Why you shouldn't assume what's working for someone else's business

Assuming that someone else's business needs help because they're not doing it your way is shortsighted...Here's what you should be asking instead.
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This channel is for home-based creative businesses and anyone who sells products online and specifically on Etsy. I do Etsy tutorials and share Etsy tips to help small business owners get their businesses to where they want them to be. If you have questions about Etsy SEO, how the Etsy search algorithm works, selling on Etsy, or how to start an Etsy business and sell successfully on Etsy, post a comment or a question in the community tab!

[@KaraBuntin]

Okay...The answer to why I do my thumbnails the way that I do is because of my three favorite letters...S-E-O. And I won't get into the specifics because it's a very winding path of how I got there, starting on my "year of KZbin" and what I learned about how the KZbin algorithm works there. To make it short, I was using the videos on my website at the time, so that was the reason for the SEO part, but I've since taken that content off of the website in question. So now the reason ends up being that I don't care and since my goal on youtube isn't to grow my channel with clickbait, and I like not having to think about things I don't care about, I just keep doing them this way. Remember that I don't care about building my channel so the branding isn't an issue because I don't care about building a brand on youtube, so any branding benefits that have come from this were entirely unplanned. So @seeweipoo5692 wins! Send me a message on Facebook so that I can confirm who you are. Also Zuzanna wins too, I didn't see your comment until I got an email that you had posted it. Send me a message on Facebook too!

[@AdaleCreates-oj1mw]

Ooh! I was not thinking any of those things 😆

[@earthsoul9454]

Ahhhh of course! Congratulations to the winners! ❤️

[@superbrokul]

oh wow!! I never win anything! 😃 I'll message you on FB!

[@swpoo1939]

Thank you!, I have pm you on FB!

[@CornellyCo]

A bit off topic but hats off to you for not waiting chemicals in your lawn and for keeping the dandelions (and bees) happy! 🐝 🌼

[@LovelyMalia]

People want pretty pictures of things that they are buying. Thumbnails need to be practical. Yours are practical and to the point (and I can see the little bit of sarcastic in there, too 🤣)

[@kattaylor9294]

Always good to have another perspective.

[@botanicalbird93]

Wow, that person should mind their own business. It's obvious that you have a great deal of business knowledge and expertise, as well as a proven track record of high sales, so yes you're doing a good many things that work well for your business, way to go! Thanks for all of your great content Kara!

[@CornellyCo]

Oh and I think your thumbnails are just fine 😄 I always know who it is when I see your thumbnail and that’s what counts too!

[@GoWestYoungK9]

I like your thumbnails. 1) I always know it's you. 2) It gives me enough info to make me think, "this may be interesting". 3) They often subtly hint at the humor I know to expect. 4) They never use those idiotic faces, so popular today, with the person making a fake "shocked" face. (Oh my goodness, I hope that trend dies soon!)

[@thejewelryspot9969]

It’s awesome that you are on KZbin to help home-based businesses owners. Thank you for all of your advice!

[@KaraBuntin]

Happy to help!

[@velvetm1]

Your thumbnails aren't to intice the "get rich quick crowd". Just the opposite. They're directed at the people who really want to work for their business. No flash. No bang. Just the facts. That's my best guess, and why I'm here. Edit to add, I'm also here for the sass. So there's that. ~Deborah

[@elainet5870]

Kara, you are appreciated by many! Thank-you! 😃

[@ajmachin1134]

Dandelions feed our bees!!! Just goes to show, we are all individuals and we need to stay the @@@@ away from other people's business!

[@earthsoul9454]

You do your thumbnails the way you do because it tells us clearly exactly what the video is about. It's clear. It's easy. There's no bullshit. I can scan over your vids and see what they are all about very quickly. Plus I know it's you cuz your in the thumbnail if you pop up in my suggestion feed etc 😊 I'm like "Kara!" CLICK ❤

[@KaraBuntin]

That's one of the closest so far but not exactly. I'm giving this 1 more hour then I'll say who wins.

[@debl4599]

I think because it's very easy to read, I feel more trust in what you saw because there's no click bait. Easy to find one to rewatch. You've built a trusting community

[@Californiadreaming92651]

Thank you, Kara! I always look forward to watching your videos. 😃

[@CrabDigs]

Your thumbnails actually stand out amongst all the hyperbole Gurus that have thumbnails that resemble Ads

[@KaraBuntin]

That's a happy accident.

[@loyjones7553]

I appreciate the fact that you don’t make all if the goofy-looking faces that seem to be the trend now. I’m so sick of seeing those. You do you; it’s working.

