10 Short Video Script Templates for Reels, TikTok and Shorts

The fastest way to script a short video is to start from a simple pattern: a hook in the first line, one idea and one call to action. Below are ten short video script templates for Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts, from 15 to 60 seconds. Each lists its ideal length and hook, and includes a script you can copy, fill in and read straight from a teleprompter.

How to use these short video script templates

Replace everything in curly braces with your own words. Keep the line breaks, because they're your breathing points, and keep the [pause] markers where you want a beat.

Use word count to check length. At around 150 words per minute, 15 seconds is about 35–40 words, 30 seconds about 70–80 words and 60 seconds about 140–160 words. If a filled-in template runs long, cut detail from the middle, never the hook. For the thinking behind these structures, see how to write a video script.

Teaching templates

1. Quick tip (15–20 seconds)

Hook: name the mistake your viewer is making. One tip, one reason, one ask. It's the easiest format to batch, so write five at once.

Stop {common mistake}.
[pause]
Do this instead:
{the tip, in one sentence}.
It works because {the reason, in one line}.
I learned this the hard way, after {short personal detail}.
Try it the next time you {situation}
and follow for one {topic} tip every day.

2. Myth vs fact (20–30 seconds)

Hook: state the myth as if you believe it, then flip it. Keep the explanation to one sentence so the correction feels helpful rather than preachy.

You've probably heard that {myth}.
[pause]
It's not true.
Here's what actually happens:
{the fact, in plain words}.
The myth sticks around because {why people believe it}.
So next time someone tells you {myth},
you can tell them {short version of the fact}.
Which myth should I tackle next?
Tell me in the comments.

3. List (30–45 seconds)

Hook: a number and a benefit. Three items is the sweet spot for short video: generous enough to save, short enough to remember.

Three {things} that {benefit},
and the last one is free.
[pause]
# One
{Item one}: {one line on why it helps}.
# Two
{Item two}: {one line on why it helps}.
# Three
{Item three}: {one line on why it helps}.
It costs nothing,
and most people skip it.
[pause]
Save this so you have the list
next time you {situation}.

4. FAQ answer (20–30 seconds)

Hook: the customer's question, word for word, as they ask it. Answer in the very next sentence, then add the detail.

"{The question customers ask you}?"
[pause]
Short answer: {yes, no, or it depends on one thing}.
Here's why.
{One or two sentences of explanation.}
If you're in {specific situation},
{what you should do}.
And if you're not sure,
send me a message with the word "{keyword}"
and I'll help you figure it out.

Selling templates

5. Before and after (20–30 seconds)

Hook: show the result first, then rewind. Film the "after" shot in the same spot and light as the "before," or the comparison won't be believable.

This is {the result}.
[pause]
And this is what it looked like {time} ago.
The difference came down to three changes:
{change one},
{change two}
and {change three}.
The one that mattered most was {the key change},
because {short reason}.
If you want the same result,
start with that one.

6. Product demo (30–45 seconds)

Hook: the problem the product solves, in your customer's words. Then show three moments of use instead of listing features, and include one honest limit or care tip.

If {annoying problem} drives you crazy,
watch this.
[pause]
This is {product}.
{Show the first use}: {what it does, in plain words}.
{Show the second use}: {a detail people don't expect}.
And {show the third use}: {the result}.
It's {the spec that matters, like size or material},
and it {one honest limit or care tip}.
You'll find it {where to buy},
and the link is in my profile.

7. Offer announcement (15–30 seconds)

Hook: who the offer is for. Then the four facts people need: what it is, who qualifies, when it ends and exactly how to get it.

{Who it's for}: this one's for you.
[pause]
From {start date} to {end date},
{the offer, stated plainly}.
It includes {what's included}
and works for {who qualifies}.
To get it, {exactly how: code, link or visit}.
It ends on {end date},
so don't leave it to the last day.

Connection templates

8. Story (45–60 seconds)

Hook: drop straight into the middle of the moment, with no setup. The shape is moment, problem, turning point, lesson and what it means for the viewer.

{Time and place}, {what was happening}.
[pause]
I was {the problem or the feeling}.
I'd tried {what you tried first},
and it made things worse.
Then {someone you trusted}
told me something I still remember:
"{the line, in a few words}."
[pause]
So I {what you did differently}.
It took {honest amount of time},
but {the result}.
Here's why I'm telling you this.
If you're {viewer's similar situation},
{the lesson, in one sentence}.
You don't need {the thing people think they need}.
You need {the real answer}.
[pause]
Follow if you want more stories like this,
and the lessons that came with them.

9. Behind the scenes (20–30 seconds)

Hook: promise a look at what customers never see. Show hands, tools and the messy middle; process is what makes this format interesting.

Here's what happens
before {what customers see} reaches you.
[pause]
It starts at {time} with {first step}.
Then {second step},
which takes longer than anyone expects.
This part is my favorite: {the satisfying step}.
And finally, {last step}.
{Number} hours of work for {the final result}.
Now you know why {honest detail about price, time or quality}.

10. Personal intro (30–45 seconds)

Hook: who you help, before your name. Pin this video to your profile so new visitors know what to expect.

If you're {who you help} and you want {their goal},
you're in the right place.
[pause]
I'm {name}.
For {number} years I've been {what you do},
and I've {one honest, concrete credential}.
On this account, I share {what kind of videos}
every {how often}.
Things like {example one},
{example two}
and {example three}.
If that sounds useful,
follow along.
The next one goes up on {day}.

Recording and posting tips

A good template can still fall flat in the recording. These habits make the difference:

1. Batch your recording. Fill in five templates, then record them in one session with the same light and framing. In Cameratel, duplicate a script in the library, fill in the braces and keep your originals untouched.
2. Read it, but sound like you. With Cameratel's Voice follow, the script moves with your voice, so you can add a word or skip a line without losing your place. The Voice follow page explains how it works.
3. Record vertical, mind the edges. Shoot in 9:16 and keep your face and any text away from the edges, where apps place buttons and descriptions. The video format and settings guide covers safe areas.
4. Add captions. Many people watch with the sound off. Captions generated from your script come out spelled the way you wrote them; the auto captions guide explains your options.
5. Repeat the hook as on-screen text. The first line works twice if it's also written at the top of the frame for silent viewers.

Templates are a starting point, not a cage. Once a pattern works for your audience, change it, combine two, and build your own.