TikTok Script: Writing short-form video script...

Creates timestamped scripts for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts (15-60 seconds) with hook-in-first-2-seconds, visual cues, caption text, trending audio strategy, and hashtag research.

Activation

When this skill activates, output:

TikTok Script, Writing short-form video script...

Then execute the protocol below.

Context Guard

Context	Status
User says "TikTok script", "TikTok video", "Reels script", "Shorts script"	ACTIVE
User says "short-form video" and wants a scripted 15-60 second video	ACTIVE
User wants to create content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts	ACTIVE
User wants a Twitter/X thread	DORMANT: use Twitter Thread
User wants a long-form video (YouTube)	DORMANT: use YouTube Script

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why It's Wrong
"Slow intro"	You have 1-2 seconds to hook. The algorithm judges retention in the first 3 seconds.
"Read from a teleprompter"	Stiff delivery kills engagement. Use bullet points, not word-for-word scripts.
"Ignore trending audio"	Trending sounds get algorithmic boost. Use them even if you're talking over them at low volume.
"No text on screen"	80%+ watch without sound. On-screen captions and text hooks are essential.
"One take, one angle"	Visual variety (cuts, zooms, angle changes) every 2-3 seconds keeps retention high.

Protocol

Step 1: Gather Video Requirements

If the user hasn't provided details, ask:

1. Topic: what's the video about?
2. Format: talking head, tutorial, storytime, POV, or visual showcase?
3. Platform: TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or all three?
4. Length: 15s, 30s, or 60s?
5. Goal: views, followers, website traffic, or product sales?
6. Audience: who's watching? (age, interests, awareness level)

Step 2: Choose Video Format

Format	Best For	Hook Style
Talking head	Tips, hot takes, storytelling	Direct eye contact + bold statement
Tutorial/how-to	Teaching a skill, showing a process	"Here's how to [outcome] in [X] seconds"
Storytime	Personal experience, relatable content	"The time I [dramatic event]..."
POV	Relatable situations, humor	Text overlay: "POV: [situation]"
Before/After	Transformations, results	Show the "after" first (pattern interrupt)
Duet/Stitch	Reacting to trends, adding commentary	Response to existing content
Visual showcase	Products, travel, food	Satisfying visuals + trending audio

Step 3: Write the Hook (First 2 Seconds)

The 2-second rule: If they don't stop scrolling in 2 seconds, the video fails.

Hook formulas:

Formula	Example	On-Screen Text
Bold claim	"This one trick doubled my revenue"	"DOUBLED my revenue"
Question	"Why does nobody talk about this?"	"WHY??"
Challenge	"I bet you didn't know this"	"BET you didn't know"
Pattern interrupt	Start mid-action, unexpected visual	[Eye-catching visual]
Controversy	"Unpopular opinion: [take]"	"UNPOPULAR OPINION"
Result first	Show the end result immediately	"Here's the result"
Direct address	"Stop scrolling if you [situation]"	"STOP SCROLLING"

Hook delivery tips:

• Start talking IMMEDIATELY (no "hey guys" or "so today")
• Movement in frame from second 0 (lean in, gesture, reveal)
• On-screen text appears in first 0.5 seconds
• Confident energy, uncertainty is a scroll trigger

Step 4: Write the Script

15-second script template:

[0:00-0:02] HOOK
Visual: [What's on screen]
Audio: "[Hook line, bold, concise]"
Text overlay: "[Key phrase in large text]"

[0:02-0:10] BODY
Visual: [Action / demonstration / explanation]
Audio: "[Core content, 2-3 key sentences]"
Text overlay: "[Supporting text or steps]"

[0:10-0:15] CTA
Visual: [Face to camera / point at text]
Audio: "[CTA: follow for more / link in bio / comment below]"
Text overlay: "[CTA text]"

30-second script template:

[0:00-0:02] HOOK
Visual: [Pattern interrupt or result]
Audio: "[Hook line]"
Text overlay: "[Hook text: large, bold]"

[0:02-0:08] CONTEXT
Visual: [Set up the problem or situation]
Audio: "[Why this matters, 2 sentences]"
Text overlay: "[Key phrase]"

[0:08-0:22] BODY (3 points)
Visual: [Demonstration, steps, or story beats]
Audio: "[Point 1] → [Point 2] → [Point 3]"
Text overlay: "[Step 1] [Step 2] [Step 3]" (change with each point)
Cut/zoom every 3-4 seconds

