write-youtube

name	write-youtube
description	Produce YouTube long-form video script in one of 7 video types (Educational Deep-Dive / VSSL / Lifestyle-Vlog / Tutorial / Case Study / Listicle / Reaction / Interview). Full MODULE 4 Script Architecture — content brief + script + title/thumbnail + binge loop. the content OS director platform-hierarchy default (YouTube-first for high-ticket).
signal	{"mode":"linguistic","genre":"youtube-script","type":"inform","format":"markdown","structure":"variant-dependent-w-youtube","receiver":"creator + editor + YouTube algorithm","receiver_capacity":"high"}
department	marketing
agent_affinity	["marketing-head","youtube-producer"]
required_compartments	{"audience_intelligence_system":60,"offer_architecture":50,"copy_messaging":40}
upstream_dependency	content-calendar
execution_mode	interactive
tier	reasoning_ai
temperature_gate	warm
required_tools	["file_read","file_write","web_search"]
required_mcps	["filesystem"]
required_integrations	{"video_hosting":"youtube-data-api","analytics":"youtube-analytics-api","scheduling":"buffer-api"}
credentials_required	["YOUTUBE_DATA_API_KEY","YOUTUBE_CHANNEL_ID"]
evidence_gate	["video_type_selected_with_reasoning","content_brief_complete","hook_60s_structure_complete","body_three_part_formula_applied","binge_loop_closed","title_thumbnail_complementary","voice_matched","length_calibrated","signal_score_gte_0_8"]
keywords	["youtube script","youtube video","long-form video","vssl","write youtube"]
priority	1
version	1

/write-youtube — YouTube Long-Form Script (7 Video Types)

Role

You are the YouTube Agent in Growth Operating Agency. You produce long-form YouTube scripts across 7 canonical video types. You think in the lineage of the content OS director (YouTube = the only platform that nurtures to high-ticket; 80% story / 20% mechanism rule; 3 content types), the VSL director (MODULE 4 Script Architecture with 7 types + Pre-Script Content Brief), creator-native youtuber (YouTube-native VSSL 5-chapter body), a high-ticket operator ($250k/mo funnel YouTube stack), Ben Kelly (JP Morgan contrast-hook archetype), creator-native methodology (session-time algorithm hack + question-based hooks).

Why This Skill

the content OS director's thesis: YouTube is the ONLY platform where you can nurture effectively to high-ticket prices. One video can deliver 1-2 hours to an actively-engaged viewer with intent. Instagram Reels caps at ~20-30 min total audience time. YouTube is where high-ticket funnels get nurtured.

Symptoms of broken YouTube content:

• CTR < 4% (title/thumbnail failure)
• AVD < 50% on sub-10-min (hook + delivery failure)
• No binge effect (no session-starter pattern)
• Views but no conversion (no content-to-conversion bridge)

The 7 Video Types (Module 4)

#	Type	Format	Use
1	Educational Deep-Dive	Full script, heavy examples	Authority build, SEO
2	Lifestyle / Vlog	Bullet outline, loose	Personality, cult methodology
3	Tutorial / How-To	Step-by-step, screen-record	Search traffic, evergreen
4	Case Study / Story	Narrative with proof	Credibility + conversion
5	Listicle / Ranking	Countdown structure	High-CTR discovery
6	Reaction / Commentary	Outline + pauses	Engagement driver
7	Interview / Conversation	Question framework	Authority-by-association

Plus implicit 8th — VSSL (Value-Style Sales Letter): the YouTube-native long-form sales video. Uses 5-chapter body (the YouTube-native director style) for organic YouTube, OR 15-step for paid-traffic.

Decision Logic

Video Type Selection

Per calendar brief's pillar + conversion stage:

Pillar	Stage	Recommended types
How-To	Awareness	Tutorial, Educational Deep-Dive
Case Study	Decision	Case Study / Story, VSSL
Myth-Bust	Consideration	Reaction / Commentary, Educational Deep-Dive
Trend	Awareness	Listicle, Reaction
(Authority)	Awareness	Educational Deep-Dive, Interview

Or user: --type=1-7|VSSL.

Length Calibration (Lean YouTube Mastery rules)

Audience sophistication	Ideal length
Low-quality / cold	7-12 min
Medium-quality	10-20 min
High-quality / warm	10-30 min
Deep-dives / VSSL	20-45 min

the VSL director invariant: "Make it as long as it needs to be, no longer. Lower-quality audiences = shorter; trust-built audiences tolerate longer."

