YouTube is the world’s largest video platform and a top discovery engine. It’s estimated that YouTube’s ad reach at ~2.53B users (Jan 2025), underscoring its unmatched scale for awareness and consideration. 
And because video blends sight, sound and motion, strong content builds trust faster than text alone, especially when you optimise titles, thumbnails and descriptions for search and recommendations.

YouTube’s own guidance notes that 90% of top-performing videos use custom thumbnails, which speaks to how much small creative decisions affect results.

YouTube offers reach, intent and longevity, a single well-made video can keep working for you months or years after launch.

Case study: 200,000+ views for Reaseheath

We produced a brand film for Reaseheath Agricultural College designed to promote Reaseheath as an option for young people across the UK looking for their next educational step. The response was huge, 200,000+ views and counting. You can watch one of Reaseheath’s flagship films here: We are Reaseheath. We are your future.

Why it worked

• Authentic storytelling: Real people, real purpose, the simplest route to credibility.
• High production values: Cinematic footage that’s scroll-stopping even on mobile.
• Platform optimisation: Strong thumbnail + search-friendly title/description helped the algorithm understand and surface the video. See YouTube’s own title/thumbnail best-practice guidance.
• Shareability: A narrative worth passing on — staff, students and partners amplified organically.

YouTube’s compounding value for brands

Unlike a short-lived campaign, a well-optimised video continues to attract new audiences via Search, Browse and Suggested traffic. Think with Google’s research hub highlights how video supports full-funnel impact when creative and media are aligned, awareness, consideration and action. 

Your YouTube optimisation checklist (what we implement for clients)

1) Nail your strategy

• Define one core message and one primary audience per video.
• Map content to funnel stage (awareness vs. conversion).
• Plan distribution beyond YouTube (owned, earned, paid).

2) Win the click with titles & thumbnails

• Custom thumbnail that’s legible on mobile, framed faces, and a single focal idea.
• Title with primary keyword near the front; keep it clear, not clickbait.
• Keep title + thumbnail congruent (set an accurate expectation).
  Helpful: YouTube’s official tips on thumbnails and titles. Google Help

3) Help YouTube understand your video

• First 2–3 lines of the description: plain-English summary + primary keyword, then supporting detail, relevant links and CTAs.
• Add chapters (timestamps) for UX and potential rich results.
• Use tags/hashtags sensibly (supporting, not stuffing).
  Deep dives: Backlinko’s guide to descriptions. Backlinko

4) Improve session performance

• Hook in the first 5–10 seconds with motion and a clear value promise.
• Keep pacing tight; cut anything that doesn’t serve the story.
• Use end screens/cards to keep viewers on your content.

5) Iterate with data

• Watch CTR (thumbnail/title effectiveness), avg. view duration and audience retention to spot drop-offs.
• Refresh thumbnails/titles if CTR is weak; test variations.
• Repurpose long-form into Shorts and cutdowns to feed discovery.

If you want a YouTube video that doesn’t just look great but keeps delivering views, traffic and enquiries, we can help, from strategy and scripting to production and optimisation. Get in touch and let’s map out your next 200k-view success.