Expert video sales letter and product marketing script writer specializing in high-converting video content that drives action. This skill bridges copywriting and video production, creating storyboard scripts ready for motion design implementation.
Philosophy
Great video sales scripts combine three elements:
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Sales psychology — Understanding what drives decisions at each stage
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Visual storytelling — Every scene advances both narrative and conversion
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Production readiness — Scripts that motion designers can implement immediately
How This Skill Works
When invoked, this skill guides you through creating storyboard scripts that include:
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Hook-focused openings — Proven patterns to grab attention in 3-5 seconds
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Narrative flow — Story structures that build desire and urgency
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Scene-by-scene scripts — Visual descriptions, copy, timing, and rationale
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Conversion optimization — Strategic placement of social proof, objection handling, CTAs
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Motion design handoff — Format compatible with
/motion-designerskill
The output is a complete storyboard script that feeds directly into the motion designer workflow for Remotion implementation.
Core Frameworks
VSL Formula Hierarchy
Choose framework based on video length and objective:
| Hook-CTA | Social media ads | 15-30s | Problem → Solution → CTA
| PAS | Cold traffic | 30-90s | Problem → Agitation → Solution
| AIDA | Product demos | 60-120s | Attention → Interest → Desire → Action
| VSL Classic | Sales pages | 3-10min | Story → Problem → Solution → Proof → Offer → CTA
| The Explainer | Education-first | 60-180s | Context → How it works → Benefits → CTA
The 5-Second Hook Formula
First 5 seconds determine 80% of watch-through rate.
Hook Types:
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Question Hook — "What if [desired outcome] was actually easy?"
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Problem Hook — "Tired of [pain point]?"
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Curiosity Hook — "This [simple thing] changed everything"
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Pattern Interrupt — Unexpected visual or statement
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Social Proof Hook — "10,000 teams already [outcome]"
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Demonstration Hook — Show impressive result immediately
Video Length Guidelines
| 6-15s | Micro-content | Awareness, virality | Shares, engagement
| 15-30s | Social ads | Traffic, interest | CTR, view-through
| 30-60s | Product teasers | Demo requests | Click rate
| 60-90s | Explainers | Understanding | Watch time
| 90-180s | Full demos | Trial signups | Conversion rate
| 3-10min | VSL sales videos | Purchase decisions | Sales
The AIDA Arc for VSL
Attention (0-15%):
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Hook with problem or question
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Pattern interrupt
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Relatable scenario
Interest (15-40%):
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Agitate the problem
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Show why current solutions fail
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Introduce unique mechanism
Desire (40-80%):
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Demonstrate solution in action
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Social proof and testimonials
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Paint the transformation
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Handle objections
Action (80-100%):
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Clear, specific offer
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Urgency or scarcity
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Risk reversal
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Multiple CTAs
The PAS Framework
Problem (0-25%):
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Identify specific, relatable pain point
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Use "you" language
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Visual: Show the struggle
Agitate (25-50%):
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Why this problem is getting worse
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Cost of inaction
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Failed alternatives
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Visual: Amplify the frustration
Solution (50-100%):
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Introduce your product/service
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Show it working
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Proof it works
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Easy next step
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Visual: Transformation moment
Storyboard Script Format
When creating a storyboard, use this structure:
1. Script Header
# [Video Title]
**Type**: [VSL / Explainer / Product Demo / Social Ad]
**Duration**: [Total seconds]
**Objective**: [Primary conversion goal]
**Target Audience**: [Specific persona]
**Framework**: [AIDA / PAS / Hook-CTA / etc.]
## Key Message
[Single sentence: What should viewers remember?]
## Desired Action
[Specific CTA: What should viewers do?]
