How do you write a video script like you talking to a friend? This is the most common question that I get asked by people in my workshops. The answer is simple: treat it as if you’re talking to a friend. But there’s more to it than that!
You need to consider where your audience is coming from, what they know about the subject matter (or think they know), and how they learn best. Here are some tips on how to write your script so that it sounds like it’s coming from someone who cares about what they’re saying:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Use a conversational tone to connect with the audience. |
| 2. Keep the language simple and relatable. |
| 3. Address the audience directly to create a personal touch. |
| 4. Tell a compelling story to keep viewers engaged. |
| 5. Incorporate humor or friendly language when appropriate. |
| 6. Be authentic and genuine in your messaging. |
| 7. Use visuals to support the narrative and enhance understanding. |
| 8. Ensure the video script aligns with the brand’s voice and style. |
| 9. End with a clear call-to-action to encourage viewer interaction. |
| 10. Test the script with a focus group for feedback before finalizing. |
1. Write Your Video Script In The Active Voice
The active voice is a writing style where the subject of a sentence acts as that sentence. For example, in “I read the book,” I am the subject, and reading is an action.
In contrast, in “The book was read by me,” the book is an object being acted upon by me; notice it’s passive because there’s no agent within the sentence (i.e., someone or something acting).
Many grammarians consider sentences with passive verbs to be more difficult for readers to understand than active ones.
That’s not all: active voice emphasizes clarity and conciseness over floweriness. It also makes your script feel more personal that you’re speaking directly to your audience rather than talking at them or describing things they don’t see happening right before their eyes (for instance).
This can be especially helpful if you’re trying to create intimate moments with viewers such as when describing how something feels physically when using sensory details (e.g., sight).
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2. Keep It Plain And Simple
In your script, you will want to keep it plain and simple. This is because the more complicated the language, the harder it is for people to understand what’s happening in the video.
If possible, avoid using proper nouns and adjectives that don’t add any value or meaning to your story. Instead of calling someone “Mrs. Smith” or “my friend” use their first name instead (e.g., “Sarah” rather than “Mrs. Smith”).
Put yourself in the reader’s shoes: Would you want some stranger speaking about you in terms like “your wife” or “my friend”?
You might also want to avoid long sentences containing multiple clauses; instead, break them down into shorter ones with just one main clause each.
For example: “I was walking along when I saw Mr. Brown coming towards me.” could be written as: “As Mr. Brown came towards me, I hesitated before greeting him warmly.”
3. Write Like You Speak (Only Better)
When you write, you can use the same simple sentence structure that you’d use in everyday conversation.
You’ll be using short sentences and words, avoid complex grammar structures and fancy vocabulary. Use contractions (don’t, won’t, etc.) instead of don’t, won’t, etc., so it sounds more natural.
Use personal pronouns such as “I” or “you” instead of “one” or “they” whenever possible to make your script feel more conversational. Also, try to keep all verbs active rather than passive e.g.: We sell products vs Products are sold by us
4. Use Humor When Appropriate
Humor is a great way to make your audience feel comfortable, and like you’re one of their friends. It also helps if you’re not trying to sell them anything.
If it feels like you’re selling something too much in your video script, try adding a little bit of humor instead.
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5. Don’t Use Fancy Words To Sound Smart
But don’t go overboard. Avoid words that are too fancy, which can make you sound weird, condescending, or even pompous.
In general, use simple words and short sentences instead of complex ones. This makes it easier for people to understand what you’re saying and follow along with your script.
A good rule of thumb is: if it takes more than three seconds for someone to understand the meaning of a word then don’t use it in your video script!
Use simple language but not “dumbed down” language – avoid using cliches or slang words (e.g., “like”) that may distract from your message; instead, speak clearly and concisely so viewers will be able to follow along easily
6. Tell The Audience Why This Is Important For Them To Know Or Do
This is where you tell your viewers why they should care about what you’re saying and why it will benefit them in some way. This can be a simple sentence like, “If you want to lose weight, try eating less fat.”
