If you’re a content marketer, chances are you’ve written your fair share of video scripts. But did you know that the way you write your script can have a big impact on how people perceive your brand?
In this article, I’ll show you how to write better video scripts by focusing on three key areas: links, social proof, and personalization.
In section 4 we’ll cover how writing videos with links can help increase brand awareness and generate more traffic to your website.
Then in section 5, we’ll talk about how including social proof in your videos helps build trust with viewers so they’re more likely to take action on what they see.
And finally, in section 6 I’ll show examples of how personalizing content makes viewers feel like they’re getting something special when they watch what’s being shared (and can reduce complaints).
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Crafting better video scripts leads to more links and social proof. |
| 2. Engage the audience by writing in plain English. |
| 3. Learn from successful YouTube story formulas. |
| 4. Use storytelling techniques to captivate viewers. |
| 5. Aim for clear objectives and strong calls-to-action. |
Welcome To This Article On How To Write Better Video Scripts
If you’re a video creator, you know that a great script can make the difference between a mediocre and an amazing video.
But many people struggle with writing scripts that get results. If that sounds like you, then keep reading you’ll learn some of the most important things about writing your script here.
I’m going to start by giving an overview of everything we’ll cover in this guide:
- Why is it important?
- The best way to do it (and what not to do). We’ll also cover:
- Where should I start? Our ultimate guide will help you understand how these elements work together so your audience will be engaged from start to finish and keep coming back for more videos from you!
Video script writing is an art that can captivate audiences when done right. Learn how to craft a compelling script that actually gets viewed with our comprehensive guide on how to write a video script that gets viewed.
The Benefits Of Video
There are a lot of benefits to creating video content. Video is an engaging medium that allows you to demonstrate your expertise and share your unique point of view with others. As a content creator, the videos you create must be useful and relevant to your audience.
Video scripts tend to be longer than articles, so they can take more time and effort to create. In some cases, writing out your script in advance can help save time later on when filming or editing the video itself!
Why People Prefer Video Over Text
People prefer video over text for many reasons, as it’s much easier to understand and remember. When you watch something on video, you’re able to see the words being spoken, facial expressions, and body language of the speaker, which makes it more engaging.
Additionally, people can share videos easily because they are easily accessible through various platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc).
This means that content creators can get more exposure for their videos by uploading them on different social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook etc.
Want to turn your passion for writing into a lucrative career? Discover how you can make $15k per month by writing video scripts. Check out our article on making $15k per month writing video scripts to learn the secrets of success.
How Are Videos Created?
You might be wondering how videos are created, and we are here to tell you that it all starts with a video script. The video script is the foundation for your video, so it’s important to make sure you have everything in place before moving on to the next step of filming your video.
It also helps if you have some links to back up any claims made in your script because this will give viewers an even better experience when watching your videos.
Your goal should be to build trust with them by showing them that you know what they want and need when they are looking for information about certain topics or products.
Once you have written a script and added links, videos can finally be created! Now comes another important part: editing the finished product so that viewers are able to enjoy their time watching it as much as possible
Video Scripts Are Essential To Successful Videos
Video scripts are essential to successful videos. They are the foundation, blueprint, skeleton, and structure of your video. Video scripts help you speak clearly and confidently about your subject matter in a compelling way.
When you write a script for your video it helps you:
- Know what to say before shooting begins (so you aren’t fumbling around on set trying to figure out what should be said)
- Think through all possible scenarios that could arise during production (so you’re prepared for any changes or unexpected challenges)
- Write down key points that need to be made in each scene so there is less room for error later on in the editing process
What Is A Video Script?
If you don’t have a script, your video will be like a house without a foundation: The amount of work and money it takes to build it will far outweigh the benefits.
A script is essentially a written document that outlines what will be said in your video. It’s kind of like an outline for your content.
A few things that make up a good video script include basic information about the topic, the purpose of the video, why people should watch it, what they should take away from it and how they can get more information or be involved if they want to learn more (or buy something).
Why Writing A Great Video Script Is Important
There are many reasons why a video script is important. The first reason is that you have to be able to communicate your message clearly and concisely.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting started and forget that you need to make sure your audience understands what you want them to know.
The second reason is that people want information quickly, but they don’t want long-winded explanations or boring lectures.
Especially if they can walk away from their computer at any moment and do something else instead! So, every word must count when writing a script for an explainer video, infomercial, or educational presentation (no matter which type of video it is).
Effective video scripts should convey the message clearly without confusing the audience. Find out how to write video scripts in plain English and make a powerful impact. Read our guide on plain English video scripts for actionable tips.
1. Start With The End In Mind
To begin with, you need to have a clear idea of what your end goal is. What do you want to achieve with this video? What is the purpose of your video script? Is it to get more traffic from YouTube search results or increase sales on Amazon?
Once you know the answer, then break down that larger goal into smaller ones. For example, let’s say your overall goal for this particular video is “to get more viewers and subscribers on my YouTube channel”.
The next step would be asking yourself how many views I need to achieve that goal. This could vary depending on how fast or slow your channel grows as well as what kind of content is attracting people’s attention so far.
Then write down all other requirements needed for these steps to happen like writing a good script or creating high-quality visuals using tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2019 etc…
2. Talk To Your Audience, Not At Them
This is a general writing rule, but it’s especially important when you’re writing video scripts. A good way to do this is by using active verbs and simple language.
Active verbs make your sentences more interesting and engaging than passive ones and they also make videos more watchable.
Simple language makes it easier for people who aren’t native English speakers (or writers) to understand what you’re saying;
Plus, if you break up long sentences into shorter ones, it will help keep their attention on your message instead of on the fact that they have no idea what the heck “hominini” means!
