When in the planning stages of video production, people often focus heavily on what footage you’ll need and planning the shot list. But don’t take for granted the importance of video script writing. Writing an effective script for your video takes time, planning, and a strategic approach.
So if you’re wondering how to write a script for a video, then you’ve come to the right place! Follow our step-by-step marketing video script writing guide below, and you’ll have a meaningful video script in no time!
Step 1: What is the goal of your video?
When it comes to marketing video script writing tips, one of the first things to consider is what the goal of your video is. Are you trying to convince new users that your product is better than the competition? Are you looking to educate viewers on a complicated topic? Are you interviewing happy customers who are raving about your product?
Naturally, with each of these different goals, you’ll also need a different video script. But before you can start on your video script writing, there are a couple of other questions you’ll need to answer first.
Step 2: What type of video?
In addition to determining the goal of your video, you’ll also need to determine the type of video you’ll be producing before you can start writing your script. Will it be long form or short form? Will it be live, animated, or a combination of both? Is it going to be an in-depth explainer video or just a quick overview? These different types of videos will not only affect the length and content of your video script but also the tone too.
Step 3: How long will your video be?
Next up is deciding on the length of your video. Even if you know it’s going to be short form (10 minutes or less), there’s a big difference between a 30-second video script and a 5-minute script. Having an idea of the length of your video will help you determine how quickly you need to get your point across and how much detail you can go into.
Step 4: Will subjects be speaking on-screen or in voiceover?
In some cases, a subject that is talking on-screen can say the same content as the voiceover. In other cases, it needs to be different. You may not know ahead of time exactly when your subject will switch from being voiceover to being on-screen as you’re writing your script, but it’s helpful to have an idea of timing so that you can be sure to line up impactful script content with the right visuals.
Step 5: Time to Storyboard
Before you start on your script, it’s important to go through the storyboarding process. Depending on the complexity of your storyboard, you may actually start your script writing during the storyboarding process. In fact, in some cases, a good portion of your script may happen during this phase.
On the other hand, you can also storyboard purely with visuals. This is still an extremely important process to go through even if you don’t write any of your script in this phase. It will help to make your video script writing process much smoother and more honed in.
Step 6: Time to Start Writing
You’ve made it! You’ve done all the planning necessary to write a good script, so it’s time to start writing. Obviously, keep in mind all the information you’ve gathered up to this point, and then use your storyboard as a guide. It’s important to remember that this is a first draft. There are very few scripts that stay exactly the same on paper as they do in the video. Being flexible with your script can often lead to the most creative ideas!
Step 7: End with a Call to Action
This step is important not just in video script writing but also in video production in general – end your video with a call to action. Remember the goal of your video? How do you want to accomplish that goal? You may want the user to click on a link or visit your website or call a phone number or come into your store. Whatever action you want to come out of your video, make sure it is very clear at the end.
Step 8: Start Filming and Adjust
Now that you know how to write a marketing video script, it’s time to start filming! But let’s remember that your script is a living document. As you’re filming, you may come up with new ideas or see that shots are coming together in a different way than you expected and that may cause you to change up the script a bit. If you’ve got actors involved, they may adlib. There are a variety of different scenarios that happen that call for a change in script. Just be open to the possibilities. Sometimes the best script changes happen on set.
Now that’s not to say you can come into filming unprepared. Having a fully developed script is essential for a successful shoot. Video script writing is an extremely important part of the video production process, so just make sure you’re taking the time to go through all the steps above, and we’re certain you’ll be happy with the finished product. And if you need a video script example for some inspiration, check out our portfolio here. Or better yet, reach out to us today via message or call 831-824-9660, and we can guide you through the entire script writing process.