--- name: caption-pack description: Generate platform-optimized captions and hashtag sets for a piece of content. Different lengths, different voices, platform-specific conventions for IG, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube Shorts. --- # Caption Pack Same content + same caption everywhere = mediocre engagement on everywhere. This skill writes platform-specific captions, each tuned to that platform's culture and length conventions. ## Instructions for Claude ### Step 1: Gather Inputs Ask for: 1. **Content** — what's the post? (Paste the script, describe the video, or summarize the carousel) 2. **Platforms** — which ones? (default: all) 3. **CTA** — what should the viewer do? 4. **Voice profile** (optional) — load a saved brand voice if mentioned 5. **Audience** (optional) — who's this for? Helps tune hashtags and tone ### Step 2: Identify the Single Most Quotable Line Before writing platform-specific captions, extract the ONE line from the content that would stop a scroll. This becomes the core of every caption — re-framed per platform. Display: ``` **The line I'm building captions around**: "[line]" If this isn't the right line, tell me which is. ``` ### Step 3: Generate Platform-Specific Captions #### Instagram (post or Reel) ``` ## Instagram caption **[Hook line — usually the quotable line, or a curiosity-gap reframe]** [1–3 short paragraphs separated by blank lines.] [Build with line breaks — IG truncates after ~125 chars; the hook line must do its job before "more".] [Optional: a list of 2–4 short bullet points or short lines.] [CTA paragraph — one short line.] . . . #hashtag1 #hashtag2 #hashtag3 [...8–15 total] ``` **IG hashtag strategy**: 8–15 hashtags. Mix of: - 2–3 broad (millions of posts) - 4–6 medium (10k–500k posts) - 3–6 niche (under 10k) Place hashtags at the bottom with `.` line breaks above them, OR in the first comment. Don't pepper them through the caption. --- #### TikTok caption ``` ## TikTok caption [1–2 sentences max. The first 3–5 words must hook because TikTok cuts off captions hard.] [Optional: 1 short CTA line.] #hashtag1 #hashtag2 #hashtag3 [3–5 total] ``` **TikTok hashtag strategy**: 3–5 hashtags. Keep it focused. Trending hashtags only if genuinely relevant — TikTok algo punishes irrelevant trends. --- #### LinkedIn caption / post ``` ## LinkedIn post [Hook line — story-open or contrarian usually outperforms] [Empty line] [Setup paragraph — 2–4 sentences. Specific, narrative, first-person.] [Empty line] [Body — could be short paragraphs OR a 3–7 line bulleted/numbered list. Don't mix without reason.] [Empty line] [Lesson / takeaway — 1–2 lines] [Empty line] [Final line — often a question that invites comments, OR a single-line CTA] [0 hashtags, OR 3 max — appended at the end on their own line] ``` **LinkedIn hashtag strategy**: 0 or 3 max. The algorithm doesn't reward stuffing. Use #ContentMarketing #BuildInPublic #SaaS — broad professional tags only. **LinkedIn length**: ~600–1300 chars is the sweet spot. Too short = low dwell. Too long = "see more" cuts off. --- #### X / Twitter ``` ## X / Twitter (single tweet) [≤240 chars. The tweet IS the caption. No hashtags.] ``` **If a thread is more appropriate**: ``` ## X / Twitter (thread) **Tweet 1** (hook): [≤240 chars] **Tweet 2**: [≤240 chars] [... 3–7 tweets total] ``` **X hashtag strategy**: 0 hashtags by default. They reduce engagement on X. Exception: a single, branded, or live-event hashtag is fine. --- #### YouTube Shorts ``` ## YouTube Shorts caption [2–3 sentences. More descriptive than TikTok — YT is a search platform, so include searchable language.] [CTA line.] #hashtag1 #hashtag2 #hashtag3 [3–5 total, plus #shorts] ``` **YouTube hashtag strategy**: Include `#shorts` always. 3–5 other hashtags. Searchable keywords matter more than trends here. --- ### Step 4: Output Group all captions in a single output, clearly labeled per platform: ```markdown # Caption pack **Content**: [1-line description] **Quotable line**: "[the line]" **Voice profile**: [name or "default"] --- ## Instagram [caption] --- ## TikTok [caption] --- ## LinkedIn [caption] --- ## X / Twitter [caption] --- ## YouTube Shorts [caption] --- ## Notes - [Any platform-specific note — e.g., "LinkedIn version emphasizes the lesson; TikTok version emphasizes the moment"] - [Hashtag rationale if non-obvious] ``` ## Hard Rules 1. **Different captions per platform.** Don't paste the same caption across platforms. If a platform's caption could be lifted to another, you haven't done the work. 2. **Honor character / length norms.** - IG: long-ish OK, but hook in first 125 chars - TikTok: 1–2 sentences max - LinkedIn: 600–1300 chars - X: ≤240 per tweet - YouTube Shorts: 2–3 sentences 3. **Hashtag conventions per platform** (see strategies above). Don't stuff hashtags on LinkedIn or X. Don't under-tag on IG. 4. **Use the voice profile** if loaded. Apply tone, sentence patterns, vocabulary signatures. 5. **Don't fabricate details.** If the user said the video is about "switching from Webflow", don't invent a specific dollar amount they saved unless they told you. 6. **CTAs must be specific.** "Like and follow" is dead. "Comment 'starter pack' for the Notion template" or "Save this for later — you'll forget" works. ## Voice Profile Loading If user mentions a saved voice (e.g., "in my mintlooks voice"): ```bash cat .claude/brand-voices/[brand].md 2>/dev/null || cat ~/.claude/brand-voices/[brand].md ``` Apply the voice across all platforms. The voice's rules don't change per platform — only the format does. ## Error Handling **Content description too vague:** ``` "My new video" isn't enough to write captions around. Tell me: - The hook (what's said first) - The core idea (what the viewer learns / feels) - One specific moment or detail I'll write platform-specific captions from there. ``` **User wants the same caption everywhere:** ``` You can do that — but you'll lose engagement. Each platform's audience expects different framing. Want me to: 1. Generate one caption you can paste everywhere (lower performance) 2. Generate platform-specific captions (recommended) ``` ## Integration with Other Skills - **Before**: `/repurpose-planner` to plan the actual content per platform — captions follow naturally - **Voice**: `/brand-voice` to load the brand profile