For any content, the beginning plays a very crucial role. It is the introduction that decides whether your audience will stay and finish your content or leave. This first impression is what makes a story either exciting or dull.
Similarly, the ending or conclusion of content is equally important. It gives the audience closure and a feeling of contentment. Videos are no exception to these facts.
What are Intros and Outros?
Just as the name suggests, the intro initiates the start of a video. In contrast, the outro is the ending segment, which concludes the video. Remember the Youtube channels like Bright Side or Ted-Ed; they showcase the intro and outro videos very efficiently.
There are many important reasons why you should be using intro and outro videos if you’re planning to create videos. A few vital points for why you need them –
- When your video has an intro and outro, it gives the whole piece a structure. This makes your content way more understandable by your audience.
- Similarly, an abrupt conclusion can confuse your viewer, which is harmful to your brand or channel. Therefore, it is essential that your intros and outros have clarity.
Creating effective intros and outros
Now that you’re aware of the need for a proper intro and outro, let’s address the elephant in the room. How can you breathe clarity and excitement in your videos? Well, let’s start with the basics. Here are the primary ingredients of a compelling intro/outro.
- Purpose
The first step is to understand your content, how your intro can enhance it, and outro can complement it.
For example, if your video’s theme is straightforward, then ensure your intro revolves around the theme.
- Audio
Music can be an essential tool to set the mood. Yes. The sound or music you use on your intro or outro can define the ambiance of your story. Therefore, pay attention to your narration and choose accurate audio. Since we are dealing with just the intro and outro, it is advisable to sync your animation and music to present your brand.
- Placement
While creating a video, the placements play a significant part. They help you define the structure. While it is evident that an intro is what initiates a video, people have started using other intriguing ways to begin their videos.
While most videos start with an intro, some take an unconventional take and immediately address the issue. They give a small hint on what they will be discussing in the video. Around 15 seconds later comes the intro with the logo and shortly after the creator resumes with the video. This is an excellent method to seize your viewer’s attention directly. One usually does this by making a statement or asking a question that compels the audience to think.
Similarly, some channels put outros in the middle while separating two segments of the video. There are no hard rules for this. Therefore, experiment with your placements and analyze which video works better. With a little experience, you will figure out what works best for you.
- Visual
Once you have finalized your audio, let’s focus on the visuals. If you have a brand or channel, it is good to use animations to depict your logo and brand name. While it can occur, what about keeping it simple? Why not just use visuals to show them? A simple answer is that animations are way more engaging. Moreover, using animations for intro also gives your videos a professional touch.
Similarly, you could use simple animations that show your brand name and logo. If you’re creating the video for Youtube or Instagram, you could also tell them to follow you for more such videos. Ultimately, you can conclude the video by thanking your viewers for finishing the video. Such small gestures uplift the level and professionalism of the content. You could simply use an online outro maker to create a wholesome conclusion for your video.
- The End
We have already discussed the importance of an outro and how it should complement your video’s idea. But what is crucial to understand is, when a viewer starts watching your video, the engagement is forming. But when the viewer has finished your video, the engagement at that point is maximum. So, use your conclusion to define your relationship with your viewers and make them come back for more.
Important points to keep in mind
- The ideal length of an intro and outro should be less than 7 seconds. Remember, the first 30 seconds of a video is the deciding factor. Don’t make them too long as intros and outros are not something you can change very often. Hence, stretching them can risk your regular audience from being bored and leaving.
- As mentioned earlier, ensure that your intro and outro resonate with your brand identity. The music you select, and your color scheme plays a big part in this process.
- Your logo and brand name is your brand identity. Always make sure that your intro captures it as it will help you to grow your brand image. With time, it is your brand identity, which enables you to build an audience base.
- Your audience should be your greatest support and your honest feedback. Once you establish your channel, you could host Q&A sessions to understand how your audience resonates with your intro and outro, and if they have any suggestions.
- You can use websites like Canva, Renderforest, and others to download templates for intro and outro. Additionally, you can also use such sites to edit videos online.
- If you’re asking your viewer to subscribe, follow or like your video, remember to do this before the outro. Usually, the last words tend to stay longer with the audience, hence using it to your benefit is a wise option.
Conclusion
For any content, be it an article, a podcast, or a video, your beginning and ending play an essential role. When you think about videos, it has more freedom in terms of how and what you want in your intros and outros. It is important to remember that they will define your brand. Hence, it is crucial to create an intro that can be simple yet attractive. You might not hit the home run on your first try, but keep experimenting. Keep the tips in mind, and along with experience, you will find your ideal intro and outro.