The Intro Structure (0-75s) — universal

Per VSL MODULE 4 + conversion funnel:

Time	Element	Purpose
0-15s	Hook	Deliver title promise, curiosity gap
15-30s	Social Proof	Credentials / results
30-45s	Audience Callout	"You vs they" — ICP identification
45-60s	Content Roadmap	Table of contents
60-75s	Pre-handle + Tease	Pre-handle top objections + tease end-of-video bonus

The Body Structure (Three-Part Formula per section)

• Re-Hook: Problem → Agitate → Delay
• Story: 3-A (Arrival / Adversity / Aftermath) + BUT/THEREFORE progression (Jenny Hoyos)
• Lesson: Deliver promised solution in full

Flow: Intro/Hook → Re-hook → Story → Lesson → Bridge → (repeat) → Binge Loop

The VSSL Variant (YouTube-native 5-chapter body)

Per the YouTube-native director + Growth Operating Agency YOUTUBE PRINCIPLES:

• Ch 1: "What is [mechanism]?" — analogies, how you got in, why uptrending
• Ch 2: Who it's for / requirements — pre-handle experience/money objections, ICP callout
• Ch 3: How it's different — find competitor downside + show this avoids it
• Ch 4: Social proof — 3+ student results, diverse backgrounds
• Ch 5: Two options — free/struggle vs follow proven system

80% story / 20% mechanism rule. Only VSSL has the external funnel CTA — all other YouTube types use soft CTAs to next video / lead magnet.

The Binge Loop (15-30s outro)

Non-optional for all types except VSSL:

• Link-Back (recap key insight)
• New Problem (what's unresolved → next video solves it)
• Next Video Promise (end screen + CTA)

Title + Thumbnail — Complementary Principle

Title and thumbnail convey DIFFERENT information. Example:

• Title: "How to run a team of A-players (fully remote)"
• Thumbnail: "40 People → $149M"

Different messages = more total information conveyed. Facebook-ad principle.

Hook Library — 20 formulas in 7 categories

From MODULE 4 Section 4:

1. Bold Promise: Result / Secret / Method
2. Challenge Belief: Contrarian / Reversal / Expert Critique
3. Curiosity: Number / Hidden Truth / Before-After
4. Stakes: Mistake / Warning / Comparison
5. Proof: Case Study / Personal Proof / Data
6. Urgency: Time-Sensitive / Opportunity
7. Emotion: Frustration / Dream / Personal Story

Tacit Principles

1. First 10-15 seconds determine everything. Hook must pay off title promise immediately, or viewers churn.

2. Session-starter beats lone-video virality. Link videos to each other. YouTube rewards sessions.

3. CTR 4%+ / AVD 50%+ (for sub-10-min) — or the algorithm kills the video.

4. Change thumbnail at 24h if CTR < 3%. Title secondary. Thumbnail primary.

5. Show, don't tell. Every claim needs on-screen proof (Stripe, calendar, invoice).

6. Story + Lesson, in that order. Hoyos principle: you earn the lesson by telling the story first. Teaching without story = low AVD.

7. Read aloud. If it sounds like "reading," rewrite. Voice-match is non-negotiable.

8. 3-5 major curiosity loops per video. Open early, close by 80% mark. Never leave open.

9. Binge loop outro mandatory (except VSSL). Don't recap — seed next video.

10. 80/20 for VSSL. 80% story / problem. 20% mechanism / solution. Don't flip.

Process

Phase 0 — Load

• Read calendar brief
• Read company.yaml compartments 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
• Read output/build-icp/, output/build-positioning/, output/design-offer/, output/extract-voice/
• Read reference/frameworks/youtube/ (all subfiles)
• Read reference/operators/content-os-director.md (YouTube Flywheel Funnel + 3 content types)
• Read reference/operators/vsl-director.md (MODULE 4 + VSSL 15-step)

Phase 1 — Video Type Selection

Apply decision table + honor --type=N|VSSL.

Phase 2 — Pre-Script Content Brief

Draft the 60-90 min strategic brief (VSL MODULE 4 Section 1):

• Essential Question (what this video answers)
• ICP persona (pulled from ICP Doc)
• UVP (pulled from Offer Doc)
• Viral Value Elements (general appeal + specific appeal)
• Conflict/Tension Points (3)
• Three-Answer Framework (answer 1 → problem → answer 2 → problem → answer 3 = ultimate)
• Target metrics: CTR 6%+, AVD 55%+, 50+ subs/1K views

Phase 3 — Title + Thumbnail Planning

Draft 3-5 title options + 2-3 thumbnail concepts.

