With millions of videos vying for attention, your YouTube thumbnails serve as the first point of engagement for potential viewers. These seemingly small images carry significant weight in attracting clicks and views.

YouTube thumbnails provide a snapshot of your video content, setting expectations for what viewers can expect. A well-crafted thumbnail not only piques interest but also conveys the essence of the video.

In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about YouTube thumbnails, including tools to create them, tips to keep in mind, and other lessons I’ve learned from running my own YouTube channel.

Table of contents

What is a YouTube thumbnail?

A YouTube thumbnail serves as a visual snapshot of what a video contains. It appears as a small image next to the title of the video on YouTube’s search results page, related videos section, or the recommended videos section.

This image plays a crucial role in attracting potential viewers and encouraging them to click on the video. The design and content of this thumbnail often influence the decision of a viewer to watch the video or not. Therefore, it holds significant importance in the world of YouTube content creation.

YouTube thumbnail size

The best YouTube thumbnail size is 1280×720 pixels. This is an aspect ratio of 16:9. The minimum width you should shoot for is 640 pixels.

You should also shoot for a relatively small file size—under 2MB. YouTube thumbnails can be saved as JPGs, GIFs, or PNGs.

YouTube thumbnail tips

Your YouTube journey begins with a single image—the thumbnail. This seemingly small, but critically important element is the initial gateway for your viewers.

“If people don’t click, they don’t watch. So, you want to give them something to click,” said YouTube star MrBeast.

Here are some tips to create effective YouTube thumbnails.

Make them engaging

Think of your thumbnails as digital hooks to capture your audience’s attention. Make them visually striking, vibrant, and engaging.

💕 Want more tips and ideas? We’ve got 130+ for you! Get the guide >> 130+ of the Best Online Marketing Tips for Generating More Traffic, Leads, & Sales

Be consistent

Building a recognizable brand on YouTube starts with consistency in your thumbnail design. A uniform style helps viewers easily identify your content. In addition to consistency in your thumbnail design, keeping a close eye on others in your field who share your audience is a smart strategy.

Checking out what your competitors are up to can give you helpful clues about how many people click on their stuff. This helps you see how your channel’s look, content, titles, and colors stack up, so you can ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.

As you can see below, MrBeast’s thumbnails are visually striking and attention-grabbing, featuring bold colors, expressive facial expressions, and compelling imagery. He maintains a consistent style in his thumbnails, making them instantly recognizable to his viewers and helping build a strong brand presence on YouTube.

Represent your video accurately

Your thumbnail should provide an honest representation of your video. Misleading thumbnails can lead to viewer frustration and backlash.

Create an emotional impact

It’s well known that emotions are contagious. This means that watching someone else have an emotional reaction to something can cause you to have the same reaction.

Humans react to other human faces, and it’s an easy trick to get more people to click on your YouTube videos. Humans will naturally assess the emotional state of the face. When their mouth is open, it’s usually to show that they are surprised. When someone sees this surprised reaction, they are enticed to see what is so surprising.

🚨 Speaking of emotion…get our free guide >> 135 of the Best Words & Phrases for Marketing with Emotion

Learn and adapt

Continuously analyze your analytics to adapt your content and strategy based on audience feedback and changing trends.

The thumbnail below was my first to go well (in relation to my other videos). The simple title in the thumbnail, the upward arrow, society’s current fascination with ChatGPT, the length of the video, me in it—smiling and wearing something that matched the color scheme of the thumbnail. These are things I took note of as potential drivers of success for future videos and thumbnails.

Source

Free YouTube thumbnail makers

Here are a few YouTube thumbnail creation tools to try, including the one I use for all my thumbnails.

1. Fotor

I use an app called Fotor to create my thumbnails. Fotor is a fantastic all-in-one platform that makes thumbnail creation a breeze. It’s an easy-to-use photo editing and graphic design tool, available in web, desktop, and mobile versions. It provides a full suite of tools that cover most image editing needs, including face retouching and image-generative AI.

