Guide for Creating a Video Script
Creating Effective Animated Videos for Businesses and Non-profits
Are you looking to create a compelling video script for explainer videos, training videos, or corporate videos? Here are some key steps and best practices to follow.
1. Focus on clear, concise, and engaging content
Write a script that is tailored to your audience and goals. Use a conversational tone to make it approachable and easy to understand, avoiding jargon and overly formal language.
2. Keep scenes short
Aim for no more than 3-4 sentences per scene to maintain viewer attention and allow frequent visual changes.
3. Structure your script clearly
Start with a strong hook within the first few seconds, introduce the problem or need your audience faces, present your solution, highlight key benefits, and conclude with a reinforcement of why the information matters.
4. Write with brevity and clarity
Break down complex concepts simply, and keep the script focused on core ideas without unnecessary details.
5. Incorporate storytelling
Use stories, testimonials, or scenarios that emotionally connect viewers to the message.
6. Include visual and audio cues
Guide the storyboard and production team on what should appear on screen and what sounds/music should accompany the narration.
7. Read the script aloud
Assess the natural flow, correct awkward phrasing, and ensure pronunciation ease by reading the script aloud, preferably with a colleague.
8. Use a video concept and storyboard process
Draft visuals alongside the script to ensure alignment between narration and images.
9. Aim for brevity in total video length
Most effective explainer or training videos are around 2 minutes long.
10. Use language that resonates with the viewer or buyer personas
The focus of the video should be on the explanation of the product or service, with the hook being used to call attention to the meat of the video script.
11. Craft an "elevator speech" version of the video message
This helps trim the message down to the most compelling basics.
By following these guidelines, your video script will be optimized for clarity, engagement, and effective communication tailored specifically for business or non-profit animated videos. The script forms the foundation for all subsequent production steps, so investing time here will improve your video’s impact and success.
Creamy Animation, a top animation studio in the industry, follows these principles and more when writing video scripts. If writing isn't a strength, consider outsourcing the explainer video script to a professional. The studio provides a portfolio for inspiration and offers help in creating videos.
Before starting to write an explainer video script, create a short written creative brief for the project, which includes an overview of the vision and goals. Answering questions such as what problem the product or service solves, how it solves the problem, what are the alternatives to this solution, how the solution is different from/better than alternate solutions, and what is the one key thing the viewer should do after viewing the video, will help guide the script writing process.
Remember to aim for a range of 125 to 155 words per minute for comprehension and retention, and keep the video short. Consider using a three-column table for script documentation, with one column for script, one for non-verbal sounds, and one for visuals. Business videos should have music that complements the message. Nonverbal cues can signal shifts between acts, such as using downbeat, tense, or minor-key music for presenting the problem, and upbeat, cheerful, and hopeful music for presenting the solution.
Inject emotion into the video script to evoke an emotional response from the viewers. The studio's founder and producer, Larry Mutenda, writes some of the video scripts and collaborates with other prolific video script writers. The studio has worked with startups, large corporations, non-profits, and businesses from the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Call to Action
Ready to create an effective explainer video for your business or non-profit? Contact us today to get started!
- Engage in a lifestyle of continuous learning and self-development by mastering the art of video script writing for businesses and non-profits.
- In your pursuit of a fashionable and beautiful video presentation, consider including captivating travel scenes and sleek car designs in your concept.
- In the realm of home and garden, create a video that offers practical tips and advice on maintaining a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle.
- To strengthen relationships and foster personal growth, explore the power of storytelling and testimonials in your video script to emotionally connect with your audience.
- Expand your shopping horizons by browsing resources for education and self-development, such as video scriptwriting techniques and animation best practices.
