cdeistopened YouTube Script Template
Write complete YouTube scripts for 10-12 minute videos. Based on Sam Gaudet / Dan Martell's framework.
Usage
/youtube-script-template vagus nerve reset from a clinical psychologist
/youtube-script-template "64 years of treating anxiety in 10 minutes"
Pre-Script: Research & Packaging
Before writing, fill in the packaging decisions. These come from outlier research (use /yt-outlier to generate).
Research
4/2/4 Rule: Find 4 outlier videos in the last 4 months with 2x+ outlier score (views/subs).
List the outliers that inspired this video:
- Outlier 1: [title, channel, views, subs, outlier score]
- Outlier 2: ...
- What pattern are we stealing? (title structure, hook type, content angle)
Titles
Align with Hopes, Dreams, Fears, Blockers of the target audience.
Generate 3-5 title options. Best-performing patterns from outlier data:
- Time compression + credibility: "64 Years of Anxiety Treatment in 10 Minutes"
- Listicle + time constraint: "5 Things To Do in Your 50s for Longevity"
- Specific technique + authority parenthetical: "Vagus Nerve Reset (From a Clinical Psychologist)"
- Negative/contrarian + promise: "Why Everything You Know About Anxiety Is Wrong"
Thumbnails
| Graphic Inspiration | Text Options |
|---|---|
| Concept A: | |
| Concept B: | |
| Concept C: |
Rules: 3-5 words max. One highlighted word in accent color. Face creates empathy, text creates curiosity.
Script Structure
Write the script as a two-column table: Script (what to say) and Visuals (what to show).
Target length: 10-12 minutes (~1,500-1,800 words spoken). Asymmetric pacing — the hook is fast, the body breathes.
Hook (20-50 seconds)
The hook has 3 jobs in sequence:
1. Reassure — Make them believe this will work for them.
- Promise: What they'll get from watching ("I'm going to show you...")
- Proof: Why you're credible ("In 64 years of practice, I've seen...")
- Objections: Pre-handle doubt ("Even if you've tried everything else...")
2. Elevate — Raise the stakes.
- Scale: Make the promise bigger ("This isn't just for anxiety — it changes how you relate to your mind")
- Urgency: Why now matters ("With isolation at epidemic levels...")
3. Open Loop — Give them a reason to stay.
- Roadmap: Preview the structure ("I'll walk you through 3 exercises")
- Unique Mechanism: Name the method ("I call this the P.O.P. Protocol — Pause, Order, Play")
Body (Points)
Each point follows the PEILT cycle:
| Element | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Point | State the principle clearly | "Principle #1: Your mind is a tool, not the boss" |
| Explain | Why this matters | "Most people let their thoughts run the show..." |
| Illustrate | Story, analogy, or example | "I had a patient who..." / "Think of it like a radio..." |
| Lesson | Actionable takeaway | "So if you want to try this yourself, here's what you do..." |
| Tease | Bridge to next point | "Now that you understand X, the next thing you need is..." |
Pacing rules:
- 3-5 points for a 10-12 minute video (not 6+ — each point needs room to breathe)
- Insert a Call to Action after Point 2 or 3 (mid-roll): "If this is helpful, subscribe — I'm going to be doing more of these"
- Use quotes in Points 3+ if available (adds variety, breaks monotony)
- Stories/illustrations should be REAL — from the creator's actual experience, not hypothetical
Closing (30-60 seconds)
Summary: Brief recap of the key principles (one sentence each).
Call to Action Reminder: "If you want to learn [related topic / next video], click here, and I'll see you on the other side."
End screen: Reference a related video that continues the journey.
Voice Adaptation
This template works for any creator. When writing for a specific person:
- Read their voice skill (e.g.,
/voice-rlmfor Dr. Miller) - Pull stories/illustrations from their content archive
- Match their speech patterns — some creators are conversational, others are clinical
- The STRUCTURE stays the same; the VOICE and STORIES change
Integration with Other Skills
/yt-outlier [topic]— Research step: find outliers to steal from/hook-writer— Generate hook variations/video-caption-creation— On-screen text for key moments/youtube-title-creator— Title testing with 119 proven formulas