---
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).

---

## Core Principle

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

---

## 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.**

---

## 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 |

---

## 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"
```

---

## 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.

---

## 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.
