A Repeatable Workflow: Raw Idea → Shoot-Ready Outline
This workflow turns a fuzzy topic into a clear outline you can film without guessing what comes next. The goal is not to “write the whole script” yet—it’s to lock the viewer outcome, the promise, the transformation, the beats, and what must be shown versus said.
Step 1) Pick a Single Viewer Goal (Feel / Know / Do)
Start by choosing one primary goal for the viewer by the end. If you try to make them feel inspired, learn five concepts, and take three actions, the outline will sprawl and the video will lose momentum.
| Goal type | What it means | Good end-state test |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Emotional shift (relief, confidence, urgency) | “They feel X instead of Y.” |
| Know | Understanding a concept or framework | “They can explain X in one sentence.” |
| Do | Take a concrete action | “They can complete X in 10 minutes.” |
Practical method: Write three possible goals (feel/know/do). Circle the one that best matches your channel and the video’s likely title. Then write a single sentence: “By the end, the viewer will ____.”
Example: Idea: “Better thumbnails” → Viewer goal (Do): “By the end, the viewer can redesign one thumbnail using a 3-check system.”
Step 2) Define the Video Promise in One Sentence
The promise is what the viewer believes they’ll get if they watch. It should be specific, outcome-based, and time/effort-aware. A strong promise also implies the format: checklist, walkthrough, teardown, comparison, etc.
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Promise formula:
In this video, you’ll [achieve outcome] by [method], so you can [benefit].Examples:
- “In this video, you’ll write a shoot-ready outline in 20 minutes by using a 5-part beat map, so you stop rambling on camera.”
- “In this video, you’ll fix muddy audio by checking three settings in order, so your voice sounds clear without buying new gear.”
Quality check: If your promise could fit 50 different videos, it’s too vague. Add a constraint (time, number of steps, tool, scenario, or common mistake).
Step 3) Identify the Core Transformation (Before → After)
The transformation is the story engine. It clarifies what changes for the viewer and what obstacles you must address. Write it as a contrast so you can design beats that move the viewer across the gap.
Transformation template:
Before: [pain / confusion / limitation in a specific situation]
After: [capability / clarity / result in the same situation]Example (script workflow):
- Before: “I have a topic but I don’t know what to say first, so I improvise and repeat myself.”
- After: “I have a 6-beat outline with what to show and what to say, so filming is straightforward.”
Practical step: List 2–3 “before” symptoms (what they complain about) and 2–3 “after” signals (what success looks like). Your beats should directly address the symptoms and produce the signals.
Step 4) Map 3–6 Key Beats That Deliver on the Promise
Beats are the major moments that move the viewer from before to after. Keep it to 3–6 so the video feels decisive. Each beat should do one job: introduce the problem, teach a step, prove it works, or deliver the payoff.
Beat map rules:
- Each beat must earn its place: if removed, the promise becomes harder to fulfill.
- Beats should escalate: from simple → important, or from quick win → deeper fix.
- One beat = one takeaway: avoid stacking multiple unrelated tips in a single beat.
Common 5-beat pattern (adaptable):
- Hook: show the outcome or the pain (fast).
- Setup: define the problem, who it’s for, and what you’ll cover.
- Steps/Points: 3–5 beats that teach the method.
- Proof: demonstrate, before/after, mini case, or quick test.
- Payoff: summarize the transformation and give a next action.
Example beat map (for this workflow video):
- Beat 1 (Hook): Show a messy page of notes turning into a clean outline in minutes.
- Beat 2 (Setup): “If you ramble, it’s usually because you skipped the promise and transformation.”
- Beat 3 (Step): Pick one viewer goal (feel/know/do) with a quick test.
- Beat 4 (Step): Write a one-sentence promise + tighten it with constraints.
- Beat 5 (Step): Write before/after transformation and map 3–6 beats.
- Beat 6 (Proof/Payoff): Fill the template live for one idea and show the shoot-ready outline.
Practical step-by-step (how to create your beat map in 10 minutes):
- Minute 1: Write the viewer goal sentence.
- Minute 2: Write the one-sentence promise.
- Minutes 3–4: Write before/after transformation.
- Minutes 5–7: Draft 3–6 beats (one line each).
- Minutes 8–10: Add proof + decide what must be shown vs said.
