YouTube Scriptwriter’s Playbook
Review

A systemized approach to writing YouTube scripts that hook viewers and maximize retention

Medium
  • Last updated 15/06/2025
by George Blackman

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent considerable time digging into George Blackman's YouTube Scriptwriter's Playbook, and here's what we discovered. This isn't your typical "watch and learn" course. Instead, Blackman has created what's essentially a systematic toolkit for YouTube scriptwriting.

The core offering revolves around practical frameworks and customizable templates designed to eliminate the guesswork from scriptwriting. George Blackman, who's worked with creators like Ali Abdaal and Mike Shake (whose channels have collectively garnered over 20 million views), brings his consulting experience directly to course participants.

What caught our attention was the emphasis on decision fatigue reduction. Rather than teaching theory, the course provides step-by-step processes, checklists, and real-world case studies. The curriculum breaks down into modules covering scriptwriting fundamentals, hook creation, storytelling techniques, retention strategies, and calls to action.

We noticed the course comes in two tiers. The Essential tier ($397) includes the core playbook and templates, while the Pro tier ($599-$999) adds community access and monthly office hours. For a mid-ticket course, this tiered approach makes sense, though we'd have liked clearer information about what specific extras justify the Pro pricing jump.

The teaching methodology focuses heavily on templates and frameworks you can immediately apply. Think of it as getting Blackman's exact scriptwriting process rather than general advice about YouTube success. This practical approach aligns well with what busy creators actually need, though it might disappoint those seeking more theoretical depth.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

YouTube creators struggling with consistent scripting, small channels seeking systematic growth approaches, freelance scriptwriters wanting proven frameworks

Instructor

George Blackman

YouTube Scriptwriting Expert and Consultant Legitimacy Score: 9/10
George Blackman is a renowned YouTube scriptwriter and consultant who has made significant contributions to the success of several high-profile YouTube channels. With a keen understanding of audience engagement and retention strategies, Blackman has helped creators like Ali Abdaal and Mike Shake craft compelling content that consistently garners millions of views. His expertise lies in developing structured, engaging scripts that maintain viewer interest through carefully planned 'minute payoffs' leading to a grand finale.
Blackman's career trajectory is impressive, transitioning from a call center job to becoming a sought-after scriptwriter for top YouTubers within just three years. He secured a coveted position as one of four writers for Ali Abdaal's channel, which boasted 3 million subscribers at the time. The videos Blackman scripted averaged over 1 million views each, demonstrating his ability to create highly engaging content. He has since expanded his client base to include other prominent creators such as Noah Kagan and Ed Lawrence, solidifying his position as a go-to expert in the YouTube scriptwriting niche.
• Wrote scripts for Ali Abdaal's channel, averaging over 1 million views per video
• Featured in Business Insider for his scriptwriting expertise
• Interviewed on Creator Science podcast, sharing insights on effective YouTube scripting
• Developed a comprehensive study on retention graphs across 40+ YouTube niches
• Created 'The YouTube Scriptwriter's Playbook', a resource for aspiring content creators
• Launched 'Write On Time', a newsletter with over 4,000 subscribers focused on scriptwriting tips
• Guest on the Creator Science podcast, discussing YouTube scriptwriting techniques
• Featured speaker at various online creator workshops and webinars
• Interviewed for Business Insider article on successful YouTube content creation
• Hosted live Q&A sessions on YouTube scriptwriting strategies
George Blackman cultivates a robust digital footprint, primarily focusing on YouTube scriptwriting and content creation strategies. He regularly shares insights through his weekly newsletter 'Write On Time' and frequently engages with his audience on Twitter, discussing trends and techniques in video content creation. His YouTube channel features in-depth analyses of successful video scripts and retention strategies.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration7
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None stated, basic YouTube familiarity helpful


💻 Requirements

Computer with internet access, Notion app


💸 Hidden Costs

Free Notion account required for templates


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Essential tier: self-paced only. Pro tier: community access and monthly office hours

Course content

  • Module 1: Scriptwriting Fundamentals - Why scriptwriting matters, common mistakes, the AVD Framework (Audience, Value, Delivery), creating the perfect video outline
  • Module 2: How To Write Great Hooks - The science of effective hooks, five hook types that work, real-world hook examples
  • Module 3: How To Tell Great Stories - Why storytelling drives engagement, The Storytelling Spectrum, six essential storytelling ingredients
  • Module 4: How To Maximize Watch Time - Retention strategies, engagement techniques, open loops and callbacks, pattern interrupts
  • Module 5: How To Write Great Calls To Action - CTA importance, four types of CTAs, crafting effective CTAs
  • Module 6: Bringing It All Together - Applying theory to practice, complete scriptwriting process, success tips
  • Bonus Materials: Four Notion script templates (Talking Head, Listicle, Case Study, Product Review), 10+ example scripts library, Video Hook Vault (100+ ideas), Content Idea Generator

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Reviews from podcast appearances and direct user feedback paint a largely positive picture. Creators appreciate the systematic approach, particularly those who previously struggled with scriptwriting consistency.

