Trade-off triangle
The classic 'pick two' triangle: three things the reader wants at the corners as big filled circles, a dashed triangle between them, numbered markers on each side and a legend saying what each pair costs. Makes a trade-off the post explains impossible to argue with.
When the AI picks it
MarketiQ’s Creative Director favours the Trade-off triangle for posts that teach or start a conversation, when the message is a contrast (this, not that), one sharp insight or a side-by-side comparison. It is built first to teach.
It reads each post’s goal and shape first, then its own words, the platform and the facts you have, and offers this template only where it fits.
Who it’s for
Any business. Nothing in it assumes what you sell, so the Director can offer it to a software company, a café or a coaching centre alike — whenever the post fits.
Platforms and sizes
| Size | Where |
|---|---|
| 4:51080 × 1350 px | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, Reddit |
| 1:11080 × 1080 px | Ads |
| 9:161080 × 1920 px | TikTok |
| 2:31000 × 1500 px | |
| 1.91:11200 × 628 px | Newsletter, Blog |
| 16:91600 × 900 px | X, YouTube |
Single image. Each size is laid out for its canvas, not cropped; the sample above is the 4:5 version.
What it needs
Only your post. It is made from your copy and your brand kit — there is nothing else to prepare.
Rules the AI follows
Word for word from the template library. The Director follows the copy rules when it writes into the template, and the visual review checks every creative against the visual rules.
Copy rules
- Every label is the post's own idea in a few words; diagrams carry no number, name or result the post does not.
- Corners are one or two words each; each pair line names the two corners and what it costs.
Visual rules
- A dashed triangle on a pale brand fill with three large filled circles at its corners (brand, deep brand, night) carrying the corner names; numbered markers on the sides.
- A legend of the numbered pair outcomes between hairlines below (beside, in square and landscape); kicker and logo on top, the headline large, the website (and call to action) in the foot row.
More Playbooks & explainers templates
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Field guide
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House rules
The post's rules as an enamel 'house rules' sign screwed to the wall: a deep brand plate with a double rim, four screws, the title in big condensed capitals and numbered…
Worked example
A worked example on graph paper, written by hand: the situation the post describes, the steps circled and numbered, and the answer in a hand-drawn box.
Make a Trade-off triangle with your brand.
MarketiQ writes the post, picks the template that carries it best — this one, when it fits — and fills it with your logo, colours, facts and copy.