[0:22-0:30] CTA
Visual: [Face to camera, energy up]
Audio: "[Wrap-up + CTA]"
Text overlay: "[CTA: Follow + Save]"

60-second script template:

[0:00-0:03] HOOK
[0:03-0:10] CONTEXT (why this matters)
[0:10-0:45] BODY (5-7 points with visual cuts every 3-5 seconds)
[0:45-0:55] SUMMARY (key takeaway)
[0:55-1:00] CTA

Step 5: Visual Direction

Shot list template:

Timestamp	Shot Type	Description	Text Overlay
0:00	Close-up	Face, direct eye contact	Hook text (bold)
0:02	Medium	Upper body, gesturing	none
0:05	B-roll / screen	Demo or visual	Step 1 text
0:10	Close-up	Back to face, different angle	Step 2 text
0:15	B-roll / screen	Second demo	Step 3 text
0:20	Medium	Wrap-up, high energy	CTA text

Visual retention techniques:

• Cut or zoom every 2-4 seconds (never hold one shot >5 seconds)
• Use jump cuts to remove dead air and "um"s
• Text on screen should appear 0.5s before the speaker says it
• Use pointing gestures to direct attention to on-screen text
• Match visual transitions to beat drops in the audio

Step 6: Audio & Trending Sound Strategy

Audio approach by format:

Format	Audio Strategy
Talking head	Your voice only, OR voice over trending sound at 10% volume
Tutorial	Voiceover narration + trending sound at low volume
Storytime	Your voice with ambient/emotional background music
POV	Trending sound at full volume (lip sync or background)
Visual showcase	Trending sound at full volume

Finding trending sounds:

• Check TikTok's Discover page for trending sounds
• Use sounds with an upward arrow (↑) indicating growth
• Filter by sounds used in 10K-500K videos (sweet spot for riding the trend)
• Save sounds to a "favorites" library for quick access

Step 7: Hashtag & Caption Strategy

Caption formula:

[Hook/question that drives comments] + [1-2 sentences of context]

Example:
"This changed how I work forever. Save this for later. #[niche] #[topic]"

Hashtag strategy (3-5 per post):

Type	Example	Purpose
Niche-specific	#saastips #ecommercetips	Reach your target audience
Trending	#fyp #viral #trending	Algorithmic boost
Content-type	#learnontiktok #tutorial	Platform-promoted categories

Caption rules:

• Keep under 150 characters (most users don't expand)
• Front-load the hook, first line must create curiosity
• Ask a question to drive comments (comments boost distribution)
• Use 3-5 hashtags (more than 5 looks spammy)

Output Format

# Short-Form Video Script: [Topic]

## Overview
- **Platform:** [TikTok / Reels / Shorts]
- **Length:** [15s / 30s / 60s]
- **Format:** [Talking head / Tutorial / etc.]
- **Audio:** [Original voice / Trending sound]

## Script

### [0:00-0:02] Hook
**Visual:** [Shot description]
**Audio:** "[Spoken text]"
**Text overlay:** "[On-screen text]"

### [0:02-0:XX] Body
[Timestamped sections with visual/audio/text]

### [0:XX-End] CTA
**Visual:** [Shot description]
**Audio:** "[CTA text]"
**Text overlay:** "[CTA text]"

## Production Notes
- **Trending sound:** [Sound name / link]
- **Hashtags:** [3-5 hashtags]
- **Caption:** "[Caption text]"
- **Best posting time:** [Day, Time]

Completion

TikTok Script: Complete!

Topic: [Topic]
Length: [X] seconds
Format: [Type]
Visual cuts: [Count]
Audio: [Strategy]

Next steps:
1. Practice the script 2-3 times (aim for natural, not memorized)
2. Film in good lighting (natural light or ring light)
3. Record 3-5 takes and pick the best energy
4. Edit with cuts every 2-4 seconds
5. Add text overlays and captions
6. Post at peak time with trending sound

Level History

• Lv.1: Base: 7 video formats with hook styles, 7 hook formulas with on-screen text, timestamped script templates (15s/30s/60s), shot list with visual retention techniques, audio strategy by format, trending sound discovery, hashtag strategy (3-type approach), caption formula. (Origin: MemStack Pro v3.2, Mar 2026)