In today’s fast-paced digital world, video content is king—but only if it communicates effectively. With more than 80% of social media users watching videos with the sound off, many creators and marketers face a critical challenge: how to make sure their message gets across without audio?

The answer is simple yet powerful: add text to video.

Whether it’s subtitles, captions, animated headlines, or lower thirds, text overlays make your content clearer, more engaging, and accessible to everyone—including those watching on mute or with hearing impairments. They help you highlight key messages, guide the viewer’s attention, and enhance your brand’s identity.

Enter LongShort Clip—a modern, user-friendly video editing platform designed for creators who want professional results without complicated software. With LongShort Clip, adding text to your videos becomes effortless, customizable, and fun.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through:

• Why adding text to videos matters more than ever
  
  

• The different types of text overlays you can use
  
  

• Design tips for clean, effective visuals
  
  

• A step-by-step guide to adding text using LongShort Clip
  
  

• Pro-level tips to level up your video content
  
  

Let’s dive in.

Why Add Text to Video?

1. Reach Viewers Watching Without Sound

The silent video trend is real. Whether people are scrolling through their social feeds during a meeting, riding public transport, or in a quiet library, most watch videos without turning the sound on. In fact, studies show that up to 85% of Facebook videos are viewed on mute.

Without text overlays or captions, your message might be completely lost. But with text, your story comes alive—even without a voice.

2. Enhance Clarity and Retention

Text reinforces what’s being said or shown. It helps clarify complex ideas, highlight important points, and guide viewers through the content. Psychologically, we process visuals and text together more effectively than either alone.

Adding the right words at the right time can drastically improve viewer comprehension and retention.

3. Boost Accessibility and Inclusivity

Adding text helps make your videos more inclusive. People with hearing difficulties or language barriers can follow along more easily. Subtitles and captions also make your content more friendly to international audiences.

4. Improve Engagement and Watch Time

Text overlays are eye-catching and provide context. A simple headline like “3 Mistakes to Avoid in Marketing” can make someone stop scrolling. If viewers understand what the video is about from the very first second, they’re more likely to watch longer.

Types of Text Overlays You Can Add to Videos

Not all text overlays are created equal. Depending on your video’s goal and format, you’ll want to choose the right style to deliver your message effectively.

1. Subtitles & Captions

These display spoken words as text on the screen, synced with the speaker’s voice. They’re essential for tutorials, interviews, and explainer videos. Captions make your content accessible and are now considered standard practice on social platforms.

2. Lower Thirds

Typically placed at the bottom of the screen, lower thirds are used to show names, titles, or additional information. These are perfect for professional settings, YouTube intros, or event recaps.

3. Titles & Headlines

If your video is divided into segments or chapters, use big, bold titles to introduce each part. This not only improves structure but keeps your viewer oriented and engaged.

4. Callouts & Annotations

Callouts are great for drawing attention to a product, object, or key moment in the video. Whether it’s a discount code, a pro tip, or a “Buy Now” prompt, callouts increase interaction.

5. Scrolling or Kinetic Text

Used in fast-paced content or social ads, kinetic or moving text keeps energy high and adds a dynamic, modern touch to your videos.

Design Tips for Clean and Effective Text Overlays

Text is powerful—but only when it’s designed well. Here are some essential principles to follow when adding text to video:

✅ Keep It Simple and Concise

Avoid cramming too much text onto the screen. Stick to short phrases, bullet points, or keywords. Viewers should be able to read everything within 2–3 seconds.

✅ Choose Readable Fonts

Sans-serif fonts like Helvetica, Arial, or Roboto work best for videos. They’re clean, modern, and easy to read across all devices. Avoid overly decorative fonts unless they serve a specific branding purpose.

✅ Use High Contrast

Ensure your text stands out from the background. Use white text with a black shadow or dark text on a light background. LongShort Clip offers built-in contrast tools and semi-transparent text boxes to improve visibility.

