Reference · Cheat Sheet

Visual Checklist

From Lessons 14–15. The picture-side of the Stop signal — run every Reel, thumbnail and carousel past this before you post.

On-screen text (Reels)

One idea, few words — the first frame is the hook, not a sentence.
Readable on mute — assume the sound is off; the text must carry the hook alone.
High contrast — light-on-dark band (or vice versa), never grey-on-grey over your editor.
Big & in the safe zone — large on a phone, clear of the caption and UI at top/bottom.
On screen long enough — leave it up long enough to actually read.

Thumbnail checklist (YouTube)

Lever	The rule
Contrast	Pops at tiny size — bold colours, clear subject.
Big text	3–4 words max, legible on a phone.
One focal idea	Single image/point — never a collage.
Curiosity	Open a gap the title completes — don't repeat the title.
Team play	Title + thumbnail add different things; measured as CTR.

Carousel slide skeleton

Slide	Job
1	Hook — big text, one promise, a reason to swipe.
2–5	One value point per slide — a second idea is a second slide.
Last	CTA — one action: save, follow, or comment.

Caption rule of thumb First line = hook (all the feed shows before "…see more"). Short lines with white space. End on one CTA — a real question beats a dumped link.