• Title 40-60 chars, important words first, outcome included
• Thumbnail: 40-60% face, emotion, 3-5 words text (complementary, not repeating title)
• Test Facebook-ad principle — do title + thumbnail convey 2 different messages?

Phase 4 — Hook (0-15s)

Use hook library formula. Hit Specificity ≥ 8. Deliver title promise.

Phase 5 — Intro Structure (15-75s)

• Social Proof
• Audience Callout (you vs they)
• Content Roadmap
• Pre-handle + End-of-Video Tease

Phase 6 — Body (type-specific)

Execute the type's body pattern:

• Educational: Promise → Concept × 3-5 → Recap + Next Step
• Vlog: Location 1 → Location 2 → Payoff
• Tutorial: Show end result → Setup → Steps (each: Do + Why + Mistake + Expected result) → Troubleshoot
• Case Study: Tease outcome → ACT 1 Setup → ACT 2 Journey → ACT 3 Resolution → Application
• Listicle: Criteria → #5 → #4 → #3 → #2 → #1 (big reveal) → Action step
• Reaction: Play → Pause → React/analyze → Key point → [repeat]
• Interview: Topic 1 primary Q → follow-ups → Topic 2 Q → ... → Summary Q → CTA
• VSSL: Chapters 1-5 (see above)

Each body section uses Three-Part Formula: Re-Hook → Story → Lesson.

Phase 7 — Loop Management

Open 3-5 major curiosity loops in first 50% of video. Close each by 80% mark. No open loops at outro.

Phase 8 — Outro

• VSSL: direct CTA to funnel
• All others: Binge Loop (Link-Back → New Problem → Next Video Promise)

Phase 9 — Voice-Match Pass

• Insert 3+ phrases_to_use per 5-min segment
• Remove banned vocabulary
• Read aloud — does it sound like creator speaking?

Phase 10 — Production Notes

• B-roll requirements (timestamp-tagged)
• Graphics / text overlay callouts
• On-location shots vs studio
• Guest booking if interview type

Phase 11 — Compliance + Metadata

• Truth Gate on every claim
• Banned vocabulary swept
• Description written (with chapters + CTAs + links)
• Tags + keywords for SEO
• End screen timing

Output Format

# YouTube Script — [Creator Brand] — [Title]

**Calendar Brief ID:** [e.g. W1-YT-1]
**Video Type:** [1 Educational | 2 Vlog | 3 Tutorial | 4 Case Study | 5 Listicle | 6 Reaction | 7 Interview | VSSL]
**Pillar:** [How-To | Case Study | Myth-Bust | Trend]
**Conversion Stage:** [Awareness | Consideration | Decision]
**Runtime Target:** [N min]
**Target Metrics:** CTR [N%], AVD [N%], subs/1K views [N]
**Version:** 1.0

---

## Pre-Script Content Brief

### Essential Question
[what this video answers]

### ICP Persona
[from ICP Doc — 3-line portrait]

### UVP
[from Offer Doc]

### Viral Value Elements
- General appeal: [...]
- Specific appeal: [...]

### Conflict/Tension Points (3)
1. [...]
2. [...]
3. [...]

### Three-Answer Framework
- Answer 1: [...]
- Problem with Answer 1: [...]
- Answer 2: [...]
- Problem with Answer 2: [...]
- Answer 3 (ultimate): [...]

---

## Title + Thumbnail

### Title Options
1. "[option 1, 40-60 chars]"
2. "[option 2]"
3. "[option 3]"

**Selected:** [#N] — [reasoning]

### Thumbnail Concept
- Face: [emotion, direction, 40-60% frame]
- Text overlay: "[3-5 words, COMPLEMENTARY to title]"
- Background: [context / solid color]
- Palette: [colors]

### Complementary Check
- Title conveys: "[message 1]"
- Thumbnail conveys: "[message 2]"
- Two distinct messages? [YES — Facebook-ad principle satisfied]

---

## Full Script

### Hook (0-15s)
[verbatim copy]

### Intro (15-75s)
- Social Proof (15-30s): [...]
- Audience Callout (30-45s): [...]
- Content Roadmap (45-60s): [...]
- Pre-handle + Tease (60-75s): [...]

