🎬 Founder Story · 7 prompts · Day 7 · 60 seconds that sell

Your story · in 60 seconds.

Draft · refine · rehearse. By 15:30 today you have a 60-second Founder Story ready to shoot · repurposable for LinkedIn · X · IG Reels · WhatsApp DMs · your pitch deck opener. The story you tell your users tomorrow morning.

Workflow: Cowork drafts your script from Project context · you edit for VOICE · rehearse to camera · shoot the take. The 60 seconds that unlock the next 60 users.

7 prompts · run in order

⚙ Phase 0 · SETUP · load context once
⚙ PROMPT 00 · CONTEXT LOADER

Load my app · and the story so far.

Why: Your Founder Story is not marketing copy — it's the truth of what brought you here, what you saw broken, and what you built. This prompt loads everything Cowork already knows (product · PRD · your Foundation Doc · what shipped over the last 6 days) so the script writes from truth · not from guesses.

Phase 0 · run first 2 min Required
# ROLE
You are my Founder Story coach for Day 7 of the 10-Day Sprint at Network School.
Read everything before writing a single word.

# READ · in this order
1 · Cowork Project — Foundation Doc · PRD · brand voice · Project-Plan.md
2 · Chat memory — every conversation from Day 1–6
3 · What I actually shipped — Day 6 deploy · live URL · pricing model

# OUTPUT · 8-line brief
1 · Product name + 1-line "what it does" (from PRD)
2 · The moment I decided to build this (from chat memory or Foundation Doc)
3 · The pain point I saw · in ONE sentence (not marketing-speak)
4 · Who I'm building it for (real persona · not "everyone")
5 · What's different about MY approach vs. what exists (positioning)
6 · Traction so far: users · shipped features · pricing
7 · What I want the viewer to DO after the video (signup · book demo · DM me · try free)
8 · What emotion I want them to FEEL by second 60 (curious · seen · inspired · urgent)

# CONFIRM
End with: "Is this brief correct? Any 1-line fix?"
Then wait. Once I say "yes" · you're primed for P01–P06.

# SELF-CHECK
- Did I read the Foundation Doc · or invent the pain point?
- Did I name a REAL persona · not "founders" or "everyone"?
- Is the CTA one specific action · not three?
The bar: if line 3 (the pain) sounds like marketing copy · re-read your Foundation Doc and try again. The pain should sound like something you'd tell a friend at dinner.
✍ Phase 1 · WRITE · archetype + full script · 15 min
🎭 PROMPT 01 · PICK YOUR STORY ARCHETYPE

Which story shape fits you?

Why: Every great Founder Story follows one of four archetypes. Pick the one that matches your truth · not the one you think investors want. The archetype determines the script structure in P02.

Phase 1 · write 3 min
Donald Miller · StoryBrand · 7-part narrative Nancy Duarte · Resonate · story shapes Nicole Pern · this morning's keynote · content that converts
# ROLE
You are my Founder Story architect. Reference primed context from P00.

# GOAL
Recommend ONE archetype that fits my truth · with rationale.

# THE 4 ARCHETYPES

A · ORIGIN STORY
"I lived this problem for [X years]. Here's what I built to fix it."
Best when: you have personal experience · deep credibility · real pain
Pattern: pain → attempts → insight → build → early traction → ask
Example: "I journaled for 10 years and hated every app. So I built..."

B · FRUSTRATION → FIX
"I got so frustrated with [status quo] that I stopped waiting."
Best when: you're the target user · problem is felt but not obvious
Pattern: frustration moment → search → nothing worked → build → prove
Example: "I got sick of paying $50/mo for features I don't use. So..."

C · BIG VISION
"What if [status quo] didn't have to be this way?"
Best when: your product reimagines a category · bold contrarian take
Pattern: setup the world → surface the assumption → invert it → build
Example: "What if you could ship a real product in 10 days · not 10 months?"

D · PERSONAL JOURNEY
"I moved to [place] · met [people] · and it changed how I think about [X]."
Best when: your context (location · community · life event) shapes the product
Pattern: journey → shift → insight → build → invite others in
Example: "I came to Network School to learn to code · ended up building..."

# YOUR PROCESS
1 · Read my P00 brief carefully
2 · Ask ONE clarifying question: "When you tell friends about this,
    which of these lines feels most true?" (list the 4 openers)
3 · Wait for my answer
4 · Recommend ONE archetype based on my truth
5 · Explain WHY that archetype fits me specifically
6 · Warn me which OTHER archetype I might be tempted to pick · and why
    it would water down my story

# SELF-CHECK
- Am I picking based on what's TRUE · not what sounds impressive?
- Did I flag the "tempting but wrong" archetype for this founder?
Truth test: if you have to invent a personal story to fit archetype A · pick a different archetype. The camera catches lies.
✍ PROMPT 02 · DRAFT YOUR 60-SECOND SCRIPT ⭐

Full script · 150 words. Camera-ready.

