1# Short-Form Video: Hooks, Scripts & Strategy
2 
3Detailed reference for creating short-form video content on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
4 
5---
6 
7## Video Hook Library
8 
9### Curiosity Hooks (Best for engagement)
10 
11**The "Secret" Formula:**
12- "The secret to [outcome] that nobody talks about"
13- "I found the hidden feature in [product/platform] that changes everything"
14- "I can't believe this actually works..."
15 
16**The Unexpected Discovery:**
17- "I tried [thing] for 30 days and I was NOT expecting this"
18- "This completely changed how I think about [topic]"
19- "Nobody talks about this, but..."
20 
21**The Question:**
22- "Why does nobody talk about this?"
23- "Am I the only one who didn't know this?"
24- "The reason [common thing] doesn't work is..."
25 
26### Value Hooks (Best for saves)
27 
28**The Promise:**
29- "How to [achieve outcome] in [specific timeframe]"
30- "[Number] [things] that will [benefit]"
31- "Everything you need to know about [topic] in 60 seconds"
32 
33**The Hack/Shortcut:**
34- "[Outcome] hack that actually works"
35- "The [adjective] way to [outcome]"
36- "If you're struggling with [problem], watch this"
37 
38**The Warning:**
39- "Stop doing [common practice] — here's why"
40- "[Number] mistakes that are killing your [results]"
41- "Why [thing you think is good] is actually hurting you"
42 
43### Story Hooks (Best for watch time)
44 
45**The Transformation:**
46- "3 months ago, I [bad state]. Today, I [good state]."
47- "Here's how I went from [before] to [after]"
48- "I used to think [old belief]. Then [event] changed everything."
49 
50**The Failure:**
51- "I made a huge mistake with [topic]"
52- "Here's why I stopped [common practice]"
53- "I lost [something significant] because of this mistake"
54 
55**The Journey:**
56- "So this just happened..."
57- "This changed everything for me"
58- "Let me tell you about the time I [interesting situation]"
59 
60### Controversial Hooks (Best for comments)
61 
62- "Unpopular opinion: [bold statement]"
63- "[Common advice] is actually wrong"
64- "I'm going to get hate for this, but..."
65- "Most [audience] get this completely wrong"
66 
67---
68 
69## Scripting Template
70 
71```markdown
72## Video: [Working Title]
73 
74**Platform:** TikTok / Reels / Shorts
75**Length:** XX seconds
76**Format:** [Talking head / Slideshow / Demo / Screen recording]
77 
78### Hook (0-3 sec)
79- Visual: [What viewer sees]
80- Audio: [What they hear]
81- Text overlay: [On-screen text]
82 
83### Body (3-X sec)
84- [Timestamp] - [What happens/what you say]
85- [Timestamp] - [Next beat]
86- [Continue...]
87 
88### CTA (final 3-5 sec)
89- Verbal: [What you say]
90- Text: [On-screen text]
91- Action: [Follow, comment, link in bio, etc.]
92 
93### Production Notes
94- Music/sound: [Trending sound or music choice]
95- B-roll needed: [List any clips needed]
96- Graphics: [Any text animations or overlays]
97```
98 
99---
100 
101## Additional Video Structures
102 
103### The Story Arc (45-60 sec)
104 
105```
106[0-3s]  Hook: Tease the outcome
107[3-15s] Setup: Context and stakes
108[15-45s] Journey: What happened
109[45-55s] Resolution: The result
110[55-60s] Lesson/CTA
111```
112 
113Best for: Personal stories, case studies, testimonials
114 
115### The POV/Skit (15-30 sec)
116 
117```
118[0-3s]  Setup: Text overlay sets the scene
119[3-25s] Performance: Act out the relatable scenario
120[25-30s] Punchline or twist
121```
122 
123Best for: Relatable content, humor, niche communities
124 
125---
126 
127## Visual Patterns
128 
129### Talking Head
130- Good lighting (ring light or window light)
131- Eye contact with camera
132- Hand gestures for emphasis
133- Interesting background (bookshelf, plants, studio setup)
134 
135### Slideshow/Carousel Video
136- Strong visual on each slide (2-4 seconds per slide)
137- Text overlays with key points
138- Consistent style/branding
139- Voiceover or trending sound
140 
141### Screen Recording
142- Zoom in on important areas
143- Add cursor highlight or click animations
144- Keep movements smooth and intentional
145- Overlay your face in corner (optional but boosts engagement)
146 
147### B-Roll Heavy
148- Show don't tell
149- Quick cuts (1-3 seconds per shot)
150- Match cuts to voiceover beats
151- Mix wide, medium, and close-up shots
152 
153---
154 
155## Audio Strategy
156 
157### When to Use Trending Sounds
158- Entertainment/lifestyle content where the sound fits your message
159- When the trend is still rising (check platform trending pages)
160- Don't use when it distracts from your message or is already declining
161 
162### When to Use Original Audio
163- Educational content where you're speaking
164- Storytimes and personal narratives
165- Product demos and tutorials
166- Building a recognizable brand voice
167 
168### Voiceover Tips
169- Speak slightly faster than normal conversation
170- Vary your tone — avoid monotone delivery
171- Pause for emphasis on key points
172- Record in a quiet space, use noise removal
173- AI voices work for faceless content (ElevenLabs, etc.)
174 
175### Music Selection
176- Match energy to content (upbeat for tips, emotional for stories)
177- Avoid copyrighted music on Reels/Shorts
178- Use platform music libraries for safety
179- Lower music volume under voiceover (ducking)
180 
181---
182 
183## Posting Strategy
184 
185### Optimal Posting Times (test your audience)
186 
187| Platform | Best Times (local) |
188|----------|-------------------|
189| TikTok | 7-9 AM, 12-3 PM, 7-11 PM |
190| Reels | 9 AM, 12 PM, 7-9 PM |
191| Shorts | 12-3 PM, 7-9 PM |
192 
193### Frequency Recommendations
194 
195| Goal | Minimum | Optimal |
196|------|---------|---------|
197| Growing | 1/day | 2-4/day |
198| Maintaining | 3/week | 1/day |
199| Testing | 2/week | 5/week |
200 
201### Batch Creation Workflow
202 
2031. **Ideate** (30 min): Generate 10-20 concepts
2042. **Script** (1 hour): Write scripts for 5-10 videos
2053. **Batch film** (2 hours): Record all talking head content
2064. **Edit** (2-3 hours): Edit and add captions
2075. **Schedule** (30 min): Queue for optimal times
208 
209---
210 
211## Analytics & Iteration
212 
213### Metrics That Matter
214 
215| Metric | What It Tells You |
216|--------|-------------------|
217| Watch time % | Is content engaging throughout? |
218| Completion rate | Did hook + content deliver? |
219| Saves | Is content valuable enough to revisit? |
220| Shares | Is content worth spreading? |
221| Comments | Did content spark conversation? |
222| Follows | Did viewer want more from you? |
223 
224### What to Test
225 
2261. **Hooks**: Same content, different opening
2272. **Length**: 15 sec vs 30 sec vs 60 sec
2283. **Format**: Talking head vs slideshow vs demo
2294. **Time**: Morning vs afternoon vs evening
2305. **CTA**: Different calls to action
231 
232### When to Pivot
233 
234- 5+ videos with <1% completion rate → change hooks
235- High views but low follows → check CTA and content-audience fit
236- High saves but low shares → content is valuable but not social
237- Lots of comments but negative → lean into controversy or adjust tone
238