tiktok-script

name	tiktok-script
description	Writes short-form vertical video scripts with hooks, transitions, text overlays, and trending audio suggestions. Use when you need TikTok or Reels video scripts that capture attention fast.
allowed-tools	Read Write Glob
metadata	{"author":"matthewhitcham","version":"1.0"}

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).

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Core Principle

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

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Phase 1: Brief

Required Inputs

Input	What to Ask	Default
Topic	"What is this video about?"	No default — must be provided
Video format	"Talking head, tutorial, story time, POV, green screen, or text-on-screen?"	Talking head
Duration	"Target length? (15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds)"	30 seconds
Platform	"TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or all three?"	All three
CTA	"What should viewers do? Follow, comment, visit link, use a sound?"	Follow for more
Trending context	"Any trending sounds, formats, or topics you want to tie into?"	None — use evergreen format

GATE: Confirm brief before proceeding.

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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

Rule	Detail
Spoken word count	~2.5 words per second of video
Text overlays	Short phrases (3-7 words), not sentences
One idea per video	Never try to cover multiple topics
Conversational tone	Write how people talk, not how they write
Retention tricks	"Wait for it..." / "Here's the part nobody tells you..."
No dead air	Every second must have visual or audio stimulus

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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"

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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.

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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.