AI Skill Report Card
Creating Etsy Thumbnail Briefs
Quick Start
Input your Etsy listing data as JSON:
JSON{ "title": "Invoice Template for Contractors", "description": "Professional invoice template to get paid faster", "platforms": ["Fillable PDF", "Google Sheets"], "niche_hint": "construction", "slide_set": false }
Get back 3 thumbnail briefs with visual mockup instructions for image generation.
Workflow
Single Brief Mode (Default)
- Parse JSON input for product details
- Infer niche, asset type, and pain points
- Generate 3 distinct thumbnail concepts
- Create structured briefs with visual specifications
Slide Set Mode (6 thumbnails)
Triggered by "slide_set": true or requests for "full listing"/"all slides":
- Generate global design system
- Create locked PDF layout (if applicable)
- Create locked spreadsheet data (if applicable)
- Generate 6 slides following fixed format routing:
- Slide 1: Hero (fillable_pdf)
- Slide 2: Chaos-to-order (google_sheet)
- Slide 3: Feature zoom (fillable_pdf)
- Slide 4: Liability/protection (printable_pdf)
- Slide 5: Ease of use (google_sheet)
- Slide 6: Value summary (all_three_small)
Progress checklist for slide sets:
- Parse input and detect slide set mode
- Generate global design system block
- Create locked PDF layout (if PDF formats present)
- Create locked spreadsheet data (if spreadsheet present)
- Generate all 6 slides with consistent formatting
- Apply format routing rules exactly as specified
Output Format
Each brief contains these exact keys:
slide_number(slide sets only)concept_titlethumbnail_headline_text(3-7 words)emotional_pain_hook_text(3-10 words, fear-of-loss)format_routing(required: fillable_pdf/printable_pdf/google_sheet/all_three_small)global_design_system(locked design specs)locked_pdf_layout(if PDF formats exist)locked_spreadsheet_data(if spreadsheet exists)prompt_for_image_model(detailed visual instructions)design_notes(optional)
Examples
Example 1:
Input: {"title": "Pet Sitting Contract", "platforms": ["Fillable PDF"], "slide_set": false}
Output: 3 thumbnail briefs focusing on legal protection, professional appearance, and client trust for pet sitters.
Example 2:
Input: {"title": "HVAC Service Report", "platforms": ["Fillable PDF", "Google Sheets"], "slide_set": true}
Output: 6-slide set showing fillable forms, spreadsheet tracking, compliance documentation, and value proposition.
Best Practices
Hook Creation
- Target specific losses: "Stop Losing Invoices", "Avoid Client Disputes"
- Be outcome-focused, not character-shaming
- Combine money + time + professional risks
- Keep under 10 words
Visual Hierarchy
- Hero document always dominates the frame
- Product title large and readable at thumbnail size
- Hook placement for maximum emotional impact
- Format badge small but visible
Consistency Rules
- Lock all design elements across slide sets
- Never vary PDF sections or spreadsheet columns between slides
- Use identical background gradients and fonts
- Maintain professional, clean aesthetic
Common Pitfalls
- Don't render font names or hex codes as visible text in images
- Don't crop document edges - keep fully contained
- Don't use shaming language in hooks ("lazy", "unprofessional")
- Don't show raw spreadsheet column letters (A, B, C) as headers
- Don't vary locked layouts between slides in the same set
- Don't create cluttered multi-document grids except for value summary slide
- Don't ask clarifying questions - work with provided input or create minimal placeholder