01
The 3-Element Rule
Limit thumbnail visual clutter to no more than 3 distinct focus elements to maintain instant clarity on small mobile screens.
Visual Design / Thumbnails
How to design high-CTR clickable video thumbnails
Quick answer: Combine an expressive close-up facial crop, a 3-word bold title hook, and a high-contrast background element at 1280x720 resolution.
This is general project-preparation guidance, not Esteban Moreno Media policy. Packages, process, review terms, timing, file transfer, and deliverables are defined for each project.
Leer en españolPut the guide to work
Connect the preparation to services and real project proof.
Related published exampleMy D'lerApproved portfolio credits include published thumbnail visual design. Linked as a public sample; not published as evidence of identical deliverables in every engagement.View the project pageReview the published video-editing service, which prioritizes remote editing for clients who already have footage.Explore video editing servicesBrowse approved public projects with the descriptions and credits currently available.Review selected video workAsk about a video-editing project and what information is needed to evaluate it.Share a project brief
Continue preparing
Related practical guides
Before editing beginsHow to prepare footage for a video editorRead guideDefine the projectHow to write a video brief an editor can useRead guidePlan the final formatsVertical and horizontal video exports: a safe-zone guideRead guideWork clearly from a distanceA practical handoff for remote video editingRead guideShort-form strategyHow to use Instagram Reels for businessRead guideRestaurant video marketingVideo content ideas that bring customers to your restaurantRead guideReal estate video strategyInstagram Reels ideas for real estate agentsRead guideAI image creationHow to use AI for product photography and e-commerce imagesRead guideProduct pricing guideHow much does product photography cost? Rates & pricing guideRead guideAI vs Studio comparisonAI product photography vs traditional studio photographyRead guideRole & Workflow ComparisonVideo editor vs videographer: which role do you need?Read guideProduction Model ComparisonRemote video editing vs local production studioRead guideVideo Pricing GuideHow much does corporate video production cost in Miami?Read guideFootage PreparationHow to record video content with an iPhone for professional editingRead guidePlatform StrategyInstagram Reels vs TikTok vs YouTube Shorts for local businessRead guideTool ComparisonAI video editing tools vs hiring a professional video editorRead guideHiring GuideHow to choose a professional video editor in MiamiRead guideAgency WorkflowWhite-label video editing workflow for marketing agencies in MiamiRead guideContent RepurposingHow to repurpose long-form video podcasts into social ReelsRead guideBudgeting / Fort LauderdaleHow much does video production cost in Fort Lauderdale?Read guideScriptwriting / Social AdsHow to script high-converting social video adsRead guideProduction / Home InterviewsLighting and microphone setup for home video interviewsRead guideSubtitles / Social ReelsBest caption styles and subtitle strategies for ReelsRead guideWorkflow / File TransferFastest ways to transfer raw 4K video files to remote editorsRead guideStrategy / Bilingual MarketingWhy bilingual English & Spanish video content wins in South FloridaRead guideFormatting / Aspect RatiosVideo aspect ratios and safe zones cheat sheet for social mediaRead guidePost-Production / ColorColor grading vs color correction: What is the difference?Read guideAudio / Post-ProductionHow to mix speech, music, and sound effects for social videoRead guideEditing / B-Roll SelectionHow to select supporting B-roll footage for corporate videosRead guideStrategy / Video LengthIdeal video length best practices across social platformsRead guidePost-Production / RetentionHow to improve audience retention rates in video editingRead guideHiring / Decision GuideFreelance video editor vs post-production agency: Which fits?Read guideAerial / Drone Post-ProductionDrone & aerial video editing best practices and guidelinesRead guideB2B / Video StrategyHow to build a B2B video marketing conversion funnelRead guideAudio / PreparationHow to prepare and organize audio files for video editingRead guideTestimonials / Script TemplateCustomer testimonial video question framework & script templateRead guideVertical Video / Best PracticesVertical video editing best practices for Reels, Shorts & TikTokRead guideTechnical / Video CodecsRAW video file formats, LOG profiles, and codecs explainedRead guide