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How to Get AI to Do What You Want

Learn how to write effective prompts that give you the exact results you're looking for

Writing good prompts is the key to getting the exact thumbnails you want. This guide shows you how to structure your prompts for better results.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Vague References

Bad: "Replace the logo on the right with image one"

The AI doesn't know exactly which element you mean by "on the right".

Good: "Replace the orange logo with Image 1 (the blue logo)"

Adding parentheses to explain what the image is helps the AI understand your intent.

Unnecessary Instructions

Don't say: "Replace the character on the left with Alex"

This is already handled by selecting your Person. The AI will automatically use your selected person's face.

Ambiguous Descriptions

Bad: "Remove the hand at the bottom left"

Which hand? Be specific about the exact element.

Good: "Remove the left hand pointing at the logo"

How to Write Better Prompts

1. Reference Images Clearly

When using uploaded images, always clarify what they are:

Replace the orange logo with Image 1 (the blue logo)

The parentheses help ensure the AI understands what Image 1 represents.

2. Be Specific About Elements

Name colors, positions, and descriptions clearly:

  • "Remove the yellow title" (not just "remove the title")
  • "Put a dark blue checkered background" (not just "blue background")
  • "Add a red YouTube-style arrow pointing to the logo"

3. Describe Changes One by One

Structure your prompt as a list of clear changes:

Replace the orange logo with Image 1 (the blue logo).
Remove the yellow title.
Remove the crown.
Put a dark blue checkered background.
Add a red YouTube-style arrow pointing to the blue logo (Image 1).

4. Use Consistent Naming

If you reference something multiple times, use the same name:

...pointing to the blue logo (Image 1)

Referencing "Image 1" and "the blue logo" together helps the AI stay consistent.

Expect Iteration

The more changes you request, the harder it is to get perfect results on the first try.

Why? AI is random by nature. Each generation is slightly different.

Strategy:

  1. Start with fewer changes to validate the approach
  2. Add more specific instructions based on results
  3. Generate multiple variations
  4. Edit the best result to refine details

Example Workflow

Starting prompt:

Replace the orange logo with Image 1 (the blue logo).
Remove the yellow title.

After first result, refine:

Replace the orange logo with Image 1 (the blue logo).
Remove the yellow title.
Remove the crown.
Put a dark blue grid background.
Remove the left hand pointing at the logo.
Add a red YouTube-style arrow pointing to Image 1.

Tips for Better Results

  • Fewer changes = more accurate results
  • Use colors and positions to identify elements
  • Explain your images in parentheses
  • Don't repeat system behavior (like asking to use your selected person)
  • Iterate and refine rather than expecting perfection on the first try

Using Reference Images (Objects and Logos)

The "Images" section in the editor lets you upload extra images to include in your thumbnails. These can be logos, products, icons, screenshots, or any object you want the AI to incorporate.

How It Works

  1. Upload images - Click "Add Image" or paste directly into the prompt textarea
  2. Auto-analysis - Each image is analyzed and gets a description
  3. Name your images - Double-click the name to rename (e.g., "Blue Logo", "Product Shot")
  4. Reference in prompts - Use the image name in your prompt with parentheses

Referencing Images in Your Prompt

When you upload images, they're labeled as "Image 1", "Image 2", etc. Reference them clearly:

Replace the phone with Image 1 (the Cursor logo)
Add Image 2 (the MacBook) in the bottom right corner

The parentheses help the AI understand what each image represents.

Best Practices for Reference Images

Do:

  • Give images descriptive names (rename "Image 1" to "Blue Logo")
  • Explain what the image is in parentheses
  • Use high-quality, clean images
  • Upload images with transparent backgrounds when possible

Don't:

  • Upload blurry or low-resolution images
  • Use overly complex images with many elements
  • Reference images without clarifying what they are

Image Limits

There's a maximum of 10 total images across all sources:

  • Person images
  • Inspiration images
  • Uploaded reference images
  • Editing image (when editing a thumbnail)

Reusing Images

Your uploaded images are saved to your gallery. When creating new thumbnails, you can select previously uploaded images instead of re-uploading them.

Next Steps

Edit ThumbnailsHow to Use Images