# Template 6 · The List That Isn't a List (35 seconds)

**Use it when:** you want the pull of "3 things…" without becoming one more "5 AI tools" video.
**Best stage:** Solution-aware (C). **Sells:** the comment keyword.
**Why it works:** plain lists are the most saturated format in the AI niche (sophistication stage 4–5: viewers discount them). This format *looks* like a list in the hook, but each item is a **rung of the same ladder**: one system, three levels. It borrows the formula behind the biggest breakout in our data ("20 Real Examples **From Useful to Almost Impossible**", 12.8×): a range that makes people stay for the top rung.

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## The timing

| Time | Block | What you say | What's on screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2s | **Hook: the ladder** | "[NUMBER] levels of [SKILL]. Most people stop at [N]." | "LEVEL 1 / 2 / 3" stacked, 3 locked |
| 2–5s | **This is you** | "If you [DO THE BASIC VERSION], you're at level 1." | Basic version on screen |
| 5–12s | **Level 1** | "Level 1: [BASIC]. Fine, but [LIMIT]." | Fast demo |
| 12–21s | **Level 2** | "Level 2: [ADD ONE THING]. Now [BETTER RESULT]." | Demo, the added piece highlighted |
| 21–30s | **Level 3** | "Level 3: [THE MECHANISM]. This is where [BIG RESULT]." + proof | Demo + number |
| 30–35s | **One CTA** | "Comment [KEYWORD] and I'll send you the level-3 [ASSET]." | Keyword |

**Rule:** the last level gets the most time and the proof. The viewer stayed for it.

**Word budget:** ~85–100 words.

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## Fill-in script

> **[0–2s]** [3] levels of [SKILL]. Most people stop at level [1].
> **[2–5s]** If you [BASIC BEHAVIOR], that's level one.
> **[5–12s]** Level one: [BASIC]. It works, but [LIMIT].
> **[12–21s]** Level two: [ADD ONE THING]. Now [IMPROVEMENT].
> **[21–30s]** Level three: [MECHANISM]. [RESULT + PROOF NUMBER].
> **[30–35s]** Comment [KEYWORD] and I'll send you the level-three [TEMPLATE/PROMPT].

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## Fully written example

*Topic: three levels of using AI for short-video scripts. (This one sells this very lead magnet.)*

| Time | Voice-over | On-screen text | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2s | "Three levels of writing scripts with AI. Most stop at one." | **Level 1 · 2 · 3** | Three locked boxes |
| 2–5s | "If you type 'write me a viral script,' that's level one." | **"write me a viral script"** | That prompt in a chat |
| 5–12s | "Level one: you get a script. It sounds like everyone else's, because it's built from everyone else's." | **Sounds like everyone** | Generic output, cliché phrases highlighted |
| 12–21s | "Level two: you give it your audience and one desire. Now it's about *someone*." | **+ audience + 1 desire** | Same prompt with two lines added; better output |
| 21–30s | "Level three: you make it diagnose first. What does the viewer already know? What have they seen a hundred times? Then it writes the hook from there. My hooks now score 80-plus before I record." | **Diagnose → then write** | Script doctor output: awareness stage, 5 hooks, scores |
| 30–35s | "Comment VIRAL and I'll send you the level-three prompt, free." | **Comment VIRAL** | Keyword |

**Word count:** 99 · **Length:** ~35–37s

*"80-plus" refers to the hook scorer in this kit; use your own number once you've used it.*

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## Mistakes that kill this format
- Three unrelated tips. If the levels don't build on each other, it's just a list.
- Equal time per level. Level 3 gets the most.
- Revealing level 3 in the hook. Name the ladder, not the top.

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Made by Dan Shipped — @danshipped