Prompts for Reels Scripts: Ready-Made Formulas
The difference between "the AI wrote useless text" and "the AI wrote a working script" almost always comes down to the prompt. A generic request like "write a script about productivity" gives you a generic result you'll have to rewrite from scratch. Below are prompt formulas that immediately set the structure and tone, so the resulting draft ends up close to a final script.
Why a generic prompt doesn't work
The AI responds at exactly the level of detail it receives in the request. If you don't specify length, tone, and structure, it will fill in the gaps with an averaged-out version - without the personal details and specifics that separate a lively script from generic template text.
That's why a prompt for a Reels script should include not just the topic, but also the role, format, duration, and the desired emotion of the video.
What a working prompt is made of
- Role and tone: "You're a content creator speaking to your audience as an equal, without any pretension"
- Format: hook, 2-3 content blocks, a final takeaway or call to action
- Duration: how many seconds the video runs, so the text length is realistic
- A specific example or personal experience to weave into the script
Ready-made prompt formulas
Here are a few templates for different types of videos - just swap in your own topic and details.
| Video type | Prompt formula |
|---|---|
| Mistake breakdown | Write a 30-second script about [what] mistake in the [niche] topic. Hook - a surprising fact, then 2 reasons and what to do instead |
| Personal story | Write a first-person script about a [what] situation. Start with a moment of failure, end with a takeaway that will be useful to the viewer |
| Top list | Give me a "3 ways to [do something]" script, 40 seconds long, each point with a specific example, no generic phrases |
| Comparison | Compare [A] and [B] for [audience]. Hook - through a contradiction, conclusion - a clear-cut recommendation |
How to turn a draft into a finished script
The AI's first response is a draft, not a final version. It's worth asking it to shorten the hook if it's longer than one sentence, and to replace generic phrasing with specific examples from your own experience.
A good prompt saves time on the first draft - it doesn't eliminate editing entirely.
It's useful to ask the AI to give you 2-3 hook variations for the same script right away - picking from ready-made options is faster than coming up with a new one from scratch.
Common mistakes when writing prompts
The most common mistake is a request that's too generic, without a role or format. The second is asking for a final script right away, skipping the draft - which makes edits harder: it's easier to edit a structured draft than to rewrite finished text from scratch.
The third mistake is not specifying the video's duration. Without it, the AI might produce a minute's worth of text instead of the needed 20-30 seconds, forcing you to cut it down manually.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to write a new prompt every time?
No, it's easier to save working formulas and just change the topic and details in them - this saves time on every new script.
How do I add my own style to an AI-generated script?
Specify the tone in your prompt and include an example of your usual speech. The AI will match the intonation if you give it a reference point.
How many hook variations should I ask for?
Usually 2-3 is enough - that's plenty for choosing one without spending too much time reviewing extra options.
Can I use the same prompt for different topics?
Yes, if you only change the topic and specific details while keeping the structure and tone the same - the formula works regardless of the video's topic.
What if the script turns out too long?
Ask the AI to shorten a specific block, specifying how many seconds it should take when read aloud - that's easier than cutting the text yourself.
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