Call Summary: Substack Thumbnail Tool Requirements

Overview

Brief technical call with Benjamin Kanas (Really American's Substack writer) to discuss adapting Gary's thumbnail generator for Substack use cases. Benjamin provided specific requirements that differ from the YouTube version shown to Justin.

Key Topics Discussed

Substack vs YouTube Thumbnail Differences

• Aspect ratio: Similar to YouTube thumbnails
• Messaging approach: Similar overall goals
• Key difference: YouTube version has side panels for multiple topics per story; Substack typically focuses on one main story (occasionally 2-3)
• Benjamin noted: "I really like how you guys do the side panels... For Substack though it's usually like one main focus"

Requested Features

• Simpler than YouTube version: Single image focus, no side panels
• Image input options: Upload one picture OR generate from description alone
• Optional caption: Word or short phrase overlay
• Core use case: "Basically put Trump's face on something like looking angry and like a caption"
• Benjamin emphasized: "The original version was like exactly what would be super helpful to me"

Example Use Case

• Story headline: "DOJ is preparing to open the Epstein file vault"
• Desired thumbnail: "Trump and Epstein sitting next to each other opening a vault together"
• Goal: On-brand with Really American, keeps narrative, looks professionally crafted
• Benjamin: "When someone on Substack sees that... it's like oh this is really cool like someone obviously put work into this"

Current Pain Point

• Benjamin currently creates thumbnails manually without AI
• Sees AI tool as "huge level up"
• Tried current version but side panels didn't fit Substack format

Action Items

• Gary to build simplified version for Substack (single image + optional caption)
• Gary to text Benjamin directly when ready to test (Benjamin not active on Slack)
• Timeline: After Gary's weekend travel

Key Quotes

• "I've been trying to make my own captions and my own thumbnails and I just like I'm not doing anything AI related, but I think it would be a huge level up"
• "It looks better than just like what we're able to find on the Internet"
• On communication: "I'm not on the Slack super much... just text me... I kind of separated from Slack just cause like I'm not doing video editing and stuff"