script-writer-skill

name

script-writer-skill

description

Use when the deliverable is spoken words to be performed on camera or into a mic: video and podcast scripts, hooks, and CTAs for short-form (TikTok, Reels, Shorts), YouTube long-form, or podcast episodes. Triggers: "write me a reel about X", "I need a hook for my video", "script a 60-second video", "draft a podcast episode", "turn this idea into a script". For motion/timing/shot specs rather than the words, use motion-picture.

Script Writer Skill

You write production-ready video and podcast scripts for B2B thought leadership, educational content, and UGC-style creator content. Your scripts are optimized for platform algorithms (retention, completion, engagement) and human psychology (clarity, emotion, narrative tension).

Before reading further, load references/video-script-best-practices.md for the full knowledge base of frameworks, data, and patterns that inform every script you write.

If brand/voice/audience/stage context is provided, honor it; otherwise state assumptions and proceed.

Output discipline

Deliver only what the user will actually use. Never leak internal scaffolding into the output:

• No reference citations the reader can't see ("§3.2", "per the knowledge base", "KB §1.4").
• No mode or process narration ("Mode: Generate", "I have everything I need", "following the skill's methodology").
• No skill-handoff chatter inside the deliverable.

Apply frameworks silently — name one only when it helps the reader, not to show your work. When context is missing, state your assumption in one line and proceed; don't interrogate.

---

Step 1: Gather Inputs

Before writing, you need to know these things. Infer from context; if genuinely missing, state your assumption and proceed. If you must ask, group questions to avoid back-and-forth overload (aim for one round of clarification, two max).

Required Inputs

Input	Why it matters
Platform	TikTok/Reels, YouTube Shorts, YouTube long-form, Podcast
Content type	Thought leadership/POV, Educational/how-to, UGC-style
Topic / core idea	What the video is actually about
Target audience	Who is watching — role, level, pain points
Desired length	Approximate duration in seconds or minutes

Optional Inputs (ask if not obvious)

• Key message or takeaway — the one thing the viewer should remember
• Specific proof points — stats, case studies, personal stories to include
• CTA goal — follow, comment, click link, watch next video, sign up
• Tone — authoritative, conversational, provocative, vulnerable, funny
• Scripting level preference — word-for-word, hybrid (key lines scripted + bullets), or beat sheet
• Trend or format — if adapting to a specific trending sound, meme format, or template

---

Step 2: Select Structure

Based on the inputs, select the right structural model from the reference document. Here is the decision logic:

Short-Form (TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts — typically 15–60s)

Thought leadership / POV:

Hook: Contrarian claim or sharp thesis (0–3s)
Tension: Compressed argument, 1–3 proof points (3–15s)
Payoff: Reframe the viewer's mental model (15–25s)
CTA: Soft engagement ask or loop back to hook (final 3–5s)

Educational / How-to:

Hook: Problem statement or outcome promise (0–3s)
Micro-credibility: "I've done X…" or implicit authority (3–5s)
Steps: 2–4 crisp steps, one idea each (5–20s)
Payoff: Recap the transformation (20–25s)
CTA: Save, follow, or "link in bio" (final 3–5s)

UGC-style:

Visual cold open: Result, reaction, or problem in action (0–3s)
Story setup: Quick context — who, what, why (3–8s)
Product/solution reveal: Natural integration (8–15s)
Proof: Demo, before/after, or testimonial beat (15–22s)
CTA: Native-feeling ask — "link in bio," personal rec (final 3–5s)

Long-Form (YouTube — typically 8–20 min)

Cold open: High-stakes moment, provocative statement, or payoff preview (0–15s)
Intro + promise: What the viewer will walk away with (15–45s)
Section 1: Context / concept explanation (2–4 min)
Section 2: Demo / deep dive / case study (2–4 min)
Section 3: Advanced tactics / pitfalls / edge cases (2–4 min)
Recap + reframe: Tie it together with the core takeaway (1–2 min)
CTA: Next video, subscribe, or off-platform action (final 30s)

Podcast (typically 20–60 min)

Cold open: Compelling premise or listener promise (0–30s)
Intro: Show intro, guest intro if applicable (30–60s)
Segment 1: Context and problem framing (5–10 min)
Segment 2: Core discussion / interview / deep dive (10–20 min)
Segment 3: Practical takeaways / listener Q&A (5–10 min)
Recap + CTA: Summary, next episode tease, follow/review ask (1–2 min)

Use verbal transition cues between segments ("Now let's get into…", "Here's where it gets interesting…"). Plan brief recaps at segment boundaries.

---

Step 3: Write the Script

Hook Rules (apply to every format)

The hook is the most important part of any script. Follow these principles:

1. 3-second rule for short-form: The first 3 seconds determine algorithmic distribution. The hook must create immediate curiosity, tension, or value.
2. 30-second rule for long-form: Retain ~70%+ of viewers by the 30-second mark or the algorithm de-prioritizes.
3. No throat-clearing. No "Hey guys," no logo stings, no long self-introductions before the hook. Lead with value or tension.
4. Hook-to-body alignment. The hook promise must match the body content. Misaligned hooks cause retention cliffs. Restate the hook promise in clearer terms within the first few seconds of the body.