Fotor also includes advanced AI-powered tools such as background remover, image enlarger, and object remover, which make complex edits simple.

I created a super simple video walkthrough where I use it to create a YouTube thumbnail. Check it out here.

2. Canva

Canva is a design tool (with a free option) that can help you create impactful YouTube thumbnails. Simply navigate to the site, choose YouTube thumbnail as your design option, and find an already-created template to customize or create your own design.

Within Canva, you can adjust colors, add your own images, and brand your YouTube thumbnail with your business logo.

3. Visme

Visme is another online design tool that makes it easy to create YouTube thumbnails. Like Canva, Visme has already created templates that you can choose and customize according to your branding.

Simply choose your template, customize it, download it, and you’re all set!

Start making effective YouTube thumbnails with ease

Creating a great YouTube thumbnail is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to effective video marketing on the site. But the right YouTube thumbnail strategy can help you build consistency, attract people to click on your videos, and increase engagement with your content.

How to put your customers into a holiday slumber 😴 :

To our valued customers,

As the end of the year draws near, we’d like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you for your support. Thank you for choosing us and we wish you a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!

Want to send an authentic holiday email this year that your customers will actually want to read? This is your cheat sheet!

Table of contents

How to use these holiday email templates

This post contains both the copy and creative you can use for your holiday customer appreciation emails. These emails are longer and more personalized—great for your most loyal customers or for businesses with a small client base. If you want shorter, more general copy, head on over to my holiday greetings and messages.

The copy is also pasted into some templates I made in Canva, which you can access with a free Canva account!

Here’s the link to the templates in Canva.

Holiday customer email tips

In such a short piece of content as this, small details have big effects. Here’s how to get it right.

• Express gratitude! Customer appreciation is the goal here.
• Keep it short and use a conversational tone. This is an e-toast, not a live journal.
• Be inclusive of all holidays, and be warm and positive, but not overly hyped—the holidays can be difficult for many people.
• Make it visual with creative graphics or a team photo.
• Share your growth and achievements to give customers a reason to stay confident in your business. BUT make it about them—the growth you achieved with their support. What you achieved together.
• Connect it back to your mission (NOT your value prop).
• Focus on the future. Speak to an ongoing relationship, but not through a CTA or sales promotion. Save that for your year-in-review email.

Words & phrases to make your holiday email message authentic

Take a gander through these words and phrases you can use that the other gajillion businesses out there aren’t using:

5 holiday email templates any business can use

To make your life easier, I’ve compiled some templates that incorporate the tips and words and phrases above. Check’em out.

If you want to You can also customize them in Canva

Template #1—Achievement-focused

To our customers:

Without your enthusiasm and energy, we wouldn’t be where we are now.

Thanks to your feedback, we added eight new features to ProductName this year and earned our highest rating on ReviewPlatform yet. And because of your referrals, we helped twice as many small businesses get online this year than last. And because of you, we love our jobs!

Not only are we excited for 2022 with you, but we also have some big goals and big ideas that we can’t wait to share. So stay tuned! But for now, enjoy the holiday season!

With many thanks,

The ProductName Team

Use the Canva link above to customize this template.

Template #2—Fun & grateful

To the BusinessName community,

As the saying goes, “Gratitude is like gravy—put it on everything!” So we pour out our thanks to you for choosing BusinessName as your PainPointSolver.

Your patronage, your presence, your reviews and shares—all of this keeps our business alive and makes our line of work a pleasure each day.

We wish you all the best this holiday season and look forward to another great year with you!

With thanks,

All of us here at BusinessName

Use the Canva link above to customize this template.

 

Looking for more creative ideas? How about these 41 Pre-made Holiday Social Media Posts & Canva Templates.

Template #3—From the owner

To each and every one of you,

As I sit here listening to InclusiveMeaningfulSong, I am reminded of how grateful I am to have you in my circle.

StudioName is rooted in relationships, health, and growth and you are the ones who bring it to life. Every day I am blessed with the new energy, new perspectives, and new friends you bring to our studio each day.