Why: 60 seconds = ~150 words at natural pace. This flagship prompt writes your script using your P00 truth · P01 archetype · in 5 beats: HOOK (5s) → PAIN (10s) → INSIGHT (10s) → BUILD (20s) → PROOF + ASK (15s). Includes camera cues + pause markers.

Phase 1 · write 10 min Flagship
Nancy Duarte · Resonate · 60-sec structure Sam Parr · copywriting for founders Ann Handley · brand voice on camera
# ROLE · WORLD-CLASS PANEL
  - Nancy Duarte (Resonate) — narrative structure at 60 sec
  - Sam Parr — copywriting for founders that converts
  - Ann Handley — brand voice on camera · sounds human

# CONTEXT
Use P00 brief + P01 archetype. Do NOT invent · use my real story.
My brand voice is in Foundation Doc — match it exactly.

# GOAL
Write a 60-second script (~150 words · natural spoken pace) in 5 beats.
Format each beat with time + camera cue + spoken line.

# THE 5 BEATS

BEAT 1 · HOOK (0:00–0:05 · ~12 words)
The line that stops the scroll. Test: would someone stop for THIS opening?
Rules:
  - No "Hi I'm ___" openers · burn 3 sec on nothing
  - Start with a question · a stat · a scene · a contradiction
  - Match the archetype opener pattern
  - Ends with a beat pause · gives viewer permission to lean in

BEAT 2 · PAIN (0:05–0:15 · ~25 words)
Name the problem in FELT terms · not abstract.
Rules:
  - Concrete detail (not "founders struggle" · but "I spent 3 hours
    debugging a webhook while my launch window closed")
  - Someone should think "oh that's ME"
  - No jargon that outsiders won't recognize

BEAT 3 · INSIGHT (0:15–0:25 · ~25 words)
The moment I realized what was actually broken.
Rules:
  - This is the "aha" · your unique POV
  - Contrarian if possible ("everyone thinks X · actually Y")
  - Sets up why what I'm building is DIFFERENT

BEAT 4 · BUILD (0:25–0:45 · ~50 words)
What I built · in plain English · with one specific feature that proves the insight.
Rules:
  - Name the product
  - One benefit-driven sentence (not "AI-powered" · but "so you never
    lose a customer to a broken checkout")
  - One specific proof detail ("built in 5 days · shipped to real users
    yesterday")

BEAT 5 · PROOF + ASK (0:45–1:00 · ~35 words)
Traction + specific ask.
Rules:
  - Real number ("28 users signed up this week")
  - ONE clear ask · not three ("Try it free at [my-domain]" ·
    NOT "Sign up, follow me, and DM me")
  - Warm sign-off that fits my voice
  - Ends on beat pause · give the CTA space

# OUTPUT FORMAT
Return in this exact format for shoot day:

  🎬 BEAT 1 · HOOK · 0:00–0:05
  📷 Camera: [medium shot · direct eye contact · slight smile]
  💬 [spoken line here · ~12 words]
  ⏸ [beat pause]

  ... repeat for beats 2-5 ...

  ---
  TOTAL WORD COUNT: [X] words
  ESTIMATED READ TIME AT NATURAL PACE: [Y] seconds
  IF OVER 60 SEC: [suggest the cut]

# QUALITY BAR · self-check
- Duarte: does each beat earn its screen time · or is any beat filler?
- Parr: would someone in my target persona forward this to a friend?
- Handley: does this sound like ME · or like generic startup Twitter?
- Word count < 160? (over 160 = over 60 sec)
- HOOK doesn't start with "Hi I'm"?
- ONE specific ask · not three?
The rehearsal test: read the whole thing aloud with a timer. If you go over 60 seconds · cut BEAT 3 first (insight often over-explains). If you go under 55 · add ONE specific detail to BEAT 4 · not fluff.
🎣 Phase 2 · POLISH · hook + ask · 8 min
🎣 PROMPT 03 · SHARPEN THE HOOK

The first 5 seconds decide everything.

Why: 60% of Reels + Shorts viewers scroll within 3 seconds if the opening's weak. This prompt writes 5 hook variants for YOUR script · you pick the one that stops the scroll · we ship it.

Phase 2 · polish 4 min
Alex Hormozi · hook-writing frameworks Nicole Pern · this morning's keynote · scroll-stopping openers
# ROLE
You are my hook engineer. Panel: Alex Hormozi + Nicole Pern (from this morning).

