How to Create Podcast Thumbnails That Drive Clicks and Boost Reach
In this episode of Start, Grow & Monetise Your Podcast, Alex Chisnall and James Burtt dive deep into one of the most overlooked growth hacks in podcasting: creating irresistible thumbnails and cover art. Whether you're on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, your podcast thumbnail is your first impression—and it can make or break your episode’s reach.
From using Canva for pro-looking designs to leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT for SEO-optimised titles and descriptions, Alex and James unpack the strategies that globally successful shows like Diary of a CEO and High Performance are using to dominate the charts.
Plus, they share their own workflow for thumbnail testing and cover art optimisation that’s helped launch over 400 podcasts. If you're ready to get more clicks, more listens, and more growth—this is the episode you can't miss.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The psychology behind what makes people click on a podcast thumbnail
Why your thumbnail title and episode title should never be the same
How to design eye-catching graphics with Canva (no graphic designer needed)
Beta testing thumbnails on YouTube for higher engagement
Using ChatGPT and AI to generate SEO-friendly titles and show notes
How individual episode artwork boosts discoverability on Apple, Spotify, and more
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Key Takeaways:
Faces sell: Use high-resolution images with eye contact for maximum engagement
Contrast is key: Pair strong emotions in the title and thumbnail for curiosity clicks
Keep it under 7 words: Your thumbnail copy needs to grab instantly
Square it up: Reformat thumbnails for Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music
Double the hooks: Your title and thumbnail headline should be different but complementary
Use the algorithm to your advantage: New features like individual episode artwork are prioritised by platforms
Recommended Tools & Resources:
Canva – For easy, professional-looking graphic design
ChatGPT – For SEO-optimised show notes, YouTube descriptions & episode titles
YouTube Thumbnail A/B Testing – Built-in feature to test click performance
YourPodcastCourse.com – 55+ video modules, cheat sheets, and proven blueprints for launching and scaling a podcast
Join the Conversation:
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow podcaster looking to grow their revenue. For more resources and expert advice, explore our latest content and stay connected with us on social media for valuable podcasting insights.
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LinkedIn: James Burtt & Alex Chisnall
In this show, we discuss:
podcast thumbnail design, how to design podcast artwork, YouTube podcast growth, podcast SEO, Canva for podcasters, how to grow your podcast, podcast cover art tips, thumbnail A/B testing, ChatGPT for podcasters, Spotify podcast artwork, Apple podcast cover image, how to launch a podcast, Your Podcast Course, Alex Chisnall, James Burtt, podcast growth tips, DIY podcast branding
How To Start, Grow and Monetise Your Podcast
How To Start, Grow, and Monetise Your Podcast with James Burtt & Alex ChisnallTurn your podcast idea into an impactful brand and income stream! Join podcast experts James and Alex—who have launched 400+ top-charting podcasts—as they share practical and tactical steps to build, grow, and monetise your show. Each episode delivers actionable tips on podcast equipment, content strategy, audience growth, and brand monetisation to help you thrive in podcasting.Perfect for entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone ready to amplify their voice, this is your weekly guide to profitable podcasting. Join the free Pod School community for exclusive resources, trainings, and support.Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and many more.
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