We’re often asked to provide subtitles for video case studies. There are a couple of ways to do it, but the most effective is with an SRT file.

There are two main approaches to captioning a video:

Burned-in subtitles

These captions are permanently embedded into the footage. Everyone sees them, but they can’t be turned off or edited without re-exporting the video. Updating text or creating new language versions means going back into the edit, which adds time and cost. It also means you’ll need multiple versions of your video to serve different language markets.

SRT files

You might have noticed that YouTube and other streaming platforms have the option to turn captions on (or off). These are usually driven by an SRT file – a separate text file that holds the captions and their exact timing. Platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook read the file and display captions in sync with your video. Viewers can turn captions on or off, and you can update or translate the file without touching the video itself.

What is an SRT file?

An SRT file contains every spoken word from your video along with precise timestamps that tell players when each caption should appear and disappear. You can get one by creating it yourself, hiring a professional transcriber, or using an AI generated transcription (which you should then check).

A typical SRT file includes:

1. A sequential number for each caption.

2. Start and end times that control when the text displays.

3. The caption text itself.

Example SRT file

1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,000
Welcome to our company.

2
00:00:03,500 --> 00:00:06,000
We create videos that help businesses grow

SRT files in marketing videos

Captions do more than help people follow along – they make your videos work harder for your brand. Using SRT files adds flexibility and reach that burned-in subtitles can’t match. 

Reach more people

Captions let your videos connect with viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, and with anyone watching without sound – like commuters, office workers, or mobile users.

Engage global audiences

Because captions are separate from the video, you can easily create versions in different languages. One video can serve multiple markets without extra edits.

Improve search visibility

The text inside an SRT file can be indexed by search engines, making your video more discoverable and improving SEO.

Save time on updates

If you need to fix a typo or adjust timing, you can edit the SRT file directly without re-exporting the video.

Keep your video clean

Unlike burned-in subtitles, SRT captions can be toggled on or off, keeping your visuals uncluttered while still offering captions for those who want them.

How to Use SRT Files

Most major platforms allow you to upload an SRT file alongside your video. Media players like VLC also recognise them automatically. Simply create or export an SRT file, upload it with your video, and your captions are ready to go.

If you’re working with us, then we’ll offer you the option to have professionally created SRT files in multiple languages for your project. We use human translators who understand the technical nuances of what’s being said and ensure real accuracy at minimal cost.

An SRT file is the easiest, most flexible way to add captions to marketing videos. It keeps your content accessible, editable, and ready for multiple languages – helping your brand reach more viewers with less effort.