GIFs are becoming increasingly popular for businesses and marketers, as they are quick and easy to create, and don't require additional software or add-ons. They can significantly improve the user experience on your blog or website, and are perfect for social media, customer support articles, landing pages, microsites, and email marketing campaigns. But how do you make an animated GIF ad?In this article, I'll show you how to use five free tools to create original GIFs. I'll also provide step-by-step instructions on how to trim your video, design a static or animated GIF banner from scratch, and add animations to your website or portfolio.
Let's get started!Step 1: Trim Your VideoThe first step in creating an animated GIF ad is to trim your video. This will help you capture the main message of your video in a shorter amount of time. You can use any video editing software for this step.
Step 2: Choose a Tool
Once you've trimmed your video, it's time to choose a tool to create your GIF. There are many free tools available online, such as GIPHY, Imgur Video to GIF, Boomerang for Instagram, ClipConverter, and LiceCap.Each tool has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Step 3: Design Your GIF
Once you've chosen a tool, it's time to design your GIF. If you're using GIPHY or Imgur Video to GIF, you can select a predefined size from their library or design one from scratch. If you're using Boomerang for Instagram or LiceCap, you can create an animation manually frame-by-frame. And if you're using ClipConverter, you can convert a YouTube video into an mp3 file.Step 4: Add Animations
Now that you've created your GIF, it's time to add animations.You can do this by duplicating frames and moving objects a few pixels down. This will help create a smooth slide down animation. You can also use Photoshop to adjust parts of the animation.
Step 5: Preview Your GIF
Before sharing your GIF with the world, it's important to preview it first. To do this, simply drag the finished GIF file into the URL box of your browser.Step 6: Share Your GIF
Once you're happy with the results of your GIF ad, it's time to share it with the world! You can share it on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, or embed it in customer support articles on your website or in email marketing campaigns. Creating an animated GIF ad doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming.With the right tools and a bit of practice, you can easily create original GIFs that will help capture the attention of your audience.
