YouTube Optimization Strategist & Thumbnail Designer (Contract)

Project Overview:We are seeking a creative, analytical, and results-driven YouTube Optimization Strategist & Thumbnail Designer to help elevate the performance and visibility of content on a discrete high-profile project featuring celebrity talent. This role involves strategic collaboration, performance analysis, content enhancement, and design implementation to drive higher engagement, reach, and discovery through video search optimization (vSEO). PLEASE NOTE: ONLY EXPERIENCED YOUTUBE STRATEGISTS AND THUMBNAIL DESIGNERS NEED APPLY. Scope of Work 1. Strategy & Planning • Collaborate with our team to refine guest booking goals and define target audiences. • Establish clear success metrics to measure performance improvement across videos and channel-wide. • Conduct a full analytics audit of the channel and key videos to assess current performance and areas of improvement. 2. Implementation • Create and implement custom YouTube assets (e.g., thumbnails, titles, descriptions, tags) to support optimization strategy. • Design and deliver 12 custom, high-conversion thumbnail templates tailored to the brand and audience. • Craft optimized show titles and descriptions for each selected video to enhance discoverability. • Apply general YouTube channel optimizations (e.g., playlists, homepage layout, tags, branding elements). 3. Wrap-Up & Reporting • Compile a final wrap-up summary including: • Performance insights • Outcomes achieved • Key audience learnings (with an emphasis on talent-specific trends and behavior) • Present findings in a visual and strategic recap deck. Work Samples Requested Please include before-and-after examples from prior YouTube optimization projects that showcase your strategic and visual impact. Specifically: • Thumbnail Redesigns • Before: Original thumbnail • After: Your custom version • Metrics: Change in CTR (click-through rate), impressions, or views if available • Title & Description Rewrites • * Before: Original video title and description • After: Optimized versions you developed • Metrics: Engagement/view time increases or improved search ranking if known • Channel Optimization Projects • Overview of changes you made to a YouTube channel homepage, playlists, branding, or tags • Results: Channel growth, increased subs, improved watch time, etc. • Duration: Project-based (estimated 4-6 weeks, part time - 7-12 hours/week) • Compensation: $5,500 flat project fee To Apply: Please attach your portfolio or samples (with before-and-afters clearly labeled), and include in your cover letter your approach to YouTube strategy, and availability.