I wish all the blessings returned to you during this holiday season and the year to come. Can’t wait to grow with you in 2022!

See you soon,

YourName

Use the Canva link above to customize this template.

Template #4—Mission-centered

To our work out warriors,

Whether the holidays make you happy or sad, giddy or stressed, one thing we can all feel is gratitude.

And that is why we extend our personal thanks to you—for showing up, for trusting us with your health, for your smiling faces, and your feedback.

We are on a mission to make fitness fun and accessible to all and it is dedicated members like you who help us make this possible.

However you’re feeling this holiday season, know that we appreciate you and we can’t wait to see you next year.

Stay well,

The GymName Team

Use the Canva link above to customize this template.

Template #5—Wrap-up with thank you

So…how do you wrap up a fantastic year in X words? We figured it out:

• 32,695 orders
• 200 blog posts
• 84 five-star reviews
• 5 new employees
• 2 awards nominations
• 1 HUGE thanks…

To YOU!

None of this would be possible without all of your shares, likes, comments, and confidence in our resources. This is what keeps us eager to find new things to teach you each day. You are the lifeblood of BusinessName and together, we’re helping more and more people find jobs they love.

Thank you for playing such a pivotal role in our growth. We wish you the best this holiday season and the year to come.

Let’s do it all again next year!

 

The BusinessName Team

Use the Canva link above to customize this template.

7 real holiday email examples & what makes them great

Here are a few real holiday customer appreciation email examples with non-generic intro sentences and attractive design. And you may also want to check out these additional customer appreciation ideas!

Patchwork: A poem!

You can have a lot of fun with this one!

• Big thanks
• Lots of text but once you start, you can’t stop.
• Visually appealing—although a face would be nice.

 

Rock Content: Tasteful reminder

This short and sweet holiday email from Rock Content is perfect with:

• Friendly and warm messaging acknowledging my hard work this year.
• A cute GIF of champaign glasses clanking.
• A tasteful reminder of the value it offers at the end.

 

Hello, Kristen!

✨We are passing by to wish you Happy Holidays!

2022 has been a year full of challenges and achievements. We know you’ve worked a lot this year. Now, it’s time to relax a bit and enjoy the holidays!

We hope you have a great time with friends and family. Enjoy the next few days to recharge your batteries with good times, getting ready to make beautiful things happen in 2023!

Remember that we will always be here to help you deliver high-quality content strategies and enable growth opportunities!

Enjoy the Holiday Season!

🎄🎅🎁☃️❄️

Rock Content Team.

BuildOn: Super-specific

Consider something like this if you’re a nonprofit.

• Just the right amount of gratitude and inspiration
• Visual with smiling face
• Shares specific achievements made possible by YOU

 

Image source

This season, we’re thankful for your support!

With your help, buildOn has empowered thousands of students and strengthened hundreds of communities across the globe.

In the U.S., tens of thousands of urban students have invested nearly 1.4 million hours of service into transforming their communities and empowering themselves. Today, 674 schools are bringing quality education and a chance out of poverty to 90,000 children and adults in the developing world.

None of this would be possible without you. THANK YOU!

WE: Verrry versatile

WE has some inspo in store for you.

• Positive without overdoing it
• Conversational and inclusive messaging
• Attractive visual, although a face would be nice
• Sincere appreciation, could use some specifics

 

Image source

“With the new year comes a sense of renewal: an opportunity to bring out the best in ourselves, moving forward with positivity and purpose. Thank you for being part of the WE Movement this year—whether you’ve been with us every step of the way or have just joined, we truly appreciate having you in our community.

Together, we change the world.”

Office Luv: Faces!

Office Luv nails it.

• Actual employee faces!
• Short and sweet
• No “we’d like to take this opportunity to..”

 

Later: Future-focused

The thank you section of Later’s 2020 December newsletter is one to model after.