Step 5) Decide What Must Be Shown On-Screen vs. Said Aloud
A shoot-ready outline isn’t just “what you’ll talk about.” It specifies what the viewer will see so the video stays clear and engaging. Decide this beat-by-beat.
| If the viewer needs to… | Prefer to show | Prefer to say |
|---|---|---|
| Follow a sequence | On-screen checklist, numbered steps, screen recording | Short transitions and warnings |
| Believe a claim | Before/after, demo, results, receipts, side-by-side | Context for what they’re seeing |
| Understand a concept | Simple diagram, labels, one visual metaphor | Definition + one example |
| Avoid a mistake | Bad vs good example, “don’t do this” clip | Why it fails + how to fix |
| Take action immediately | Template on screen, filled example | Clear instruction + time estimate |
Practical method: For each beat, add two sub-bullets: SHOW (visuals/B-roll/screen) and SAY (the spoken line). If you can’t think of a “show,” consider adding a quick demo, a graphic, or a concrete example.
Shoot-Ready Outline Template (Fill-in Placeholders)
Copy/paste this template and fill it before scripting full lines. Keep each bullet short—one thought per line.
[VIDEO TITLE WORKING DRAFT]: _______________________________
[VIEWER GOAL (feel/know/do)]: By the end, the viewer will __________________.
[PROMISE (one sentence)]: In this video, you’ll __________________ by __________________ so you can __________________.
[TRANSFORMATION]: Before: __________________. After: __________________.
1) HOOK (0:00–0:15)
- SAY: _______________________________
- SHOW: ______________________________
- Pattern: (result first / pain first / surprising claim)
2) SETUP (0:15–0:45)
- Who this is for: ____________________
- What we’ll cover (3–6 beats): ________
- Stakes (what happens if you don’t fix it): __________________
- SHOW: ______________________________
3) STEP / POINT 1: _______________________
- SAY (instruction): ___________________
- SHOW (demo/graphic/example): ________
- Common mistake to avoid: ____________
4) STEP / POINT 2: _______________________
- SAY: _______________________________
- SHOW: ______________________________
- Quick check/test: ___________________
5) STEP / POINT 3: _______________________
- SAY: _______________________________
- SHOW: ______________________________
- Optional: Step 4/5 if needed
6) PROOF (mini demo / before-after / case)
- What we’re proving: _________________
- SHOW: ______________________________
- SAY (interpretation): ________________
7) PAYOFF (the “now you can” moment)
- Restate transformation: _____________
- Next action (what to do today): ______
- SHOW: ______________________________Worked Example: Turning a Raw Idea into a Beat Map
Raw idea: “Stop rambling on camera.”
- Viewer goal (Do): “By the end, the viewer can create a 5-beat outline for their next video.”
- Promise: “In this video, you’ll stop rambling by turning any topic into a 5-beat outline, so filming feels structured and faster.”
- Transformation: Before: “I hit record and wander.” After: “I follow beats and know what comes next.”
Beat map (5 beats):
- Hook: Show a 30-second “ramble” clip vs. a tight version.
- Setup: Explain that rambling is usually an outline problem, not a speaking problem.
- Beat 1 (Goal + Promise): Write the one-sentence promise on screen.
- Beat 2 (Transformation): Before/after and the 3 symptoms you’ll fix.
- Beat 3 (Beats): Map 3–6 beats and add proof + payoff.
Show vs say decisions:
- SHOW: The template being filled live; a timer; the final outline.
- SAY: The reasoning behind each choice; the “quality checks” to tighten vagueness.
Exercises (Do These in Writing)
Exercise 1: Turn 3 Vague Ideas into Specific One-Sentence Promises
Below are three vague ideas. Rewrite each into a one-sentence promise using the formula: “In this video, you’ll [outcome] by [method], so you can [benefit].”
- Vague idea A: “Editing faster”
- Your promise: ____________________________________________
- Vague idea B: “Grow on YouTube”
- Your promise: ____________________________________________
- Vague idea C: “Better lighting”
- Your promise: ____________________________________________
Constraint checklist (add at least one): time limit, number of steps, specific tool, specific scenario, common mistake, measurable outcome.
Exercise 2: Create Beat Maps for Those 3 Promises (3–6 Beats Each)
For each promise you wrote above, map 3–6 beats. Keep each beat to one line. Then add one “SHOW” requirement per beat.
| Video | Promise (one sentence) | 3–6 beats (one line each) | Must SHOW (key visuals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ________________________ |
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| B | ________________________ |
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| C | ________________________ |
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Exercise 3: Show vs Say Audit (Make It Shoot-Ready)
Pick one of your beat maps and add “SHOW” and “SAY” lines under every beat. If any beat has only “SAY,” add a visual: a demo, a graphic, a before/after, a checklist, or a quick on-screen example.
Beat #: __________________________
- SHOW: __________________________
- SAY: __________________________