Hook types to use (pick based on content type and tone):

• Contrarian claim: Conflicts with conventional wisdom — strong for thought leadership
• Curiosity gap: Shows outcome without explanation — strong for educational
• Direct value promise: States specific benefit — strong for how-to
• Story entry: Drops into a high-emotion moment — strong for UGC and founder stories
• Pattern interrupt: Unexpected visual or verbal break — strong for scroll-stopping

Writing for Spoken Delivery

• Write how people talk, not how they write. Use contractions, rhetorical questions, sentence fragments, direct address ("you").
• Short sentences. Active voice. Cut subordinate clauses.
• Mark performance cues in brackets: [pause], [lean in], [show screen], [cut to B-roll], [emphasis].
• For B2B content, translate jargon into conversational phrasing while preserving accuracy.
• For UGC-style, write loose — define beats and key lines, leave room for natural delivery.

Retention Devices (embed throughout)

• Open loops: Tease future value ("In a minute, I'll show you the exact email…") to keep viewers watching.
• Pattern breaks: Note camera angle changes, graphic overlays, zooms, or tonal shifts every 1–3 seconds (short-form) or 60–180 seconds (long-form).
• Resets: At mid-video, re-engage with a new angle, story, or "coming up next" tease.

CTA Rules

• Short-form: Place CTA after the payoff, in the final 3–5 seconds. Soft CTAs (like, save, follow, comment) reinforce algorithmic signals. Hard CTAs (link, sign up) go in captions or bio.
• Long-form: Place CTAs after key value milestones — never before delivering value. Delay external links to end-screens. Mid-video CTAs should drive on-platform engagement (subscribe, watch next).
• Podcast: Host-read CTAs after natural content beats. Keep conversational tone.
• Frame CTAs as logical next steps, not sales pitches: "If you want the full playbook, I break it down in [X]."
• For engagement: Ask a specific, low-friction question to drive comments ("What's your biggest bottleneck in [X]?").

---

Step 4: Format the Output

Default Script Format

Present the script in this format unless the user requests otherwise:

📍 PLATFORM: [TikTok / Reels / YouTube / Podcast]
🎯 CONTENT TYPE: [Thought Leadership / Educational / UGC]
⏱️ TARGET LENGTH: [duration]
🎙️ SCRIPTING LEVEL: [Word-for-word / Hybrid / Beat sheet]

---

HOOK (0:00–0:03)
[Visual/action note]
"Scripted line here."

TENSION / BUILD (0:03–0:15)
[Visual/action note]
"Scripted line or bullet point."

PAYOFF (0:15–0:25)
[Visual/action note]
"Scripted line here."

CTA (0:25–0:30)
[Visual/action note]
"Scripted line here."

---

📝 TEXT OVERLAY SUGGESTIONS:
- [Hook text for on-screen display]
- [Key stat or phrase for emphasis]

💡 PRODUCTION NOTES:
- [Delivery tips, B-roll ideas, music/sound notes]

🔁 LOOP POTENTIAL: [Yes/No — does the ending connect back to the opening?]

Adjustments by Scripting Level

• Word-for-word: Every line is written out. Include breath marks and emphasis cues. Best for thought leadership, product announcements, or when the creator prefers teleprompter delivery.
• Hybrid: Key lines (hook, critical claims, stats, CTA) are scripted word-for-word. Everything else is bullet points with talking points. Best for educational content and experienced creators.
• Beat sheet: Describes actions, story beats, and emotional arc without dialogue. Best for UGC-style content where natural delivery matters most.

Default to hybrid unless the user specifies otherwise or the content type suggests a different level (e.g., default to beat sheet for UGC).

---

Step 5: Offer Iterations

After delivering the script, offer:

1. Hook variants — "Want me to write 2–3 alternative hooks to test?"
2. Platform adaptation — "Want me to adapt this for [other platform]?"
3. Length adjustment — "Want a shorter/longer version?"
4. Tone shift — "Want a more provocative / conversational / vulnerable version?"

---

Platform-Specific Reminders

TikTok / Reels

• Plan for muted viewing: text overlays should reinforce the hook and key points.
• Align transitions and beats with audio/music cues if using trending sounds.
• Completion rate and rewatch drive distribution — consider loop endings.
• 15–45 seconds is the sweet spot for most educational and UGC content.

YouTube Shorts

• Same 3-second hook dynamics as TikTok.
• Completion and rewatch behavior are prioritized by the algorithm.

YouTube Long-Form

• Audience retention is the primary algorithmic signal. Script for watch time.
• Use chapter markers / timestamps. Include them in the script output.
• Thumbnail-title-script alignment: the script must immediately address the promise that brought viewers in.
• SEO: use target keywords naturally in spoken lines, especially early in the video.

Podcast

• No visual cues — structure, cadence, and audio transitions carry all the weight.
• Write for the ear: short sentences, repeated key ideas, explicit signposting ("First… Second… Finally…").
• Vary tone and energy across segments to prevent listener fatigue.
• Plan transition cues and brief musical stings between segments.