How To Write A Video Script As The Pros Do

The video script is the foundation of your video. It’s what you speak from and the basis for everything else going on in your movie.

The first thing we need to do is decide what kind of script we want to write for our video. There are different types of scripts.

But most follow a basic structure: introduction, problem/challenge/conflict, solution/action step one, solution step two…etc., and conclusion (often called “call to action” or CTA).

This is not an exact science (and often changes based on how long your video needs to be), but it’s good to have some idea what you’re doing when writing a script because it will help keep your ideas organized and make sure that everything gets covered before the final cut!

How To Write A Script For A YouTube Video (5-Step Template!)

Takeaways
1. Learn the essentials of video script writing techniques.
2. Craft a compelling hook to captivate your audience.
3. Maintain a clear and concise message throughout the script.
4. Use visuals and storytelling to make the script engaging.
5. Include a strong call-to-action to drive viewer response.

Table of Contents

1. Have A Well-Constructed Script

The first thing to understand about writing a script is that it’s not as simple as just writing out what you want to say.

A good script will help you stay on message and on topic, all while avoiding the dreaded “talking head” effect, where your video looks like one long interview with yourself.

This can be achieved by having a well-constructed script that breaks down each element of your video into manageable chunks for each shot or scene in the final product.

A good script will help you communicate your message effectively by making sure every line serves its own purpose and nothing goes over viewers’ heads or requires them to watch something more than once before they get it.

It also ensures there are no gaps in time between scenes so viewers won’t have questions about what happened between shots or whether anything at all did happen at all!

Crafting a compelling video script is the key to engaging your audience. Learn the essentials of video script writing in our comprehensive guide on Video Script Writing 101 and make your videos stand out from the crowd.

2. Know Where The Camera Will Go And Why

If you’re planning to use a camera, it’s important to know where it will go and why. This is because when you write your script, you should be considering how the images will be shot.

Whether you’re writing for a film or a video, it helps to develop themes in your script so that they come through loud and clear in what you actually shoot.

For example: If one of your main characters has been battling depression throughout the video.

Then it makes sense that their final scene would show them finally overcoming those issues by getting out into nature like hiking or camping and taking in all of its beauty (and healing properties).

Another example: If there are two central characters who have been competing against each other throughout the video but realize at some point during filming that they both share similar interests/goals/values and decide to work together instead.

Then maybe this could be shown symbolically through them holding hands and walking toward something together (like an open window).

3. Develop Themes In The Script

A theme is a recurring idea that carries through your video and its content. It acts as a framework for the narrative and helps you to focus on what’s important.

For example, if you were making a video about how to make healthy smoothies then your theme might be “eating healthily can be quick, easy and delicious” or “you don’t need fancy equipment or ingredients to make great tasting food”.

Themes help viewers understand why they should care about what they’re watching so if you want them to learn something from your video then it’s essential that this message is conveyed clearly in the script!

Want to write better video scripts that attract links and social proof? Our expert tips on How to Write Better Video Scripts will guide you through the process, ensuring your content resonates with your viewers and gains valuable recognition.

4. Test The Script With Yourself

After you’ve written your script, it’s time to test the script with yourself. If you can’t make yourself laugh, it’s not funny. If you can’t make yourself cry, it’s not moving.

And if you can’t make yourself feel something even if it’s just a little bit of emotion the message isn’t relevant anymore and needs to be re-written until it is relevant again.

This is why writing in Hollywood is so hard: because no one wants to admit that their work sucks!

But this is where we all need honesty from ourselves more than anything else: even if our work doesn’t suck right now (and let’s face it: there are some pretty terrible scripts out there).

Then we’ll have a better chance at improving our own scripts by taking an honest look at them first before anyone else has any say in them at all!

5. Edit It Until Your Voice Comes Through Loud And Clear

It’s time to edit. Editing is the process of refining your script and making sure your voice comes through loud and clear. Once you’ve completed the first draft, it’s time to go back in and make sure that:

Every sentence is grammatically correct.
Each paragraph flows seamlessly into the next, avoiding abrupt changes or jumps in topic or tone
Any technical jargon is properly explained for non-techies (or at least explained in a way that’s easily understood by any audience member)

You’re not repeating yourself unnecessarily throughout the video (this usually happens when writers try to cram too much information into one sentence or paragraph). Now that we’ve gone over how to write a script for a video, let’s look at some ways you can actually create one!

6. Make Sure You’re Not Repeating Yourself

It’s important to make sure you’re not repeating yourself. If you say the same thing twice, your audience is going to get bored and stop listening. The great thing about video scripts is that they can help you avoid this problem in many ways:

You don’t say the same thing twice. The script should give you a roadmap for what points are most important, so if there’s something that’s already been said, it doesn’t need to be repeated again.

You don’t repeat yourself in different words or phrases that make things too wordy! Instead of saying “slow down,” which means almost exactly the same thing as “take it easy,” just use one phrase instead of two words that have basically identical meanings (and it’ll sound much nicer).

You don’t say something in two different ways that would just confuse people!

For example, if someone asks whether they should work out in their living room or outside on their patio, they can get somewhere else besides their own house because they already know where they live (they wouldn’t ask this question unless they knew).

