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Ever clicked on a YouTube video just because the thumbnail caught your eye? That’s no coincidence. Thumbnails are the first thing you see, and they either make you want to click or keep scrolling. For fitness YouTuber Brandon William, who’s grown his channel to 1.87 million subscribers, thumbnails have been a big part of that success.
In this blog, we’re taking a close look at how Brandon’s thumbnails have evolved, what works, what doesn’t, and how his visuals have helped him hook viewers from the first glance.
Whether you're a content creator looking to up your thumbnail game or just curious about what makes a killer visual strategy, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in!
Brandon’s Stats at a Glance:
He's all about that mixed thumbnail template theme. He doesn't stick to just one template for all his thumbnails, but you'll still notice some common styles popping up. Since he covers a variety of topics, he switches things up with different designs for each type of video. It really shows he's all about being flexible with his visuals.
- Subscribers: 1.87 million
- Videos: 180
- Total Views: 444 million
- Joined: November 7, 2017
Brandon William’s Perfect Thumbnail Strategy
Brandon William has mastered the art of grabbing attention with his YouTube thumbnails, and it’s no accident! His approach is simple, effective, and easy to replicate if you want to make your videos stand out. Each YouTube thumbnail style he uses serves a specific purpose, whether it's motivating viewers to click on intense workout challenges or teasing upcoming fitness transformations.
If you're looking to boost your YouTube thumbnail game, let's break down the three main styles Brandon uses to captivate his audience:
Early Days: Text-Based Thumbnails
When Brandon first started his YouTube journey, his thumbnails were pretty straightforward. They featured text-heavy designs with a background image. Think of a random fitness pic with big, bold words slapped on top, telling you exactly what the video was about.
- Why It Worked: The background image added context, and the text made it clear what you were about to watch. It wasn’t flashy, but it got the job done.
- Room for Improvement: There wasn’t much emotional connection or excitement, so it lacked that “gotta click now” vibe.
This was a solid start. As the channel grew, the thumbnails improved as well.
The Upgrade: Close-Up Shots with Text Overlay
Fast forward a bit, and Brandon’s thumbnails started to get a lot more interesting. He began featuring close-up shots of himself—often in the middle of an intense workout or with an expression that says, “This is about to be wild.”
- Emotional Pull: These thumbnails tapped into emotions—whether it’s the look of sheer effort or a post-workout smile. Suddenly, viewers could connect with Brandon on a personal level.
- Less Text, More Impact: While there’s still some text, it became more concise, focusing on just a few words like "Challenge" or "Transformation." The image was doing most of the talking.
This shift was a game-changer. By putting himself front and center, Brandon was able to create a much stronger connection with his audience, making his videos feel more personal and exciting.
Current Stage: Action Shots, Minimal Text
Nowadays, Brandon’s thumbnails are all about action. Whether it’s a high-energy workout or a crazy challenge, his thumbnails show him in the middle of the action, with very little text.
- Pure Visual Impact: No need for tons of words—just an intense image of Brandon mid-workout or trying something new. The action speaks for itself.
- Instant Click Appeal: These thumbnails make you curious. You don’t need to read much to know that whatever’s happening in the video it’s going to be intense, fun, and motivational.
- Bold Colors and Contrast: By using bright colors like yellow and red, his thumbnails really pop, making them hard to miss on your feed.
These action-packed thumbnails aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re a major reason why Brandon’s videos get clicked. They create curiosity and promise excitement, and who doesn’t want that?
What Makes Brandon’s YouTube Thumbnail Templates Work?
So why do these thumbnails work so well? Here are a few things that Brandon nails:
- Emotional Connection: Whether it’s sweat, smiles, or struggle, his thumbnails make you feel something. And in the fitness world, that’s gold.
- Clean and Simple Text: Less is more! By keeping the text short and sweet, viewers aren’t overwhelmed, and the message is clear.
- Consistent Style: Even though his thumbnails have evolved, there’s a consistent style that ties everything together—so when you see one, you know it’s a Brandon William video.
- Bold Colors: The bright yellows and reds he uses to make his thumbnails pop, even in a crowded YouTube feed.
What could be improved?
Even though his thumbnails are great, there’s always room for improvement:
- Consistency with Fonts: While his thumbnails are recognizable, some consistency with fonts could make his branding even stronger.
- Flexibility for Different Content: Most of his thumbnails work best for fitness challenges, but for other types of content, like motivational talks, switching up the design a bit could keep things fresh.
YouTube thumbnail best practices for stunning thumbnails
Feeling inspired by Brandon’s journey? Here are some quick tips to make your YouTube video thumbnails as eye-catching as his:
- Keep It Simple: Avoid cluttering your thumbnails with too much text or images. A clean design is more visually appealing.
- Test Different Designs: Experiment with different layouts and styles. Track which designs resonate most with your audience through viewer engagement metrics.
- Optimize for Mobile: Since many viewers browse YouTube on their mobile devices, make sure your thumbnails are legible and visually appealing on smaller screens.
- Use the Right Image Formats: Upload images in supported formats like JPG or PNG for optimal quality. Low-resolution images can diminish the professionalism of your channel.
- Consistency is Key: Maintain a consistent style across your thumbnails to build brand recognition. This includes using similar colors, fonts, and layouts.
How Brandon William Stacks Up Against YouTube Guidelines
Creators need to stick to YouTube guidelines to make sure their thumbnails pop, get clicks and play nice with platform rules. It’s all about staying relevant and boosting views.
Here's a concise analysis of how Brandon William's thumbnails stack up against YouTube's Thumbnail Guidelines:
How to Make Stunning YouTube Thumbnails easily through AI
If you’re looking to up your YouTube game, one of the best ways to do that is by creating eye-catching thumbnails. A killer thumbnail can make all the difference in grabbing viewers' attention and getting those clicks. The good news? With AI tools like Rizzle, it’s easier than ever to whip up stunning thumbnails without being a design whiz.
For a major boost, Rizzle is an excellent tool for crafting stunning thumbnails that attract more clicks and views.
Here’s How Rizzle Makes Your Thumbnail Game Stronger:
- AI Magic: Imagine having a buddy who knows all the latest design trends. That’s what Rizzle does! It suggests design elements based on what’s currently hot so you can stay ahead of the curve. With AI tools like this, creating stunning thumbnails becomes a breeze.
- Smart Recommendations: No more stressing over which font or color scheme to use! Rizzle takes the guesswork out of it by providing perfect recommendations, saving you hours of trial and error. You can quickly find the best YouTube thumbnail templates to fit your video’s vibe.
- One-Click Edits: You don’t need to be a graphic design pro to use Rizzle. Its intuitive interface makes making adjustments super easy—just upload your picture, and with just a few clicks, you’re good to go! You can easily customize your thumbnail.
- Custom Templates: Explore templates. Have a design you love? Save it as a template for easy reuse! This way, you can keep your thumbnails looking consistent across your channel while giving each video its unique vibe. Rizzle allows you to explore various thumbnail templates that cater to different themes.
Create Custom Thumbnails That Stand Out
So, whether you're using the YouTube Studio app to upload your videos or browsing for inspiration on social media, a powerful AI tool like Rizzle is for crafting eye-catching custom thumbnails. Its unique features let you drag and drop elements, customize fonts, and choose the right image formats to make your thumbnails pop.
Get ready to build a killer YouTube thumbnail strategy with our templates and viral action shots, and watch your views soar!
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