Have you finally decided to shoot new videos but don’t have a clue where to start? No need to stress; we’ve got you covered!
A video isn’t worth shooting if you don’t have a stellar script to keep on track and get your point across. With all the technology out there, anyone can shoot a video these days. You can use your phone, Zoom, a green screen, or you can even hire a videographer to capture the action in your office. But, it’s what you say and how you say it that really matters. Check out these 5 tips to learn how to write video scripts that will attract your ideal customer or client and catapult you past your competition.
Tip 1: Define Your Goals
Before choosing your video topics, determine your goals. Educational video content is excellent for establishing your expertise. But for those videos to convert viewers into leads, it’s crucial to know who you're speaking to and understand their needs. Ask yourself these questions to identify your goals and narrow in on your topics:
- Who do I want this video to reach?
- What information do those people need right now?
- How can I capture their attention?
- What tone do I want to use for this video?
- What will they learn from this video?
- What is the next step for this audience?
Once you have a good idea of what you want to accomplish with your videos, you’ll be able to create a better outline for your script.
Tip 2: Zero in on Your Topics and Do Some Keyword Research
One of the best ways to reach your ideal audience with video is to answer the questions you’re asked the most. If a lot of your customers or clients are asking the same question, answer it in a video!
Before jumping in headfirst, lay the groundwork. Consider HOW you should answer the question to ensure search engines find your video. Think about what you do when you have a question—if you’re like most of your potential clients or customers, you probably Google it, right? So, you want to identify the search terms people are using with a tool like Google Trends. You can check out the related queries and even try searching for these terms yourself to see what pops up in the suggestions below the search bar. This will give you a good idea of what people are searching for, and how to target those longtail keyword phrases in your video.
Another great place to look for inspiration is YouTube. Start by typing in the information you think a potential client might search for, like, “what should I do first after a car accident?” Take a look at the videos the search returns, watch a few, then use those ideas to craft your own script answering the same question. Make your take on the subject uniquely you. Don’t copy what others did; put your spin on it. The goal is to stand out from the crowd!
Don’t be afraid to have fun with your titles, either! Titles are like headlines, so they need to be eye-catching and motivate people to click and listen to what you have to say.
Tip 3: Create Your Outline
Your outline should include:
- An introduction
- A topic highlight
- An explanation or demonstration
- A call to action
Intro: Briefly introduce yourself, and explain why you should be trusted in the first place. Don’t drone on and on about your qualifications; just establish your credibility and move on.
Topic highlight: Clearly state your video topic and what the viewer will learn by watching. Again, keep it brief. Introduce the central question, then let your audience know what to expect. For example, “Today I’m going to show you how to fold a fitted sheet.” tells me exactly what I can expect from the video.
Explanation/demonstration: Answer the question directly. Stay on track; don’t talk about the history of the fitted sheet unless that’s the topic of your video. If, however, you want to create a video on that topic, it’s a perfect opportunity for your call to action.
Call to action: When creating the call to action, consider your topic. Is this a good opportunity for a sales pitch (“Buy our fitted sheets”)? Or is it more appropriate to share educational information that builds value for your brand (“Why thread count matters”)? In this case, “How to fold a fitted sheet” is targeted toward a colder prospect—this person doesn't necessarily know your brand or why they should purchase your sheets. They just want a quick answer. A call to action that guides them to more information about the importance of excellent quality sheets is more appropriate, and the viewer is more likely to take that action. So, in this case, your call to action might be, “Check out this next video about why thread count matters.”
Once you have an outline, you can create your script.
Tip 4: Ensure Your Script Is Conversational and Thorough
Flesh out each section of your outline to create a well-organized script. You don’t want to confuse people with anything you say, so avoid jargon and use words that are easy to understand. You also want to sound and act like you usually would during a casual conversation. Think back to your goals—what tone are you trying to use here? Is this a serious topic or something more lighthearted? Let this help guide your scriptwriting.
Don’t leave anything unscripted. It might seem like a waste of time, but write out every word you want to say. If you plan to include other office members, multiple locations, additional materials, etc., make a note of it in your script. When you start filming, everything should be planned out and available—it’s better to over-prepare than look back and wish you’d included something you didn’t.
Keep it Short and Sweet
Do you want to watch a 10-minute video to find the answer to your question? If you don’t, then your audience probably wouldn’t either. The video platform you plan to use will help determine the ideal length of your video. According to HubSpot, 2 minutes is ideal for videos on YouTube. If you’re sharing your videos on social media, shoot for 1-minute Facebook videos, 45 seconds for Twitter, and 30 seconds for Instagram.
As you can see, brief is better. Figure out what you need to say, but keep it concise. Don’t get fancy and try to fill time. Just get to the point.
Tip 5: Practice Makes Perfect
After you’ve put together a stellar script, run through it several times off camera. Read it out loud, and be sure to practice your tone and inflection. Your video should sound natural, not like you’re reading from a teleprompter or a script. Getting comfortable with the material will keep you at ease when the camera starts rolling. As you’re practicing, you might find that you stumble over certain words or word combinations—use this as an opportunity to make changes to your script ahead of filming.
Once you’ve done a few practice rounds, have someone record you with a phone or camera. This gives you a chance to preview how the video will look and sound. Make sure your tone is right for the topic and you’re enthusiastic throughout the entire video. Also, pay attention to the words you used. Are they familiar to your audience and easy to understand? If not, try phrasing things several different ways until you’re happy with the final product.
If you’re still unsure about getting started or have more questions about videos, our marketing experts can help! Contact us to schedule a video consultation or call us at 888-886-0939.
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