Creating a viral YouTube Short starts with a concise, compelling script - one that hooks viewers in the first few seconds and delivers value before they scroll away. By combining ChatGPT’s generative power with AI-powered clip extraction like CapsAI’s Smart Clips, you can go from hours of footage to a polished Short script in minutes. Here’s how:

1. Upload & Analyze Your Long-Form Content

Begin by uploading your raw video - or its transcript - to the AI tools of your choice:

• CapsAI’s Smart Clips (https://capsai.co/) can analyze your footage, identify high-engagement segments, and auto-extract multiple 5–60 second vertical-ready clips - complete with suggested captions.

2. Identify the Core Message

Decide what you want your Short to achieve: educate, entertain, or inspire. Then, gather relevant timestamps or transcript snippets from your tools:

Example: If you’re repurposing a 10-minute tutorial, extract the one “aha” moment - like a unique tip or surprising stat.

3. Prompt ChatGPT to Craft the Hook & Script

Use ChatGPT to transform your raw snippet into a scroll-stopping script:

1. Open ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/).

1. Provide Context & Instructions:

“I have this 15-second clip about improving posture:
‘Sit up straight, roll your shoulders back, and breathe deeply.’
Write a YouTube Shorts script under 40 words that opens with a hook, states the tip, and ends with a call-to-action to watch the full video.”

1. Refine the Output: ChatGPT may suggest multiple hook variations - choose the most engaging one or ask for another round of rewrites until you’re satisfied.

4. Generate On-Screen Text & Captions

Shorts often autoplay muted, so overlay clear captions:

• Ask ChatGPT to format your script into timed caption blocks:

“Format this script into SRT caption format with start/end times for a 15-second clip.”

• Import the generated .srt into your video editor or let CapsAI embed captions automatically when exporting Smart Clips.

5. Assemble & Polish in Your Editor

With your AI-generated hook, script, and clip:

• Import the CapsAI Smart Clip into your editor (CapCut, InShot, Premiere Rush).

• Add the Hook Text: Position your ChatGPT-crafted hook as a title card in the first 3 seconds.

• Sync Captions: Load the SRT file or paste the on-screen text, ensuring legibility and timing.

• Enhance with Effects: Use quick cuts, speed ramps, or subtle transitions to maintain momentum.

6. Optimize Metadata with ChatGPT

Before uploading, craft an SEO-friendly title and description:

• Prompt Example:

“Write a 40-character YouTube Shorts title with #Shorts and keywords for ‘posture hack.’ Then write a 100-character description linking to the full tutorial.”

• Paste ChatGPT’s suggestions directly into YouTube Studio.

7. Iterate Based on Performance Data

After publishing, review Analytics: retention rate, watch time, and replay loops. Feed this data back to ChatGPT:

• Prompt Example:

“My Short on posture got a 50% retention rate, but viewers drop at 8 seconds. Suggest two stronger hooks to keep them watching.”

Use the new hooks for A/B testing in fresh uploads.

By harnessing ChatGPT for rapid scriptwriting, CapsAI’s Smart Clips for instant highlight extraction, and data-driven refinement loops, you’ll streamline your workflow and produce viral-ready YouTube Shorts from any long-form content - without spending hours in the editing bay.