2. Script Overview
## Story Arc
**Hook (0-Xs)**: [How we grab attention]
**Build (Xs-Ys)**: [How we build interest/desire]
**Peak (Ys-Zs)**: [Climax / main value proposition]
**Close (Zs-End)**: [CTA and resolution]
## Emotional Journey
Start: [Frustrated / Curious / Overwhelmed]
→ Middle: [Hopeful / Intrigued]
→ End: [Confident / Excited to act]
3. Scene-by-Scene Storyboard
For each scene:
## Scene N: [Scene Name] (Xs - Ys, Duration: Zs)
**Narrative Purpose**: [Why this scene exists in the story]
**On-Screen Copy**:
"[Exact text that appears on screen]"
[Additional text elements]
**Voiceover Script** (Optional):
"[Exact words spoken, if using VO]"
**Visual Description**:
[What viewers see - specific enough for motion designer]
- Background elements
- Main focal point
- Supporting visuals
- Text treatment
**Viewer Psychology**:
[What the viewer should think/feel at this moment]
- Emotional state we're creating
- Objection we're handling (if applicable)
- Desire we're building
**Sales Elements**:
[Any conversion tactics used]
- Social proof placement
- Scarcity/urgency indicator
- Risk reversal
- Benefit emphasis
- Objection handling
**Transition to Next**:
[How this scene flows to the next - why it makes sense]
**Motion Designer Notes**:
[Specific animation suggestions or requirements]
- Timing emphasis (fast/slow)
- Style notes (bold/subtle)
- Key moments to emphasize
4. Production Requirements
## Assets Needed
- [ ] Logo files
- [ ] Product screenshots/mockups
- [ ] Customer photos (if using testimonials)
- [ ] Data visualization elements
- [ ] Icons
## Copy Elements
- Headlines: [List all]
- Subheads: [List all]
- CTAs: [List all instances]
- Social proof quotes: [List all]
## Brand Guidelines
- Voice: [Professional / Casual / Technical / Friendly]
- Tone: [Urgent / Calm / Exciting / Authoritative]
- Restrictions: [Any copy or visual rules]
VSL Storyboard Template
Here's a complete template for quick reference:
# [Video Title]
**Type**: Product Demo VSL
**Duration**: 90 seconds
**Objective**: Trial signups
**Framework**: AIDA
**Target**: [Persona]
## Story Arc
Hook (0-5s): Problem question
Build (5-30s): Agitate pain, show solution
Peak (30-70s): Demo + social proof
Close (70-90s): CTA + urgency
---
## Scene 1: Hook (0-5s)
**On-Screen Copy**:
"Spending hours on [task]?"
**Visual**: [Description]
**Psychology**: Immediate identification with pain
**Sales Element**: Problem recognition
**Transition**: Visual chaos → order
---
## Scene 2: Agitation (5-15s)
**On-Screen Copy**:
"While your competitors move faster?"
**Visual**: [Description]
**Psychology**: FOMO, urgency of problem
**Sales Element**: Cost of inaction
**Transition**: Dark → light
---
[Continue for all scenes...]
Integration with Motion Designer
This skill produces storyboard scripts that the /motion-designer skill uses to create technical video specifications:
Storyboard Script (this skill) → Video Spec (motion-designer) → Remotion Implementation (dev)
When creating storyboards:
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Focus on copy, messaging, and conversion strategy
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Provide visual direction but not technical specs
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Include timing guidance but not frame-by-frame details
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Emphasize WHY each scene exists (narrative + conversion)
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Let motion designer handle HOW to execute visually
Common Video Types
Short-Form Social (15-30s)
Formula: Hook → Value → CTA
Scene 1 (0-3s): Bold question or problem
Scene 2 (3-12s): Show solution in action (demo)
Scene 3 (12-20s): Single benefit + social proof number
Scene 4 (20-30s): Simple CTA
Product Explainer (60-90s)
Formula: Context → Demo → Benefits → CTA
Scene 1 (0-5s): Relatable problem hook
Scene 2 (5-15s): Why existing solutions fail
Scene 3 (15-30s): Introduce your solution
Scene 4 (30-50s): Show it working (3 key features)
Scene 5 (50-70s): Transformation / benefits
Scene 6 (70-80s): Social proof
Scene 7 (80-90s): Clear CTA
Full VSL (3-5min)
Formula: Story → Problem → Solution → Proof → Offer → Close
Act 1 - Setup (0-45s):
- Personal story or customer story
- Establish credibility
- Introduce problem
Act 2 - Problem (45s-90s):
- Deep dive into pain points
- Why current solutions don't work
- Cost of status quo
Act 3 - Solution (90s-180s):
- Introduce product/service
- Unique mechanism
- How it works (demo)
- Key benefits
Act 4 - Proof (180s-240s):
- Case studies
- Testimonials
- Results/data
- Objection handling
Act 5 - Offer (240s-270s):
- What you get
- Pricing
- Bonuses
- Guarantee
Act 6 - Close (270s-300s):
- Urgency/scarcity
- Final CTA
- Reminder of transformation
Conversion Optimization Principles
Social Proof Placement
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Early social proof (15-25% mark): Build credibility before big claims
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Feature proof (40-60% mark): Testimonials after each key benefit
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Final proof (80-90% mark): Results-focused before CTA
Objection Handling Sequence
Common objections to address in order:
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Does it work? → Demo + proof
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Will it work for me? → Use cases / customer stories
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Is it too complicated? → Show simplicity
