How To Add a Custom Background To Your YouTube Channel

Your YouTube Channel is an extension of your brand–so take advantage of the opportunity to brand it and make it “you.” Here’s how to add a custom background to your YouTube Channel. This is often called a “skin.”

Create an image

If you’re handy at image creation (and, really, you can use PicMonkey or iPiccy for this so go ahead and have some fun) create an image that has a width of 970. The height is up to you — I usually make mine rather tall so that it will continue far below the fold. If you are creating your image on Photoshop or Elements, consider leaving the background transparent–you can change the color easily later through YouTube. Follow this link for the specific dimensions of your page.

Upload your custom background image to YouTube

For the sake of this post, I created a new YouTube channel. This first image is my channel without a background.

To get to your channel, click on your image in the top right hand corner–a drop down will appear. Select My Channel or select My Channel from the choices in the sidebar on the left. (Either way, you’ll be taken to the same place).

Begin by clicking Channel Settings in the upper left corner, under the YouTube logo.

For most users, in your channel settings under the appearance tab, your screen should look similar to the one below. To upload your custom background header, click “choose file” and browse to find the file you created. Select it and you’re done uploading your background image!

Next, I recommend you change the color of your background to match your image. This is helpful when viewers scroll down below your fold, keeping your color consistent. Note that HEX colors and YouTube colors are not exact matches therefore, f you use Photoshop, I recommend you keep your image transparent and select your background color during this step.

When you’re finished editing, click “Done Editing” in the top right of the screen (below your tiny avatar). Congrats! You now have a beautifully branded YouTube Channel. Show it off and tweet me the link so I can see how fabulous it is: @JulieMPron.

I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube Channel at http://youtube.com/juliepron.

© 2012, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.

About Julie Meyers Pron

Julie Meyers Pron has written 1213 post in this blog.

mom of 3 and wife, Julie is a former elementary school teacher and a Public Relations manager. She is the owner/editor of Julieverse and VlogMom, columnist for Rusty & Rosy, Home Made Simple and P&G Everyday, the Social Media and Child Development Specialist at PlayWow, and a team member of Splash Creative Media. Julie is a PTOer, volunteer, elementary educator and that's just the beginning of the list. A marketing strategist and freelance writer by trade, Julie attempts to carve out time to enjoy playing with her kids, cooking and exercise.

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