# CONTEXT
Use P00 brief + P02 script. Focus ONLY on BEAT 1 (0:00–0:05).

# GOAL
Write 5 hook variants in 5 different patterns · I pick one.

# THE 5 HOOK PATTERNS

1 · CONTRARIAN CLAIM
"Everyone tells you X. That's wrong. Here's why."
Example: "Everyone told me I need 6 months to build an MVP. I did it in 6 days."

2 · SPECIFIC STAT
"[Real number] happens every [interval]. Here's what most people miss."
Example: "42% of MVPs die before their first paying user. Here's why mine won't."

3 · SCENE / MOMENT
"[Place] · [time] · I was [doing thing] when I realized [insight]."
Example: "Sunday · 2 AM · I was 8 hours into a webhook bug when I realized..."

4 · QUESTION
"What if [assumption everyone accepts] wasn't true?"
Example: "What if the 'you need to learn to code' advice is backwards?"

5 · CONFESSION
"I used to think [wrong belief]. Then [moment happened]. Now I..."
Example: "I used to think building software required 3 engineers. I was wrong."

# YOUR PROCESS
Write ONE hook in each of the 5 patterns · using MY story from P00 + P02.
Under each · tell me:
  - Word count (must be ≤ 12 words for a 5-sec spoken hook)
  - Why this pattern fits my archetype
  - Predicted stop-scroll rate: LOW · MEDIUM · HIGH

Then recommend ONE to ship · with reasoning.

# QUALITY BAR
- Hormozi: would this stop MY thumb mid-scroll?
- Pern: does the hook set up a promise the script actually delivers?
- Under 12 words · sayable in one breath?
🎯 PROMPT 04 · SHARPEN THE ASK

The last 5 seconds decide conversion.

Why: Weak ask = wasted 60 seconds. Strong ask = signups tonight. This prompt writes 3 ask variants tuned to different intents (try · book · DM) so you pick the one that maps to your Tuesday 24-hour User Sprint goal.

Phase 2 · polish 4 min
# ROLE
You are my CTA engineer. Direct-response copywriter mindset.

# CONTEXT
Use P00 brief + P02 script. Focus ONLY on BEAT 5 (0:45–1:00) ask.
My User Sprint kicks off in 30 min · the ask must drive TODAY action.

# GOAL
Write 3 ask variants · tuned to 3 different intents · I pick one.

# THE 3 ASK PATTERNS

1 · TRY (highest volume · lowest commitment)
"Try it free at [my-domain]. Takes 30 seconds."
Best when: I want raw signups · low-friction product · viral loop
Ships: signups today

2 · DM (highest intent · lowest volume)
"If this hits · DM me. I'll walk you through it personally."
Best when: I want quality conversations · early-adopter customers
Ships: 3-5 real conversations today

3 · WAITLIST (highest signal · builds anticipation)
"Not everyone gets access this week. Join the waitlist: [my-domain]."
Best when: capacity is limited · scarcity is real · pre-launch mode
Ships: qualified interest · not just clicks

# YOUR PROCESS
Write ONE ask in each pattern · under 20 words each.
Include:
  - Exact wording (say-able · not written-y)
  - Where the URL/handle goes on-screen (lower-third graphic?)
  - What I say WHILE the URL appears (don't waste dead air)

Then recommend ONE based on my Sprint goal from P00.

# QUALITY BAR
- ONE action · not three
- Specific · not "check us out"
- Ends on a beat · gives the CTA breathing room
The dead-air trick: when you say your URL out loud on camera · pause ONE second before saying the last character. That silence makes the URL land · viewers actually type it in.
🎥 Phase 3 · SHOOT · camera coach + repurpose · 10 min
🎥 PROMPT 05 · CAMERA COACH + DELIVERY NOTES

Deliver like you mean it.

Why: The best script dies in a flat delivery. This prompt turns your final script into a rehearsal plan · with pace cues · pause markers · eye-contact reminders · and the "reset if I fumble" recovery line. Bring this to the shoot at 14:30.

Phase 3 · shoot 5 min Pre-shoot
Vinh Giang · speaker coach · vocal variety Julian Treasure · "How to speak so people listen"
# ROLE · WORLD-CLASS PANEL
  - Vinh Giang — speaker coach · vocal variety · pace
  - Julian Treasure — TED speaker · presence + delivery

# CONTEXT
Use P02 script + P03 hook + P04 ask. Assemble the FINAL script.

# GOAL
Turn my script into a 5-min rehearsal plan I read TWICE before the shoot.

# DELIVERY ANNOTATIONS
Rewrite the final script with these markup layers:

  🔥 [emphasis word] — punch this word · slight volume + pitch bump
  ⏸ [pause length] — 1s pause markers between beats
  😊 [expression] — smile line · slight nod · concerned brow · glance away
  🎯 [eye contact] — direct camera stare · sustained on this word
  ⬇ [slow] — slow down 25% here · give the word weight
  ⬆ [energy up] — lift energy · brighter tone

