Who doesn’t want to write a 30-second video script? Whether you’re looking to improve your YouTube channel or just want a new skill, writing scripts can be very rewarding.
Not only do they allow you to think about what message you want to get across in under a minute, but they also help build your confidence and become more comfortable with public speaking.
As a bonus, writing scripts is also an effective way to help brainstorm ideas for longer videos that you might be working on too! Now let’s dive into some tips for writing your 30-second video script:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Keep it concise: Limit the script to 30 seconds to maintain viewer engagement. |
| 2. Define the key message: Clearly convey the main point or call-to-action in the script. |
| 3. Create a strong hook: Capture the audience’s attention within the first few seconds. |
| 4. Use compelling visuals: Enhance the script with visuals that support the message. |
| 5. Practice and refine: Rehearse the script and make necessary adjustments for better delivery. |
| 6. Know your target audience: Tailor the script to resonate with the intended viewers. |
| 7. End with a clear CTA: Encourage viewers to take action after watching the video. |
| 8. Test and iterate: Analyze the script’s performance and make improvements for future videos. |
#1. Write A Great Headline That Gets Attention
Your headline is the most important part of the video, and it’s what will get people to watch your video in the first place.
You want to make sure that your headline is short (no more than 20 words), catchy, specific, and easy to understand, related to both the content/topic of your video as well as its title tag on YouTube. The best headlines will also be related to their thumbnail image if you’re using one!
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#2. Hook Your Viewer In The First 5 Seconds
Whether you’re writing a 30-second script or a 60-second script, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you have to hook your viewer in the first five seconds.
- Use a great headline
- Begin with a compelling opening line or phrase
Make sure you have a great introduction (this will build on what we’ve just talked about) – this could be through using an interview style.
Or by using visual storytelling (where you show clips from different sources) which can work well if the content is interesting enough for people to want to hear more about it.
This can also lead to your call to action; for example: “To find out more about our services, visit…”
Use compelling visual images and/or video footage where possible – especially if it relates directly back to what’s being said in the voiceover!
#3. Establish Credibility
Now that you have your video script, it’s time to get it in front of the right people.
If you have a testimonial from a customer or expert on hand, use it! It’s always good for a business to include an actual person saying how great their product or service is. This makes them seem more trustworthy and relatable.
If you don’t have any of those things on hand, don’t worry you can still do this step! You can always pull from resources like YouTube or Behance that allow users to upload videos with their testimonials (or even better yet, find well-known celebrities who will promote your product).
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#4. Answer “What’s In It For Me” Early In The Video
The fourth step to writing a good 30-second video script is answering the question, “What’s in it for me?” Your viewer should know exactly what they will get out of watching your video within seconds of beginning to watch it.
Don’t be afraid to use a few short sentences, but try not to use more than 5 or 6 words per sentence. For example:
- You’ll learn how to write a 30-second video script that works! (3 words)
- You’ll know how to write a 30-second video script that converts viewers into customers! (6 words)
#5. Keep It Simple
I know you want to sound intelligent and sophisticated but resist the temptation to show off your vocabulary.
You don’t need to use complex words or phrases; in fact, doing so will only make people feel like you’re putting on air or trying too hard. You can make your message clear while still being straightforward and accessible by keeping the writing style conversational.
#6. Use Powerful Testimonials
Testimonials are the most powerful way to capture your audience’s attention. This is because they are real people, who can be on camera or off camera. By using testimonials in your video script, you can create a more authentic and believable story for your viewers.
As I mentioned above, it’s important to ensure that you have at least one testimonial in every video script that you write. It’s also important to ensure that they are credible and authentic – i.e., they have used your product or service!
Writing a winning video script involves understanding your audience and delivering a compelling message. Follow our comprehensive guide on Video Script Writing to create videos that leave a lasting impact on your viewers.
#7. Focus On One Thing You Want Viewers To Do
Finally, it’s time to focus on one thing you want viewers to do. This is where you get into the specifics of what will happen if they take action.
You can use words like “buy” or “register” but make sure the action is simple and easy for them to understand. This is where most people lose their way when writing video scripts because they try to cram too much information into a short script.
Your call-to-action (CTA) must be clear and direct so people know exactly what you want them to do next and how they can do it as quickly as possible.
#8. Write A Great Script To Get a Great Voiceover Performance
Now you’ve got a script that will get the best performance from your voiceover talent. Here’s how to write a great script for your video:
Keep it short. A 30-second script is about as long as you should go, and even that might be pushing it. When it comes to video scripts, less is more. If you have any doubt about what needs to be said or if something can be cut out of the script (or added), then do so now!
Make sure there’s no ambiguity in what you’re asking for from your voiceover talent; make sure it’s clear exactly what emotion/message/feeling/etc., and ensure they know how they’re supposed to act when delivering lines to evoke those emotions/messages/feelings/etc.
Know how much time each line takes before starting recording (such as “I want” takes 1 second while “I’m going” takes 2). This way, once they start recording the audio file won’t run out before they finish saying their last line!
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#9. Use A great Voiceover Artist Or Announcer Who Sounds Interested And Relatable
A great voiceover artist or announcer will give your script a professional and engaging tone. You can find one on Fiverr, or you may already know someone who can do it for you.
If you want to hire someone, make sure that they sound interested and relatable. They should not sound too formal or corporate.
It’s also important that they speak clearly, so the viewer can understand what they are saying easily.
And their voice should be sincere, trustworthy, and friendly (as opposed to sounding like an overly enthusiastic salesperson). This helps build trust between the viewer and your company.
#10. Make Sure Your Audio Quality Is First Rate
There are many things you can do to ensure that the sound in your video ad is high quality:
- Get a good microphone (you can find one for less than $100). This will make up for a lot of mistakes and save you time when editing.
