While your class cover image doesn’t have any impact on SEO, it does matter to students browsing Skillshare’s catalog. So give your cover image some thought — anticipate that students will judge your “book” by its cover before they decide to jump in!
In this article:
Choosing a Stand-out Cover Image
Your class cover should be a high-resolution, visually compelling image that clearly depicts what your class is about. Think about what message the image conveys about your class topic and how it connects to your teacher brand on Skillshare.
Having a hard time deciding what image will work best? Here are some suggestions, based on what we know about student preferences on Skillshare:
- High-resolution images that depict close-up and/or nicely staged images of artwork from the class are excellent choices for cover images.
- A high-quality headshot or still from one of your videos can work well too and may be the best option for classes that don’t have a creative, tangible project.
- If you’re not an artist or designer and neither of the above options work, consider using a high-quality stock photo for your cover image. Try to choose an image that isn’t obviously a stock photo, and make sure it’s available for commercial use.
Still not sure? Pick a couple of options and ask friends or family which cover image is the most compelling and would want to make them sign up for the class!
Additional Guidelines for Cover Images
Follow these additional guidelines for cover images:
Use a 16:9 Ratio for Your Image
Crop your image to 1280x720 px to prevent your cover from appearing cropped or stretched.
Avoid Text and Icons
Keep it simple! Text and icons make cover images hard to read, especially when viewed as a thumbnail.
Be Mindful of Margins
Avoid placing important information too close to the edges or in the upper left corner — important if you're hoping for that Staff Pick badge.