Or it can be more elaborate with statistics and research-backed facts. For example: “In the last decade, we’ve seen an alarming increase in heart disease among men aged 40-50 who are overweight.”
It’s also important that your writing here reflects how much time you have left before turning off your camera (as discussed earlier).
If it’s a short video script, then focus on explaining just one point at a time; if you have plenty of time and space in between takes, then go ahead and add more detail about each point so that viewers understand exactly what they need to do after watching your video
7. Include Text On Visuals
As you’re putting together a script, don’t forget that text can be used to explain the visuals.
Text plays an important role in helping your audience understand what’s going on in your video and how they should respond. It can also add context to a visual that may not be clear from just watching it!
- Use a text overlay to show what something is (e.g., “We’re going to make this organic fruit smoothie.”)
- If there are several people in the scene, include their names (e.g., “Thanks for joining us today!”)
- Add notes about things you learned while filming or editing (e.g., “I had no idea these were so easy to make!”)
- Use disclaimers when needed (e.g., “As always, please check with your doctor before starting any new diet.”)
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8. Limit Information On A Slide To One Idea Per Slide
When you’re creating slides, it’s important to keep the information short and sweet. You can use your slides as a way to help your audience remember the points you want them to take away from your presentation.
Your slides should only include one idea per slide, which means that each slide should be made up of one visual, or one piece of text with no more than three bullet points or sentences.
Your goal is for your audience members to be able to quickly read through each slide as they follow along with your presentation because that will allow them time for questions at the end!
9. Don’t Use Bullet Points
Bullet points are an easy way to organize information, but they’re also a big time-saver. They’re a great way to distill your ideas into a simple list that anyone can follow. However, this makes it too easy for readers to read just the bullet points and ignore the rest of your script.
By the time they get to the end of one of these scripts, they may have forgotten why you started with what you did or even worse: skimmed over it entirely because it was so boring!
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10. Avoid Using Jargon Or Industry-Specific Language And Acronyms That Your Audience May Not Understand
If you want your video to be accessible to a wide audience, avoid using jargon or industry-specific language and acronyms that they may not understand. This can also help your script come across as more conversational in tone.
11. Be Conversational, Not Professorial
- This is your video script, not an academic paper.
- Use words that are easy to understand and pronounce. It doesn’t matter if you use “WAP” if it means nothing to your audience!
- Use shorter sentences when possible (and no more than 15 words each).
- This will make it easier for viewers to follow along with what’s being said in the video and take away from any potential monotony.
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Conclusion
This post is a brief introduction to the best ways to write a script for your videos. If you’re looking for more information on creating compelling video content, check out our other blog posts on the topic!
Further Reading
How to Write a Video Script: The Ultimate Guide Short Description: A comprehensive guide to crafting compelling video scripts for effective marketing campaigns.
Mastering the Art of Video Scriptwriting Short Description: Learn the art of video scriptwriting and create engaging content that captivates your audience.
Writing Scripts for Engaging Videos Short Description: Tips and techniques for writing scripts that keep viewers hooked and boost video engagement.
FAQs
How to start writing a video script?
Starting a video script involves understanding your target audience, defining the key message, and creating a captivating hook to grab viewers’ attention from the beginning.
What elements should a video script include?
A well-structured video script should include a clear introduction, a compelling story or message, a call-to-action, and a memorable conclusion.
How long should a video script be?
The ideal length of a video script depends on the platform and the content’s purpose. Generally, keeping it concise and focused, between 1 to 3 minutes, works best for online videos.
How do you maintain audience engagement throughout the video?
To maintain audience engagement, use a conversational tone, incorporate visuals, and deliver valuable information that resonates with the viewers’ interests and needs.
Should a video script be rehearsed before filming?
Yes, rehearsing the video script before filming helps ensure a smooth delivery, proper timing, and identifies areas for improvement, resulting in a more polished and professional final product.
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.