10 Script Writing Tips for Viral UGC Videos

I've watched hundreds of UGC videos over the past year. Some absolutely crush it -millions of views, insane engagement, comments flooded with "where can I buy this?" Others fall completely flat, even when the product is great.

The difference almost always comes down to the script.

Here are the 10 things that separate viral UGC scripts from the ones nobody watches.

1. Hook Within 3 Seconds (Not 5, Not 10 -Three)

This is the single most important thing you'll read in this entire article. 71% of viewers decide whether to stay or scroll within the first 3 seconds. Miss that window and nothing else matters.

Your opening line needs to stop the scroll immediately. Some formulas that consistently work:

Pattern Interrupts: "You're doing this completely wrong" or "Stop buying [product category] until you see this"

Provocative Questions: "Why is nobody talking about this?" or "Am I the only one who didn't know this?"

Bold Claims: "This changed everything about how I [activity]" or "I can't believe this actually worked"

The data backs this up: videos with strong hooks see 45% higher watch-through rates on Instagram and 20% higher completion rates on TikTok.

For more on exactly how to nail your opening, check out our complete beginner's guide to UGC.

2. Speak Directly to One Person

Don't write for "your audience." Write for one specific person. Use "you" language constantly.

Bad: "People often struggle with finding the right skincare routine." Good: "You've probably tried a dozen products that promised to fix your skin -and they all failed."

The second version feels like someone's talking directly to you, not lecturing at a crowd.

3. Keep It Conversational (Write How You Talk)

Read your script out loud. Does it sound like something a human would actually say? Or does it sound like corporate marketing copy?

Use contractions: "don't" instead of "do not," "I've" instead of "I have"

Include filler words strategically: A well-placed "honestly" or "actually" makes content feel more authentic

Keep sentences short. Really short. Like this.

The psychology here is real -research shows that imperfections increase perceived authenticity by up to 47%. Perfect delivery triggers skepticism.

4. Focus on Benefits, Not Features

Nobody cares that your product has "AI-powered analytics with real-time data processing." They care about what that means for them.

Instead of: "Our app has AI-powered analytics" Try: "See exactly which videos your audience loves in 30 seconds"

Benefits answer the question: "What's in it for me?" Features are just a list of what something does.

5. Create Urgency (But Don't Be Sleazy About It)

Give people a reason to act now. But there's a right way and a wrong way to do this.

Wrong: "LIMITED TIME OFFER! BUY NOW! SALE ENDS SOON!" (screams desperation)

Right: "I just found out they're discontinuing this shade" or "This is their first sale in like... ever" or "I grabbed the last three on Amazon -not sure if they restocked yet"

The second approach creates urgency through genuine scarcity or discovery, not manufactured pressure.

6. Tell a Mini Story (Even in 30 Seconds)

The best UGC follows a simple story structure:

Setup (The Problem): "I've tried literally everything to get better sleep" Conflict (Why It Matters): "I was tired all day, cranky with my kids, couldn't focus at work" Resolution (Your Solution): "Then I found this and honestly, it changed everything"

This structure works for a reason. Our brains are wired for narrative. Even in a 30-second video, a mini story creates emotional investment that pure information can't match.

7. Use Social Proof Naturally

Don't just say your product is good. Show that other people agree.

"25,000 five-star reviews -I had to see what the hype was about" "My sister's been using this for months and her skin looks amazing" "This thing was trending on TikTok and I finally caved"

Reference numbers, testimonials, or trends without making it sound like an ad.

8. Include a Clear CTA (But Make It Feel Natural)

Your call-to-action shouldn't feel like an ad. Weave it into the content naturally.

Bad: "Click the link in bio to purchase now!" Good: "If you want to try it, I'll leave the link below" or "You can find it at [store name] -that's where I got mine"

Research shows the best CTA placement is in the first quarter of the video for content under 60 seconds. Don't wait until the end -most people won't make it there.

9. Optimize for Sound-Off Viewing

Here's a stat that might surprise you: 85% of mobile videos are watched without sound. Let that sink in.

Your script needs to work visually, not just audibly. That means:

• Text overlays that reinforce key points
• Visual demonstrations, not just talking
• Captions that are designed into the content, not slapped on as an afterthought

If someone watches your video on mute and doesn't understand the message, you've lost them.

10. Test and Iterate (Your First Script Won't Be Perfect)

The best creators don't write one script and call it done. They:

• Test multiple hook variations
• Try different story angles for the same product
• A/B test CTAs
• Learn from what works and double down

The advantage of AI video tools like AdWarrior is that you can generate multiple versions quickly. Write three different hooks, produce all three videos, test them, and scale the winner.

The PAS Formula (My Go-To Structure)

If you need a reliable script framework, PAS (Problem-Agitate-Solution) works incredibly well for UGC:

Problem: Identify the pain point your audience feels Agitate: Make them feel the weight of that problem Solution: Present your product as the answer

Example: "I was so sick of my videos getting zero engagement [Problem]. I'd spend hours filming and editing, and nobody even watched past the first 5 seconds. It was honestly so frustrating [Agitate]. Then I started using this AI tool that basically writes hooks for me, and my views tripled in the first week [Solution]."

Simple, effective, proven.

Putting It All Together

Great UGC scripts share a few common traits:

• They hook fast (3 seconds or less)
• They feel like a conversation, not a pitch
• They tell a story, even if it's tiny
• They work with the sound off
• They've been tested and refined

The good news? This is a learnable skill. The more scripts you write, the better you get at sensing what works.

And with AI video tools, you can test ideas quickly without the overhead of traditional production. Write the script, generate the video, see what performs, iterate.

Start creating high-converting UGC scripts with AdWarrior →