• Conversational tone, with emojis
• Specific thank yous
• Future-focused
• Has a CTA, but just to Instagram profile

 

2020 has been full of challenges in the social media world and beyond, and we wanted to take a quick moment to say thank you. <3

Thanks for turning up, reading our emails, joining the conversation, sharing the love on social – you’ve made all of our days a little brighter this year.

We promise 2021 is going to be bigger and better than ever – so stay tuned for more new blogs, training, and of course, exciting new Later features!

[Stay tuned]

Chiropractor: Super-personalized

Try out something like this if you’re a solopreneur.

• First name personalization
• Inclusive graphic and smiling face
• Fun poem
• Sense of community
• Sincere thanks

 

Happy Holidays Kristen!

I know by this point everyone is nestled in and hopefully enjoying friends, families, and holiday cheer! Yet I didn’t want this season to go by without an official Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

We count you among our friends and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your dedication to your health and in creating your healthy home and life. It means more to us than you know, so thank you!

Wishing you joy and peace,

Dr. Lizie

Send a holiday email this year that your customers will appreciate

You now have all the words, phrases, tips, and templates you need to send an authentic holiday email message to your customers. You have no excuses!

Want more holiday messaging templates?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword in society, particularly with the widespread attention garnered by advanced AI platforms like ChatGPT in recent years. However, even before AI became a household term, it was already embedded in the fabric of digital marketing strategies through platforms like Google Ads.

Google has been a pioneer in harnessing AI to transform the advertising landscape, leveraging machine learning and automation to help businesses optimize their online presence and advertising performance.

In this article, we’ll explore helpful Google Ads AI features that can help you enhance your outcomes, forge stronger customer relationships, and deepen your marketing know-how.

Let’s delve into how these Google Ads AI features are purpose-built to amplify your success:

1. AI-driven search campaigns
2. Performance Max AI features
3. Automatically created assets
4. Conversational Experience in Google Ads
5. Google Analytics 4 measurement enhancements
6. Optimized targeting
7. YouTube AI-powered creative tools
8. App campaigns

AI features in Google Ads

Let’s take a closer look at the essential offerings that seamlessly incorporate AI to elevate your Google Ads experience.

1. AI-driven search campaigns

Leveraging the sophistication of machine learning, AI-driven search campaigns are now smarter than ever, fine-tuning bidding strategies, broadening match types, and honing ad relevance with incredible precision as it happens. This evolution means your targeting is not just effective—it’s strategic, maximizing your investment returns.

Over the years, the capabilities of broad match have significantly advanced, allowing you to refine your search ads campaigns further. By pairing broad match keywords with Smart Bidding and responsive search ads, you’re not just casting a wider net but also capturing a plethora of conversion opportunities that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks, thereby unlocking new avenues for ROI.

🛑 Want to improve your Google Ads results? Find out where to focus with a free, instant audit >> Google Ads Performance Grader

2. Performance Max AI features

By now, most digital marketers are familiar with Performance Max, a crucial tool in Google’s advertising suite. But are you fully aware of all its AI-driven features?

Performance Max stands apart for its ability to leverage the extensive range of Google’s advertising channels and resources, going beyond traditional search terms to identify opportunities for high returns on investment.

It’s engineered not just for broadening reach but for diving deep into previously unexplored audience segments and conversion opportunities.

At its core, Performance Max harnesses Google’s vast data resources to unearth potential customers who might otherwise remain hidden, tapping into new market segments and user interests. This capability is powered by sophisticated AI signals and machine learning, which analyze user behavior, preferences, and trends across the internet, offering a more nuanced and effective approach to targeted advertising.

3. Automatically created assets

This tool is a standout for enhancing search ad relevance. It crafts headlines and descriptions based on your ad’s context, like the landing page and existing ads, improving Ad Strength. Supporting multiple languages and soon integrating generative AI in the US and UK, it offers even more tailored content.

Source

4. Conversational Experience in Google Ads

Engage in natural language conversations with Google Ads to create effective keywords and assets. Just input your website URL, and the AI suggests campaign elements, which you can modify. In beta testing for English in the US and UK, it’s a significant time-saver and a source of creative inspiration.

