Writes platform-specific video ad scripts with timing marks for YouTube bumpers, pre-roll, TikTok, and narrative ads. Use when writing video scripts, creating ad storyboards, optimizing hook rates, or planning video ad creative.
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Creates platform-optimized video ad scripts with precise timing marks, hook formulas, narrative structures, and format-specific best practices. Covers YouTube bumper ads (6s), pre-roll (15s/30s), TikTok native hooks, Instagram Reels, and long-form video ads.
Step 1: Define the brief
PRODUCT: [What are you advertising?]
OBJECTIVE: [Awareness / Consideration / Conversion / App Install]
TARGET AUDIENCE: [Demographics + psychographics]
KEY MESSAGE: [Single most important takeaway]
PLATFORM: [YouTube / TikTok / Meta / LinkedIn / CTV]
FORMAT: [Bumper 6s / Pre-Roll 15s / Standard 30s / Long-form 60s+]
TONE: [Professional / Casual / Humorous / Urgent / Inspirational]
CTA: [What should viewer do next?]
BUDGET TIER: [Animated / Live-action / AI-generated / UGC-style]Step 2: Select hook type based on objective
| Objective | Best Hook Type | Example Opening |
|---|---|---|
| Awareness | Emotional / Visual | Stunning visual + provocative statement |
| Consideration | Problem / Question | "Tired of [pain point]?" |
| Conversion | Offer / Urgency | "Last chance: 50% off ends tonight" |
| App Install | Demo / Social Proof | "10M+ downloads — here's why" |
| Retargeting | Recognition | "Still thinking about [product]?" |
Step 3: Write script with timing marks
Format rules:
Template A: Single Statement
[0.0-0.5s] VISUAL: Product hero shot or eye-catching visual
AUDIO: Sound effect / music sting
[0.5-3.5s] VISUAL: Key benefit visualization
SUPER: "[Core benefit] in [timeframe]"
VO: "[Product] — [3-word benefit]"
[3.5-5.0s] VISUAL: Product in use / result
SUPER: "[Supporting message]"
[5.0-6.0s] VISUAL: Logo + CTA
SUPER: "[brand].com"
VO: "[Brand name]"Template B: Quick Demo
[0.0-1.0s] VISUAL: Problem state (messy, slow, frustrating)
SFX: Negative sound
[1.0-4.0s] VISUAL: Product solves it instantly (satisfying transition)
SFX: Positive resolution sound
SUPER: "[Product Name]"
[4.0-6.0s] VISUAL: Logo lockup + URL
VO: "[Tagline]"Template C: Social Proof
[0.0-1.5s] VISUAL: Counter animation "10,000,000+ users"
VO: "Ten million people..."
[1.5-4.0s] VISUAL: Quick montage of diverse users (3-4 clips, 0.6s each)
VO: "...chose [Product]"
[4.0-6.0s] VISUAL: Logo + "Join them" CTA
VO: "Try it free"Bumper ad DO's and DON'Ts:
✅ DO: Use bold, high-contrast visuals
✅ DO: Front-load the brand name (first 2 seconds)
✅ DO: Use supers — many watch without sound
✅ DO: Create a series (3-5 bumpers telling a bigger story)
❌ DON'T: Try to tell a story (no time)
❌ DON'T: Use more than 8-10 words of text
❌ DON'T: Show multiple products
❌ DON'T: End without logo/brand
❌ DON'T: Use complex transitionsFormat rules:
Template A: Problem-Solution
[0:00-0:03] HOOK — Grab attention
VISUAL: Relatable problem scenario
VO: "You know that feeling when [pain point]?"
NOTE: Brand name or logo visible in corner
[0:03-0:05] BRIDGE — Introduce solution (BEFORE SKIP BUTTON)
VISUAL: Product appears / transition
VO: "[Product] fixes that instantly"
NOTE: Viewer must know product + benefit by here
[0:05-0:10] DEMO — Show how it works
VISUAL: Product in action, screen recording, or lifestyle
VO: "[Feature 1]. [Feature 2]. [Result]."
SUPER: Key benefit text overlay
[0:10-0:13] PROOF — Build credibility
VISUAL: Review score, user count, award badge
VO: "Rated [X] stars by [number] users"
[0:13-0:15] CTA — Drive action
VISUAL: Logo lockup + URL + offer
VO: "Try [Product] free at [URL]"
SUPER: "Start Free Trial →"Template B: Testimonial Quick-Cut
[0:00-0:03] HOOK
VISUAL: Person looking at camera
TALENT: "I was skeptical about [Product] until..."
