tiktok-script-writer

What this skill does

# TikTok Script Writer

Write punchy 30-60 second video scripts for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube
Shorts that stop the scroll, demo the product naturally, and drive affiliate link
clicks. Every script is structured for vertical video: hook → problem → demo →
result → CTA.

## Stage

This skill belongs to Stage S2: Content

## When to Use

- User wants to promote an affiliate product on short-form video platforms
- User has an affiliate program picked (from S1) and needs TikTok/Reels content
- User asks for video script ideas for TikTok affiliate marketing
- User wants a hook-first script that converts viewers to buyers
- User creates content on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts

## Input Schema

```
{
  product: {
    name: string              # (required) "HeyGen"
    description: string       # (optional) What it does — will be researched if missing
    url: string               # (optional) Affiliate link or product URL
    reward_value: string      # (optional) Commission info — never shown in script
  }
  duration: number            # (optional, default: 45) Target duration in seconds: 15 | 30 | 45 | 60
  platform: string            # (optional, default: "tiktok") "tiktok" | "reels" | "shorts" | "all"
  hook_style: string          # (optional, default: auto) "question" | "shock" | "relatable" | "bold_claim" | "demo_first"
  creator_persona: string     # (optional) "beginner marketer" | "tech reviewer" | "productivity nerd"
  has_product_access: boolean # (optional, default: true) Can creator do live demo?
  personal_experience: string # (optional) Real experience to weave in
  audience: string            # (optional) "freelancers" | "small business owners" | "students"
}
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Research the Product

If product details are sparse, use `web_search "[product name] what it does tutorial"` to find:
- The single most impressive thing the product does (demo-able in <20 seconds)
- The main pain it eliminates (hook material)
- A specific result users achieve (e.g., "make a talking avatar video in 2 minutes")
- Any free trial or free tier (reduces friction for CTA)

Concrete specifics > vague claims. "Creates a 2-minute video in 30 seconds" beats
"saves time on video creation".

### Step 1.5: Analyze Top Performing TikToks (data-driven)

Before selecting hook style, see what's actually winning in this niche on TikTok:

**If `trending-content-scout` ran earlier:**
- Use TikTok-specific data from `top_content`
- Extract: winning hooks, optimal duration, top creators' styles
- Use `engagement_benchmark` to set a target engagement score
- If `content-angle-ranker` provided a `recommended_angle` → use it

**If no scout data (quick mode):**
- `web_search "[product name] tiktok"` → find top TikTok videos
- `web_search "best [niche] tiktok viral"` → find format patterns
- `web_search "[product name] tiktok review"` → see existing content
- Note view counts, styles, and durations visible in search results

**Apply findings to script:**
- If demo_first hooks have 2x engagement in this niche → default to demo_first
- If 30-45s videos outperform 60s → adjust duration target
- If a specific creator style dominates → note as reference (adapt, don't copy)
- If `engagement_benchmark.median_views` is known → aim to beat it with better hook + format

This step takes <2 minutes but can 3x the script's potential by building on
proven patterns instead of guessing.

### Step 2: Select the Hook Style

Short-form video is won or lost in seconds 1-3. Pick the hook based on the product's
strongest angle:

| Hook Style | Template | Best For |
|------------|----------|----------|
| **Question** | "What if you could [result] without [pain]?" | Products that remove a hard task |
| **Shock/Stat** | "I replaced [expensive thing] with a $[price]/mo tool" | Cost/efficiency wins |
| **Relatable** | "[Frustrating situation]? Same. Then I found this." | Niche audience pain |
| **Bold Claim** | "This [tool] is the reason I [impressive result]" | Strong ROI proof |
| **Demo First** | [Open with screen recording of the coolest feature immediately] | Visual/AI tools |
| **Story Opener** | "6 months ago I was [before state]. Now [after state]. Here's why." | Transformation |

For AI tools and visual products → **Demo First** almost always wins on TikTok.
For SaaS productivity tools → **Relatable** or **Shock/Stat** hooks work well.

### Step 3: Structure the Script

Every script follows this structure (adapt timing to duration):

**For 45-second scripts:**
- 0-3s: Hook (spoken + on-screen text)
- 3-8s: Relatable pain or setup
- 8-30s: Live demo OR narrated walkthrough of key feature
- 30-38s: Specific result / proof
- 38-44s: CTA (bio link, comment for link, or "link in bio")
- 44-45s: FTC disclosure overlay

**For 30-second scripts:**
- 0-3s: Hook
- 3-15s: Demo the #1 feature
- 15-25s: Result + social proof
- 25-30s: CTA + disclosure

**For 60-second scripts:**
- 0-3s: Hook
- 3-10s: Problem setup
- 10-40s: Full demo (2-3 features)
- 40-52s: Results + pricing mention (anchoring)
- 52-58s: CTA
- 58-60s: FTC disclosure

### Step 4: Write the Script

Format scripts with:
- **[VISUAL]** — what's on screen (screen recording, hands typing, reaction face, b-roll)
- **[SPOKEN]** — what the creator says (keep sentences short, max 10 words each)
- **[TEXT OVERLAY]** — on-screen text (keywords for silent viewers — 40% watch with no sound)
- **[CAPTION]** — suggested TikTok caption + hashtags

Writing rules:
1. Sentences under 10 words. TikTok viewers process fast.
2. No filler phrases: "basically", "literally", "you know what I mean"
3. Every 3-5 seconds: new visual cut, new text overlay, or spoken transition
4. Sound-optional: the text overlay should tell the whole story without audio
5. End the hook WITH the setup — don't just ask a question, tease the answer
6. The demo must be REAL — no vague "and then it does this amazing thing"

### Step 5: Add FTC Disclosure

Per `shared/references/ftc-compliance.md` for short-form video:
- Verbal disclosure if spoken at all (not required but best practice)
- Text overlay "#ad" or "Affiliate link in bio" must appear during CTA section
- Disclosure must be visible for at least 3 seconds
- Do NOT bury in caption — overlay is required per FTC guidance

### Step 6: Add Production Notes

Include brief notes for the creator:
- What to screen-record vs. film on camera
- Suggested background music BPM range (fast = tech demos, mid = tutorials)
- Caption and hashtag strategy for the platform
- Best time to post on each platform

### Step 7: Self-Validation

Before presenting output, verify:

- [ ] Spoken sentences under 10 words each
- [ ] New visual cut or text overlay every 3-5 seconds
- [ ] FTC "#ad" appears as text overlay, NOT buried in caption
- [ ] Disclosure overlay visible for at least 3 seconds
- [ ] Hook ends with setup, not just a question
- [ ] Demo shows specific feature, not vague claims

If any check fails, fix the output before delivering. Do not flag the checklist to the user — just ensure the output passes.

## Output Schema

```
{
  output_schema_version: "1.0.0"  # Semver — bump major on breaking changes
  scripts: [
    {
      platform: string          # "tiktok" | "reels" | "shorts"
      duration_seconds: number  # 45
      hook_style: string        # "demo_first"
      scenes: [
        {
          timecode: string      # "0-3s"
          visual: string
          spoken: string
          text_overlay: string
        }
      ]
      caption: string           # Full TikTok caption
      hashtags: string[]        # Suggested hashtags
      disclosure: string        # How and when FTC disclosure appears
    }
  ]
  product_name: string
  content_angle: string
  hook_used: string
}
```

## Output Format

```
## TikTok Script: [Product Name] ([Duration]s)

**Hook Style:** [Style name]
**Platform:** [TikTok / Reels / Shorts]
**Target Audience:** [Who this is for]

---

### Script

| Time | Visual | Spoken | Text Ove