Video Script Writing: Do’s, Dont’s And Good Practices

Whether you’re writing a script for a short video or an hour-long documentary, good scriptwriting is essential. 

Even if you have all the equipment at your disposal, it’s not enough to simply produce good content – you need to deliver it in a way that grabs your audience’s attention and leaves them wanting more. 

If your script is weak or poorly written – no matter how talented your actor/actress or how high quality the video itself is – it won’t be effective. So what makes a great script? How do you write one? And what can writers do to improve their craft?

Takeaway
Master the dos and don’ts of video script writing for optimal results.
Utilize effective links and social proof to enhance the impact of your video scripts.
Craft a compelling script that attracts millions of views and engages your audience.
Incorporate storytelling and captivating visuals to keep your viewers hooked.
Rehearse and refine your script before recording to ensure a seamless delivery.
Measure the success of your video script through key metrics and audience feedback.

Treat Your Video Like A Conversation With An Intelligent Friend

When you write a script for your video, it’s important to treat it like a conversation with an intelligent friend.

Don’t be afraid to be informal. Speak directly to the camera and don’t worry about sounding too colloquial or casual.

Don’t be afraid to be funny. You’re not writing a script for some highbrow talk show; you’re writing one that’ll get people excited about what you do and make them want more of it! 

So go ahead, use puns, innuendos, and anything else that comes naturally when telling your story in words instead of pictures alone (or both).

Don’t be afraid to be personal. When you’re telling stories through video rather than text alone, there’s more room for emotion and this is where authenticity shines through! 

If talking about past experiences makes you feel vulnerable or open up emotionally then go right ahead the audience will appreciate seeing another side of who YOU really are outside the context of their own lives too since everyone struggles at some point along life’s journey.

So everyone shares similar experiences which means everyone can relate on some level regardless if they’ve ever met before or not…

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Read Your Script Out Loud Before You Shoot

The importance of reading your script out loud before you shoot can’t be emphasized enough. This step is crucial to the editing process, and it helps you get a better sense of what works and what doesn’t. 

It also helps ensure that actors have a clear understanding of their lines, which will save everyone time while they’re on set!

You should read your script out loud to someone else as well if possible, and have them read along with you while they take notes so they can give quick feedback if something doesn’t sound right or needs clarification. 

Your script shouldn’t just be words on paper; it should have character development as well as dialogue that moves the story forward in an interesting way (and makes sense!). 

A great way for this is having two people read off each other so that one person isn’t always talking at once (which could confuse).

Keep It Simple, Silly

To make the script interesting, keep it simple. Don’t use big words that you don’t understand, but do try to explain your idea in a way that makes sense to the audience.

Don’t be afraid of using visuals such as screenshots or videos. They can help illustrate what you are trying to say and make it easier for someone who might not understand all of your technical terms or jargon.

Match Your Copy With The Pace Of Your Video

The pace of your video is the speed at which it is edited. If your script is short and to the point, then you can make a quick video. If the script is long and detailed, you will need more time to include all of the information that needs to be included in the video.

The pace also depends on how long your audio track is and how much talking there will be during that audio track. 

For example: if there’s no music or background noise in an interview situation (like with a talk show), then there will probably be more talking than if there was some sort of background music or another voice-over narration taking place during filming (like with a documentary).

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Write Concisely, Without Sacrificing Meaning

The best way to write a script is to write as if you were talking to a friend. This means using contractions like “can’t” and “don’t,” and trying not to be afraid of writing in a conversational tone. 

It also means not relying on adjectives or adverbs too much, since they can make your sentences longer than necessary with very little added meaning.

Short, sharp sentences are better than long ones, so do your best not to repeat yourself unnecessarily it’s usually worth it if sacrificing one word makes the sentence clearer or more meaningful overall.

Know The Ins And Outs Of Your Product

Before you begin to write, it is important to understand the ins and outs of your product. You should know the ins and outs of your target audience. You should also be familiar with your competition and brand, as well as any other factors that might affect how you write.

You also need to have an understanding of your company’s or organization’s industry-specific language and jargon. This will help ensure that you are using terms that are appropriate for both your audience and the context in which they will be watching/reading the script (video).

The show, Don’t Tell – Use Examples And Scenarios To Explain What You’re Talking About

The show, don’t tell. This is one of the most common pieces of advice given to writers, and for good reason. When you are writing a script for a video, you must present a clear picture of what your product does and how it works for your customers. 

You also want to show rather than tell when explaining the benefits or drawbacks of any situation or product in your script.

For example: “This is a great product!” is not as effective as showing how using this product will make someone’s life better in some way: “This product helps me save time by keeping my breakfast warm while I get ready for work.”

Use Visuals To Supplement Your Voiceover, So One Doesn’t Contradict The Other

Visuals are great for supplementing voiceovers. For example, if you’re talking about the different types of products that your service offers, showing visuals of those products will help clarify what you’re talking about and make it easier for viewers to understand. 