SUPER: Real Customer | [Name]
[0:03-0:05] PAYOFF
TALENT: "...it saved me [specific result]"
VISUAL: Reaction shot, genuine emotion
[0:05-0:10] CONTEXT
VISUAL: B-roll of product usage
TALENT: "I use it every day for [use case]"
[0:10-0:15] CTA
VISUAL: Product shot + offer
TALENT: "Seriously, just try it"
SUPER: [URL] | [Offer]Three-act structure for 30s:
ACT 1: SETUP (0:00-0:08)
- Hook in first 3 seconds
- Establish character/situation
- Present the problem or desire
ACT 2: CONFRONTATION (0:08-0:20)
- Introduce the product as solution
- Show transformation or key features
- Build emotional engagement
ACT 3: RESOLUTION (0:20-0:30)
- Show the outcome / new reality
- Social proof or reinforcement
- Clear CTA with offerTemplate: Narrative Ad Script
[0:00-0:03] HOOK
VISUAL: [Attention-grabbing opening — visual or statement]
AUDIO: [Music: [mood] instrumental, builds throughout]
VO/TALENT: "[Hook line that creates curiosity or empathy]"
[0:03-0:08] SETUP
VISUAL: [Establish the relatable scenario]
VO/TALENT: "[Context — who, what, why viewer should care]"
SUPER: [Optional stat or question overlay]
[0:08-0:12] PROBLEM ESCALATION
VISUAL: [Pain point visualized — frustration, inefficiency, loss]
VO/TALENT: "[Make the problem feel urgent or emotionally resonant]"
SFX: [Tension sound — clock ticking, error buzzer, sigh]
[0:12-0:17] PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
VISUAL: [Product reveal — satisfying transition from problem]
VO/TALENT: "That's why I started using [Product]"
SUPER: [Product name + tagline]
MUSIC: [Shift to upbeat / resolved tone]
[0:17-0:22] DEMONSTRATION
VISUAL: [Key features in action — 2-3 quick demo clips]
VO/TALENT: "[Feature 1 benefit]. [Feature 2 benefit]."
SUPER: [Feature callout text]
[0:22-0:26] PROOF / RESULT
VISUAL: [Outcome — happy user, dashboard showing results, transformation]
VO/TALENT: "[Specific result: saved X hours, grew Y%, earned $Z]"
SUPER: [Testimonial quote or star rating]
[0:26-0:30] CTA
VISUAL: [Product shot → logo → URL → offer badge]
VO/TALENT: "[Action verb] today. [Offer details]."
SUPER: "[URL] | [Promo Code] | [Offer]"
MUSIC: [Resolve on brand sting]Hook categories ranked by performance:
| Hook Type | Avg Completion Rate | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern Interrupt | 65-75% | Visual products | Start mid-action, no context |
| Curiosity Gap | 60-70% | All products | "I can't believe this actually worked" |
| Controversial Take | 55-70% | Thought leadership | "Hot take: [contrarian opinion]" |
| Direct Address | 50-65% | Targeted audiences | "If you're a [role] you need this" |
| Question | 50-60% | Problem-aware audiences | "Why is nobody talking about this?" |
| List / Number | 45-60% | Educational content | "3 things I wish I knew about [X]" |
| POV Format | 45-55% | Relatable scenarios | "POV: you finally find [solution]" |
TikTok script template (15-30 seconds):
[0-1s] PATTERN INTERRUPT
ACTION: [Unexpected visual or audio that stops scroll]
Examples:
- Start filming mid-sentence "—and THAT'S why this changed everything"
- Dramatic zoom into product
- Green screen with shocking image/stat
- Satisfying ASMR sound
[1-3s] HOOK STATEMENT
TALENT: "[Hook line — question, claim, or tease]"
NOTE: Do NOT mention brand yet. Build curiosity first.
[3-8s] CONTEXT / STORY
TALENT: "[Relatable setup — who you are, why this matters]"
VISUAL: [Authentic, phone-recorded feel]
[8-18s] PRODUCT REVEAL + DEMO
TALENT: "[Natural introduction of product]"
VISUAL: [Show product in real use — unpolished is better]
NOTE: Demonstrate, don't describe. Show, don't tell.
