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Shorts Templates

Without structure, a Shorts video falls apart: the start is weak, the middle drags, the ending goes “nowhere”. A template solves half the problem — you already know what’s on screen at second 1, 5, and 20. Below are 12 simple templates you can repeat as a series and test quickly.

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How to use templates the right way

One video — one idea. One question → one answer.
Every template needs progress. 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 — or steps.
Change the example, not just the background. That’s how videos don’t look like duplicates.

12 Shorts templates (with hook examples)

“3 mistakes”. Hook: “If Shorts aren’t getting views — check this.”
“3 steps”. Hook: “Do this — and retention will improve.”
“Myth → truth”. Hook: “It sounds logical, but it breaks your reach.”
“Before/after”. Hook: “It was like this → it became like this (one edit).”
“Example breakdown”. One shot/phrase → why it’s weak → how to rewrite it.
“Checklist”. 5 checks in 30 seconds.
“Comparison”. Version A vs B (better for retention).
“1 rule”. One strong idea + example + conclusion.
“Reply to a comment”. Question → short answer → what to do next.
“20‑second story”. Before → twist → conclusion (see storytelling).
“Mid‑video twist”. Thesis → “but there’s a nuance” → fix (see twist).
“Loop”. The start promises the ending, the ending loops back to the start (see loop).

Where to place on‑screen text (a quick map)

0–2s: topic + promise (largest text).
2–20s: items 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 — or steps.
Ending: a short conclusion + one CTA.

If your text is “tiny”, viewers leave. Details: on‑screen text.

How to choose a template for your goal

Need more impressions: “mistakes”, “myth → truth”, “comparison”.
Need more clicks/transitions: “checklist”, “breakdown”, “before/after”.
Need sales: “case study”, “process”, “FAQ” (see selling through Shorts).

3 script examples based on templates (ready skeletons)

These are not “perfect wording” — they are skeletons you can adapt to any niche. The key is progress and short phrases.

Template “3 mistakes”

Hook (0–2s): “If you have [problem], check 3 mistakes — the first is the most common.”
Items (2–22s): 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 — one line + one example each.
Ending: “Fix item #1 — and you’ll see a difference in the next video.”

Template “before/after”

Hook: “Here’s what it looked like before (and why people left).”
Edit: “I changed one thing: [edit].”
After: “Now it’s like this — retention improved because the viewer immediately understands what happens next.”

Template “checklist”

Hook: “Save this: 5 checks I do before publishing.”
Items: short, no jargon, specific (“large text”, “clear first frame”).
Ending: “If one point fails — fix it first, don’t change everything.”

14‑day plan: turn a template into a system

Templates work when you make a series and don’t change format every day. Example of a simple plan:

Days 1–3: one template (“3 mistakes”) — 3 topics in a row.
Days 4–6: same template, but a different hook (test the start).
Days 7–10: second template (“checklist”) — 4 topics in a row.
Days 11–14: repeat the best format as a series + add a mid‑video twist.

This helps you quickly learn what holds attention in your niche and reduces production chaos.

Checklist of a strong template

If the template doesn’t hold retention, almost always one of these points is broken. Check before you “change everything”:

Clear topic. In 1–2 seconds it’s obvious what the video is about.
One outcome. The viewer understands what they’ll get at the end.
Density. No filler lines; every piece moves the story.
Example. At least one example/situation, not only statements.
Ending. There is a short final point and one CTA.

Mini FAQ

How many templates do you need at the start?

2–3 is enough. The key is repeatability and speed. When the format “clicks”, expand your library.

Do templates kill creativity?

No. They remove chaos. Creativity shows up in the example, delivery, and the twist.

How to avoid videos looking identical?

Change meaning, not just the background: a different example, a different context, a different mid‑video twist. The format can stay, but the conclusion and situation must be new — then it’s a series, not duplicates.

What if you run out of topics?

Take one big question and split it into sub‑questions. Not “how to make Shorts”, but “first 2 seconds”, “on‑screen text”, “pace”, “ending”, “loop”. One template can be repeated 20 times if each time you change the example, situation, and conclusion.

Also pull questions from comments and turn them into an FAQ series: one question — one video. Topics won’t end, and the format stays stable.

How to test changes faster

Pick one template and make 5 videos in a row, changing only the topic and example. Then make 5 more — but change only the first 2 seconds. You’ll quickly see what affects retention more: hook, pacing, or structure.

Don’t change everything at once. One test — one edit. About the system: how to test Shorts.

To avoid endless tweaking, lock a hypothesis: what exactly you change and what behavior you expect (less swipe‑away, more viewers reaching 50%). Publish two versions with one difference and compare retention — that’s how you find working solutions faster.

For templates to actually work, choose one structure and make 5 videos with it — change only the topic and hook. In the AdShorts AI Telegram bot you can quickly assemble videos using one template (script, voiceover, subtitles, music, background) and test without routine.