So instead of saying something like: “It depends on where your home gym is located.” Instead try saying something like: “You might want to consider working out outdoors!”

reating a video script that goes viral is every content creator’s dream. Discover the secrets to achieving viral success with our insights on How to Write a Video Script That Gets Hit by Millions of Views and take your videos to new heights of popularity.

7. Write Every Word As Though It’s Being Recorded Live

Now that you’ve got a solid script, it’s time to write it out. This will be your last chance to make any changes and tweak the flow of your video.

The best way to do this is by writing as if you were talking directly into the camera. If you can imagine yourself actually being on camera, with a microphone in front of your face and people watching what comes out of your mouth (in real life or online).

Then that will help keep everything fresh and engaging for everyone involved including yourself!

If this seems like too much pressure for some reason, try writing as though you’re talking to someone else in person or even over the phone.

It might seem silly but when done correctly, it can end up being just as effective as speaking directly into an actual camera lens and less intimidating too!

8. Practice With Friends Until You’re Comfortable With The Style Of Your Performance

Practice with friends who are willing to give you honest feedback. The more people you practice with, the better your chances of finding someone who can help guide you in getting more comfortable with the style of your performance.

If possible, record yourself practicing and review it later so that you can see where there are any problems or areas where improvement could be made.

9. Use Simple, Direct Language That’s Easy To Understand

Use simple words. Don’t use words your audience won’t understand, and don’t make them work too hard to get at the meaning of what you’re saying (i.e., don’t use five sentences when one would do).

Use short sentences. Long, complex sentences are not only hard to read but also difficult to remember because they require so much more mental effort than shorter ones and that’s before we even consider that they might be grammatically incorrect or contain logical flaws.

Use short paragraphs as well; these are easier to process than long ones (which can easily become overwhelming).

And help keep people engaged with your content by breaking it up into manageable chunks of information or tips/tricks on a single topic rather than overwhelming them with everything all at once in one big block of text!

Aspiring to make your YouTube videos go viral? Check out our expert Tips for Creating YouTube Videos That Will Go Viral and learn the strategies used by successful creators to capture the attention of millions of viewers.

10. Get Rid Of Extra Words Or Unnecessary Sentences, Because Viewers Won’t Be Able To Comprehend Them In The Editing Stage

When you’re writing a script, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your audience needs as much information as possible. That’s not true; in fact, most people won’t watch the whole video!

The best way to make sure your viewers get what they want is by being clear and concise in what you say. Use simple, direct language that’s easy for everyone to understand (even non-native speakers).

And remember: You don’t have time for extra words or unnecessary sentences because viewers won’t be able to comprehend them in the editing stage.

11. Taking Yourself Seriously Is Silly…just Make Sure You Aren’t Giving The Viewer Some Kind Of Unrealistic Performance That Even You Can’t Fully Believe In (See Point 8)

One of the most important things to remember when writing a video script is that taking yourself too seriously is silly. As a writer, your job is to make people laugh. If you find that hard to do, then you’re doing something wrong.

You have the opportunity here to bring something new and interesting into people’s lives, something they can relate to on some level (or multiple levels). This doesn’t mean that you should be crass or offensive just for the sake of being crass or offensive;

This means that you should write honestly and openly about yourself and your life experiences in order to connect with people who might not normally watch comedy videos (or even read blogs!).

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my own experience as an amateur comedian and now professional writer: it’s best not to take yourself too seriously because only those who are willing enough will follow along with your journey into the unknown!

12. Add Reactions To Your Reactions

The next step is to add reactions to your reactions. This can be done in a variety of ways, but it’s important that you don’t go overboard with too many different types of reactions. Try and keep it simple, especially if you’re working on a tight deadline!

There are some common types of reaction shots that will help you out here:

A “good” reaction shot, a character looking surprised or appreciative at something that has just happened
A “bad” reaction shot, a character looking displeased with something (this can be subtle)
An emotional response, a character getting emotional (angry/sad/happy tears)

Crafting a captivating YouTube video script is essential for channel growth. Dive into our guide on How to Write a Great YouTube Video Script and gain valuable insights to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.

Conclusion

I hope that you have found this article helpful, and it’s made you feel more confident about your video script writing skills. If you still have any questions about the process, feel free to send them over!

FAQs

What are the key elements of a well-written video script?

A well-written video script should include a captivating hook, a clear message, a compelling call-to-action, and a natural flow of content to keep viewers engaged.

How long should a video script be for different platforms?

The ideal length of a video script varies depending on the platform. For social media, shorter scripts are recommended (30 seconds to 1 minute), while for educational or informative videos, scripts can be longer (2 to 5 minutes).

How can I make my video script more engaging?

To make your video script more engaging, incorporate storytelling elements, use visuals effectively, add humor when appropriate, and address the audience’s pain points or interests.

What are some tips for writing a script that resonates with the target audience?

Understand your target audience’s needs and preferences, use language and tone that they can relate to, address their pain points, and provide valuable solutions or information.

How can I ensure that my video script conveys the desired message?

Rehearse and refine your script to ensure it aligns with the intended message. Seek feedback from colleagues or peers to gain valuable insights and make necessary improvements.

Costantine Edward

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.