. CNN
CNN prides itself as a reputable news agency with a number of well-known hard-hitting journalists. Its YouTube banner showing a collage of its most notable personalities reaffirms its brand identity as a go-to source for reliable news and information.
15. Dudeperfect
Dudeperfect’s banner reflects the two most important things it offers viewers – sports and comedy. The Texas-based entertainment group’s branding is clearly working for them. With over 40 million subscribers, the group’s channel has ranked as one of the most subscribed channels on YouTube.
16. Mashed
If you’re looking for a great banner design for a food-related channel, take a cue from Mashed. The banner features a row of juicy burgers stacked up high, enough to make anyone salivate! Fittingly, because the background is already rich and colorful in itself, the white text stands out from the photo. In addition to that, the sharp-edged typeface makes the banner look simple but modern. Now, who wouldn’t want to watch their videos after seeing this yummy banner?
17. Kate Spade New York
Sometimes, your banner doesn’t have to feature a crazy design for your channel to get noticed. For instance, this example from Kate Spade New York is simple, but it surely reiterates branding identity. The banner features a pattern of half-hearts forming clovers in the brand’s green and pink palette. Since the brand’s YouTube channel houses the brand’s fun vlogs, product demos, and marketing videos, the banner fittingly paints the brand as hip and posh but relevant.
18. My Petite Garden
Here’s an eye candy banner even people without a green thumb would appreciate. This banner design for My Petite Garden features a minimalist design that doesn’t scream “plants” but reflects the natural therapeutic feel that botany offers. In addition to that, dark gray text, complementing fonts, and the airy layout give the banner a relaxing look. Since most of My Petite Garden’s video thumbnails feature plant photos, the minimalist banner surely balances everything out.
19. Tim Ferris
If you’ve ever watched any of Tim Ferris’ videos, you’d know that they’re energizing and inspiring. In fact, his videos, along with his podcast, blog, and books, can push one to act on that project they’ve always wanted to pursue. That being said, this electric energy can be seen on the banner design that features block letters and vibrant yellow print background.
20. Loepsie
Are you going for an artsy, shabby-chic, and rustic look for your channel? Then you might want to check out this banner design for Loepsie. The vlogger’s name is Lucy, a Dutchwoman who offers content about an alternative approach to beauty. Aside from hairstyling, fashion, and self-care products, she also features vlogs on TV shows, movies, and history.
Conclusion
Whether you’re marketing your business or a personal brand like a professional practice or a vlog, a well-designed YouTube banner surely helps a lot. It expresses the identity you want to project while inviting visitors to check out your videos at the same time.
If you need a YouTube banner design that guarantees views, we at Penji can help out! We offer unlimited graphic design at a flat monthly rate. That means you can have all the graphic designs you need – from YouTube banners to digital illustrations – without spending an arm and a leg.
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