How to Write a YouTube Script (+ Free Template Download)

I used to wing it.

Hit record, ramble for 20 minutes about my topic, then spend hours in editing trying to salvage something coherent. Cut out the "umms," fix the awkward pauses, rearrange sentences so they actually made sense.

A 10-minute video took me 4 hours to edit. That's not sustainable.

Then I tried scripting. Fully written, word-for-word. Read it on camera like a teleprompter. The result? I sounded like a robot reading a corporate training video. Monotone. Lifeless. Nobody watched past 30 seconds.

So I figured out the middle ground: a flexible script structure. Not word-for-word, but not winging it either.

Here's the framework that cut my editing time by 70%.

Do You Actually Need a Script?

Short answer: it depends.

Some creators (like Casey Neistat) improvise everything and make it work. Others (like Marques Brownlee) script meticulously. Both approaches can succeed.

Here's when you NEED a script:

• Educational content: You're explaining something technical and can't afford to miss steps or get facts wrong.
• Tight runtime: You need to deliver information in exactly 8 minutes for ad placement.
• Multiple takes/locations: You're filming B-roll separately from talking head footage.
• Team production: Other people (editor, producer) need to know what you're filming.

Here's when you DON'T need a script:

• Vlogs/daily life content: Your personality IS the content.
• Reaction videos: You're responding in real-time.
• Live streams: Obviously.
• Short-form (TikTok/Shorts): You can memorize 30 seconds.

I script 80% of my videos now. The ones I don't script are behind-the-scenes, updates, or casual Q&As where the raw feel matters more than polish.

The 4-Part Script Structure That Works

Forget trying to write perfect prose. Your script isn't a novel. It's a roadmap.

Here's the structure I use for 95% of my videos:

Part 1: The Hook (First 7 Seconds)

You have 7 seconds before viewers decide to leave. That's it.

Your hook needs to do ONE thing: make them curious enough to keep watching.

Bad hook: "Hey guys, welcome back to my channel! Today we're talking about..."

Good hook: "I wasted $800 on productivity apps before I found the one that actually works."

See the difference? The second one creates a question in your mind: which app? The first one is just preamble.

Hook formulas that work:

• Big claim: "This editing trick saved me 10 hours last week."
• Shocking stat: "87% of YouTubers quit in the first year. Here's why."
• Personal failure: "I lost 5,000 subscribers by making this one mistake."
• Controversial take: "YouTube SEO is overrated. Here's what matters more."

Write your hook last. After you've written the rest of the script, you'll know what the most interesting part is - lead with that.

Part 2: The Promise (Next 20 Seconds)

You hooked them. Now tell them what they're about to learn and why it's worth their time.

This is where you set expectations. Be specific.

Example: "In the next 8 minutes, I'm going to show you the exact script template I use for every video. It cuts my filming time in half and keeps viewers watching longer. By the end, you'll have a fill-in-the-blank template you can use today."

Notice what I did there:

• Timeframe (8 minutes - they know the commitment)
• Specific benefit (cuts filming time in half, better retention)
• Deliverable (template they can actually use)

Don't oversell. If you promise "the secret to 1 million subscribers" and deliver "post consistently," people will bounce and dislike your video.

Part 3: The Body (Main Content)

This is where you deliver what you promised. Structure it like a list, even if you don't call it one.

For tutorial/how-to videos:

• Point 1: [Problem + Solution]
• Point 2: [Problem + Solution]
• Point 3: [Problem + Solution]

For review/comparison videos:

• Option A: [Pros, Cons, Best For]
• Option B: [Pros, Cons, Best For]
• Option C: [Pros, Cons, Best For]

For storytelling/experience videos:

• Setup (what was happening)
• Conflict (what went wrong)
• Resolution (how you fixed it)
• Lesson (what you learned)

The key: signpost your transitions. Tell people where you are in the video.

"Alright, that's the first method. Now let's talk about the second approach..."

"We've covered the tools. Next, I want to show you the workflow..."

These signposts keep people oriented. They know you're making progress, which keeps them watching.

Part 4: The CTA (Last 20 Seconds)

Call to Action. What do you want viewers to do next?

Pick ONE action. Not three. One.

• Subscribe (if you're building a new channel)
• Watch another video (if you want session time)
• Download a resource (if you're building an email list)
• Leave a comment (if you want engagement)

I rotate mine based on goals. When I'm focused on growth, I push subscribes. When I'm focused on watch time, I recommend a specific video.

Example CTA: "If you want more scriptwriting tips, I made a video on how to write better hooks - it's linked in the description. And if you're new here, subscribe so you don't miss the next one. I'll see you in the next video."

Simple. Clear. One main action (subscribe) with one secondary (watch related video).

How Long Should Your Script Be?

