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Write a thumbnail prompt with one short headline

  • For Freelancers and creators
  • You practice Setting limits and rules
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

You make budget-cooking videos and want ChatGPT to generate the thumbnail for your next upload. Get Claude to write one paste-ready image prompt as 5 labeled lines (Subject, Composition, Text, Style, Avoid), plain text, under 130 words. It must say 16:9 with the subject on the left and the headline on the right third, use exactly the headline "$25 FOR 7 DAYS" and no other words, and end with the Avoid line, which rules out real or famous people and store or product logos.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Letting the AI pick the headline. The AI copies the long video title or stacks a second line, which gets cut off on phones. Try: Add: "The only text in the image is exactly $25 FOR 7 DAYS. No other words."
  • No layout. Without a layout, the subject lands in the middle and the text covers it, or the YouTube timestamp hides it. Try: Add: "16:9. Subject on the left, headline on the right third."
  • Taking the comments' advice. The AI happily adds the famous chef's face and the store logo, which you can't use. Try: Add a last line: "Avoid: real or famous people, store or product logos."
  • Getting an essay with headings. The AI explains thumbnail psychology with bold headings instead of giving you a prompt. Try: Add: "Output only the 5 labeled lines, plain text, no notes."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. Each line grows into a paragraph unless you cap it. Try: Add: "Each line under 20 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Sets the size
  • Gives the exact headline
  • Says where things go
  • Lists what to avoid
  • Asks for labeled lines

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