[@swpoo1939]

Here's what I feel about your "not fancy" thumbnail: You know the visual grammar (layout grid) Easy to read "headline" and easy to spot "image grid" that your face is always on the right over a clean monotone-gradient backdrop, make you very much recognisable anytime. So simple, that I can always "spot" your video every time I log-on to KZbin, among those vast "funky" thumbnails that I need "time" to recognise who's who (they also have very similar visual style) and read their headlines. And that is why after a few times of "spotting" your thumbnails, I finally click on it, one day.....and follows your channel since then. Also, your content is as "not fancy" as your thumbnails, no over-promising (such as 100K per month), straight to the point advice etc. By which truly deliver the content as how your "not fancy thumbnail" represent/project. Also, not fancy thumbnail is a "screening tool", it "attract" not fancy attracted viewer , which might be the target audience you want. In a nut shell, your "not fancy" thumbnail create: • Strong branding, that make you strongly differentiate (pop-out) from the rest (oceans) of Etsy Gurus, • have no "gap" between "Advertisement (your thumbnail" and the "real product (your content)", and • attract the targeted audience. Just my two cents

[@KaraBuntin]

I agree, but that's not the primary reason. Here's another hint (I left one under another comment.) The primary channel that I started doing them this way for is on my tutorials channel.

[@JeannieGrayKnits]

I really like your videos and appreciate non-clickbaity titles. Actually, I generally don't watch videos with clickbait titles unless I'm super bored or need background noise. Mainly, I wanted to wave hello because while I'm on the Chickahominy, the James is only a few miles down the road. I feel like we're neighbors now.

[@KaraBuntin]

Hi!

[@RachellesCrafts]

If you’re going to mention Etsy in your titles you’re required to put flames in your thumbnails. Those are the rules. 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@lisaschultz5173]

WOW! Thank you for helping people with creative businesses. You have helped me and so many others.

[@KaraBuntin]

Happy to help!

[@cynthialage5512]

It is unique, brand identifiable and they stand out! Great job!

[@KaraBuntin]

Thanks!

[@KaraBuntin]

So far everyone is saying things that are the byproducts of the thumbnails, not the reason why I decided to do them the way I do them. The branding aspect is definitely good, but it wasn't the actual reason...Here's a hint: Think about why I do everything as far as my online business goes, and how does it play into that?

[@Sacred.Wisdom]

Then I think that it just about "you being you and doing you"...doing what works for you.

[@seeweipoo5692]

Hmmm, this might be the quickest, easiest (stress free/ less hustle) and most efficiency (time-saving) way for you to keep consistently making a thumbnail for your channel with one software, with your own template. Same Like how I do my exty-listing thumbnail, after setting up one design that clearly have all the elements i need, every-time I just plunk in the image and change the title. For me, I need a thumbnail for my exty-listing, but it should not be too much a hustle, or it will be come a "obstacle to me", as i rather spend time making design and other things...

[@KaraBuntin]

There's definitely a specific reason for them! It's clearer on the tutorials channel, probably.

[@seeweipoo5692]

@@KaraBuntin one more guess .... "Google", "Search SEO". I just watch that video. And even if I might not guess it right for this quiz, watching that "KZbin for Etxy" video, is already a big big worth. Thank you ,Kara, you are brilliant!!!

[@loriachaddon8497]

I like your thumbnails. I prefer something that isn't all click-baity. Those annoy me and quite often turn me off watching their video.

[@ayakaganig]

I think your thumbnails are just fine! I think they are cohesive with your brand and they all look good together with your usuql orange yellow background’ minimal text (but precise) and you doing some facial reaction for each. That being said, I think the reason for it is because of all those things, it represents your brand, it shows zhqt the video is about and they look unformed all together

[@KaraBuntin]

I think that's the by product but not the actual reason!

[@ayakaganig]

@@KaraBuntin 🙈

[@natalyamanning9547]

I'm here because you don't use clickbait. 👌

[@KaraBuntin]

I have to hope that my audience is like you.

[@earthsoul9454]

To add to my previous guess I'd like to add. You do it the way that you do because it's authentic to you. You don't like those yucky marketing tactics that people do. You're like "here it is, this is what I have for you, your welcome to come along or not either way that's totally fine.

[@RetroVintageMonkey]

I’m here because you provide helpful information and I wouldn’t mind if you used clickbait-y thumbnails because I know I will be getting interesting content regardless of the thumbnail.

[@KaraBuntin]

I appreciate that, but those thumbnaisls still make me want to vomit.

[@cynthialage5512]

“Don’t take things so personal. What people say about you is more a reflection of them and not you.”

[@KaraBuntin]

It's less taking it personally than getting really tired of being inundated with people trying to sell me design services. Now when someone leaves a comment I'll just link them to this video and be done with it.

[@cynthialage5512]

@@KaraBuntin sounds like a plan!

[@cynthialage5512]

Would love to get your Pinterest training 😮🎉

[@KaraBuntin]

It's linked in the video description on my Teachable site.

[@munkinelli]

I stand by what I said on yesterday’s video.

[@KaraBuntin]

Copy and paste it on here so that I can see what it was!

