Short Form Video Scripts

---
name: short-form-video-scripts
description: Writes short-form video scripts and matching social captions using a Hook to Truth to Do This Instead to CTA structure that builds authority through proof rather than hype. Use when asked for a Reel/Short/TikTok script, a talking-head script, video captions, repurposing a transcript into short-form, or a recurring series format. Fill in the [BRACKETED] sections with your own voice and CTA.
---

# Short-Form Video Scripts

> **Setup:** replace every `[BRACKETED_PLACEHOLDER]` with your own details (CTA, voice, themes). The structure is the skill; the voice is yours.

## What this Skill is for
Generate short-form video scripts and social captions that:
- Position the creator as a trusted authority in their niche
- Lead with proof, credibility, and practical frameworks
- Optimize for *trust and pipeline*, not vanity metrics

## What this Skill is NOT for
- "AI hype" content, vague motivation, or trend-chasing without proof
- Buzzword-heavy marketing jargon
- 100% AI-generic scripts that could be said by anyone

---

## Default output (when the user doesn't specify)
When asked for **scripts**:
- Provide **Title** + **Script** (read-aloud ready)
- Scripts must read aloud to **60+ seconds**
- Use the flow: **Hook → Truth → Do This Instead → CTA**
- Add light pacing cues and contrast examples to hit time naturally

When asked for **captions**:
Return 3 items (CSV-ready):
1) Caption (WITH hashtags)
2) Caption (WITHOUT hashtags)
3) Engagement question (punchy, ends with "?")

---

## Required CTA (must be verbatim)

`[YOUR_CTA]`

Write it once and reuse it verbatim on every script. A CTA that changes every video never becomes recognizable. A good one names who you are, the one credential that earns attention, the single action you want, and a comment prompt.

Template: *"I'm [NAME], [ONE CREDENTIAL]. If this helped you, [SINGLE ACTION]. Drop your thoughts in the comments below."*

---

## House style

Replace these with your own voice rules if you have them. These defaults work for most authority-building creators:

- Direct and confident (peer-to-peer, not teacher-to-student)
- Plainspoken (9th-grade reading level)
- Short sentences. No long walls of text.
- Proof-driven: results, examples, mini case studies, concrete contrasts
- Ban fluff + ban buzzwords (no "game-changing", "revolutionary", "cutting-edge")
- No fake certainty. If a claim needs context, qualify it.

---

## Authority rules (non-negotiables)
1) **Hook must earn trust fast**
   - Contrarian, myth-busting, or calls out a common mistake
   - Mention AI when relevant, but don't make AI the "hero"

2) **Truth must include proof**
   Use at least one:
   - A number ("$12k from one intent-based video")
   - A clear example ("Here's what breaks when you post AI slop…")
   - A simple before/after ("views vs trust; volume vs proof")

3) **Do This Instead must be a framework**
   - 1 clear play with steps
   - "If you do X, you get Y" logic
   - No giant lists unless the user requests it

4) **CTA always included**
   - Keep it at the end
   - Don't add extra personal intro before value

---

## Script template (default)
Use this structure unless the user requests "copy/paste with no labels".

### Title
A short title that frames the angle (no clickbait).

### Script
**Hook (0–5s):**
[Pattern interrupt + clear claim]

**Truth (5–30s):**
[Debunk + why it matters + proof/example]

**Do This Instead (30–55s):**
[A simple framework with steps]

**CTA (final 10–15s):**
[Verbatim CTA]

---

## Cinematic/retention layer (lightweight)
Add 2–4 cues per script:
- On-screen text suggestion for the hook
- A quick "cut here" moment for pacing
- A loop line near the end (implied continuation, curiosity, or comment prompt)

Keep it subtle. Substance > editing gimmicks.

---

## Caption rules (must follow)
- Short, scroll-stopping, not a script recap
- Includes one proof/trust line OR one hard contrast
- Ends with a question (engagement)
- Hashtags: 3–4 relevant, not spammy

Caption format (CSV-ready):
- WITH hashtags: single paragraph + hashtags at end
- WITHOUT hashtags: same paragraph, no hashtags
- Engagement question: one line ending with "?"

---

## Content themes to rotate (don't repeat the same angle back-to-back)

`[YOUR_THEMES — list 5-8 recurring arguments you want to be known for]`

A theme is a POSITION, not a topic. "SEO" is a topic and produces generic scripts. "Discovery changed but SEO is not dead" is a position and produces an argument. Example set from an authority-building creator, replace with your own:

- Authority beats volume (proof beats noise)
- The channel changed, the discipline did not
- Third-party mentions beat owned content for credibility
- One long asset becomes thirty (content flywheels)
- Buyers follow proof, not confident-sounding output
- Simple systems beat flashy automations

If generating a batch (5-10 scripts), distribute themes so no two consecutive scripts share one.

---

## Special modes: recurring series (activate only when requested)

A named series compounds. Viewers recognize the format, and a numbered entry gives you a reason to post again. Define yours here so the skill can produce them on request.

```
### "[SERIES NAME]" series
- Title pattern: [e.g. "[SERIES NAME] #X: [angle]"]
- Hook requirement: [a phrase that must appear, so the format is recognizable]
- Tone: [what makes this series different from your default]
- Numbering: [number entries if you plan a run of them]
```

Two shapes that reliably work:

- **A myth-busting series** whose hook always contains the series phrase, calling out shortcuts and fake authority in your niche.
- **A hot-take series** with a numbered title and a fixed opening line, for opinions you would not lead a normal video with.

---

## Using project files (when provided by the user)
When the user references or supplies:
- YouTube transcripts: pull 3–5 key points, then build ONE clear angle per script
- Social post examples: mirror the cadence and directness
- A retention/pacing framework: use it for cues, but still hit 60+ seconds
- Offer docs: if the user asks about their program or offer, align with that positioning

---

## Assumptions (when info is missing)
Don't ask questions unless absolutely necessary.
Instead:
- Make reasonable assumptions (state them in 1–2 lines)
- Proceed with the best version

Example:
Assumption: Platform is YouTube Shorts; audience is B2B SaaS founders; goal is inbound leads.

---

## Quality control checklist (run mentally before finalizing)
- [ ] Hook is contrarian or myth-busting (no slow intro)
- [ ] Includes at least one concrete proof/example
- [ ] "Do This Instead" is a simple step-by-step play
- [ ] Reads aloud 60+ seconds (add contrast + example if short)
- [ ] No hype words or empty claims
- [ ] Ends with verbatim CTA
- [ ] Captions end with a punchy question
- [ ] If batch: no duplicate angles, no repeated opening lines

---

## Output options (only present if user asks)
If user requests "copy/paste scripts", remove the section labels and provide clean paragraphs.
If user requests "multiple variations", default to 2 variations:
- Version A: more blunt/contrarian
- Version B: more practical/framework-heavy
Avoid offering more than needed.