Use A Conversational Tone And Style
It might sound obvious (and maybe even kind of dumb), but the best way for anyone reading about something online is in an informal voice that sounds like someone talking directly with them through email or text messages which is exactly what most social media platforms are optimized around anyway!
3. Keep It Conversational
The main way to make a video script conversational is to use words and phrases that are natural for you. Most likely, these will be the same words and phrases that are natural for your audience too. Use those words!
If you’re writing about the benefits of using a particular product, don’t say “you’ll get this benefit if you buy our product”–say “you’ll benefit from buying our product.” It’s more casual and friendly this way, plus it can help establish trust between you and your viewer.
A winning video script can be the key to viral success on YouTube. Master the art of scriptwriting with our step-by-step guide on how to write a winning video script and take your YouTube channel to new heights.
4. Use Technical Terms Sparingly (If At All)
Remember that your script is meant to inform, not to impress. It’s okay if the language you use is a little more straightforward than the jargon you’d use during a presentation or speech.
You won’t be losing any credibility by using simpler terms, and it will make your video much more accessible to an audience who may not know what all those technical terms mean!
It’s also important to make sure that any technical terms in your script are relevant: don’t use them if they aren’t relevant, as this can confuse viewers and distract from the main point of your video.
If a term is too advanced for most of your viewers (like explaining what CMS means), try finding ways around it instead, for example, saying something like “this website was built using WordPress” instead of just saying “this website was built with WordPress.”
Finally, don’t use too many technical terms either; having one or two well-placed words that help explain something should be enough!
5. Avoid “Legalese”
To write better video scripts, you’ll have to avoid using words that are more suitable for legal documents than for the content of a sales video. These include:
“Shall” and “will” (as well as their conjugations) should be avoided at all costs they’re too commanding for most viewers’ tastes. Instead of saying, “You must watch this video,” say something like, “This could help you.”
Phrases like “must” and “should” and their conjugations are also inappropriate when writing a sales script since they sound too forceful or direct and not welcoming enough to prospective customers.
Instead, consider saying phrases like “you’ll want these features” or even just listing them outright (for example 10 Reasons Why You’ll Love This Product!).
Phrases such as “may” and “can,” while technically correct grammatically speaking, will also make your copy sound overly formal and stilted; thus they should be avoided in favor of more conversational language such as might/could/might/maybe, etc.
6. Don’t Use Jargon Or Buzzwords
Jargon is a word or phrase used by a particular group of people, often as a way to show status and exclude others.
For example, if your company sells legal services, you might use the word “e-discovery” as jargon to describe what you do. If someone outside your industry doesn’t understand what an e-discovery is, they will likely lose interest in what you do (or think that it’s too complicated).
Jargon can be effective in marketing and sales because it makes things sound more official or impressive but this isn’t always true! When writing scripts for videos and presentations, keep jargon to a minimum so that your audience can understand everything clearly.
7. Don’t Exaggerate And Don’t Be Condescending
Be honest and straightforward. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Don’t be afraid to make jokes, even if they seem silly or corny at first glance.
Your audience has seen it all before; you have nothing to lose by trying something new and different from what everybody else is doing (as long as it’s useful).
If your video script sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t worth reading in the first place!
8. Avoid Corporate Speak And “Corporate Speak”
Buzzwords are words that have been used so much that they’ve lost their meaning. Jargon is related to buzzwords and is a catch-all term for words or phrases that sound technical or scientific but mean nothing at all.
Corporate speak is jargon used by corporations and other large entities it’s often vague or overly formal, with lots of euphemisms thrown in for good measure.
You should avoid these because they don’t provide any value to your viewer/reader/listener; instead, when you use them, you’re making yourself seem like someone who has lost touch with reality (and not in an endearing way).
9. Focus On The Main Point Of Your Message
The last rule of thumb for writing good video scripts is to focus on the main point of your message.
Don’t be afraid to say “no” (especially if you’re dealing with a brand or organization). Don’t be afraid to be funny, relatable, yourself, and vulnerable to make an impactful video script.
Realize that audiences don’t want complicated answers or explanations; they just want a clear and concise answer that resonates with them personally!
Storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging your audience on YouTube. Explore the top 11 YouTube story formulas that work wonders in captivating viewers. Check out our article on top 11 YouTube story formulas to create compelling narratives that resonate with your audience.
Conclusion
So, now you know how to write better video scripts. We’ve covered a lot of ground here, and hopefully, you feel that your content is in the best shape it can be to reach more potential viewers than ever before.
From choosing topics that are likely to resonate with your audience, to giving each section its focus and making sure there’s enough variety between them.
You now have all the tools at your disposal to create compelling content for YouTube channels or other online video platforms like Vimeo or Dailymotion!
Further Reading
HubSpot: How to Write a Video Script: HubSpot’s comprehensive guide on crafting an effective video script for your marketing campaigns.
Storykit: Video Script Writing: Learn valuable tips and strategies for writing engaging video scripts with Storykit’s blog post.
Column Five Media: Writing a Video Script like a Video Agency: Discover the secrets of video agencies and how to apply their techniques to write compelling video scripts.
FAQs
How do I start writing a video script?
Starting a video script requires understanding your audience, setting clear objectives, and creating a compelling story that resonates with viewers.
What are the essential elements of a successful video script?
A successful video script includes a captivating hook, a clear and concise message, a compelling call-to-action, and engaging visuals.
How can I keep my video script concise?
To keep your video script concise, focus on the main message, avoid unnecessary details, and use concise language without compromising on clarity.
How important is storytelling in video scripts?
Storytelling is crucial in video scripts as it helps create an emotional connection with the audience and makes the content more memorable and impactful.
How can I make my video script more engaging?
To make your video script more engaging, incorporate humor, use visuals creatively, and consider the pacing and flow of the content.
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.