Video Ad Scriptwriter

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.

Capabilities

• 6-Second Bumper Ads: YouTube non-skippable format scripts
• 15-Second Pre-Roll: Concise message delivery with skip-proof hooks
• 30-Second Narrative Ads: Full story arc with emotional beats
• TikTok Native Scripts: Pattern interrupts, curiosity gaps, trending formats
• Script Timing Templates: Second-by-second breakdowns
• Hook Rate Optimization: First 3-second retention strategies
• Multi-Format Adaptation: Convert one concept across all durations

Workflows

1. Script Development Process

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

Step 3: Write script with timing marks

2. 6-Second Bumper Ad Scripts (YouTube)

Format rules:

• Non-skippable, must complete in exactly 6 seconds
• ONE message only — no time for setup
• Visual-first — audio reinforces, doesn't carry
• Logo/branding in last 1-2 seconds minimum
• No complex narrative — single moment or statement

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 transitions

3. 15-Second Pre-Roll Structure

Format rules:

• Skippable after 5 seconds on YouTube — hook MUST land before skip
• First 5 seconds = your entire ad for most viewers
• Brand visible by second 3
• CTA must be clear even if skipped at :05

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]

4. 30-Second Narrative Arc

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 offer

Template: 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]

5. TikTok Native Hooks (First 3 Seconds)

Hook categories ranked by performance:

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 salesy

6. Hook Rate Optimization

Hook rate = % of viewers who watch past 3 seconds

Benchmarks by platform:

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

Reference Data

Video Length Recommendations by Platform & Objective

Music & Audio Guidelines

Script Word Count by Duration

Examples

Example: SaaS Product 30-Second YouTube Ad

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 sting

About this skill

Part of the Synter free skills collection — open-source agent skills for advertising, PPC, and marketing automation.

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