Praised points

  • Actionable frameworks that eliminate guesswork from the writing process
  • Time-saving templates that speed up script production
  • Retention-focused strategies backed by real channel data

Criticisms

  • Limited community features in the Essential tier
  • Price point feels steep for solo creators on tight budgets
  • YouTube-specific focus limits cross-platform applicability

Testimonials

"George's frameworks made my writing process much easier." – Podcast Host

"Retention on my channel shot up after implementing his template." – YouTube Client

"The course gave me clarity I didn't have before." – Course Participant

"Practical, actionable, no fluff, delivered what I needed." – Industry Peer

"Expensive, but worth it if you're serious about YouTube." – Private Feedback

Social insights

Industry podcasts like Creator Science feature Blackman regularly, and hosts consistently praise his methodical approach. We couldn't find significant Reddit discussions specifically about the course, though general mentions of Blackman's free content are positive.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The promise of "systemized scriptwriting" aligns with course content. No unrealistic income claims or viral video guarantees, which we appreciate.

Price History

Launched at current pricing in January 2024, no discounts or sales found.

Upsell Practices

Clear tier separation without aggressive upselling. Other products exist but aren't pushed within the main course flow.

Student Success

Blackman's consulting clients (Ali Abdaal, Mike Shake) serve as indirect success stories. Direct student results lack independent verification beyond testimonials.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Lemon Squeezy handles course delivery. Basic but functional, lacking advanced features like progress tracking or mobile apps.

Content Accessibility

Lifetime access promised, though not explicitly stated on sales page. Templates downloadable through Notion.

Mobile Compatibility

Browser-based access works on mobile, but experience optimized for desktop use.

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection, web browser, Notion account (free tier sufficient).

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We found no substantial complaints or refund disputes in public forums.

😬

Refund policy issues

Here's where things get murky. The Pro template mentions a 30-day guarantee, but we couldn't verify a clear refund policy for the main Playbook. This lack of transparency concerns us.

😬

Marketing practices

Marketing focuses on concrete outcomes (better retention, systematic writing) rather than unrealistic income promises. Refreshingly honest for this space.

😬

Community feedback

No reports of negative experiences or scam accusations. The limited discussion volume makes comprehensive assessment difficult.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $397, we're looking at a mid-ticket investment that delivers specialized knowledge from a credible practitioner. The frameworks and templates alone could save dozens of hours for active creators. However, solo creators might find the price challenging without clear ROI projections.

Conclusion

After thorough examination, we believe The YouTube Scriptwriter's Playbook delivers legitimate value for its target audience. George Blackman brings verifiable experience (his Business Insider feature and work with 20M+ view channels speaks volumes), and the course content matches its promises. The systematic approach fills a real gap, many YouTube courses focus on algorithm hacks or equipment, while this tackles the fundamental skill of scriptwriting. We appreciate the practical focus and absence of get-rich-quick messaging. Our main concerns? The unclear refund policy needs addressing, and the limited independent reviews make comprehensive assessment challenging. For active YouTube creators earning from their channels, the investment likely pays off quickly. Hobbyists should carefully consider whether they'll implement the systems consistently enough to justify the cost. Bottom line: if you're serious about YouTube and struggle with scripting, this course offers concrete tools from someone who's proven their methods work. Just ensure you're ready to commit time to implementation, the templates won't write themselves.

FAQs about this course

George Blackman is a YouTube script consultant who's worked with creators like Ali Abdaal and Mike Shake, helping generate over 20 million views collectively. He was featured in Business Insider discussing his scriptwriting career.

The course includes a comprehensive playbook, systematic frameworks, customizable Notion templates for different video types, 10+ example scripts, a Video Hook Vault with 100+ ideas, and audience analysis tools.

This remains unclear. While the Pro template mentions a 30-day guarantee, we couldn't verify a refund policy for the main Playbook. We recommend clarifying this before purchase.

Essential ($397) includes core content and templates. Pro ($599-999) adds community access and monthly office hours with George Blackman.

You'll need a free Notion account to access and use the templates. No other paid tools are required.

The course is self-paced, but most users can work through the material in about 7 days, spending 1-5 hours per week.

While specifically designed for YouTube, some principles apply to other video platforms. However, the strategies are YouTube-optimized and may need adaptation elsewhere.

The course works for beginners with no scriptwriting experience, though creators with basic YouTube knowledge will find implementation easier.

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YouTube Scriptwriter’s Playbook screenshot
YouTube Scriptwriter’s Playbook Review
$ 397
Total score: 7,6/10 ⭐
  • Duration7
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2024
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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YouTube Scriptwriter’s Playbook Review