Lock your source templates
Keep two or three source photo setups that you know work: same distance, same light, same background. Re-shooting consistently removes the largest variable in the pipeline.
Build a naming convention
Name files so the settings are readable at a glance: source, template, attempt number, verdict. A folder of unidentified clips cannot be learned from.
Measure cost per kept clip weekly
Spend divided by kept clips, every week. The trend tells you whether your process is improving far more reliably than any single session feels.
Retire failing combinations
If a source and template pairing fails twice, delete it from the shortlist. A shortlist that only contains working combinations is worth more than a long list of possibilities.
Re-validate after updates
When a service announces a model change, re-run one known-good combination. If it still passes, your workflow survives. If it does not, your shortlist needs rebuilding, and you will know in one generation rather than ten.