✅ Brand Consistency

Use your brand colors, font styles, and tone consistently. This builds recognition and trust. LongShort Clip allows you to save templates so your branding stays uniform across all your videos.

✅ Timing is Everything

Text should appear and disappear at the right moments—long enough to read, but not so long that it distracts. Use fade-ins, slides, and other smooth animations to keep things professional.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Add Text to Video Using LongShort Clip

Now let’s walk through exactly how you can add stunning text overlays to your videos using LongShort Clip.

Step 1: Upload Your Video

• Log in to LongShort Clip and click “New Project”
  
  

• Upload your video file from your computer or cloud
  
  

• Drag the video to the timeline to begin editing
  
  

Step 2: Choose the Text Tool

• Click on the “Text” icon in the toolbar
  
  

• Select from different text styles like:
  
  

• Basic Title
  
  

• Lower Third
  
  

• Subtitle
  
  

• Callout Bubble
  
  

• Animated Text
  
  

Each style comes with a preview, so you can pick what suits your content best.

Step 3: Enter Your Text

• Type your desired text into the editor window
  
  

• Use the drag-and-drop interface to position it anywhere on the screen
  
  

• Adjust alignment (center, left, right) as needed
  
  

Step 4: Customize Your Style

LongShort Clip offers extensive customization options:

• Font Style & Size: Pick from dozens of fonts
  
  

• Color: Match your brand’s color palette
  
  

• Background Box: Add if your video background is too busy
  
  

• Animation: Add subtle movements like fade, slide, or pop
  
  

Step 5: Set Duration and Timing

• On the timeline, stretch or shrink the text clip to adjust how long it stays on screen
  
  

• Sync with voiceover, action, or scene transitions
  
  

Step 6: Preview Your Work

Use the preview window to check how your text looks in real-time. Make any necessary adjustments to position, font size, or timing.

Step 7: Export Your Final Video

Once satisfied, click on “Export” and choose your output settings:

• Resolution (1080p recommended for social media)
  
  

• Format (MP4 is universally compatible)
  
  

• File name and destination folder
  
  

Done! Your professional, text-enhanced video is ready to share.

Pro Tips to Level Up Your Video Text Strategy

Want your content to stand out even more? Use these advanced tips:

🔹 Use Hooks in the First 5 Seconds

Start with a compelling headline like:

• “This One Tip Changed My Business”
  
  

• “What Everyone Gets Wrong About Dieting”
  
  

Use bold, animated text to stop the scroll and keep them watching.

🔹 Add Text-Based CTAs

Use call-to-action text at the end or mid-video:

• “Subscribe for More”
  
  

• “Use Code SAVE20”
  
  

• “Tap the Link in Bio”
  
  

These small additions often double engagement and conversions.

🔹 Create Templates for Reuse

LongShort Clip allows you to save your styled text overlays as templates. This is a huge time-saver if you post content regularly and want to keep your branding consistent.

🔹 Repurpose Across Platforms

You can easily resize and reposition text for different formats (square for Instagram, vertical for TikTok, landscape for YouTube). LongShort Clip’s smart layout tool makes this super simple.

Final Thoughts: Why LongShort Clip Is the Best Tool to Add Text to Video

Adding text to video is no longer optional—it’s essential for creators, marketers, educators, and businesses alike. It boosts accessibility, improves clarity, and keeps your audience engaged.

With LongShort Clip, you don’t need expensive software or advanced editing skills. You get:

• A beginner-friendly interface
  
  

• Powerful customization options
  
  

• Professional-grade text animation tools
  
  

• Consistent branding features
  
  

• Quick exporting for all platforms
  
  

Whether you're creating a marketing video, a YouTube tutorial, or an Instagram Reel, LongShort Clip gives you everything you need to communicate more clearly and professionally. See More

https://longshortclip.com/how-to-create-video-content-in-2025-pro-tips-for-creators/