7 Easy-to-Follow Steps for Writing a Video Script
Do you need to write a video script, but you don’t know where to start? If that’s the case, you are in the right place.
Writing a video script that will meet your goals and convey your vision into reality is a challenging process. What can ease up is that the whole process is a step-by-step organization that will eliminate the stress and help you take on this assignment strategically.
The responsibility of crafting the perfect video script can become less burdening with the help of the following steps. Let’s find out what can make writing a video script a productive and successful process.
1. Start with an Outline
Provide yourself with an overview of the whole video project. An outline can draw out the narrative of the story that can present the skeleton of this process.
Creating an outline can help you stay aware of the bigger picture at all times. It shouldn’t focus on details and every single nick and crack of the script. The outline should solely supply you with guidelines.
Moreover, an outline ensures that you don’t realize in the middle of the script that your story has taken a wrong turn. The scriptwriting can commence once you are certain that your outline responds to your video's goals.
2. Decide on a Core Message
What is the purpose of the video? Or, to be more precise, what is the message that your audience needs to receive from this story?
Crafting a core message is what will guide your writing towards getting the audience to take the desired action or feel a certain targeted emotion. Having that message in front of you will drive your creativity in the right direction.
Preparing that core message can prevent you from overcomplicating the story. When you know where your story is headed, you’ll be less tempted to make unnecessary additions to the narrative.
3. Research the Language Style of Your Target Audience
If you want the video to resonate with your target audience, you should write a video script in a language they use. In order for you to do that, you first need to discover the language style of your target audience.
During your research, focus on the target audience’s:
Vocabulary
Common expressions
Tone
Taste in humor
Writing in their language can make your video script more understandable and appealing to the target audience.
“The language you use should be conversational and simple. Jargon, fluff, and buzzwords are the additions you should avoid”, advises a video scriptwriter and contributor writer at TrustMyPaper and TopEssayWriting writing services, Sally Partridge.
While you should be considerate and observant of your target audience’s language, that doesn’t mean that you should sacrifice your own style. The goal is to intertwine your target audience’s language style with your personal writing style. That’s how you’ll achieve the perfect mix of relatable and original writing.
4. Focus on the Hook
The hook of the video script can determine whether the audience will breathlessly absorb every word that follows or exit the video instantly. That’s why you need to pay extra attention to the hook when you write a video script.
If you want to compel the audience with an amazing hook, you need to identify a problem that they need to solve.
Successful hooks make the audience feel like they can’t miss the information you are about to provide them in the rest of the video.
Not rarely do hooks take on the form of a question. However, you can present it in whatever form you wish as long as it hits the right spot with your audience.
5. Include All Relevant Elements of Video Production in the Script
The narrative isn’t enough for the production team to understand your vision. You need to mention in the script every element that will make that video complete.
“In the process of writing, you need to consider the sound effects, visuals, editing, voice, motion graphics, etc. These are the elements that will round up the process,” shares a video scriptwriter and technical writer at GrabMyEssay, Geoffrey Ford.
Write down details such as the tone of voice that is suitable for a different character or the visuals that need to accompany the scene.
Some writers use a video script table. For example:
Write a video script based on a template that suits you best. However, do make sure that you don’t forget about a crucial element that will make your vision clear.
6. Aim for Simplicity
In the pursuit of authenticity, writers can end up with confusing content. Your audience expects from you a clear and direct video, and your video script should provide them with that.
Keep your video script short, simple, and to the point. Short doesn't refer to the very length of the video but the necessity of each scene. Ask yourself for every scene: is there anything in this scene that is unnecessary? If a yes pops into your mind, it’s time to make some adjustments.
7. Read It Out
When you are finished with the first draft of the video script, it’s time to polish it up. The best way to determine whether you’re satisfied with the script is to read it out loud.
Reading it out loud can give a completely different feel to the script. Do several readings and make changes along the way until you become certain that every line is natural and relevant.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – seven simple steps that will make your writing process less hectic and stressful.
Just take your time, do your research, and rewrite it until you get to the point when you can proudly exclaim, "This is it!"
Meet the Author, Bridgette Hernandez
Bridgette Hernandez is a freelance writer. She found her purpose in writing as it allows her to exchange ideas and share her knowledge with others. Currently, she is working as a contributor writer at BestEssaysEducation and ClassyEssay. She also is a part of the dissertation writing team at SupremeDissertations. Bridgette likes to expand her fields of expertise by attending international conferences and taking courses on different subjects.