Short videos fall apart when you plan only the words. This template scripts every second across four tracks at once: the shot, the on-screen text, the voiceover, and the sound. Pick the 15, 30, or 60-second version, write the hook first, and film from a plan instead of from memory.
Pick a length. Choose 15, 30, or 60 seconds based on how much the idea needs. One tip fits 15 seconds; a short story or a three-step process needs 30 to 60.
Write the hook row first. Fill the 0-3 second row before anything else: the opening shot, the text on screen, and the first spoken line. If the hook is weak, fix it before you script the rest.
Script all four tracks. For each row, fill the visual, on-screen text, voiceover, and audio columns. Many people watch with the sound off, so the text track should make sense alone.
Run the pre-post checklist. Before you publish, write the caption and CTA, then tick every item on the checklist. Save the finished script so you can reuse the structure.
Here's a preview. Unlock the free download to get all 6 sections (5 more below).
Every short video in this template follows the same four beats. The timings show how each beat scales with length. Plan the beats here, then script the full table for your chosen length.
| Beat | Job of this beat | 15-second video | 30-second video | 60-second video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hook | Stop the scroll and state the payoff | 0-2s | 0-3s | 0-3s |
| 2. Setup | Give just enough context to follow along | 2-5s | 3-8s | 3-12s |
More free templates creators use alongside this one.
The first 15 seconds decide your retention. This hook bank gives you proven opening formulas with fill-in examples so you never stare at a blank cold open or settle for a weak intro again.
TikTok rewards volume and speed. This planner helps you batch ideas, track trending sounds, and lock a daily posting rhythm so you are always feeding the algorithm fresh video while jumping on trends before they fade.
Creating from scratch every day is unsustainable. This workflow turns one pillar piece — a video, podcast, or long post — into a full week of Reels, carousels, threads, and emails so you publish more while creating less.
Start with the hook: the first shot, the first line, and the on-screen text for the opening 3 seconds. Then plan the setup, the value, and the payoff with a single CTA. Script the visual, text, voiceover, and audio for each moment so filming and editing follow a plan.
It depends on how fast you speak. A common range is roughly 2 to 3 words per second, so about 60 to 90 words for 30 seconds. Read your script aloud with a timer and cut until it fits with room to breathe.
Usually, yes. The hook-first structure works on all three. Adjust the caption, hashtags, and sound for each platform, and export a clean file without another app's watermark before you upload it elsewhere.