- Make sure you have a good environment in which to record audio (no loud noises, no echoes). If necessary, take measures to eliminate background noise by moving furniture around or turning off certain appliances/lights.
- Use an external audio recorder (or computer) if possible it will give you more control over how much compression is applied to the final product and help prevent distortion issues later on.
- It’s also helpful to use an external preamp with phantom power if possible because it means less strain on your internal soundcard processor; this way nothing breaks down mid-record!
#11. Add Music That Creates Emotion Or Atmosphere (Beware Of Stock Music)
Music is an important part of any video. It can set the mood and add emotion, but it has to be done right. Stock music is a big no-no because it’s overused, boring, not unique, and more importantly – not effective in creating emotion or atmosphere.
If you want to use stock music then at least make sure you have permission from the company who owns it first before using it in your video script.
If you decide to go for custom music then make sure to hire someone who knows what they are doing or hire someone who works well with musicians as this will give them a better chance at writing something original with emotional impact that fits into your 30-second script perfectly!
#12. Create A Powerful Visual Experience With Graphics And Imagery
If you’re going to include graphics, they must be relevant and useful. They should convey information or an idea related to the point of your video. They should also enhance the experience and make it more interesting for viewers.
If time allows, use images and graphics that are relevant to your brand as well as your audience. If you have a blog post about healthy eating habits, include an image from one of your recipes or from a meal that you cooked yourself!
Finally, make sure that all graphics follow visual guidelines set by our production department (e.g., size restrictions) so we can integrate them seamlessly into our videos.
#13. Make Sure The Visual Style Matches Your Brand Image Or Message
And finally, make sure the visual style matches your brand image or message.
If you’re selling sports socks and promise to help viewers “get their sweat on,” then a cartoon-like video might not be the best choice (unless it’s animated by John Kricfalusi).
If you’re selling business suits and promising to get people in the boardroom, then an 8-bit music video with a Japanese text crawl probably isn’t going to cut it.
The visuals should match what your audience expects from your brand that way, they know what to expect from you as well!
#14. Use A Simple, Distinctive Tagline And Logo At The End Of Your Video
- A simple, distinctive tagline and logo at the end of your video is a good way to leave an impression on viewers.
- This can be accomplished by using a unique slogan or catchphrase to end your video that is easy to remember and consistent with your brand. If you want people to subscribe for more content from you, this should also be something that would entice them into doing so.
- It’s important to make sure that the logo is easy to read and understand so that it will not distract from the main message being conveyed in the video itself.
#15. Consider Multiple Videos For Different Audiences Or Distribution Methods
Once you have written a script, consider the different audiences and distribution methods that you will use. For example, if your video is intended for a local audience on a website, it’s not necessary to spend time writing scripts in Spanish or French.
On the other hand, if you’re uploading your video to YouTube and targeting an international audience, then translations would be very helpful.
Similarly, if your product is aimed at small businesses looking for new equipment and software solutions (such as accounting software), then one type of video might be enough.
But if it’s intended for consumers who may never buy anything from you (such as those who find videos about brushing teeth entertaining), then three or four different videos would probably work better.
Finally and most importantly think about what purpose each of these videos serves: does one highlight how great your products are? Another highlight how friendly their company culture is. And yet another explore why people should buy from them.
#16. Don’t Use Fast-Paced Editing Unless You’re Selling Something Other Than Your Product Or Service
Although fast-paced editing can be used to sell a product or service, it’s not always the best choice.
For example, if you’re selling a product like a mattress and want to convey how comfortable it is by showing people sleeping on it all night, then that might be one reason why fast-paced editing would work for your 30-second video script.
However, if you’re selling something other than your product or service (like an app), then slow motion may be better because this makes things easier for users who are trying to understand what they’re seeing without having to process everything in real-time.
Crafting effective YouTube video scripts is a key factor in building a successful channel. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to write effective YouTube video scripts to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
#17. Place A Cut-in Of The Product Being Used In Action At The End Of The Video
A cut-in is a close-up of the product being used in action. It’s a great way to show how your product works, especially if it is complex or intricate. It’s also a good way to show off the design of your product, and its features.
If you have multiple products available, it could be even more effective to have one cut-in at the beginning and another at the end of each video.
Conclusion
Writing a 30-second video script doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take some thought. The first thing you need to do is decide who your audience is and what their needs are.
Once you know what they want from your video, it will be easier for you to create something that addresses those needs.
Further Reading
How to Write a Video Script: A comprehensive guide on crafting compelling video scripts that captivate your audience and convey your message effectively.
How to Write a 30-Second Commercial Video Script: Learn the art of condensing your message into a powerful 30-second video script that leaves a lasting impact on viewers.
How to Write a Video Script: HubSpot’s expert tips on writing video scripts that resonate with your target audience and drive engagement for your marketing efforts.
FAQs
What are the key elements of an effective video script?
An effective video script should have a clear and engaging hook, a well-defined message, a compelling call-to-action, and a well-structured storyline that keeps the audience interested.
How long should a video script be for a typical marketing video?
The ideal length of a marketing video script varies, but it’s generally recommended to keep it within 1 to 2 minutes to maintain viewer engagement and deliver the main points effectively.
How can I make sure my video script aligns with my brand’s voice and tone?
To align your video script with your brand, identify your brand’s voice and tone beforehand, and ensure the language, style, and messaging in the script reflect your brand’s personality and values.
How do I grab the viewer’s attention in the first few seconds of the video?
Start your video script with a captivating hook, such as a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact, or an emotionally appealing story, to instantly capture the viewer’s attention.
What are some tips for writing persuasive video scripts for sales and marketing?
For persuasive sales and marketing video scripts, focus on addressing the target audience’s pain points, offering clear benefits, incorporating social proof, and ending with a strong call-to-action to encourage action.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