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Is it worth the money? → ROI / value equation
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What if it doesn't work? → Guarantee / risk reversal
CTA Best Practices
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Frequency: Minimum 2 CTAs (mid-point teaser + final)
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Clarity: Specific action ("Start free trial" not "Learn more")
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Friction: Remove ("No credit card" if true)
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Urgency: Time or quantity limits (if genuine)
Anti-Patterns
Script-Level
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Feature dumping — List features without benefits or story
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No hook — Slow build that loses viewers immediately
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Unclear CTA — Vague next step or multiple competing CTAs
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All tell, no show — Talking about product instead of showing it
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Dishonest urgency — Fake countdown timers, false scarcity
Scene-Level
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Wall of text — Too much copy on screen at once
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Orphaned scenes — Scene doesn't advance narrative or conversion
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No breathing room — No time for messages to land
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Inconsistent tone — Voice shifts between scenes
Production
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Not production-ready — Vague visuals that motion designer must guess
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Missing timing — No scene durations or pacing guidance
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No assets list — Unclear what's needed to produce
Quality Checklist
Before finalizing a storyboard script:
Hook & Structure:
Attention grabbed within 3-5 seconds Clear story arc (hook → build → peak → close) Framework appropriate for duration and goal Emotional journey intentional and clear
Copy & Messaging:
Single, clear key message Benefits emphasized over features "You" language (viewer-focused) On-brand voice and tone No jargon or unexplained terms
Conversion Elements:
Social proof strategically placed Main objections addressed Clear, specific CTA Urgency or scarcity (if appropriate) Risk reversal included
Production Readiness:
All scene timings specified Visual descriptions clear and specific Required assets listed Motion designer notes included Narrative purpose explained for each scene
Integration:
Format compatible with motion-designer skill Ready for handoff without clarification needed Technical constraints considered (duration, format)
When to Consult Rules
For detailed guidance on specific aspects:
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rules/vsl-hooks.md — Hook formulas and patterns
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rules/vsl-frameworks.md — Detailed framework applications
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rules/script-pacing.md — Timing and rhythm
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rules/social-proof-strategy.md — Testimonial and proof placement
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rules/objection-handling.md — Addressing buyer concerns
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rules/cta-optimization.md — Call-to-action best practices
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rules/visual-storytelling.md — Show don't tell principles
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rules/motion-designer-handoff.md — Production-ready formatting
Expert Tips
Script Writing
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Start with the CTA, work backwards (what journey gets them there?)
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Write for the ear if using voiceover (conversational, not formal)
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One message per scene (don't try to say everything everywhere)
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Test your hook independently (does it work as a standalone ad?)
Conversion Psychology
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Lead with transformation, not features
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Use specific numbers ("10,000 customers" not "thousands")
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Name the pain before naming the solution
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Create urgency through value, not fake scarcity
Production Planning
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Plan for silent viewing (60%+ watch without sound)
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Consider aspect ratios early (16:9, 9:16, 1:1)
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Budget 30% longer than you think for final duration
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Leave flexibility for motion designer creativity
Collaboration
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Provide examples of visual style you envision
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Reference other videos when helpful ("like X but for Y")
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Be clear about non-negotiables vs nice-to-haves
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Trust motion designer for technical execution