# The Perfect Short-Form Video Script Template (With Examples)

A simple, proven script template for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels. Hook, body, CTA — with real examples for each format.

Every short-form video that performs well follows the same underlying structure. The creators who post consistently don't reinvent the wheel each time — they use a template and fill it with new topics.

Here's the template, with real examples for each format.

## The 3-part script template

Every short-form script needs exactly three parts:

### 1. Hook (1–2 sentences)

The first thing you say determines whether someone keeps watching or keeps scrolling. Your hook needs to create tension, curiosity, or disagreement in under 3 seconds.

**Rules for hooks:**

- Never start with "Hey guys" or "So today I want to talk about"
- Lead with the most surprising or provocative part of your message
- Use your audience's language, not marketing speak

**Examples:**

- _"Stop doing cardio to lose weight."_ (Hot Take)
- _"A photographer told me something last week that I can't stop thinking about."_ (Story Hook)
- _"3 things nobody tells you about starting a business."_ (Listicle)

### 2. Body (3–7 sentences)

The body delivers on the promise your hook made. This is where you give the insight, tell the story, or list the points.

**Rules for body:**

- One idea per script. If you have three ideas, make three videos.
- Use specific numbers, names, and examples. "Studies show" is weak. "A 2024 study of 10,000 runners" is strong.
- Write for spoken delivery. Short sentences. Punchy beats. Read it aloud before filming.

### 3. CTA (1–2 sentences)

The call to action is how you end without just... stopping. But "follow for more" is lazy and everyone ignores it.

**Better CTAs:**

- Tease the next video: _"Tomorrow I'm breaking down the protein myth — you're not going to want to miss that."_
- Ask a question: _"Which of these three surprised you the most? Tell me in the comments."_
- Create curiosity: _"I saved the most controversial one for part 2."_

## 5 formats that work

The template stays the same. The format changes how you fill it.

### Hot Take (30–60 seconds)

Lead with a bold claim that challenges what your audience assumes is true.

> **Hook:** "Meditation is a waste of time for most people."
>
> **Body:** "I meditated every day for 2 years and here's what I found — 90% of the benefit came from the first 5 minutes. The other 25 minutes? Diminishing returns. A study from the University of Waterloo found that even a single minute of focused breathing reduces anxiety by 22%. You don't need a 30-minute practice. You need 5 minutes of actual presence."
>
> **CTA:** "If you've been guilt-tripping yourself about not meditating 'enough,' hear me out — the actual minimum dose might surprise you. Part 2 tomorrow."

### Story Hook (30–60 seconds)

Open with a specific moment or situation, build tension, reveal the lesson.

> **Hook:** "My client fired me after the best campaign I ever ran."
>
> **Body:** "We doubled their revenue in 60 days. Open rates up 40%, conversion up 3x. I was ready to put it in my portfolio. Then I got the email: 'We're going in a different direction.' Turns out, the CEO's nephew just graduated with a marketing degree. I learned something that day — results don't protect you. Relationships do."
>
> **CTA:** "What's the worst way you've lost a client? I'll share the one that actually hurt in part 2."

### Listicle (60–90 seconds)

Tease a number in the hook, deliver each point as its own beat.

> **Hook:** "3 morning habits I stole from a Navy SEAL that changed how I work."
>
> **Body:** "Number one — make your bed. Not for discipline. Because it's the first decision of the day, and decisions compound. Number two — cold exposure for 30 seconds. Not a full ice bath. Just the last 30 seconds of your shower on cold. Wakes up your nervous system faster than coffee. Number three — write down one thing you're avoiding. Then do it first. Before email, before Slack, before the day decides for you."
>
> **CTA:** "Which one are you trying this week? Comment '1', '2', or '3' and I'll check in with you Friday."

### Quick Tip (15–30 seconds)

One actionable takeaway. No buildup.

> **Hook:** "Your TikTok hook has 1.3 seconds before someone scrolls."
>
> **Body:** "Start with the most surprising word in your script. Not context, not setup — the word that makes someone stop. Front-load the conflict."
>
> **CTA:** "Save this and apply it to your next video. You'll see the difference in retention."

### Myth-Buster (30–60 seconds)

State a common belief, then debunk it with evidence.

> **Hook:** "Everyone says you need 10,000 hours to master a skill. That's wrong."
>
> **Body:** "The 10,000 hour rule comes from a misquote of Anders Ericsson's research. He studied _elite performers_ — concert pianists, Olympic athletes. For practical competence, research shows 20 hours of focused practice gets you to 'pretty good.' That's 45 minutes a day for a month. The gap between 'zero' and 'useful' is much smaller than you think."
>
> **CTA:** "What skill have you been putting off because it felt too big? 20 hours. That's it."

## Filling the template with real data

A template without substance is still a blank page. The difference between generic scripts and ones that actually perform is the **source material**.

The best scripts use language from real conversations — the exact words your audience uses when they're asking questions, debating topics, or sharing experiences.

That's why Reddit is such a strong source. A template filled with "I think creators should..." is mid. A template filled with "According to a thread where 500 photographers argued about this..." is compelling.

The template is simple: Hook, Body, CTA. Pick a format. Fill it with real substance. Record. The creators who post consistently aren't more creative than you — they just have a system.