Add subtitles to your videos | Canva for Nonprofits
Education
Introduction
Subtitles play a crucial role in making videos more accessible, particularly for individuals with hearing difficulties, non-fluent language speakers, and those who prefer to watch videos on mute. By adding subtitles to your videos, you ensure that a wider audience can engage with your content. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to easily add subtitles to your videos using Canva, specifically targeting supporters of your nonprofit organization.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Subtitles in Canva
1. Create Your Video
Start by creating a video intended for an Instagram Reel to engage your supporters. In this example, the video will showcase a volunteer sharing three easy ways to reduce plastic pollution.
Search for Instagram Reel - Open a blank document in the Canva editor specifically designed for Instagram Reels.
Upload Video - Drag and drop your video file into the side panel of Canva to upload it into the editor.
2. Prepare Your Transcript
Open the notes box and paste the transcript of your video. This will serve as the foundation for your subtitles.
3. Split Your Video into Scenes
To ensure that your subtitles are concise and easy to read, break your video into several scenes. In our case, five scenes will work well.
- Play the Video – Use the timeline to play your video, pausing by hitting the space bar where you want to make a cut.
- Split the Video – Right-click to select the 'split' option and repeat this process throughout the video as needed.
4. Define a Safe Area for Subtitles
To ensure that your subtitles are always readable:
- Show Rulers and Guides – Go to File > Show Rulers and Guides or press Shift + R on your keyboard.
- Create Guides – Click and hold the mouse over the ruler at the top of your document and drag down to create two guides that define a safe area for your subtitles.
5. Add Subtitles
Now it's time to paste the subtitles into your video scenes:
Copy the Transcript – Start by copying the relevant part of the transcript for the first scene.
Paste and Format – Paste it into the first scene. Adjust the font, color, and size of the text as necessary.
Add Background – To enhance readability, visit the effects section and select 'Background.' You can customize the background color, transparency, and the roundness of the corners.
Repeat for Other Scenes – Copy the subtitles into the subsequent scenes, making sure to adapt the text and line lengths for each part of the video.
6. Final Touches
In just a few minutes, you will have a completed Instagram Reel ready for your audience. Here’s a quick example of how your video commentary might go:
"Want to help save our ocean from plastic pollution? Here are three things you can do:
- Say no to bags, straws, and other types of single-use plastic.
- Support local and national campaigns to ban single-use plastic.
- Join a local beach cleanup near you."
Canva makes the process of adding subtitles easy and efficient. Start creating engaging videos today!
Keyword
- Subtitles
- Accessibility
- Canva
- Nonprofits
- Video Editing
- Instagram Reel
- Plastic Pollution
- Audience Engagement
FAQ
Q1: Why should I add subtitles to my videos?
A1: Subtitles improve accessibility for viewers with hearing difficulties, non-fluent language speakers, and those watching on mute, allowing a broader audience to engage with your content.
Q2: How do I upload my video to Canva?
A2: You can upload your video by dragging and dropping it into the side panel of the Canva editor after creating a new document.
Q3: What is the benefit of splitting my video into scenes?
A3: Splitting your video into scenes makes it easier to manage the subtitles and keeps the text concise for better readability.
Q4: Can I customize the appearance of my subtitles in Canva?
A4: Yes, you can change the font, color, size, and background of the subtitles to make them more visually appealing and readable.
Q5: Can I use this method for other platforms besides Instagram?
A5: Yes, while this guide focuses on Instagram Reels, the same principles can be applied to videos for various platforms.