On an average day, more than 720,000 hours of video are uploaded on YouTube. 34 million videos are posted on TikTok daily, and 95 million photos and videos are shared on Instagram every day. Competition is fierce, and the struggle to be noticed in such a saturated environment is certainly real.
What can make you stand out? Well, effective text placement on your video content could be a good place to start. The right choice of words and how they’re presented within the video context, both aesthetically and thematically, can reinforce your messaging or create intrigue that draws viewers in. So, let’s look at ways you could easily add text to video online for free.
How to Add Text to Your Instagram Reel
We all have that friend with whom the only conversation consists of taking turns sharing reels on Instagram, and the response is usually just another reel in return. According to Statista, 694,000 Instagram Reels are sent via DM each minute, so you should know how to add text for that perfect delivery.
- Open the Instagram app on your phone.
- Tap the “+” icon at the top of the screen, then choose Reel at the bottom.
- Record your Reel or upload a video from your phone’s gallery.
- Once you’re happy with your video, tap Next in the top right corner.
- On the editing screen, look for the Aa icon at the top. Tap it to open the text tool.
- Type your text in the box that appears.
- To change how your text looks:
- Tap a color at the bottom to change the text color
- Use the slider at the top to adjust the text size
- Tap the font name at the top to choose a different style
- When you’re satisfied with your text, tap Done in the top right corner.
- To move your text around, just use your finger to drag it where you want it on the screen.
- If you want the text to appear at a specific time:
- Tap the text
- Look for Set Duration at the bottom
- Drag the blue bar to set when the text shows up and disappears
- To add more text, just tap the Aa icon again and repeat steps 6-10.
- When you’re finished adding all your text, tap Next to continue editing your Reel.
- Add any final touches, like effects or music, if you want.
- Tap Share to post your Reel with the added text.
How to Add Text to YouTube Videos After Uploading
YouTube is a great place where you can learn things, discover new stuff, and share your own videos for everyone around the world to see. With over 2.5 billion users every month, YouTube is often the perfect spot to share your content.
Here’s how you can add text to your YouTube videos:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Content.
- Click on the video you want to edit.
- From the left menu, select Subtitles.
- If you haven’t added a language yet, click Add Language and choose your language.
- Under Subtitles, click Add.
- Choose how you want to add subtitles:
- Upload a file
- Auto-sync
- Type manually
- If you choose Upload a file:
- Select your file and upload it
- Review the subtitles and make any necessary edits
- Click Publish
- If you select Auto-sync:
- Paste or type your transcript
- Click Auto-sync
- Review the auto-synced subtitles and make any needed edits
- Click Publish
- If you opt for Type manually:
- Type your subtitles directly in the editor
- Set the start and end times for each subtitle
- Click Publish when you’re done
Why Should You Use Flixier Over Other Video Text Editors?
Besides the built-in tools provided by social media platforms, there are numerous free online video editors for adding text to videos. Some of these platforms offer templates, text animations, and other attractive features similar to Flixier. However, here is why you might favor Flixier:
Lightning Fast Export: Because it’s a cloud-based editor, rendering happens in the cloud. This means you get results instantly, not to mention avoiding putting strain on your computer’s resources while exporting.
Vast Range of Text Customization Options: Flixier offers a great selection with over 1000 different fonts that can be color-coded and resized as per the requirements of your video content. Additionally, it has options for text animation, shadows, and even outlines.
Multilingual Support: With over 130 languages available on its platform, you don’t need to worry about translating your text manually. You can easily generate and export your video content in multiple languages with a few clicks.
Real-Time Collaboration: One more reason why we are pushing Flixier is because of its collaborative feature that allows multiple people to work together on the same project in real-time.
Perfect Workflow: Generate the script, record the audio, synchronize animation with text and music, import footage, edit video content, and add final touches like transitions or filters. Flixier lets you do all these within its platform, providing a seamless workflow without the need for multiple applications.
Instant Video Sharing: With a single click, users can share their videos on social media or download them as MP4 files. Plus, thanks to its YouTube integration, Flixier allows direct uploads of your finished work onto the platform.
Killer Customer Support: We all need a hand from time to time. A helpful customer service team is there waiting in the wings for you when things start looking overwhelming!
How to Add Text to Video with Flixier
Now that we’ve sung the praises of Flixier, it’s only fair that we show you how to use it. Here are the steps on how to add text to video online free using Flixier:
Getting Started
- Go to Flixier.com in your web browser and click on the blue Get Started button.
