Not everyone will be able to hear or understand the words being said in videos. For example, it might be in another language. The audience could also be hard of hearing. Videos are far more accessible when they have subtitles because anyone can read the words instead. An added bonus is that search engines are able to go through these subtitles and add them to the index. This makes videos easier to search, helping people monetize their content. If you plan on doing so, then you should study how to add text to videos as soon as possible.
Text with Different Tools
Start by exploring your favorite video editing software. You can add text from there so that your uploads already have subtitles from the start. You could also use the YouTube editor to add text. This is especially handy if you already uploaded several videos before and you want to fix the previous omission. You can try different approaches to see which ones feels easy and intuitive. The message is the most important thing but enhancing your productivity with the right tools is how to add text to videos.
Text Formatting
Consider the form of the text that you will be displaying. Be sure to use a font that is easy to read even if the viewer is far away. Otherwise, adding text would be pointless since it will not be able to perform as intended. The color should be the opposite of the background for good contrast. Since the background can change depending on the scene, it’s best to use white text with black outlines to stay visible at all times. The text should be centered on the screen and is usually placed at the bottom to prevent distraction. If the video is verbose, then use multiple rows of text to keep up.
Timing and Editing
After adding the text, you should go over the video to make sure that the right words are being displayed at the right time. Adjust this if there are delays. Even a slight timing error can make the whole video feel off. You can also use this opportunity to review the spelling and formatting. Note the issues you find and correct them one by one later on.
All of these may seem like a tiring chore but it is essential if you really want to move up in the rankings. You could try automated transcription services if you want it done faster.