How to Write a Script for a 60-Second Video

The Math of 60 Seconds

I have written and coached scripts for short-form video since the format exploded, and the first thing I tell every creator is: do the math before you write. A 60-second script has a hard word budget, and most first drafts come in 40–60% too long.

Here is the arithmetic:

• Natural on-camera speaking pace: 130–140 words per minute (wpm). This is slower than conversational speech — on camera you need to enunciate clearly, which costs words.
• 60-second script word budget: 130–140 words maximum.
• If you speak faster (145–155 wpm), you can fit 145–155 words, but the delivery risks feeling rushed for the viewer.

Count every word in your draft. If you are over 140 words, cut — do not speak faster. The script is too long, not your pace too slow.

The Four-Part Structure for a One-Minute Script

A 60-second script cannot afford a leisurely warm-up. Every second is load-bearing. Here is the structure that works:

Part 1: The Hook — First 5 Seconds (~12 words)

The hook must stop the scroll. You have approximately 1.5–2 seconds to prevent a thumb swipe on TikTok or Reels. That means your first sentence needs to do one of the following:

• Make a counterintuitive claim: "You are losing viewers in the first frame and you do not know it."
• Ask a relatable question: "Ever re-record the same video 20 times and still hate it?"
• State a concrete, specific outcome: "Here is how I went from 400 to 40,000 followers in 90 days."

The hook should feel like the first sentence of a really good conversation, not the opening of a press release.

Part 2: Problem or Context — Next 10 Seconds (~20–25 words)

Briefly name the problem your content solves or provide just enough context for the payoff to land. This section is often where writers over-write — resist the urge to explain. One to two sentences maximum.

Example: "Most creators focus on the wrong thing. They fix the background, the lighting, the camera — and ignore the one thing that actually keeps people watching."

Part 3: Core Value Delivery — Middle 35 Seconds (~75–80 words)

This is the content of the video. For a 60-second format, you have room for one of the following:

• Three quick tips (each 10–12 words, explained in 2–3 seconds each)
• One concept, thoroughly explained (a single insight with a concrete example)
• A mini-story or before/after (problem, action, result)

Resist the temptation to add a fourth or fifth tip. Two tips well-explained beat five tips rushed. Viewers who finish your video feeling satisfied — not overwhelmed — watch again.

Part 4: Call to Action — Last 10 Seconds (~15–20 words)

Short-form CTAs that work on TikTok and Reels are conversational and specific:

• "Follow for more — I post one of these every week."
• "Save this so you have it when you need it."
• "Comment your biggest struggle with [topic] — I read every single one."

Generic CTAs like "like and subscribe" are ignored. Specific, low-friction asks work.

Writing for the Platform: TikTok vs. Reels Nuances

While the 60-second structure is identical, TikTok and Instagram Reels have slightly different audience behavior patterns:

• TikTok viewers are faster on the skip. Your hook needs to be even more punchy — prioritize the counterintuitive claim or the concrete outcome. Conversational and slightly raw language outperforms polished.
• Instagram Reels audiences skew toward aspirational and aesthetic content alongside educational. A slightly more produced tone can land better here, and visual hooks (what is happening on screen in frame one) matter as much as the spoken hook.

Editing Your Draft: The Word-by-Word Cut

After your first draft, do a single-pass word audit. Look for:

• Filler openers: Remove "So," "Okay," "Today we are going to," "In this video I will" — get to the hook immediately.
• Redundant pairs: "Quick and easy," "Simple and straightforward" — pick one word.
• Transition words that add no meaning: "Basically," "essentially," "at the end of the day."
• Second sentences that restate the first: If you said it clearly once, cut the restatement.

Reading Your Script Before Recording

Once your script is under 140 words, read it aloud once before filming. Time it — if it runs 65–70 seconds, you may need to trim 5–10 more words or pick up your pace slightly. Load the final script into Telepront's voice-scroll teleprompter so the words advance as you speak; this keeps your eyes on the lens and your pacing smooth throughout all 60 seconds without any glances away.

60-Second Script Template

Use this fill-in structure as a starting point:

1. Hook (12 words): [Counterintuitive claim / relatable question / specific outcome]
2. Context (22 words): [Problem or setup — 2 sentences max]
3. Tip 1 (25 words): [Specific, actionable point with a brief example]
4. Tip 2 (25 words): [Specific, actionable point with a brief example]
5. CTA (16 words): [Conversational, specific, low-friction ask]

Total: 100 words in this lean template — you have 30–40 words of margin to add nuance without going over budget.