- Click on Create New Project to begin.
- Click the Import or Record button in your Flixier editor. You can drag and drop your video file, import it from cloud storage, or paste a YouTube link.
- Your video will show up in the Flixier library once it’s uploaded.
Adding Text to Your Video
- Find the Text menu on the left side of the screen.
- Choose from different text types like headline, regular, or body text.
- Click on the text type you want to add it to your video.
Editing Your Text
- Double-click the text box on your video to start typing.
- Enter the words you want to appear.
Customizing Your Text
- With your text selected, look at the right side of the screen for text options.
- You can change:
- Font: Choose from over 1000 options
- Size
- Color
- Weight (how bold it is)
- Alignment (left, center, or right)
- You can also add:
- Text animations
- Outlines
- Shadows
When you’re happy with your text, click the Export button. Choose if you want to publish it directly to YouTube or social media or download it as an mp4 file.
Tips for Adding Text to Videos
We couldn’t leave you without a few handy tips. Adding text to videos can be a huge asset. The better you position, timestamp, and stylize your texts, the more engagement you are likely to maintain throughout your video.
Use Short, Concise Text Blocks
The whole point of adding text is to provide additional info, a fun fact, or witty commentary. However, try not to exceed more than two lines at a time. The longer your text blocks are, the less likely it is viewers will read them.
Choose Your Typography Wisely
It may seem like common sense, but you’d be amazed how often creators use silly fonts like Comic Sans for serious stuff. Then they scratch their heads, wondering why no one takes them seriously. Choose your typography according to the context. Arial and Helvetica are usually safe choices for most content.
Ensure Proper Timing
A poorly timed subtitle can throw off the entire context of a video. The text should align with the relevant action or dialogue in your video. If you are adding subtitles, ensure they synchronize perfectly with the spoken words.
Depend on Contrasts
Make sure your text is easily visible against your video background. Use colors that contrast sharply with the backdrop to enhance readability. This can involve simple alterations like using a white font on a darker background or vice versa.
Align Your Text Properly
Text alignment might seem insignificant but it actually plays an important role in how viewers perceive information from your videos. Left-aligned text often gives off an informal feel, while center alignments usually suggest something official or formal.
Avoid Overcrowding
Yes, this advice mirrors our earlier short-text block note, yet it’s crucial enough to revisit. Overcrowding your video screen with text can distract viewers from the actual content. Place key text at significant moments and in clear, open spaces where they stand out. Nobody should squint or pause the video constantly just to read what you’ve added.
Proofread Your Text
Don’t let typos or grammatical errors ruin your perfect video! Proofreading seems basic but many are too quick to hit ‘publish’. Any written content represents you; an error-free text not only communicates professionalism but also shows respect towards viewers’ experience.
Consider Text-Only Videos
Text-only videos, a newer trend eclipsing social media platforms, involve zero camera work. Here, vibrant backgrounds pair alongside compelling fonts, engaging followers effectively and keeping audiences hooked. These types of videos are perfect for sharing quotes, tips or even recipes!
Highlight Important Information
Use text to highlight crucial parts of your video, like the key takeaway, a surprising fact, or a call to action. This can ensure that even if viewers zone out during your video (hey, it happens), they don’t miss the important stuff.
Animate Your Text
Animated text is an impressive way to grab attention and inject fun into your videos. It can also help emphasize points in ways static words simply can’t so consider some pop-up motion captioning
Add Captions for Accessibility
According to Digiday research, up to 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound. Adding captions not only increases accessibility for viewers with hearing impairments but also accommodates individuals who prefer to keep the audio off, ensuring that your message is not missed in any circumstance.
Use Text to Spark Emotion
Depending on your video’s purpose, text can be a useful tool for sparking emotions among viewers. Want to bring humor? Write some witty lines. Need drama? Use intense font styles and colors.
Your Text, Your Videos, Their Attention!
From Edwin S. Porter’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1903), the first movie known to use added intertitles for explanatory text, to that reel about that guy making his own burger from scratch, a bit of well-placed text can sometimes make the difference between an average video and a sensational one.
The best tool to write text on video online free is the one that feels comfortable to you and fits seamlessly into your current workflow. From native social media platform features to dedicated online editors like Flixier, you have numerous options at your disposal.