Visuals can also be used to tell the story visually, for example, if you’re explaining how a particular process works, photos or screenshots can illustrate your points much more effectively than simply describing them. 

And finally, visuals can help explain what you’re talking about in a way that words alone never could: think graphs, charts and infographics (more on these below).

In short: when possible and appropriate, use visuals to supplement your voiceover.

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Keep Dialogue Natural – Don’t Try Too Hard To Be Cute

Don’t be too clever:

Keep dialogue natural – don’t try too hard to be cute. For example, if I were writing a script for a spy movie, I wouldn’t have one character say “I’m going undercover as the head of the CIA.”

Use good grammar and punctuation. If you’re not sure about something, ask someone who knows more than you or look it up online.

Don’t use too many adjectives or adverbs in your sentences; this makes them sound boring and repetitive (for example, “The sun rose high over the horizon” vs “The morning sun rose high over the horizon”). 

Adjectives are great for describing objects and people but don’t just keep throwing them into every sentence all day long like some kind of snake oil salesman from back in the day selling his wares on street corners around town before anyone knew what those things were called.

They needed more information before making any decisions about whether or not they would buy this product because there wasn’t enough information available at that time–these days we know better!

Don’t Be Afraid To Break The “Rules” – There Is No Perfect Formula For Video Scriptwriting

A lot of times we get stuck in our way and think that our ideas need to fit into a certain category or format. 

If you are trying to write a script based on what you’ve seen in other videos, chances are your script will probably look pretty similar! Don’t let that stop you from trying something new or being creative with your plot and characters.

Sometimes it’s best just not to think about it too much before writing your first draft. You can always go back later and make edits if needed (which should always happen after writing any piece of content).

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Avoid Jargon – Don’t Assume Everyone Understands What You’re Talking About

Avoid jargon – don’t assume everyone understands what you’re talking about. When writing scripts that are intended for a wide audience, it’s important to remember that not everyone will know the same things. 

Some people may be familiar with the terms and concepts in your script, but others may not have heard them before. 

Writing in a way that assumes everyone is familiar with certain words or phrases can make it difficult for new readers and viewers of your work to follow along.

Use specific and simple language when possible; avoid using words that are too big or too complicated. 

In general, it’s better to use more descriptive language rather than relying on industry-specific words or phrases unless they’re necessary (and even then, try replacing them as much as possible). 

A good rule of thumb is if someone outside of your industry doesn’t understand what you’re talking about after reading/watching something once.

Then there’s likely something wrong with how you’ve framed whatever point(s) you’re trying to get across or even worse yet: maybe they won’t get anything at all!

Don’t Be Afraid Of Longer Scripts

The first thing to remember is that video scripts are not like movie scripts or TV shows. They’re different in that they need a conversational tone, which means you should use “you” and “we” rather than “I” and “we.”

It also means you shouldn’t be afraid of longer scripts. There’s no rule saying your script has to be under 1,000 words; if it adds value for the reader and makes sense for what you’re trying to say, go for it! 

Just don’t sacrifice meaning for brevity which can have negative consequences later on in production when directors or actors need more time to prepare their performances.

One way around this is by breaking up your script into smaller chunks so that each chunk gets its scene heading (e.g., “Introducing Our Lead”). 

This will help keep things organized while still giving people enough context so they know where they are about other scenes in the video (e.g., Are we halfway through this episode now? Did something happen before?)

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Conclusion

Video scriptwriting is a skill that you can learn. It’s not rocket science, but it does take time and practice to get good at it. 

The more videos you write, the better you’ll become at it! And just like any other skill, the more practice you have with video scriptwriting will help make your videos even better.

Further Reading

How to Write Persuasive Video Scripts: Master the art of creating video scripts that effectively influence and persuade your audience.

How to Write a Script for Video: Learn the essential steps and techniques to craft a compelling script for your video projects.

5 Tips to Create a Video Script That Engages and Educates College Students: Discover valuable tips for creating video scripts that captivate and educate college students effectively.

FAQs

How can I make my video script more persuasive?

Crafting a persuasive video script involves understanding your target audience, identifying their pain points, and presenting compelling solutions.

What elements should be included in a video script?

A well-rounded video script should have a captivating introduction, a clear message, engaging visuals, and a compelling call-to-action.

How do I keep my audience engaged throughout the video?

To maintain audience engagement, consider using storytelling, incorporating visuals, and keeping the content concise and relevant.

Should I rehearse my video script before recording?

Yes, rehearsing your video script can help you refine your delivery, ensure a smooth flow, and eliminate any potential stumbling points.

How can I measure the effectiveness of my video script?

You can track the success of your video script by monitoring metrics like viewer retention, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Analyzing audience feedback can also provide valuable insights.