TikTok Script

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:

• Write a script for a TikTok, Instagram Reel, or YouTube Short (15-90 seconds)
• Create a short-form video with a hook, body, and CTA
• Plan text overlays, transitions, and audio cues for vertical video
• Produce content designed for the short-form video algorithm

DO NOT use this skill for long-form YouTube videos, podcast scripts, or written content. This is for vertical short-form video (under 90 seconds).

Core Principle

YOU HAVE 1 SECOND TO STOP THE SCROLL AND 3 SECONDS TO KEEP THEM WATCHING — EVERY FRAME MUST EARN THE NEXT.

Phase 1: Brief

Required Inputs

GATE: Confirm brief before proceeding.

Phase 2: Outline

Script Structure

**Hook (0-3 sec):** [What stops the scroll]
**Setup (3-10 sec):** [Context — why should they care]
**Body (10-X sec):** [The value — what you're teaching or showing]
**Payoff (last 5 sec):** [The punchline, result, or key takeaway]
**CTA (final 2-3 sec):** [What to do next]

GATE: Approve structure before full script.

Phase 3: Write

Full Script Format

For each script, deliver these elements:

## [Video Title — internal reference only]

**Duration:** [X seconds]
**Format:** [talking head / tutorial / etc.]

### HOOK (0-3 seconds)
**On screen:** [What the viewer sees]
**Text overlay:** "[Exact text that appears on screen]"
**Audio:** [What the viewer hears — spoken words or sound]

### SETUP (3-10 seconds)
**On screen:** [Visual description]
**Spoken:** "[Exact words to say]"
**Text overlay:** "[Text if any]"

### BODY (10-X seconds)
**On screen:** [Visual description]
**Spoken:** "[Exact words to say]"
**Text overlay:** "[Key phrases that reinforce spoken words]"
**Transition:** [Cut, zoom, swipe — if any]

### PAYOFF (last 5 seconds)
**On screen:** [Visual description]
**Spoken:** "[Exact words]"
**Text overlay:** "[Key result or takeaway]"

### CTA (final 2-3 seconds)
**Spoken:** "[Exact CTA]"
**Text overlay:** "[CTA text]"

---

**Audio suggestion:** [Trending sound or music style recommendation]
**Hashtags:** [5-8 relevant hashtags]
**Caption:** [Short caption for the post]

Hook Formulas (use one per video)

• Curiosity gap: "Nobody talks about this, but..."
• Bold claim: "This one change doubled my [metric]"
• Pattern interrupt: Open with unexpected visual or sound
• Direct address: "If you're a [role] who struggles with [problem]..."
• Controversy: "Unpopular opinion: [contrarian take]"
• Result first: Show the end result, then explain how

Writing Rules

Phase 4: Polish

1. Script Checklist

## Video Script Checklist

- [ ] Hook stops the scroll in under 3 seconds
- [ ] Spoken word count matches target duration (~2.5 words/sec)
- [ ] Text overlays are 3-7 words each (readable at a glance)
- [ ] One clear topic per video
- [ ] CTA is specific and appears on screen
- [ ] Script reads naturally when spoken aloud
- [ ] At least one retention trigger mid-video
- [ ] Audio/sound suggestion included
- [ ] Hashtags are relevant (5-8)
- [ ] Caption complements but does not repeat the video content

2. Repurposing Notes

Provide brief notes on adapting the script for each platform:

• TikTok: trending sound integration, stitch/duet opportunities
• Instagram Reels: cover image suggestion, Stories cross-promotion
• YouTube Shorts: thumbnail suggestion, end screen prompt

3. Posting Notes

• Best times vary by platform — test and iterate
• Post consistently (3-5x per week minimum for growth)
• Engage with comments in the first hour

Example: "3 Invoice Tricks That Get You Paid Faster" (30-second talking head)

### HOOK (0-3 sec)
**On screen:** Close-up, direct eye contact
**Text overlay:** "Getting paid late? Try this"
**Spoken:** "If clients always pay you late, you're making one of these three mistakes."

### SETUP (3-8 sec)
**Spoken:** "I used to chase payments for weeks. Then I changed three things on my invoices and now I get paid within 5 days."
**Text overlay:** "Went from 30+ days to under 5"

### BODY (8-25 sec)
**Spoken:** "Number one — add a due date in bold at the top, not buried in fine print. Number two — include a late fee line even if you never charge it. Number three — send the invoice the second the work is done, not at end of month."
**Text overlays:** "1. Bold due date" / "2. Late fee line" / "3. Send immediately"

### PAYOFF (25-28 sec)
**Spoken:** "That's it. Three changes, paid in five days."
**Text overlay:** "Paid in 5 days"

### CTA (28-30 sec)
**Spoken:** "Follow for more freelance money tips."
**Text overlay:** "Follow for more"

Anti-Patterns

• Slow hooks — if the first 3 seconds are throat-clearing ("Hey guys, so today I want to talk about..."), viewers are gone.
• Reading a script robotically — write for spoken delivery. Use contractions, fragments, and natural rhythm.
• Too much text on screen — if a viewer has to pause to read, the text is too long. Keep overlays to 3-7 words.
• Multiple topics in one video — one video, one idea. Save additional points for a series.
• No visual variety — a static talking head for 60 seconds without cuts, zooms, or b-roll loses attention fast.
• Burying the value — do not spend 20 seconds on setup for a 30-second video. Get to the point.

Recovery

• No on-camera confidence: Suggest text-on-screen format with voiceover or trending audio instead.
• Topic too complex for 30 seconds: Split into a 3-part series or extend to 60 seconds with faster pacing.
• No trending audio ideas: Default to trending "original sound" formats or upbeat royalty-free background music.
• Script feels stiff: Read it aloud. Replace any phrase you would not say in a real conversation.
• Video underperforming: Suggest testing 3 different hooks for the same content — the hook determines 80% of performance.