What makes influencer automation more than a scheduler is what happens before the video: Sam researches the topic on the web, keeps the sources, links each point to a source and gives you the source list with the video. This guide explains how to steer that with a guideline and what to check before you approve. Setup is covered in the automation setup guide.
What does a run look like?
- Queued: the scheduled time arrives; plan, monthly cap and balance are checked.
- Sam is researching: Sam picks a topic that has not been covered, searches the web and writes a short research summary with points and sources.
- Preparing storyboard: the research becomes a script and storyboard, using your video settings and narrative pattern.
- Waiting for your approval (in "Show me first" mode), or straight to production in fully automatic mode.
- In production, then Delivered to your library and, if you chose it, by email.
How do I write a good guideline?
A guideline describes the path Sam should follow every time, in up to 1,500 characters. Good guidelines say what to choose, what to find out and how to present it:
- "Each video, pick one productivity app, research it and present 3 or 4 of its features with sources. End with who it is best for."
- "Pick a common coffee myth and test it against at least two sources. Say clearly what is true, what is false and what is uncertain."
- "Summarise one development from the last month in home energy saving. Explain what it means for a household in plain words."
Be specific about the audience and the tone, and say what to avoid. If you leave the guideline empty, Sam follows your industry, brand details and narrative pattern.
How are sources checked?
Sam searches the web and keeps only sources whose addresses actually came back from the search, so made-up links are dropped. Each point in the research must be linked to at least one of those sources; points without a source are removed. If fewer than two verified sources are found, Sam tries once more; if it still cannot find them, the run fails and its tokens are refunded in full. For each source you see the title, publisher, publication date where available and the date it was accessed.
Sources make content easier to check, not automatically correct. A source can be out of date or wrong, and a summary can miss nuance. Open the sources that matter before you approve, especially for prices, numbers and anything recent.
What do I see before approving?
In "Show me first" mode you get an email and an in-app item with the topic, title, research summary, script, storyboard, source list, caption, hashtag suggestions and the estimated cost. You can:
- Approve and produce: the video is made.
- Edit storyboard: change lines or shots first, then approve.
- Skip this video: nothing is produced. The research and storyboard fee is not refunded.
The last approval date is shown; after 7 days an unapproved video is skipped.
Sensitive topics
When a topic touches health, finance or law, Sam avoids definitive claims and advice (no diagnoses, no investment advice, no legal opinions) and adds a short disclaimer, which is shown with the video and in the delivery email. This reduces risk but does not replace your own review or professional advice.
Real brands and products
Videos may name real products and apps, for example in a Showcase pattern. Logos and copies of real interfaces are not drawn. If the product is not your own brand, a not-sponsored note is added, and you should keep it when you publish. If you want your own app on screen, add screenshots in the video settings; screen shots show them exactly.
What is delivered?
Each finished video is saved to your library with the label "Automation name · title". The delivery email contains a cover image, the title, a caption, hashtag suggestions, the source list (title, publisher, date and link), any notes such as the not-sponsored note or a disclaimer, and a download link valid for 7 days. Nothing is attached and nothing is posted for you.
What does research cost?
Research and storyboard are charged by actual usage: an estimate is taken when the step starts and the unused part is returned. The rest of the run costs the same as the same video in the Long video tab. The automation shows an estimate per video and per month.
Frequently asked
Can I add the sources to the video itself? The source list comes with the caption and the delivery email so you can add it to your post. If you want a source mention on screen, write it into a line or the end card when you edit the storyboard.
Will Sam repeat a topic? No. Sam keeps a memory of the topics the automation has already covered, including runs still in progress, and picks a new one each time.
Can I write the guideline in my own language? Yes. Sam reads it in any of the six interface languages and writes the script in the character's language.