[@Taodnt]

Hi Kara, I've been a subscriber for about 4 or 5 months (I think, is there a data point that says specifically?). My guess on your thumbnail design is that you have discovered over time that the orange background with your headshot on the right works best. In my case, when I see the orange background, I immediately equate it to your channel, but your headshot is the verification. As someone who drives a lot and listens to KZbin videos from my phone (hands-free Bluetooth) rather than the radio or CDs, I don't need to read your titles because I have gotten value from every video that you have made. Another way your videos show up in my feed is with centered behind the microphone from the room where you record your content. The background is instantly recognizable. That's my guess win or lose. Cheers

[@KaraBuntin]

That's a good byproduct of them, but it wasn't the reason I did it to begin with. I do agree that they stand out because they're different from the overworked KZbin thumbnail formula, so I'm happy about that, but it's not the primary reason I started doing them that way!

[@shersartwork]

Ohhh no don’t like Moles and Voles!!! I live on the water and wetlands they are bad so much it is causing me to loose property because they dig under making tunnels which is loosening the soil and I can’t remember which one the mole does and which one the vole does. One of them does the digging, and one of them eats all the roots of plants that I had put down to hold my property so that doesn’t erode

[@KaraBuntin]

I think the vole is cute! There's no problem with erosion in my yard, though.

[@Taodnt]

you are up early 😎, so am i, 5:03 CDST

[@KaraBuntin]

I was woken up by the 4:55 am cat barf noise. You don't go back to sleep after that.

[@nomadartistontheroad]

To weed out all the “get rich quick “ junkies

[@KaraBuntin]

No but it does have that happy effect.

[@tinaindina7032]

I don’t remember your “word of the year” .. something about simplifying? Your thumbnails are simple and easy to identify. Both that they are yours and what they are about. Am I close?

[@KaraBuntin]

Nope...The word of the year is "divest," but that's not the reason, I started doing them this way last year.

[@tinaindina7032]

@@KaraBuntin finally I'm a member again, yay. It was a Paypal issue.

[@jennyjumpjump]

Something tells me you don't have an HOA 😂

[@KaraBuntin]

When we moved here I had a realtor send me a bunch of listings, and anything that said HOA on it got thrown out immediately.

[@superbrokul]

Here's my theory about your thumbnails: They look this way, because they are irrelevant to you and you don't invest time in things that aren't important for you. You'd rather focus on other things that bring you income (such as creating pins). Other theory I have is that people interested in get rich quick Etsy tips wouldn't click on your videos because they don't look like videos from Etsy "gurus". So you basically want to repel this type of people.

[@KaraBuntin]

Hahaha! I'm laughing at the "repel those kind of people" thing because that's true, but it's not the primary reason.

[@superbrokul]

@@KaraBuntin haha those people are like mosquitoes 🤣🤣 Another theory I have is that it has something to do with Google and being found in Google search! Someone types an Etsy question in Google, your video pops up, the thumbnail is very clear and straight to the point, the person clicks on it and discovers you. I guess this is also the reason why your tutorial videos are short and why you only talk about 1 problem at a time.

[@AdaleCreates-oj1mw]

I think you thumbnails are less than stellar because then the copycats and scammers won't want to steal them. I would guess that the vast majority of your customers are returning ones. And they don't need to be 'convinced' to buy. They are there to buy, and just need to see the thing.

[@AdaleCreates-oj1mw]

Okay... so I thought you meant product thumbnails. Then I watched the video. Now that I'm up to speed, I think your YT thumbnails 'suck' is because intelligent and creative people who will add value to your community aren't stupid enough to fall for click bait. Well... maybe once in a while 🤫 Drawing a huge audience with fancy thumbnails isn't actually good for the creator, especially when that audience is full of idiots who don't really want to do any work. They are looking for simple answers that will make them $10,000 a month. You will not be the one to make them happy. Haha personally, I just need to see your face, and I'm excited to see what you have to say.

[@AdaleCreates-oj1mw]

I'm a puzzler/gamer so I need to figure this out. It will gnaw at me until you say the answer. Your favorite color is orange? Or, the majority of your target audience is basically YOU (age, sex etc) If your face is really the only thing the audience sees, they will pay attention. And maybe be more drawn to someone who represents them?

[@Sacred.Wisdom]

I think that your thumbnail is part of your "Brand". Your BRAND is a no-nonsense approach to building a successful e-commerce online business. You want ppl to focus on the boring, yet tried and true strategies to be successful....no gimmicks, hacks, tricks to game the system to make short-term gains chasing the next trendy thing. Your thumbnails aren't gimmicky nor shinny-objecty. They're just low-key and truth-focused. And the ppl who come for YOUR content aren't looking for gimmicky, hacky thumbnails like "skyrocket your sales to the moon and back". Personally I focus on the topic as printed using WORDS...but then again I am willing to READ and don't need the visual prompts and distractions to get me to click.

[@KaraBuntin]

It's not a branding thing but that's happily grown out of it.