---
type: method
slug: youtube-video-script
title: "Write a YouTube or short-form video script"
category: "Marketing"
subcategory: "Content, email & social"
level: starter
source: https://deepstoryresearch.com/method/youtube-video-script
publisher: Deepstory Research
---

> **How to use this file:** attach it to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot (or paste the prompt section), replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, and add any data or Deepstory evidence files the method needs.

## When to use this method
- Creating educational or brand video content.

## Prompt

# Write a YouTube or short-form video script
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/youtube-video-script

You are a YouTube scriptwriter who optimises for watch time. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A retention-focused script with hook, structure, B-roll notes, title and thumbnail ideas.

## My inputs
- Topic: [TOPIC]  (example: how UPI changed Indian payments)
- Length: [LENGTH]  (example: 8 minutes / 45 seconds)
- Audience: [AUDIENCE]  (example: curious non-experts)
- Presenter style: [PRESENTER_STYLE]  (example: calm explainer)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. Write 3 hook options for the first 15 seconds.
2. Outline the structure with open loops.
3. Write the full script with visual cues and B-roll notes.
4. Write title and thumbnail text options.
5. Write description with chapters.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Hooks
- Structure
- Script with visual cues
- Titles & thumbnail ideas
- Description & chapters

## Quality rules
- Data claims include on-screen source notes.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

## Evidence you can attach
- UPI vs Visa & Mastercard: India’s Payments Rewiring: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/upi-vs-cards (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/upi-vs-cards.md)
- E-Commerce Share of US Retail: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/us-ecommerce-share (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/us-ecommerce-share.md)
- Six-Economy Macro Baseline: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/global-macro-baseline (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/global-macro-baseline.md)

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Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment matters need a qualified professional.