Just a few tips for thumbnails.
1. Try using a different font, this one seems a bit too squeezed in. A few of my personal favorite are Bevan (the one in my signature), Obelix Pro, and Single Sleeve.
2. Would definitely use little to no bevel, it isn't really tasteful. Using it to this amount makes the text look weird.
3. Experiment with gradients to get a better idea of how to make the text less plain, even if just a little. Maybe try a slightly darker grey transitioning to white.
Hope that helps a little bit to improve, though this is all just my advice based on prior experience.