# Screenshot optimization Human Guide

## What This Is For
When the user wants to design, optimize, or evaluate App Store screenshots and preview videos. It gives the agent a clearer input/output frame for screenshot optimization: what context to ask for, what decisions to make, and what usable artifact to return.

Use this as a human-readable version of the Screenshot optimization agent skill. It is meant for marketers, operators, founders, and other non-coders who want the workflow without reading agent-specific implementation instructions.

## When To Use This
- Use this when you need a repeatable process for screenshot optimization.
- Use this when the task needs judgment, examples, constraints, or a clear output format rather than a one-off prompt.
- Use this when you want to hand an AI assistant enough context to produce a usable marketing artifact.

## When Not To Use This
- Do not use this when you only need a quick factual answer.
- Do not use this when the work depends on private data you cannot share with the assistant.
- Do not use this as a replacement for legal, compliance, financial, or medical review.

## What You Need Before Starting
- The goal or business outcome you want.
- The audience, customer segment, or market context.
- Any source material the assistant should respect, such as notes, briefs, examples, URLs, or brand guidance.
- Constraints such as tone, length, channel, deadline, region, or approval requirements.
- A clear definition of what a good final answer should look like.

## Step-By-Step Workflow
1. State the job clearly: "Use the Screenshot optimization guide to help me with..."
2. Add context: audience, goal, offer, channel, source material, and constraints.
3. Ask the assistant to identify missing inputs before producing the final output.
4. Have the assistant follow the skill-specific guidance below.
5. Review the result against the final checklist and ask for revisions where needed.

## Skill-Specific Guidance
- Check for `app-marketing-context.md` — read it for positioning and audience
- Ask for the **App ID** (to see current screenshots)
- Ask for **target audience** — who is browsing the App Store for this?
- Ask for **top 3 features** they want to highlight
- Ask if they have a **designer** or need guidance for DIY
- "Does this solve my problem?" (first screenshot)
- "Is it easy to use?" (UI clarity)
- "Is it worth downloading?" (social proof, quality signals)
- **Benefit headline + key UI** — "Sleep Better Tonight" + sleep tracking screen
- **Before/After** — Show the transformation
- **Social proof + UI** — "5M+ users trust us" + main screen
- **Problem statement** — "Tired of [problem]?" + solution screen

## Decision Points And Nuance
The original skill emphasizes: Initial Assessment, Screenshot Psychology, Screenshot Strategy Framework, Slot 1: The Hook, Slots 2-3: Core Value, Slots 4-7: Feature Showcase, Slots 8-9: Trust & Differentiation, Slot 10: Call to Action, Design Best Practices, Text Overlays.

Use these questions to steer the work:
- What is the intended audience or buyer?
- What source material must be preserved?
- What should the assistant optimize for: clarity, persuasion, accuracy, speed, creativity, or conversion?
- What examples represent the desired quality bar?
- What should the assistant avoid?

## Common Mistakes
- The first screenshot is the most important. It should answer "What does this app do and why should I care?"

## Copy-And-Paste Prompt
```text
Use the Screenshot optimization human guide.

My goal:
[Describe the business outcome]

Audience:
[Describe who this is for]

Context and source material:
[Paste notes, examples, links, or existing copy]

Constraints:
[Tone, length, channel, timeline, must-include items, must-avoid items]

Before producing the final output, ask me for any missing information that would materially improve the result.
```

## Final Checklist
- [ ] The output matches the original goal.
- [ ] The audience and context are reflected in the answer.
- [ ] Important constraints and source material were preserved.
- [ ] The assistant made the relevant decisions explicit.
- [ ] The final artifact is ready to use, review, or hand to the next person.

## Source
This guide was generated from the eronred/aso-skills skill entry for `screenshot-optimization`.

## Source Skill Notes
These notes preserve the nuance from the original skill. Use them as supporting reference when the workflow above feels too generic.

# Screenshot Optimization

You are an expert in App Store creative optimization with deep knowledge of what converts browsers into downloaders. Your goal is to help the user design screenshots that maximize conversion rate.

## Initial Assessment

1. Check for `app-marketing-context.md` — read it for positioning and audience
2. Ask for the **App ID** (to see current screenshots)
3. Ask for **target audience** — who is browsing the App Store for this?
4. Ask for **top 3 features** they want to highlight
5. Ask if they have a **designer** or need guidance for DIY

## Screenshot Psychology

Users spend **3-6 seconds** on a product page before deciding. The first 3 screenshots (visible without scrolling) determine 80% of the conversion decision.

**What users look for:**
1. "Does this solve my problem?" (first screenshot)
2. "Is it easy to use?" (UI clarity)
3. "Is it worth downloading?" (social proof, quality signals)

## Screenshot Strategy Framework

### Slot 1: The Hook

The first screenshot is the most important. It should answer "What does this app do and why should I care?"

**Effective patterns:**
- **Benefit headline + key UI** — "Sleep Better Tonight" + sleep tracking screen
- **Before/After** — Show the transformation
- **Social proof + UI** — "5M+ users trust us" + main screen
- **Problem statement** — "Tired of [problem]?" + solution screen

**Avoid:**
- Generic "Welcome to [App]" screens
- Login/signup screens
- Settings or menu screens

### Slots 2-3: Core Value

Show the 2 most compelling features with benefit-driven captions.

### Slots 4-7: Feature Showcase

Each screenshot = one feature with a clear benefit headline.

**Formula:** `[Benefit Headline] + [Feature UI] + [Supporting Detail]`

### Slots 8-9: Trust & Differentiation

- Awards, press mentions, ratings
- Comparison with alternatives
- Premium/unique features

### Slot 10: Call to Action

- "Start your free trial"
- "Join [X] million users"
- Recap of key benefits

## Design Best Practices

### Text Overlays

| Do | Don't |
|----|-------|
| Benefit-driven headlines | Feature names ("Push Notifications") |
| 4-6 words per headline | Long paragraphs |
| Large, readable font (min 60px) | Small text that's unreadable |
| High contrast text | Text over busy backgrounds |
| Consistent font and style | Mixed fonts and sizes |

### Visual Design

| Do | Don't |
|----|-------|
| Clean, uncluttered UI | Busy screens with too much data |
| Consistent color scheme | Clashing colors |
| Modern device frames (or frameless) | Outdated device frames |
| Real app content (not lorem ipsum) | Placeholder or empty states |