⚡️ Is your Google Ads account set up for success? Download now >> The Last Guide to Google Ads Account Structure You’ll Ever Need

5. Google Analytics 4 measurement enhancements

Incorporating AI, Google Analytics 4 stands as a robust measurement tool that can automatically extract insights and anticipate future consumer trends. This predictive ability is particularly valuable for advertisers looking to refine their campaigns for optimal performance and gain a more nuanced understanding of their consumer base.

To illustrate this, I’ve crafted a video detailing how reports within GA4 can effectively integrate purchase data and revenue predictions.

This resource is designed to empower advertisers with the knowledge to leverage GA4’s advanced reporting features to their fullest potential, ensuring that every campaign is backed by data-driven strategies and a clear view of expected financial outcomes.

6. Optimized targeting

Optimized targeting with AI represents a leap forward in audience solutions. It doesn’t just work with the top audiences you already know; it also harnesses signals from across Google’s entire ecosystem to direct you to new, relevant customers. These customers are selected based on their likelihood to convert, aligning with your specific campaign objectives.

Your understanding of your customer base and their value is crucial—it guides the AI to make smarter, more relevant matches. When you blend this understanding with Google’s AI capabilities, you’re not just expanding your reach; you’re also fine-tuning it for relevance, which can significantly enhance your ROI.

This synergy between your insights and Google’s technology paves the way for more efficient campaigns that don’t just aim for reach but aim for the right kind of reach.

7. YouTube AI-powered creative tools

AI-powered creative tools on platforms like YouTube are revolutionizing the way video ads are created and enhanced. This is especially relevant given the diverse ways audiences consume content. Whether it’s scrolling through Shorts, watching the latest drop from a favorite creator on the TV screen, catching an upcoming NFL game, or tuning into live events like the Oscars, YouTube is where the world watches.

In this landscape of varied viewer habits, connecting with audiences on YouTube is easier than ever. Using AI-driven tools, you can generate engaging video ads or enhance existing ones with options like trimming, flipping, and adding voiceovers. These features ensure your ads are not only high-quality but also perfectly tailored to match the viewing preferences of your audience.

Source

You can also launch targeted video campaigns tailored to your specific goals. For instance, Video reach campaigns are great for building awareness, Video view campaigns are designed for driving consideration, and Video action campaigns are aimed at prompting action. This strategic approach, using AI-powered tools and campaign types, helps you not only reach your audience on YouTube but engage with them in the most effective and relevant ways, regardless of how they interact with the platform’s diverse content.

8. App campaigns

App campaigns, specifically tailored for mobile applications, utilize AI to streamline the promotion of apps across Google’s most prominent channels within a single campaign. They are adept at identifying and retaining high-value app users, as well as re-engaging those who already use your app.

Whether you’re marketing a retail app or rolling out a new game, App campaigns are your go-to strategy for connecting with the most valuable users. By simply setting your goals, these campaigns leverage the full might of Google AI to effectively promote your app across vast channels, all from one consolidated campaign effort.

To take this further, consider trying AI-powered solutions like App campaigns for engagement and tROAS (Target Return On Ad Spend) for ad revenue. These tools are excellent for re-engaging existing customers and exploring new avenues to grow revenue. They represent the cutting edge in digital advertising technology, enabling you to maximize both reach and profitability with unprecedented ease and efficiency.

Find the right Google Ads AI-powered feature for your business

In conclusion, the integration of AI in Google Ads represents a significant advancement for digital marketers. It multiplies your expertise, allowing you to augment your creativity and knowledge with powerful, data-driven insights.

This technology enables you to market faster and more effectively, meeting customers precisely where they are, even in the most unpredictable scenarios. Most importantly, it drives reliable and strong ROI, unlocking new avenues for growth.

By leveraging AI in your Google Ads campaigns, you’re not just keeping pace with the digital marketing landscape; you’re setting the bar higher, transforming challenges into opportunities for success and growth.