Short Drama Writing 101: From Industry Logic to Social Psychology

Short dramas aren’t just “shorter TV” — they’re a distribution-driven format: written for the hook, tested like an ad, and scaled with paid traffic (“投流”).

Vertical short dramas — China’s hottest storytelling trend — have already exceeded USD 6–7 billion in market size and are projected to reach USD 14 billion by 2027. With millions of daily viewers and platforms racing to expand overseas, this format is quickly becoming a global opportunity. The real innovation isn’t the vertical frame — it’s distribution: a performance-marketing model that turns story hooks into ad creatives, rapidly tested and scaled in TikTok-style feeds.

Short Drama Writing 101: From Industry Logic to Social Psychology is a 123-page concise, practical guide designed to help creators understand and succeed in this fast-rising format.

Created by Short Drama Alliance and based on producer Maggie Han’s firsthand experience across platform operations, independent production, and industry research, this updated edition distills in-depth interviews and real-world practice into clear frameworks you can apply immediately.

This booklet includes:

• A refined section on distribution-first logic and the role of paid traffic
• Updated writing framework and structure tips
• Two full case breakdowns — one male-oriented and one female-oriented — with narrative and monetization analysis

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How paid traffic and conversion goals shape story decisions from concept to episode design
• Core mechanics for feed-first viewing: hooks, reversals, cliffhangers, and pacing
• Audience psychology — why curiosity gaps and emotional payoffs keep viewers watching
• Actionable methods to design episodes and arcs, plus how to monetize your writing

Whether you’re a screenwriter, producer, or content creator, this booklet is your roadmap to mastering vertical short dramas — and turning creative understanding into measurable success.