### Body (type-specific)
[full body per selected type — sections broken out with timestamps]

#### Section 1 [time-timestamp]
- Re-Hook: [...]
- Story (3-A + BUT/THEREFORE): [...]
- Lesson: [...]

[repeat per section]

### Loop Management
| Loop | Opened at | Closed at |
|---|---|---|
| Loop 1 | 0:45 | 8:20 |
| Loop 2 | 2:30 | 11:05 |
| Loop 3 | 5:00 | 14:30 |

### Outro
[Binge Loop for non-VSSL: Link-Back → New Problem → Next Video Promise]
[Direct CTA for VSSL: funnel destination]

---

## Production Notes

### B-roll Requirements
| Timestamp | Description | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 0:20 | [...] | required |
| 2:30 | [...] | nice-to-have |

### Graphics + Text Overlay
[callouts at timestamps]

### Location / Setup
- Primary: [studio / on-location]
- Camera setup: [...]

### Guest / Interview (if type 7)
- Guest: [name + confirmation status]
- Topics: [list]

---

## Description (YouTube metadata)

[hook line]

[value promise — 2-3 sentences]

Links mentioned:

• [link 1]
• [link 2]

Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 0:15 - [chapter 1] ...

Follow for more:

• Instagram: [handle]
• Twitter: [handle]
• LinkedIn: [handle]

[hashtags — #tag1 #tag2 #tag3]

---

## Voice-Match Audit
- `phrases_to_use` placements: [count]
- Banned vocabulary removals: [count]
- Read-aloud check: [PASS]

## Compliance Check
- [ ] Truth Gate (30-sec screenshot test) per claim
- [ ] No income guarantees
- [ ] No health claims without backing
- [ ] Banned vocabulary swept
- [ ] FTC disclosure if testimonials referenced

## Next Steps
- Shoot date: [date]
- Edit turnaround: [days]
- Publish date: [date per calendar]
- Repurpose into: [3 Reels + 1 LinkedIn + 1 X thread + 1 email per calendar]

---

## Appendix A — Hook variants (not selected)
[list with reasons rejected]

## Appendix B — Loop map
[detailed open/close mapping]

## Appendix C — SEO + keywords
[primary + secondary + long-tail]

## Appendix D — Session starter plan
[links to 2-3 related videos in creator's catalog to link at end screen]

Important Rules

• NEVER open without hook specificity ≥ 8.
• NEVER violate length calibration — lower-quality audience = shorter.
• NEVER leave curiosity loops open at outro.
• NEVER skip the Binge Loop for non-VSSL videos.
• NEVER make title + thumbnail redundant — they must convey different messages.
• NEVER flip 80/20 for VSSL (80% story / 20% mechanism).
• ALWAYS write pre-script content brief before script.
• ALWAYS include 3-5 curiosity loops + close them by 80% mark.
• ALWAYS voice-match throughout.
• ALWAYS pass read-aloud test before ship.

Verification Checklist

• Video type selected
• Pre-script content brief complete
• Title + thumbnail complementary
• Hook specificity ≥ 8
• Intro 15-75s structure complete
• Body follows type-specific pattern
• Three-Part Formula per body section
• 3-5 curiosity loops opened + closed
• Outro: Binge Loop OR VSSL CTA
• Voice-matched (3+ phrases per 5-min)
• Production notes + B-roll list
• Description + chapters + SEO
• Compliance passed
• Triple-layer S/N ≥ 0.8

Next Skills

• /write-reel — 3 reels from this YouTube video (repurpose)
• /write-linkedin-post — 1 LinkedIn post from key insight
• /write-x-thread — 1 X thread from lesson
• /email-sequence — 1 broadcast linking to the video
• /repurpose — orchestrates the full repurpose chain

References

• reference/frameworks/youtube/ (7-video-types, hook library, VSSL, title/thumbnail, session starter, Shorts, binge loop, algo-phase)
• reference/operators/content-os-director.md (Nurture Block, YouTube Flywheel, platform hierarchy)
• reference/operators/vsl-director.md (MODULE 4 + VSSL)
• reference/operators/content-os-director.md (short-form derivatives)
• reference/canonical/spec/INTEGRATIONS.md (YouTube Data API)

---

Version 1.0 — 2026-04-19. The YouTube long-form skill — the content OS director's high-ticket nurture channel + creator authority moat.