This one might haunt you for a while.
But apart from that, it’s a damn good thumbnail.
Let me explain…
Unexpected
The beauty of this thumbnail is how familiar but completely unexpected it is all at once.
It perfectly finds the balance between showing Minecraft but with a completely unexpected (and terrifying) twist.
Making sure the thumbnail clearly shows Minecraft is important so the target audience can instantly recognise what the video is about and that it’s something that interests them.
And then the absolutely terrifying realistic Creeper shows more specifically what the video is about and why it’s remarkable.
It’s this remarkable part of the idea (and the excellent visual representation of it) that is going to drive the click. It’s so unexpected and unique.
Something viewers haven’t seen before and are incredibly curious about.
Understand what viewers are going to recognise and find remarkable about your idea.
Simplicity
What this thumbnail also does well, is how it keeps things incredibly simple.
As explained above, the realistic Creeper is the perfect visual representation of what’s remarkable about the idea.
The thumbnail doesn’t need much else (which would arguably just become a distraction from the main element that's so effective).
It’s the simplicity (and the lack of an explanation and context) that makes you want to click.
Get across what you need to get the click in the most simplistic way possible.
Tension
While subtle, this thumbnail also taps into something every Minecraft player has felt.
The pure terror you have when you’re that close to a Creeper.
The way this thumbnail is set up taps into that common feeling, subconsciously (or consciously) creating tension that you need to resolve (by clicking).
Think of your target audience - what do they relate to and recognise?
Want more?
These techniques (along with plenty more) are all explained in the Digital Bundle.
The Bundle is everything you need to make effective thumbnails and includes:
1. Digital Book
82 pages explaining exactly how to make effective thumbnails.
2. Thumbnail Worksheet
Outlines how to turn your ideas into clickable concepts.
3. Thumbnail Checklist
Check every title and thumbnail do what they need to do.
Interested? Check it out.