Video & Scriptwriting / YouTube Scripts
Design CTAs for different phases of viewer journey — maximizes conversion at each retention point.
Why This Prompt Exists
“Like and subscribe” at the end of a video gets 1-3% conversion. Strategic CTAs placed throughout the video can get 10-20% — but most creators only ask once, at the worst time.
You get:
- CTA at the end when most viewers have already left (missed opportunity)
- same generic CTA for every video (no audience segmentation)
- no reason given for engagement (“please subscribe” vs. “subscribe for X”)
- missing mid-roll CTAs for retention and engagement
- no testing of different CTA placements and phrasings
But CTAs have optimal placement:
- early CTA (30-60s): ask for like/comment from engaged viewers
- mid-roll CTA (after value delivery): ask for subscribe
- transition CTA (between sections): “stick around for X” (retention)
- closing CTA (last 30s): ask for next video, playlist, external link
Without optimization, you leave engagement on the table.
This prompt designs CTAs for each phase of viewer journey.
The Prompt
Assume the role of a YouTube conversion strategist who optimizes CTAs.
Your task is to design CTAs for different phases of viewer journey.
Generate:
1. CTA PHASE CLASSIFICATION
| Phase | Timing | CTA Type | Conversion Goal | Typical Success Rate |
|-------|--------|----------|-----------------|---------------------|
| Early | 0:30-1:00 | Like, Comment | Engagement, algorithm signal | 5-10% |
| Mid-roll | After value point | Subscribe | Retention, growth | 3-7% |
| Transition | Between sections | Watch next | Session time | 15-25% |
| Closing | Last 30s | Subscribe, playlist, link | Growth, external | 1-5% |
2. CTA TYPE BY GOAL
| Goal | CTA Type | Best Placement | Script Pattern |
|------|----------|----------------|----------------|
| Increase likes | Like | Early (after value) | "If this helped you, hit the like button — it helps others find it." |
| Increase comments | Comment | Early or mid-roll | "Let me know in the comments: have you experienced X?" |
| Gain subscribers | Subscribe | Mid-roll (after strong value) | "If you want more videos like this, subscribe — I post every Tuesday." |
| Increase session time | Watch next | Transition | "Stick around because next I'm going to show you X." |
| External conversion | Link | Closing | "Link to the tool/source is in the description below." |
3. CTA SCRIPT TEMPLATES
**Early Like CTA:**
`[After delivering value] If this [saved you time / solved your problem / taught you something], do me a favor and hit that like button. It helps this video reach more people.`
**Early Comment CTA:**
`Quick question before we move on: [question related to topic]. Drop your answer in the comments — I read every single one.`
**Mid-Roll Subscribe CTA:**
`If you're still here, you actually care about [topic]. That's exactly what this channel is about. Hit subscribe and I'll send you a new video every [Tuesday/Friday/weekly].`
**Transition Retention CTA:**
`[BEAT] But that's not all. Stick around because next I'm going to show you [even better value] — and you don't want to miss this.`
**Closing CTA:**
`That's it for this one. If you found this valuable, subscribe for more [topic]. And check out this video next — [title/reason].`
4. CTA PLACEMENT BY CONTENT TYPE
| Content Type | Early CTA | Mid-Roll CTA | Closing CTA |
|--------------|-----------|--------------|-------------|
| Tutorial | Like (after tip) | Subscribe (mid-value) | Next tutorial |
| Commentary | Comment (for engagement) | Subscribe (after strong point) | Related video |
| Review | Like (after pros) | Subscribe (for more reviews) | Buy link |
| Educational | Like (after key insight) | Subscribe (for series) | Playlist |
| Storytelling | Comment (for reaction) | Subscribe (at emotional peak) | Next episode |
5. CTA PHRASING OPTIMIZATION
| Weak CTA | Strong CTA | Why It Works |
|----------|------------|--------------|
