A short-form video script has three parts: a hook in the first one to three seconds that states the payoff, a body of two or three beats that delivers it, and a close with one ask. For a 60-second video, that’s roughly 130 to 160 words. Copy the template below and fill in the brackets.
Key takeaways
- Hook, body, close: three parts, one idea.
- Plan on about 130–160 words per minute of video.
- Write the hook and close word for word; bullet the body if you like to riff.
- Keep the source with the script so facts are easy to check.
The template
Copy it into your notes app, a doc, or your content calendar, and fill in the brackets.
TOPIC [The one idea, in one sentence] FOR [Who this is for] HOOK 0–3 seconds, under 12 words [State the payoff, the mistake, or the surprising fact.] BODY 2–3 beats 1. [Why this matters] 2. [The point or the step] 3. [The proof: an example, a number, or a story] CLOSE One line [One ask: save, share, follow, or a question.] SOURCE [Link or note, so you can check the facts]
How many words for each length
| Video length | Spoken words (approx.) | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| 15 seconds | 30–40 | Hook and one beat |
| 30 seconds | 65–80 | Hook, two beats, close |
| 45 seconds | 100–120 | Hook, two or three beats, close |
| 60 seconds | 130–160 | Hook, three beats, close |
| 90 seconds | 200–240 | Hook, three or four beats, close |
These ranges assume a natural on-camera pace of about 130 to 160 words a minute. Read your script aloud and time it; your own pace is the one that counts.
Eight hook formulas
Fill in the brackets with your topic. Each one puts the payoff or the tension in the first line.
- Payoff first. “Here’s how I [result] without [pain].”
- The mistake. “You’re [doing X] wrong, and it’s costing you [Y].”
- Contrarian. “Stop [common advice]. Do this instead.”
- The number. “[Number] [things] I wish I knew before [milestone].”
- Their question. “Why does [problem] keep happening?”
- Before and after. “I went from [before] to [after] with one change.”
- The callout. “If you’re a [audience] who [situation], watch this.”
- Cold open. Start mid-story: “The client hung up on me. Best thing that happened all year.”
Four ways to close
- Save. “Save this for your next [task].”
- Share. “Send this to someone who [situation].”
- Follow. “Follow for part two.”
- Question. “Which one do you do?”
Pick one. A single ask is easier to act on than three.
Three filled-in examples
These examples are illustrative, written to show the structure.
Hook Most sales don’t die on the call. They die after it.
Body You finish a great discovery call, say “I’ll send details,” and then nothing happens for three days. Instead, send a two-line recap within the hour: what they want, and the one next step. It shows you listened, and it keeps the decision warm.
Close Save this and send one recap today.
Hook Stop starting your videos with “hey guys.”
Body The first seconds are when people decide whether to stay. A greeting spends them on nothing. Open with the point instead, and say hello at the end if you want to.
Close Try it on your next video.
Hook Our first customer almost fired us in week one.
Body We’d promised a feature we hadn’t built. Instead of stalling, we called, told them exactly where we were, and shipped a smaller version that Friday. They stayed for three years, and later told us that call was why.
Close Follow for what we changed after that.
Scripts in Melda OS
Scripts from Melda OS use the same shape. Send Emmy, the writing assistant, a link to an article, a YouTube video, or a TikTok, and it writes a short brief, then a script with a hook, body, and close, saved to a card with its source:
Write me a short script from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=…