[18-25s] RESULT / SOCIAL PROOF
TALENT: "[Specific result or genuine reaction]"
VISUAL: [Before/after, stats on screen, or genuine emotion]
[25-30s] CTA
TALENT: "[Casual CTA — 'link in bio' or 'you're welcome']"
SUPER: [Product name + brief CTA text]
NOTE: Keep CTA conversational, not salesyHook rate = % of viewers who watch past 3 seconds
Benchmarks by platform:
| Platform | Poor | Average | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube (skippable) | <25% | 25-40% | 40-55% | 55%+ |
| TikTok | <30% | 30-50% | 50-65% | 65%+ |
| Instagram Reels | <25% | 25-45% | 45-60% | 60%+ |
| Meta Feed (video) | <15% | 15-30% | 30-45% | 45%+ |
| LinkedIn Video | <20% | 20-35% | 35-50% | 50%+ |
Hook optimization techniques:
1. VISUAL HOOK (highest impact)
- Movement in frame within 0.5s
- Face close-up (human faces retain 2x more)
- High contrast / saturated colors
- Unexpected visual element
2. AUDIO HOOK
- Voice starts immediately (no music intro)
- First word is emotionally charged
- Sound effects that trigger curiosity
- Trending audio (TikTok/Reels only)
3. TEXT HOOK
- On-screen text appears at 0.0s (not delayed)
- Question format: "Did you know...?"
- Number format: "5 reasons why..."
- Controversy: "This is wrong and here's why"
4. STRUCTURE HOOK
- Start in medias res (middle of action)
- Open loop (tease payoff that comes later)
- Pattern interrupt (break expected format)A/B testing hooks:
Test framework:
1. Create 5 different hooks for same video body
2. Run each as separate ad with identical targeting
3. Measure: Hook Rate, Completion Rate, CTR, CPA
4. Kill bottom 3 after 200 impressions each
5. Scale top 2 with 60/40 budget split
6. Test 3 new hooks against winner weekly| Platform | Awareness | Consideration | Conversion | App Install |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 6s bumper, 15s pre-roll | 30s, 60s | 15-30s | 15s |
| TikTok | 9-15s | 15-30s | 15-21s | 6-15s |
| Instagram Reels | 7-15s | 15-30s | 15-30s | 15s |
| Meta Feed | 6-15s | 15-30s | 15-30s | 15s |
| 15-30s | 30-90s | 30-60s | N/A | |
| CTV/Streaming | 15s, 30s | 30s, 60s | 30s | N/A |
| Element | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Background music | Match energy to message arc | Overpower voiceover |
| Sound effects | Use sparingly for emphasis | Use stock "whoosh" clichés |
| Voiceover pace | 140-160 words/minute | Rush past 180 wpm |
| Silence | Strategic pauses create emphasis | Leave dead air unintentionally |
| Trending audio | Use on organic TikTok/Reels | Use on paid ads (licensing risk) |
| Duration | Words (VO) | Words (Dialogue) | Supers (text on screen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 seconds | 12-18 | 10-15 | 4-8 words |
| 15 seconds | 35-45 | 30-40 | 8-15 words |
| 30 seconds | 70-85 | 60-75 | 15-25 words |
| 60 seconds | 140-160 | 120-140 | 25-40 words |
| 90 seconds | 200-230 | 180-210 | 35-50 words |
PRODUCT: TaskMaster (Project Management Tool)
AUDIENCE: Marketing managers, 28-45, frustrated with tool sprawl
TONE: Relatable, slightly humorous, confident
---
[0:00-0:03] HOOK
VISUAL: Split screen — left: 14 open browser tabs. Right: person rubbing temples.
VO: "If your project management looks like this..."
SFX: Notification sounds layering on top of each other
[0:03-0:08] SETUP
VISUAL: Montage of Slack, email, spreadsheet, sticky notes — chaotic
VO: "...scattered across Slack, email, three spreadsheets, and
a sticky note you lost last Tuesday..."
MUSIC: Tense, building
[0:08-0:12] PRODUCT INTRO
VISUAL: Satisfying transition — chaos dissolves into clean TaskMaster dashboard
VO: "Meet TaskMaster."
SFX: Satisfying "click" sound
MUSIC: Shifts to calm, confident
[0:12-0:20] DEMO
VISUAL: Screen recording — drag task, assign team, set deadline, auto-status
VO: "One board. Every project. Every team member.
Drag, drop, done. No training manual required."
SUPER: "Drag. Drop. Done."
[0:20-0:25] PROOF
VISUAL: Customer logos scroll + 4.8 star rating badge
VO: "Join 50,000 teams who ditched the chaos."
SUPER: "★★★★★ 4.8/5 — 12,000 reviews"
[0:25-0:30] CTA
VISUAL: TaskMaster logo → "Try Free for 14 Days" button animation
VO: "Start free at TaskMaster dot com."
SUPER: "taskmaster.com | Free 14-Day Trial"
MUSIC: Resolve on brand stingPart of the Synter free skills collection — open-source agent skills for advertising, PPC, and marketing automation.
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