#001: Write YouTube video scripts faster

Available on Substack, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Watch the video on YouTube for a full walkthrough.

Notes

No more scatterbrain, writer’s block, or info overload. Learn how to structure and write your YouTube video scripts with these 4 methods in under an hour. Use the free template outline in Notion or Google Docs to simplify your video scripting process and publish with confidence.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using one of my links. Thanks for your support!

Mentioned

Transcript

In this episode, I’m going to share 4 methods you can use to help you write YT video scripts faster.

And if you’re having trouble coming up with ideas or spend too much time scriptwriting and not enough time producing videos, I’ll also share how I use these methods plus AI prompts to speed up the scripting process.

And at the end, using the template outline in the description below, you can write your first draft in under 90 minutes in Notion or Google Docs.

I’ll also share some writing, filming, and editing tips, so make sure you stay to the end.

Mind maps

To get started, the first method is for when you’re struggling to organize your ideas for video scripting.

Use mind maps to create a structured framework for your video.

I used my Rocketbook to draw it out for this part.

Or use tools like Milanote, Figma, GitMind, or Miro for mind mapping.

If you’re listening on Apple, Spotify, or Substack, I’ll leave a link to the YouTube video where I walk you through the mind mapping process on Milanote using their story outline template.

There’s also another video that shows you how to use the Notion template if YouTube is your main platform for content.

Prompts

The second method is for writer’s block or when you need inspiration.

Use writing prompts to kickstart your flow of ideas.

A few example prompts would be:

This idea of using prompts is from Vicky Zhao, where she shows you how to use them for your video scripts and presentations.

Formulas + frameworks

When you’re not sure what to say in your intro or body, or you don’t know how to structure your scripts, you’d use the last 2 methods, which are formulas and frameworks.

Use these to help you create a storytelling roadmap and guide you through each stage for direction, so you can stay on track and focus on the main points.

One framework example is ICE – intro, content, and ending. This is the main framework I used for mind mapping.

There are also marketing formulas and frameworks like AIDA (which stands for attention, interest, desire, action), SCQA (for situation, complication, question, answer), and PASTOR (problem, amplify, solution, testimonial, offer, response).

Depending on the type of content you’re creating, you can also use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result), the Pyramid Principle, or the Hero’s Journey.

There are title formulas, like how to -blank- in -blank- minutes or hours.

For example, how to write video scripts in less than 90 minutes.

Search Pinterest to find more examples of title formulas.

And check the link below for more copywriting formulas from Copyhackers.

Prep work

Now it’s time to put everything together, but first some prep work.

All you’ll have to do in the script template outline is fill in the rest of the page with your notes and ideas.

Start by answering the writing prompts and adding your notes from your research.

To research and find inspiration, type in the topic or video idea in the YouTube search bar, the DuckDuckGo browser, or the YouTube Creator Studio, under Analytics, search in the YouTube research tab.

Use browser extensions like vidIQ or TubeBuddy for keyword research or to generate ideas.

And if you found any titles and thumbnails that grabbed your attention during your search, add them to your notes.

And don’t forget the title formulas you found on Pinterest. Mix and match to come up with your own.

Script writing process

So you’re done with all the prep work, it’s time to start writing the script.

And this is where you use AI to speed things up.

With the prompts you answered and the formulas and frameworks, you can use ChatGPT to generate ideas for you.

Start with “I’m writing a video script about the following” and paste your notes into the chat.

Then ask it to generate a list of 10 title ideas or create 3 intros using the PASTOR framework based on that info.

If you’re not sure which framework to use, you can then ask “how should I approach this topic?” or “how should I structure the video?”, and “which framework or marketing formula should I use?”.

You can use this process to create educational, inspirational, promotional, or entertaining content.

Make sure to add the type of content you’re creating and the tone you want to use in the chat – for example, informal, professional, or conversational.

You can start working on your draft from there or ask it to create a video outline or structure using the suggested framework.

If you’re not sure if you should use an outline or structure, use a script outline when you need a high level overview for your video, for informational videos, or you can use a script structure for detailed videos, like deep dives.

With your brainstorming, researching, and outlining all done, now you can start on your first draft.

Copy and paste your results from ChatGPT into your template outline then fill in the rest.

My number one tip that helped me save time with writing is not to brainstorm, write, and edit all at once.

Do one thing at a time and turn off spellcheck if necessary.

I followed a four step process from George Blackman, a script writer for popular YouTubers like Ali Abdaal.

And following his four step process can help you spend less time task switching.

This was the process I used for the template, so Artist, Architect, Writer, and Wizard.

Starting with Artist, here is where you brain dump ideas and use the mind mapping method here.

Second step is the Architect, where you can create a video structure or outline, using the frameworks or marketing formulas if needed.

Third step is the Writer. Now is when you start working on your first draft by filling in the gaps with your thoughts and notes.

Another tip is to keep the sentences short with one phrase per line and use a method called chunking, where you group three to five lines together in sections so it’s easier to read.

Once you’re done working on the first draft, take a break and come back to it later.

When you come back with fresh eyes, the final step is the Wizard, where you review, rehearse, and refine.

You read your script out loud to improve the flow, remove unnecessary details, fix grammar, and optimize for retention.

If you remove anything from the script, save it and use it for a short form video, or add it to your newsletter or blog if you want to expand on the topic.

Once you get the flow of things following this process, you can write your first draft script in less than 90 minutes.

Recording + editing tips

Now for the recording and editing tips.

First thing is to learn the keyboard shortcuts for recording and editing tools.

Next thing is instead of recording the whole video in one take, try recording in sections.

This is so you won’t have to start from the beginning each time you make a mistake or record over your entire clip.

For example, record the intro in one clip, the outro in another clip, and then you can record each section of your body separately.

This also makes it easier to move clips around when you’re editing. So don’t forget to name each clip.

Another tip is to be flexible when you’re recording. No need to read it word for word; use your script as a guide to sound more natural.

Instead of waiting for the perfect time or way to do something, like coming up with titles, thumbnails, or intros, just publish it anyway so you can move on to the next one and improve as you go.

For example, when working on the thumbnails, just keep it simple with no more than three elements on the thumbnail and keep experimenting as you create more videos.

Also a tip from Dr. K of healthy gamers is to not stress over the number of views or your performance

Focus on what you can control, and that’s creating content and improving as you go.

And my last tip is to schedule some time, like 90 minutes once a week, to focus only on scripting.

Or have batch days where you write 2-4 scripts on Friday, record on Saturday, then edit on Sunday or couple of days before you need to publish.

In the next episode, I’ll share some marketing strategies to help you stay consistent on YouTube.

If you’re interested in knowing more, subscribe or follow. Or sign up at briefgems.substack.com to get the full transcript of every episode and for updates for when the next episode drops.