If you’re new to video marketing, the idea of scripting a video might seem a bit daunting. After all, videos are meant to be natural and organic, right? Well, yes and no. While it’s true that there is no one way to script a video (and every situation is different).
There are some tried-and-true structures that will help ensure your message comes across clearly. In this post, I’ll outline those structures and show you how they can make your videos more effective at communicating with an audience.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Craft a well-structured video script to appear professional. |
| Focus on clear messaging and engaging storytelling. |
| Use video script templates to streamline the process. |
| Tailor the script to the intended audience and purpose. |
| Practice and rehearse to deliver the script confidently. |
1. Have A Template For Your Script
Be clear and concise. Don’t use vague language, and don’t say the same thing over and over again in different words.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you could explain your video’s topic to a child without using any jargon or confusing them. If not, then you’ll need to re-think how you’re explaining things.
Be specific. This doesn’t mean that every sentence needs to include an exact number that would make for dull reading but it does mean that every sentence should make clear what is being described or named, and who is doing the action when it happens (if relevant).
Where everything happens (if relevant), etc., so there are no ambiguities about what’s happening in each scene of your script (and remember: even if something seems obvious from context clues like “a person walks into a room,” explicitly stating those details helps clarify everything).
And speaking of which…
Use bullet points whenever possible; they help keep things organized and easy to read without making readers feel overwhelmed by walls upon walls of text on their screens/paper pages/whatever device they happen not mindlessly scan while watching TV.
Or listening on headphones while commuting home from work instead of paying attention right now because I’m trying hard here but maybe we should just leave this alone until next week when I’ve gotten my schedule under control again?
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2. State The Problem
The next step is to state the problem. This is simple, but it needs to be said: What is the problem?
If you’re trying to create a video that explains your company’s product, then your problem statement should include something like “Our product doesn’t explain itself well.”
If you’re trying to explain why someone should buy your products, then it could be “Our brand doesn’t want customers who don’t understand how it works.”
I’m sure you can think of other examples where this would apply. However, the most important thing about stating what the problem is and how it affects viewers (your customers) is that if done correctly.
This section will help make all other sections more effective because they’ll flow from one into another seamlessly.
3. Establish Your Credibility
You don’t have to be an expert at every video you make, but your audience needs to know that you are someone who has earned their trust and respect in the field of whatever it is that you’re talking about.
For example, if you’re making a video about how to become a writer, let them know why they should listen to what you have to say by describing your credentials as an author or even by sharing some personal stories from when writing was important in your life.
Remember The more specific and detailed information about yourself and/or your company that appears on these pages, the better prospecting tool they’ll become over time!
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4. Explain How You Came To This Solution
This is the part where you explain your problem and how you came to the solution. Your unique selling point is the reason why your product, service, or idea is better than everyone else’s.
If it’s not obvious how this idea will solve someone’s problem in a better way than anything else that exists out there, then no one will want to buy into it.
So make sure you spend some time explaining why what you’re offering is so much better than anything else on the market right now!
5. Point Out The Downsides Of Other Approaches
- Be honest. If a particular approach or tool doesn’t work for you, say so. If another approach or tool works better than the one you’re considering, say that too.
- Don’t be overly critical of other approaches/tools.
- It’s easy to criticize what others do, but remember that there’s always room for improvement in any process and any technique including yours! Any criticism should be constructive and specific; if it’s not, it won’t help anyone else improve their work either.
- Don’t be afraid to be controversial if necessary but don’t go overboard on this point either.
6. Recommend Your Preferred Solution
- Explain the problem you are trying to solve.
- Discuss how you came up with your solution, including any research and thought process that went into it.
- Explain the pros and cons of your solution, keeping in mind that the viewer might have a different opinion than you do about what’s good or bad about a certain approach.
- Explain why your solution is better than others if there are other options available to them.
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7. Make It Easy To Understand
The seventh element of a good script is the use of simple language. You should never write something that doesn’t make sense, or that sounds like you’re trying too hard to sound smart.
Keep it simple. It’s fine to use long words occasionally if they’re necessary, but avoid overdoing it.
This applies not only to the amount of time it takes for someone reading your script to get through it but also to how much effort they have to put into understanding what you mean.
You can also enhance clarity by making sure everything makes sense when read out loud by someone else this is called “suitability,” and will give your audience confidence that they can follow along without getting lost in the weeds of jargon or complicated syntax (or both).
Use short sentences whenever possible; avoid overly complex sentence structures; avoid run-on sentences with multiple clauses joined together with conjunctions (such as “and,” “but” or “so”); keep paragraphs short (<4 lines).
8. Spelling And Grammar Matter
Spelling and grammar matter. It’s true. Look, I know you think that you’re a good speller and that the grammar school systems are all messed up.
But they aren’t and even if they were, it doesn’t matter: spelling errors are unacceptable and grammar mistakes make you look uneducated and unprofessional.
The good news is that there’s a big difference between the two: Spelling mistakes are easily fixed by checking your work or asking someone else to proofread for any typos you’ve made before sending out an email or making a video script (see point 7).
Grammar errors on the other hand tend to be more complicated; words don’t always mean what they say they do in certain contexts (for example “their” instead of “there”). And then there’s punctuation which is completely necessary if we want our sentences not to sound like gibberish!