Example annotated line:
  "Everyone told me [⬇][🎯] I needed six months. [⏸1s] I did it in six days. [🔥six days] [⏸1s][😊 slight smile]"

# REHEARSAL PLAN · 5 min
1 · Read once at normal pace · time yourself · aim for 58-62 sec
2 · Read once with all annotations · consciously add each cue
3 · Record ONE test on your phone · watch it back · fix the flattest beat
4 · Read one more time with the fix
5 · At the shoot · trust the reps · don't over-think

# RECOVERY LINE (if I fumble mid-take)
Give me ONE recovery phrase I say if I stumble in the take:
  Example: "Let me try that again — [restart from last beat]"
  · Warm · not apologetic
  · Camera crew loves this · they can splice cleanly

# PRE-SHOOT CHECKLIST
Include a 5-item camera-ready list:
  ☐ Outfit: solid color · no busy patterns
  ☐ Face: light bounce · no shadow · water nearby
  ☐ Voice: warmed up (hummed a scale · sipped water)
  ☐ Background: clean · one meaningful object visible
  ☐ Phone/laptop: silenced · Do Not Disturb ON

# QUALITY BAR
- Giang: did I add vocal variety · not just monotone reading?
- Treasure: does the ending land with intention · not fade out?
The shoot-day trick: when you get to VIP Room 3 · read this rehearsal plan ONCE aloud in a corner · then put it away. Muscle memory > staring at the page during the shot.
🔁 PROMPT 06 · REPURPOSE FOR EVERY CHANNEL

One shoot · 10 assets. Every channel.

Why: That 60-second video is not just one asset — it's the seed for LinkedIn caption · X thread · IG Reel caption · WhatsApp DM copy · pitch deck opener · email signature line · press bio. This prompt turns ONE video into TEN posts you send during Tuesday's 24-hour User Sprint.

Phase 3 · shoot 5 min
Justin Welsh · solo founder repurposing Nicole Pern · keynote speaker · content flywheel
# ROLE · WORLD-CLASS PANEL
  - Justin Welsh — solo founder repurposing playbook
  - Nicole Pern — content flywheel · distribution to $800K

# CONTEXT
Use P02 script + P03 hook + P04 ask + delivered video (assume shot).

# GOAL
Turn ONE 60-sec video into 10 platform-native assets I send during the
24-hour User Sprint (Tue 16:00 → Wed 16:00).

# 10 REPURPOSED ASSETS

1 · LinkedIn caption (personal profile)
150-200 words · Justin Welsh format · hook line first · double-space between
paragraphs · ends with ONE question to drive comments · use my P02 script's
insight as the LinkedIn caption's spine.

2 · X main tweet
Under 280 chars · lead with P03 hook · include the video · end with URL.

3 · X thread (7 tweets)
Expand the story into a thread · one beat per tweet · tweet 7 = ask.

4 · Instagram Reel caption
Shorter than LinkedIn · emoji-friendly · ends with 3-5 relevant hashtags
tuned to my niche (from P00 persona).

5 · WhatsApp DM opener (personal reach-out)
2-3 sentences · sounds like a friend · includes video link · ends with
"if it hits · try it" (not "please try").

6 · Cold email subject + first line
Subject: under 45 chars · pattern-interrupt · not "Introducing..."
First line: personal · specific · not "I hope this email finds you well"

7 · Pitch deck opener slide
The HOOK from P03 · as a single slide (typography-only · brand tokens)
Serves as slide 1 of Wednesday's pitch deck.

8 · Email signature line
One-line version of my story + URL · for every email I send this week.

9 · Press/podcast one-liner
"I'm [name], I built [product] because [pain]." · under 20 words · ready
to drop in any podcast intro request or press pitch.

10 · The founder bio
75-word third-person bio for landing page /about · press · Nicole's next
newsletter feature · potential podcast bookings.

# QUALITY BAR
- Welsh: does each asset stand ALONE · not require the video to make sense?
- Pern: do platform natives (linkedin caption format · X thread pattern)
  feel intentional · not lazy repurpose?
- Are hashtags SPECIFIC to my niche · not "#startup #ai"?
The distribution sprint: from P06's output · you have everything you need for Tuesday's 24-hour User Sprint. Post asset 2 (X) at 16:00 · asset 1 (LinkedIn) at 17:00 · send assets 5 (WhatsApp) + 6 (cold email) at 18:00. Repeat Wednesday morning with variations.