ThumbnailTest
About the Company
Rox is a streamer who creates startups live on Twitch, sharing every step of the process. The company, ThumbnailTest.com, was launched in June 2022 and helps YouTubers A/B test their thumbnails and titles directly on the platform. Alongside ThumbnailTest, Rox also runs Clipbot.tv, a tool that repurposes Twitch stream clips into TikToks and YouTube Shorts.
These ventures represent Rox’s latest and most successful projects. ThumbnailTest stands out as the flagship, generating $16,000 per month. Rox built these tools in public, sharing the entire development process with an audience that has grown to nearly 7,000 followers on Twitch.
Idea Behind Company
Rox's journey started with a desire to be more than just a "good software engineer." Despite prestigious internships at tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook, Rox felt unfulfilled by the pre-written path of a typical tech career. This sense of emptiness and a fear of being ordinary drove Rox to pursue startup ideas, initially focusing on restaurant tech, but these early attempts didn’t succeed.
The turning point came after a conversation with friends led to a decision to leave the USA and pursue new opportunities abroad. Rox’s first successful project was Clipbot.tv, which was created to address the challenges of growing a Twitch audience. This experience of building in public and solving a personal problem laid the foundation for the creation of ThumbnailTest.
Creating the Company
The development of ThumbnailTest was informed by the mistakes Rox made with Clipbot. Clipbot took five months to launch, involving complex integrations and the struggles of code signing. However, Rox learned valuable lessons in the process, particularly about the importance of shipping products quickly and the power of good UX.
When building ThumbnailTest, Rox streamlined the development process by focusing on a simpler tech stack and leveraging prior knowledge of the YouTube API. The product was designed with the help of a friend who provided initial screen designs, allowing Rox to avoid the pitfalls encountered with Clipbot. As a result, ThumbnailTest was brought to market much faster, with a beta version ready within two weeks.
Launching the Business
Rox’s launch strategy involved building in public on platforms like Twitter and engaging directly with potential users. The beta version of ThumbnailTest quickly attracted interest, and the official launch followed two weeks later, generating $200 MRR almost immediately. Rox utilized social media to create buzz, calling in favors from friends to amplify the launch message.
Rox also relied on community engagement, particularly through Discord, to retain customers and gather feedback. This direct interaction with users not only helped refine the product but also fostered a loyal customer base. By continuously improving the product based on real-time feedback, Rox was able to build strong relationships with users and drive the success of ThumbnailTest.
Earnings
ThumbnailTest quickly grew to generate $16,000 in monthly revenue, making it Rox’s most successful venture to date. The speed of growth was significantly faster than previous projects, with the majority of revenue coming from a combination of Twitter marketing, affiliate programs, and direct outreach to potential customers. Clipbot, while still contributing $600 in MRR, took a backseat as Rox focused on expanding ThumbnailTest.
Rox’s long-term vision is to build a suite of creator tools, each product reinforcing the success of the others. With a focus on serving the needs of YouTubers and streamers, Rox plans to continue innovating in this niche, with the ultimate goal of becoming a major player in the creator tools space. The success of ThumbnailTest has set the stage for future growth, with plans to introduce new features and expand the customer base further.
