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Video Editing
Is there a formula for creating an unforgettable video? Our answer is yes!
Introduction and conclusion are key elements of any type of content, and video is no exception. Intros and outros build a strong base at the beginning of a video and a well-supported statement at the end.
As the word suggests, intros are visuals that mark the beginning of a video. Likewise, outros are the closing visuals that appear at the end. The two are widely used in educational, entertaining, business videos, webcasts, podcasts, corporate presentations, and the like. There are several reasons why an intro and outro are vital elements of any professional video.
Check out the intro of this video from the Physics section of Crash Course.
To be properly assimilated by its audience, any visual, written or spoken material needs a certain structure. An unclear opening makes it harder for people to concentrate, while lack of resolution can leave them hanging in midair. Thus, an introduction and conclusion are inseparable parts of any structured material, including video scripts.
It goes without saying that intros and outros should not be too complicated or confusing. Otherwise, they will fail in their purpose and will drive the audience away. Instead, they should be simple but thoughtfully designed. It is best if they incorporate visuals that are symbolic of the brand and communicate its main value proposition.
Designated to intros and outros, this article will cover the following:
- What are the Key Components of Intros and Outros?
- Where to Place Intros and Outros
- More Tips on Creating Effective Intros and Outros
- Creating an Intro and Outro Online
What are the Key Components of Intros and Outros?
Animation
Even though your intro can be as simple as a still image of your logo and your business name, animations make intros much more engaging and professional. After all, videos are not meant to be still. And intros, as their constituent parts, should not be still either.
The good news is that making a logo animation can take very little time and effort. There are online tools that can help you create mesmerizing logo reveals in no time. Opening your video with a lively animation of your brand logo is a good way to boost engagement and brand recognition.
Here’s an example of a modern and elegant logo animation, created with Renderforest:
Sound
Once you have decided what animation you want for your intro and outro, it’s time to choose a music track to go with it. To make the right choice, think about the mood you want to establish. What characteristics describe your brand? Is your tone of voice serious, playful, enigmatic? Make sure both the animation and the audio reflect those qualities and are consistent with your brand identity.
Keep in mind that music is there to support your video content, not to take away from it. Use audio that sets the right ambiance for your video but is not too loud or overpowering to distract attention from your main content.
Where to Place Intros and Outros
While it might seem self-evident that intros should be placed at the very beginning of a video, and outros at the very end, this is not always the case. Perhaps, you have come across one of those videos where the speaker jumps right into the topic with no warm-up or introduction. Then, 20 seconds in, a logo animation appears out of nowhere, after which that same speaker goes on to elaborate on the topic of discussion.
This is exactly what Joanie Simon, a YouTuber and food photographer, does in her videos. She instantly grabs the attention of her audience by posing a question or making a statement in the very first seconds of her videos. This way, people get an idea of what exactly she is going to cover.
Around 20 seconds in, when the audience is already intrigued and interested, she places her intro. It’s a pretty fun logo animation that visually depicts what she does. Take a look!
Outros likewise need not necessarily fill in the last few seconds of a video. Some YouTubers, for example, include bloopers to make their viewers stick till the very end of the video. To separate the main video from the bloopers, outros are typically placed in between.
As you can see, there’s no single rule for where exactly one should place an intro and outro. Thus, feel free to experiment and see what works best for your own videos.
More Tips on Creating Effective Intros and Outros
Keep It Short
A long intro, even if it’s spectacular, can get boring once your audience has seen it a few times. Think of your favorite TV show: How many times did you watch the title sequence before it got uninteresting, and you started to skip?
An ideal length for intros and outros is up to 8 seconds. In the era of social media, tempting distractions, and short attention spans, it’s critical to keep your content as short and sharp as you can.
Include a Call to Action
If you have successfully maintained the interest of your viewer till the very end of your video, use this opportunity to invite them to engage with your content more. It’s worth including a call to action right before or after the outro.
Take full advantage of YouTube end screens to provide your audience with your social media channels and maybe a link or two to your other videos that might interest them. Below is an example of YouTube end screens you can customize with your own social info and use for your channel.
Check out our article for 100+ YouTube outro templates to help you close your videos smoothly. The last few seconds of a video are more likely to stick with the audience. Choose them wisely.
Follow Your Brand Guidelines
It’s hard to build a brand and stay loyal to it without clearly defined brand guidelines. If you don’t have your brand style guide yet, this is your sign to start making it. Take simple steps to define and differentiate your business, and you’re miles closer to a well-established brand. Whether it’s in the choice of the color scheme or the music track, make sure your intro and outro are consistent with your brand identity and visual style.
Use Logo Animation
Even though an intro can be more than logo animation, the latter should still be a part of it. Otherwise, there’s a sense that something is missing. Most importantly, you are missing out on a real opportunity to boost brand recognition.
When you showcase your logo at the beginning/end of every video, your followers will mentally start to link your brand icon to your videos’ visual style and the info they provide. Next time your viewer encounters a video in your style, they’ll know it’s yours before they even see your logo.
It shouldn’t take an enormous amount of effort to make effective animation. An appealing illustration of your logo and a short text like your tagline could be all your intro/outro needs.
Creating an Intro and Outro Online
With Renderforest, you have the opportunity to experiment with various animations. From retro to modern, from glitch to elegant, Renderforest Intro Maker provides a wide variety of styles for every taste, video category, and target audience. You can choose simple ones, like the Spinning Stripes Logo Reveal, or more complex ones, like the Abstract Universe.
All you need to do is upload your own logo or any other image or text and allow our intro maker to do the rest. If you don’t have a logo yet, you can create one with the help of this logo maker tool.
Here are some of our top intro/outro templates that can nicely complete any video project:
Neon Power Logo Reveal
Create an atmosphere of suspense with the Neon Power Logo Reveal. Let the essence of dark neon cast its spell on your audience. This minimal yet captivating animation is a perfect choice if your video needs a modern intro or outro.
Neon Light Room
The futuristic combination of matte black and neon cyan is guaranteed to highlight the progressiveness of your brand. Upload your logo and entice your audience with the Neon Light Room logo reveal.
Electromagnetic Logo Reveal
Who can resist a logo that’s formed by the fusing energies of the Arc Reactor? Let’s find out together with this Electromagnetic Logo Reveal! Add your logo file and tagline and electrify your videos with this nuclear animation.
Elastic Logo Reveal
See your logo arise from a glossy sphere under the sound of chimes and soft reverberations. This tasteful template is a great match for creative agencies, art channels, and anyone with an eye for aesthetics and harmony. Leave a bright and lasting impression with the Elastic Logo Reveal.
To Sum Up
If so far you have been creating videos without intros or outros, it’s time to reconsider your strategy. A clear opening and a thoughtful closing are two vital components of any professional video. It’s best to include a captivating logo animation and accompanying music or sounds to your intro/outro. Don’t forget to keep it short (ideally under 8 seconds), as any intro or outro can get repetitive after your audience has seen it a few times.
Hopefully, by now you have an idea of what logo animation would best suit your brand. Still not sure? Feel free to check out our vast library of intro/outro templates and learn the step-by-step process of creating an intro through our detailed tutorial.