So before moving on from this lesson about spelling vs grammar let me tell you something important: You shouldn’t worry too much about the spelling if like 99% of people you use autocorrect when typing on your phone or computer keyboard!
9. Strive For Natural-Sounding Dialogue
The key to achieving this is to not read your script word for word. Don’t sound like a robot or someone who’s reading from a script. Instead, focus on sounding natural and conversational.
Use contractions whenever possible and vary the tone of your voice (e.g., speak faster when there’s action going on or slower when you need to emphasize something important).
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10. Keep The Pace Fast-Ish
If you’ve gone through the trouble of creating a script and you’re looking to make it sound as professional as possible, this is the most important point.
Keep in mind that your video should not be too fast-paced, but also avoid being too slow. It needs to be neither monotone nor should it have an excited tone.
The best way I’ve found is to remember that people will read at different rates depending on their personality type some people are more reserved than others and some people enjoy reading faster than others.
Remember: keep your scripts conversational since these are videos meant for social media!
11. Make It Easy To Record
If you want to make sure that your video is as easy to record as possible, here are some tips:
- Use a tripod and remote.
- Use a microphone (either attached to the camera or separate).
- Use a good quality camera that has lots of manual settings, if possible. Some cameras that have good manual settings include the Canon 5D Mark III and Sony A7s, though any DSLR or mirrorless can work if you have experience using it.
- If you don’t know how to use your camera’s manual controls yet, check out this video series by photographer Gavin Hoey on using them! It’s really helpful even if you don’t want to be a photographer one day.
- Use a good quality microphone for voiceover narration, such as a Rode Videomic Pro or Rode VideoMicro Compact Shotgun Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount Kit.
12. Be Funny
It’s human nature to feel closer to someone who makes us laugh. The more you can make your viewers chuckle, the easier it will be for them to trust you and take what you have to say seriously.
Humor is also useful in keeping things light-hearted and fun a great way to avoid sounding too serious or salesy. Inserting some jokes into your script, even if they’re just little asides or one-liners at the end of each section, helps break up the monotony of all that text.
13. Be Serious When Appropriate
Part of being a professional is knowing when to be serious and when to be funny. It’s also part of the script.
For example, if you’re talking about how excited you are about your new website, use an exclamation mark or two; it will come across as genuine.
If you’re talking about something that happened in the past, on the other hand like a mistake someone made it’s best not to joke around too much: the audience may think that it isn’t okay to laugh at mistakes because they’re so serious!
14. Mix In Some Slides Or Graphics
Slides are a great way to add variety and visual interest but don’t go overboard. Use them sparingly so that they don’t become a distraction from your script.
To make the most of slides, do two things:
- Keep them brief. If you can’t say something in five seconds or less, it’s probably not worth saying at all. You’ll annoy the viewer with unnecessary details if you try to cram too much into one slide.
- Use graphics or charts instead of words whenever possible—visuals are more easily absorbed by the brain than words on a page or screen!
If you’re new to video script writing and eager to make your mark, start with the basics. Our beginner’s guide to video script writing lays the foundation for success, empowering you to create scripts that resonate with your audience.
15. Lower Third Graphics Will Make You Look More Professional
You can use a lower third graphic to introduce yourself, the topic, a guest, or any other element of your video you’d like to draw attention to. You’ll find plenty of free lower third graphics online just search “free lower thirds” and you’ll have plenty to choose from.
If you’re going for an in-depth discussion about something, it’s always good practice to show your sources.
This is where a well-placed graphic comes in handy because it makes it easier for viewers who want more information about what they’re watching (and can help them find it) without distracting from the flow of your video itself.
It doesn’t matter whether you want them for yourself or if you’re using them as part of an interview; either way, having some graphics on hand will make editing much easier down the road by helping keep everything organized and clear from start to finish!
Conclusion
Ultimately, your video script will help you achieve your goals. But remember that it’s not just about creating the perfect words; it’s also about refining and editing those words to make sure they sound natural and flow well.
If you follow these tips and put in some hard work, we promise that you’ll soon be on your way to creating a great-sounding video script!
Further Reading
Jasper.ai – Video Script Templates: Access a collection of video script templates to streamline your scriptwriting process and create impactful videos effortlessly.
HubSpot – How to Write a Video Script: HubSpot provides a comprehensive guide on crafting effective video scripts to engage your audience and drive better results in your marketing campaigns.
Synthesia.io – How to Write a Video Script: Learn the art of writing compelling video scripts with Synthesia.io’s expert tips and techniques, and elevate the storytelling in your videos.
FAQs
Can video script templates help me save time?
Yes, video script templates can be a time-saving resource as they provide a structured outline for your videos, reducing the need to start from scratch.
What are the essential elements of a video script?
A well-crafted video script typically includes a compelling introduction, a clear message, engaging visuals, and a strong call-to-action.
How can I make my video script more engaging?
To make your video script more engaging, focus on storytelling, use relatable language, and consider the preferences and interests of your target audience.
Are there any best practices for writing a video script?
Yes, some best practices include keeping the script concise, using a conversational tone, and aligning the script with the overall video objective.
Can video scripts be adapted for different types of videos?
Absolutely! Video scripts can be adapted for various types of videos, such as explainer videos, product demos, tutorials, and more, depending on the content’s purpose and audience.
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.