Reel or Video Cover Image

[EPino91]

Would like to be able to schedule social posts and the option to choose the Video or Reel Cover image. Videos have been publishing with the first frame as the cover photo and it is not attention grabbing when the video or reel is transitioning from a plain background or not an appealing first frame of video and we would like to choose a later part of the video so it's more clickbait. Please add on that feature or let me know if I'm missing it somewhere.

[Ginayoyo · Accepted solution]

You can update the thumbnail (video cover) while uploading the video.

the setting is in the file section (Marketing> Files and Templates> File)

1. Click the detail button
2. Hover the video and you will see the button "change thumbnail image"

Here is the HubSpot knowledge base

https://knowledge.hubspot.com/website-pages/add-videos-to-your-hubspot-content#:~:text=To%20select%2....

Hope you find it useful! 🙂

[ARaza25]

That's great to hear! In Adobe Premiere, you can set a poster frame during the export process or customize your thumbnail if needed. Here’s how you can do both:

1. Setting a Poster Frame in Adobe Premiere

• Locate the Frame: While editing, scrub through the timeline to find the frame you'd like to use as the poster or cover image.
• Export the Frame: Use the Export Frame button (looks like a camera icon) in the Program Monitor to save the selected frame as a still image (JPG or PNG).
• Use in Export Settings: Include this exported frame as the thumbnail or poster frame in your export settings if the platform supports it.

2. Using an Edited 9x16 JPG as a Cover Image

• If you're creating a custom cover image outside the video (e.g., in Photoshop or Illustrator), ensure it matches the 9x16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels is ideal for IG Reels).
• After designing your custom cover, upload it directly in the Instagram Reels editor during the posting process. Instagram allows you to replace the video frame with a custom image.

3. Third-Party Integrations

Adobe Premiere integrates with several platforms and tools to streamline workflows:

• Adobe Media Encoder: Automates exports and allows preset configurations for social media.
• Adobe Photoshop: Easily design custom thumbnails or cover images using exported stills from Premiere.
• Social Media Plugins: Some plugins or extensions allow you to export optimized content for Instagram Reels or TikTok directly.

Experimenting with these options can help you decide whether to use a frame from the video or a custom-designed cover image. Let me know if you'd like detailed steps for any of these on website! 😊

[AlexRose69]

It's essential to have control over your social media posts' visual impact. Being able to schedule posts with the option to select a specific video or reel cover image edited with AI tools can significantly enhance engagement by ensuring your content starts off strong and attracts attention right from the start.

[AlexRose69]

"Being able to choose a cover image for Reels/Videos would be a game-changer! The first frame often isn’t eye-catching, especially during transitions. Adding video editing tools to select or customize a cover image would make posts more engaging and click-worthy. Hope this feature can be added soon!"

[AlexaAli]

I completely agree with your suggestion! Having the ability to choose a cover image for videos or reels would make a big difference, especially when the first frame isn't engaging. It would be great for attracting more attention and boosting engagement. This feature would also be super helpful for anyone using video editing tools to create high-quality content and wanting to have more control over how it appears in social posts. Hopefully, this feature is added soon!

[Ginayoyo]

You can update the thumbnail (video cover) while uploading the video.

the setting is in the file section (Marketing> Files and Templates> File)

1. Click the detail button
2. Hover the video and you will see the button "change thumbnail image"

Here is the HubSpot knowledge base

https://knowledge.hubspot.com/website-pages/add-videos-to-your-hubspot-content#:~:text=To%20select%2....

Hope you find it useful! 😀

[Ginayoyo · Accepted solution]

You can update the thumbnail (video cover) while uploading the video.

the setting is in the file section (Marketing> Files and Templates> File)

1. Click the detail button
2. Hover the video and you will see the button "change thumbnail image"

Here is the HubSpot knowledge base

https://knowledge.hubspot.com/website-pages/add-videos-to-your-hubspot-content#:~:text=To%20select%2....

Hope you find it useful! 🙂

[EPino91]

Yep, this is the solution..well I have one scheduled for now so I'll see tomorrow if it truly posts the new updated thumbnail now. Would be super helpful to have that ability to update thumbnail on the social posting tab/section instead of going through a new area in marketing > Files > Sorting the videos to find the right one...but thanks for this solve for now! And if you happen to know anything about posting a video with one of the IG trendy/saved/library audio and either mix audio with our native file, please let me know...or should I start a new ticket for that case? lol

[vvgreener]

Hey @EPino91, did the custom thumbnail end up appearring on your reel once published?

[EPino91 · Accepted solution]

The selection of a frame within the video did appear but still a faulty and not the greatest solution to this problem. When we upload a video on the social post side, then we have to go to an entirely new section of marketing and files to look for the video and our plan apparently only allows "advanced tools/editing" for up to 50 videos. So if we upload more than 50 that we want to change custom thumbnail, then we have to go look for older ones to turn off that setting and possibly losing those analytics from hubspot or pay way more to get just a couple of more vids with the capability of "advanced tools". In addition, the still frame from the video isn't able to select by the exact frame when scrolling through vid, it's selection marker only goes by the one second choice, so if your perfect frame is caught in between second 8 and 9....you can only choose a funny face image or bad face image on those exact second marks instead of the perfect ideal face you would love to get at 8.4 seconds. 

Plus, there's no guidelines of your middle 1x1 profile grid cover image to be shown since you would be able to select the image on your full native file (16x9 or 9x16) but you don't have ability to see what is the outline that will be included or adjust for that middle 1x1 square for your Instagram. 

So yes it does a sort of a job but not the perfect solution, for vids you don't care and just want scheduled to post - it's fine. For other vids you do care and want perfect thumbnail cover, Instagram has a new update and now started to allow some scheduling of reels so you may be better off with native app until hubspot fixes this.

[vvgreener]

Thanks for the tips – good to know.

[Ben_M]

You can typically set the poster frame with your video editing software as you save the file. Or there are integrations with Hubspot through something like Wistia that allow you to customize and choose the poster frame for your video. What are you using to edit your videos or host them today?

[EPino91]

That's cool to learn. I use Adobe Premiere. Didn't know you can set poster frame during that save process, would love to learn about that or the integrations mentioned so I can choose. Sometimes, I don't use a video frame from within the video, I edit another 9x16 JPG to use as the Cover image when working with the native IG Reels on Instagram.