| "Please like and subscribe" | "If this helped you, hit like" | Gives a reason |
| "Subscribe to my channel" | "Subscribe for more videos like this" | Specific value |
| "Comment below" | "Let me know: have you tried X?" | Specific question |
| "Watch this next" | "You'll love this next video on X" | Preview value |
| "Check description" | "Link in description — it's free" | Adds urgency/value |
6. CTA TESTING FRAMEWORK
| Variable | Version A | Version B | Metric to Track |
|----------|-----------|-----------|-----------------|
| Timing | Early vs. Late | 1:00 vs. 3:00 | CTA conversion rate |
| Phrasing | "Subscribe for X" vs. "Hit subscribe" | Specific vs. General | Click-through rate |
| Placement | Verbal only vs. Verbal + screen graphic | Graphic addition | Engagement rate |
| CTA type | Like vs. Subscribe vs. Comment | Goal comparison | Each conversion rate |
7. COMMON CTA MISTAKES
| Mistake | Why It Fails | Correct Approach |
|---------|--------------|------------------|
| CTA only at end | Most viewers gone | Place CTAs throughout |
| "Please subscribe" | No reason given | "Subscribe for X" |
| Too many CTAs | Annoying, viewers ignore | 2-3 CTAs per video max |
| CTA before value | No earned right | Deliver value first |
| Generic phrasing | Forgettable | Specific, memorable |
INPUTS:
Content type:
[TUTORIAL / COMMENTARY / REVIEW / EDUCATIONAL / STORYTELLING]
Primary goal:
[SUBSCRIBERS / LIKES / COMMENTS / SESSION TIME / EXTERNAL LINK]
Video length:
[E.G., "8 minutes"]
Value delivered by minute:
[E.G., "First tip at 1:30, main insight at 3:00, key takeaway at 5:00"]
RULES:
- Deliver value before asking for engagement (earn the CTA)
- Place CTAs at natural breaks (not mid-sentence)
- Give a specific reason for each CTA ("subscribe for X" not "please subscribe")
- Use only 2-3 CTAs per video (more is annoying)
- Test CTA timing and phrasing (what works for your audience)
- Early CTAs should be low-friction (like, comment) not high-friction (subscribe)
- Closing CTA is for next video or external link (not primary subscribe ask)
How To Use It
- Deliver value before asking for engagement — earn the right to ask.
- Place CTAs at natural breaks — not mid-sentence or mid-thought.
- Give a specific reason for each CTA — “subscribe for more videos like this” works better than “please subscribe.”
- Use only 2-3 CTAs per video — more than that is annoying and reduces effectiveness.
- Test CTA timing and phrasing — what works for your audience may differ from averages.
- Early CTAs should be low-friction (like, comment) — not high-friction (subscribe).
- Closing CTA is for next video or external link — not the primary subscribe ask.
Example Input
Content type:
“TUTORIAL – video editing in Premiere Pro”
Primary goal:
“SUBSCRIBERS”
Video length:
“6 minutes”
Value delivered by minute:
“Keyboard shortcuts at 1:30, workspace setup at 3:00, proxy workflow at 4:30”
Why It Works
Most creators treat the CTA as an afterthought — “like and subscribe” tacked on at the end when most viewers have already left.
This framework improves outcomes by forcing:
- CTA phase classification (early, mid-roll, transition, closing)
- CTA type by goal (like, comment, subscribe, watch next, external link)
- script templates (ready-to-use CTA phrasing)
- placement by content type (where to put each CTA type)
- phrasing optimization (weak vs. strong CTAs with rationale)
Failure modes this prevents:
- CTA at the end when most viewers are gone (missed opportunity)
- No reason given for engagement (“please subscribe” vs. “subscribe for X”)
- Missing mid-roll CTAs for retention and engagement
- Generic phrasing that blends into background noise
This improves on: Single, generic end-CTA. Strategic CTAs throughout maximize conversion at each retention point.
Related to: YT-03 (Structure) for placement; YT-02 (Retention) for timing.
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