Hi, I’m Thando Mbele, a YouTube editor and content strategist with nearly a decade of experience growing channels from the ground up. I specialize in long-form editing, short-form clip strategy, SEO, thumbnail optimization, and multi-platform distribution. I’ve helped launches reach tens of thousands of subscribers and millions of views in a matter of months. I’m a native English speaker and I work fully remote, currently based in Los Angeles.…

Thando Mbele

Hi, I’m Thando Mbele, a YouTube editor and content strategist with nearly a decade of experience growing channels from the ground up. I specialize in long-form editing, short-form clip strategy, SEO, thumbnail optimization, and multi-platform distribution. I’ve helped launches reach tens of thousands of subscribers and millions of views in a matter of months. I’m a native English speaker and I work fully remote, currently based in Los Angeles.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Thando Mbele, a YouTube editor and content strategist with nearly a decade of experience growing channels from the ground up. I specialize in long-form editing, short-form clip strategy, SEO, thumbnail optimization, and multi-platform distribution.

I’ve helped launches reach tens of thousands of subscribers and millions of views in a matter of months. I’m a native English speaker and I work fully remote, currently based in Los Angeles.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

YouTube Editor & Content Strategist at Emonthbrain LLC
November 1, 2025 - Present
Manage end-to-end post-production and YouTube strategy for Planet Em, the channel of Emily McDonald (Emonthebrain). Edit and deliver weekly long-form episodes; produce 5 short-form clips per episode (20/month) with platform-native captions, titles, and thumbnails written from scratch. Grew the primary YouTube channel to nearly 24,000 subscribers; scaled a second channel from 40K to 95K in under 3 months via a full strategy overhaul including title restructuring and SEO repositioning. Generated nearly 5M Instagram views with a single top Reel reaching 382,000. Applied A/B testing to titles and thumbnails to continuously improve click-through rate and discoverability. Conduct SEO research to identify high-demand, low-competition positioning in the wellness niche; develop optimized tag strategies and search-first title structures to surface content to cold audiences.
Producer & Show Developer at Apartment 205 Studios
January 1, 2025 - Present
Co-developed and produced a weekly video and audio podcast from the ground up, managing everything from format design and episode editing to SEO, thumbnail creation, and multi-platform distribution across YouTube, Acast, Instagram, and TikTok. Built a custom Google Sheets analytics tracker to monitor performance across platforms and guide weekly content decisions. Set up and managed the show's newsletter infrastructure and early monetization groundwork, including email sequencing and audience capture flows. Grew the show to 20,000 TikTok followers (3M views), 1.5M Instagram views, and nearly 1,000 Spotify followers within nine months.
Head of Production at You and Me Media
March 1, 2025 - April 1, 2026
Oversaw production and post-production delivery for multiple concurrent client podcast shows, managing technical setup, editing coordination, and weekly release schedules. Clients included Female Founder World, Girls Gone Bible, Black Menswear, and a DEA-sponsored series (20 episodes produced in 3 days).
Broadcast Manager & Content Strategist at Zoe LA
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2025
Managed YouTube channel strategy, video production, and SEO across 100+ projects, maintaining a consistent weekly publishing cadence with long-form and short-form content. Implemented A/B testing on titles and thumbnails; built editorial calendars and content roadmaps to drive measurable improvements in retention and discoverability. Directed and edited music video "With Me" (45,000+ YouTube views) and music video for "Somebody", a Top 10 single on Billboard's Christian Hot AC/CHR National Airplay chart.
Film Editor at Richy Films
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022
Delivered editorial for Def Jam, Usher (Huluween vlog: 477K Instagram views, 42K likes), and Alessia Cara album promos (26K-34K YouTube views).

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Film / Cinema / Video Studies at New York Film Academy
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2021

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet
    Em on the Brain

    Manage end-to-end post-production and YouTube strategy for Planet Em, the channel of Emily McDonald (Emonthebrain), a neuroscientist and media personality with nearly 2M Instagram followers.
    Edit and deliver weekly long-form episodes; produce 5 short-form clips per episode (20/month) with platform-native captions, titles, and thumbnails written from scratch.
    Grew the primary YouTube channel to nearly 24,000 subscribers; scaled a second channel from 40K to 95K in under 3 months via a full strategy overhaul including title restructuring and SEO repositioning.
    Generated nearly 5M Instagram views with a single top Reel reaching 382,000. Applied A/B testing to titles and thumbnails to continuously improve click-through rate and discoverability.
    Conduct SEO research to identify high-demand, low-competition positioning in the wellness niche; develop optimized tag strategies and search-first title structures to surface content to cold audiences.