tiktok-ad-script

name	tiktok-ad-script
description	Creates TikTok ad scripts that feel native to the platform with trending hooks, UGC style, and spark ad recommendations. Use when writing video ad scripts for TikTok campaigns.
allowed-tools	Read Write Glob
metadata	{"author":"matthewhitcham","version":"1.0"}

TikTok Ad Script

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:

• Write video ad scripts for TikTok ad campaigns
• Create UGC-style ad scripts that blend with organic content
• Develop Spark Ad content briefs for creator partnerships
• Produce hook variations for TikTok A/B testing

DO NOT use this skill for organic TikTok content calendars, TikTok shop setup, or non-TikTok video ads. This is specifically for paid TikTok advertising scripts.

---

Core Principle

TIKTOK ADS THAT LOOK LIKE ADS GET SKIPPED — THE BEST-PERFORMING CREATIVES FEEL LIKE NATIVE CONTENT A FRIEND WOULD POST.

---

Phase 1: Brief

Required Inputs

Input	What to Ask	Default
Product/service	"What are you advertising?"	No default — must be provided
Target audience	"Who is this for? (age, interests, pain points)"	Entrepreneurs 25-40
Ad format	"In-feed, TopView, or Spark Ad?"	In-feed
Video length	"15s, 30s, or 60s?"	15-30 seconds
CTA	"What should viewers do? (shop now, sign up, download)"	Shop Now
Content style	"Talking head, product demo, text overlay, or story?"	Talking head (UGC style)

GATE: Do not proceed until the product and audience are confirmed.

---

Phase 2: Hook Strategy

The hook determines everything on TikTok. Develop 5 hook options before scripting.

Hook Formulas That Work on TikTok

1. "POV" hook: "POV: you just discovered [product] and now [positive outcome]"
2. Controversial take: "Unpopular opinion: [bold statement about industry]"
3. Before/after: "I used to [old way] until I found this..."
4. Social proof: "[Number] people are using this and I finally tried it"
5. Direct address: "If you're a [audience] who struggles with [pain], watch this"
6. Trend jack: Adapt a trending sound or format to the product message
7. Negative hook: "Stop [common mistake] — here's what to do instead"

Present 5 hooks for user selection before writing full scripts.

GATE: User selects their top 3 hooks.

---

Phase 3: Write Scripts

Deliver 3 full scripts using the selected hooks.

Script Format

## Script [A/B/C]: [Hook Style]

**Format:** In-feed
**Duration:** ~[X] seconds
**Style:** UGC talking head / Product demo / Text overlay
**Sound:** Original audio / Trending sound [name]

---

[HOOK — First 1-3 seconds]
(Visual: [Camera angle, setting, energy level])
"[Opening line — the hook]"

[BODY — 3-20 seconds]
(Visual: [What's on screen — product, demonstration, reaction])
"[Problem acknowledgment — 1-2 sentences]"
"[Solution/product introduction]"
"[Key benefit — specific outcome]"

[CTA — Final 3-5 seconds]
(Visual: [Product shot, URL, or swipe-up prompt])
"[Call to action]"

---

**On-screen text:** [Text overlays that appear — remember sound-off viewing]
**Captions:** [Auto-captions recommended]
**Hashtags:** [3-5 relevant hashtags]

TikTok-Native Rules

• First frame must be visually interesting — no black screens or logos
• Shoot vertical (9:16 aspect ratio)
• Use native TikTok fonts for text overlays, not branded fonts
• Imperfect production quality outperforms polished ads
• Speaking pace should be fast and energetic — match TikTok's native rhythm

---

Phase 4: Production Brief

Creator Brief (for Spark Ads or UGC partnerships)

## Creator Brief

**Product:** [Name]
**Key message:** [One sentence]
**Must mention:** [Required talking points]
**Do NOT mention:** [Competitor names, unapproved claims]
**Style direction:** Authentic, conversational — NOT scripted-sounding
**Filming requirements:**
- Vertical (9:16)
- Good lighting (natural preferred)
- Length: [X] seconds
- Include product in shot by second [X]

**Hook options (pick one or create your own):**
1. [Hook A]
2. [Hook B]
3. [Hook C]

**Deliverables:** 3 video variations with different hooks
**Usage rights:** [Paid ads for X months, organic repost]

Testing Plan

• Test 3 hooks against each other with identical body/CTA
• Run each for 48-72 hours with equal budget before picking winner
• Winning hook gets 3 new body variations
• Creative fatigue hits fast on TikTok — refresh every 7-14 days

---

Example: Online Course Ad (15s, Talking Head)

[HOOK — 0-2s]
(Visual: Creator looking at camera, casual setting, slightly surprised expression)
"I spent $15K on a business degree and this $47 course taught me more."

[BODY — 2-12s]
(Visual: Creator talking, then screen recording of course dashboard)
"Seriously — I learned how to automate my entire content workflow in one weekend.
I'm saving 10 hours a week now and my content is actually better."

[CTA — 12-15s]
(Visual: Course landing page, swipe-up animation)
"Link in bio — it's stupid cheap right now."

On-screen text: "$15K degree vs. $47 course // 10 hrs/week saved

---

Anti-Patterns

• Over-produced content — studio lighting, branded intros, and corporate voiceovers get scrolled past instantly
• Slow hooks — if the hook does not land in 1-2 seconds, the ad fails. No build-up.
• Ignoring trends — TikTok rewards relevance. Adapt trending formats when possible.
• Static product shots — TikTok is a motion platform. Show the product in use, not sitting on a table.
• Formal language — write how people talk on TikTok. Casual, fast, direct.

---

Recovery

• No video production capability: Write scripts for text-overlay style ads using stock footage or product images with animated text. Still effective.
• Product does not feel "TikTok native": Every product can work — B2B, SaaS, services. Reframe as a "hack" or "tool I wish I knew about sooner."
• No trending sounds available: Use original audio with captions. Talking head with captions consistently performs well without trends.
• Creative fatigue: Build a library of 10+ hook variations upfront. Rotate new hooks weekly while keeping winning body/CTA structures.