Here's the rule I use:

150 words = 1 minute of video (if you talk at normal pace)

So for a 10-minute video, aim for about 1,500 words. For a 5-minute video, about 750 words.

But don't obsess over this. Some videos need more words (fast-paced tutorials), some need fewer (cinematic b-roll heavy content).

I write my script, then read it out loud with a timer. If I'm way over or under, I adjust. But hitting exactly 1,500 words? Doesn't matter if the content works.

The Bullet Point Method (My Favorite)

I don't write full sentences anymore. I write bullet points with key phrases.

Here's what a section of my script looks like:

SECTION 2: Why Scripts Save Time
- Used to wing it → 4 hours editing
- Now script → 90 min editing
- Not word-for-word, just structure
- Example: filmed 3 vids in one day w/ scripts

KEY STAT: 70% less editing time

TRANSITION: "But you don't want to sound scripted..."

That's it. When I'm on camera, I glance at this outline and talk naturally. I hit the key points, but the exact wording is improvised.

This method:

• Sounds conversational (because it is)
• Keeps me on track (I don't ramble)
• Saves prep time (faster to write bullets than full paragraphs)

Try it. Write a full script for your next video, then convert it to bullets. Film both ways. See which feels better.

Common Scriptwriting Mistakes

Mistake #1: Writing how you write, not how you talk

Read your script out loud BEFORE filming. If you stumble over sentences, they're too complex. Simplify.

Bad: "The utilization of this methodology enables creators to substantially reduce post-production duration."

Good: "This method cuts your editing time by half."

Write like you're texting a friend, not submitting an essay.

Mistake #2: No pattern interrupts

If your script is just talking head for 10 minutes straight, people will zone out. You need pattern interrupts.

• B-roll inserts
• On-screen text
• Jump cuts
• Music changes
• Screen recordings

Script these in. Write "[B-ROLL: Coffee shop shots]" or "[SHOW: Screenshot of analytics]" right in your script. Your editor will thank you.

Mistake #3: Burying the value

Don't save the good stuff for the end. People leave. They don't watch all the way through.

Give them value EARLY. Then give them more value. Then wrap up with a final insight.

Front-load your best points. Don't make them wait.

Mistake #4: No energy markers

I add notes to myself in the script:

• [EXCITED TONE] for key reveals
• [SLOW DOWN] for important points
• [PAUSE] before transitions

Sounds silly, but it helps. Otherwise I fall into monotone delivery halfway through filming.

Do YouTubers Actually Write Their Own Scripts?

Short answer: some do, some don't.

Smaller channels (under 100k): Usually script themselves.

Mid-size channels (100k-1M): Mix of self-scripting and hiring writers.

Large channels (1M+): Often have teams. Mr. Beast has a writing staff.

But here's the thing: even with writers, the creator usually outlines the video. The writer fills in the structure.

You can hire writers on:

• Upwork ($20-50/script)
• Fiverr ($15-40/script)
• Scripted ($50-150/script)

Or use AI tools like ChatGPT or Jasper to draft a first pass, then rewrite it in your voice.

I still script my own videos because my voice IS my brand. But I'll occasionally have an AI generate an outline to speed things up.

The ChatGPT Script Trick

If you're stuck, use this prompt:

Write a YouTube script outline (not full script) for a video titled "[YOUR TITLE]".
Target audience: [WHO].
Goal: [TEACH/ENTERTAIN/PERSUADE].
Include: hook (first 7 seconds), promise (what viewers will learn),
3-5 main points with subpoints, pattern interrupts (suggest B-roll moments),
and CTA.
Write in a conversational tone - no jargon, short sentences, contractions.

It'll give you a solid outline. Then you rewrite it in your own words.

Don't just copy-paste AI scripts. They sound generic. Use them as starting points.

Free Script Template (Yours to Copy)

I made a Google Doc template with fill-in-the-blank sections for every part of this structure.

It includes:

• Hook formula options
• Promise template
• Body structure (3-point and 5-point versions)
• CTA examples
• Timing guidelines

Use the free interactive template here. Fill it in for your next video, and it auto-saves in your browser.

The Bottom Line

A good script isn't about perfect writing. It's about clear structure.

You need to know:

1. What you're saying
2. Why people should care
3. What order you're saying it in
4. What you want them to do next

The rest is just talking to a camera.

I still improvise plenty. But having the roadmap means I never get lost. I hit my points, stay on time, and cut editing time by hours.

Start with the template. Use it for 5 videos. Then adjust it to fit your style. Eventually you'll internalize the structure and won't need to reference it anymore.

But until then? Script it out. Future you (sitting in the editing chair) will thank you.

Want to automate your entire scriptwriting process? VidScout uses AI to generate scripts, titles, and thumbnails based on your video topic - all optimized for watch time and SEO.