If you are spending more than 10 minutes creating a Short -> you’re doing it wrong. In 2026, content should generate itself. Let’s break it down step-by-step. 👇
1. The Foundation: Keys & Balance (The Money)
Before building, you need to "fuel" the machine.
• Claude API: Go to console.anthropic.com.
• Billing: Link your card and top up your balance (minimum $5). For Shorts, the Claude 3.5 Sonnet model is ideal -> it’s cheap and highly intelligent.
• API Keys: Click "Create Key" and save it. This is the "password" we will give to Make.com.
• InVideo AI: This is your editor. You’ll need the Plus plan ($20/mo) to get API access and remove watermarks.
2. The Connect: Linking Claude to Make.com
Make.com is the "glue." To get Claude working inside your automation:
1. Go to Make.com -> Scenarios -> Create new.
2. Click +, search for the Anthropic Claude module.
3. Select action: Create a Message.
4. In the Connection field, click "Add." Paste your API Key from the first step.
Done! Now Make can "ask" Claude to write anything.
3. Setting up the "Brain" (The Claude Prompt)
To prevent the automation from breaking, Claude must respond in a strict JSON format. Paste this code into the "User Message" field:
Important: {{topic}} is a variable that Make will pull from your Google Sheets.
4. Production: InVideo AI Turns Text into Video
After the Claude module in Make.com, add an HTTP Request module (if there is no direct InVideo module) or the official InVideo module.
• The Workflow: Pass the script and video_prompt from Claude into InVideo.
• The Magic: InVideo will automatically select stock footage, overlay subtitles, choose music, and generate a voiceover. You will receive a direct link to the .mp4 file.
5. Distribution: Auto-posting to YouTube Shorts
The final node in Make.com is the YouTube (Upload a Video) module.
• File: Insert the video link provided by InVideo.
• Title: Use the title from Claude’s response.
• Description: Insert the tags.
• CRITICAL: Set the Privacy Status to Private in the module settings. This allows you to log in during the evening, check 10 finished clips, and hit "Publish" yourself. This protects you from any potential AI errors.
6. Final Calculation (Costs vs. Profit)
• Make.com (Core): $9/mo.
• Claude API: ~$5 for 100 scripts.
• InVideo AI: $20/mo.
• TOTAL: ~$34/mo for a fully autonomous channel.
The Profit: One successful Short can bring in anywhere from $10 to $500 through affiliate programs or monetization. Scale this across 10 channels -> and you’re golden.
💡 For those who want to use 3 social networks at once:
Add a Router module in Make.com after Claude. Have it simultaneously send the script to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels. One script -> three traffic sources.
Thanks for reading the guide, bookmark it so you don't lose it 📝
