The Do’s and Don’ts of Video Script Writing


Are you struggling to write an engaging and effective video script? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll cover the essential dos and don’ts of video script writing to help you create a winning script for your next video project.

Video script writing is a crucial step in the video production process. A well-written script can captivate your audience, convey your message, and guide your shoot. On the other hand, a poorly written script can derail your video and turn off your viewers. To succeed in video script writing, you need to follow some basic rules, such as including a clear structure, using active language, and avoiding jargon. At the same time, you should avoid common pitfalls like rambling, overloading on information, and failing to grab the viewer’s attention. By following the dos and don’ts of video script writing, you can craft a script that engages and persuades your audience.

Want to learn more about how to write a winning video script? Keep reading to discover the key elements of a video script, the different types of video scripts, and the best practices for writing and formatting your script.

The Key Elements of a Video Script

When it comes to video script writing, the first thing you need to do is understand the key elements that go into a good script. These are the building blocks that will help you create a cohesive, compelling story that captures your audience’s attention and delivers your message effectively.

Here are the main elements that you should include in your video script:

  • Hook: The first few seconds of your video are crucial in terms of capturing your viewer’s attention. You need to start with a bang and give them a reason to keep watching. This can be a provocative statement, an interesting question, a shocking fact, or anything else that will grab their attention and make them want to know more.
  • Objective: What do you want your viewer to do, think, or feel after watching your video? This is your objective, and it should be clearly stated at the outset. For example, do you want them to sign up for your email list, buy your product, or simply be entertained? Whatever your objective is, make sure it’s clear and focused.
  • Story: A good video should have a clear story arc, with a beginning, middle, and end. You should introduce your characters, set the scene, and establish the conflict or challenge that they need to overcome. As you progress through the story, you should build tension and create a sense of drama. Finally, you should resolve the conflict and provide a satisfying conclusion.
  • Visuals: A video script is not just about the words you write; it’s also about the visuals that you create. You should describe the shots, angles, and other visual elements that will help bring your story to life. This can include location descriptions, character appearances, props, and special effects.
  • Dialogue: If your video includes characters who speak, you’ll need to write their dialogue. This should be natural, realistic, and in-character. You should also include any sound effects or music that will be used in the video.
  • Voiceover: If your video includes a narrator, you’ll need to write their script as well. This should be informative, engaging, and appropriate for the tone of your video.
  • Call to action: Finally, you should include a clear call to action in your video script. This is your chance to tell your viewer exactly what you want them to do next. Whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for your email list, or making a purchase, you should make it easy for them to take the next step.

By including these key elements in your video script, you’ll be well on your way to creating a winning video that captivates your audience and delivers your message effectively.

The Different Types of Video Scripts

When it comes to video script writing, there are several different types of scripts you can use, depending on the nature of your video and the goals you want to achieve. Here are some of the most common types of video scripts:

  • Explainer videos: These are short, animated videos that explain a concept or process in a simple and straightforward way. They often use graphics, voiceovers, and other visual aids to illustrate the information.
  • Testimonial videos: These are videos that feature real people talking about their experiences with a product or service. They can be shot in a variety of settings, from professional studios to home offices, and they often include interviews with the people who are giving the testimonials.
  • Demo videos: These are videos that demonstrate how a product or service works. They can be shot in a variety of settings, from professional studios to real-world environments, and they often include voiceovers, graphics, and other visual aids to help illustrate the information.
  • Product launch videos: These are videos that are used to announce and promote the launch of a new product. They often include demonstrations of the product’s features and benefits, as well as interviews with the people who developed it.
  • Marketing videos: These are videos that are used to promote a company, product, or service. They can take many forms, from explainer videos and demo videos to testimonial videos and product launch videos.
  • Corporate videos: These are videos that are used by companies to communicate with their employees, customers, and other stakeholders. They can include everything from training videos and onboarding videos to company culture videos and annual reports.

No matter what type of video you’re writing, it’s important to keep in mind the specific goals and audience of your video. By understanding your target audience and the purpose of your video, you can craft a script that effectively communicates your message and achieves your desired results.

Writing and Formatting Your Script

Now that you have a good understanding of the key elements that go into a video script and the different types of scripts you can use, it’s time to start writing and formatting your script. Here are some tips and best practices to help you get started:

  • Start with an outline: Before you start writing your script, it’s a good idea to create an outline of the key points you want to cover. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you include all the necessary information.
  • Use active language: When writing your script, use active language rather than passive language. This means using verbs rather than nouns, and making sure the subject of the sentence is performing the action. For example, “The cat chased the mouse” is active language, while “The mouse was chased by the cat” is passive language. Active language is more engaging and easier to understand.
  • Keep it simple: When it comes to video script writing, less is often more. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand, and use short, simple sentences rather than long, convoluted ones.
  • Use visuals to help tell your story: In addition to the words you write, your video script should also include descriptions of the visuals that will be used to tell your story. This can include shots, angles, locations, characters, props, and special effects.
  • Use formatting to help organize your script: There are several different ways you can format your script to make it easier to read and understand. Some common formatting techniques include using bold or italicized text to highlight important points, using bullet points to list items, and using headers and subheaders to organize your script into sections.
  • Have someone else proofread your script: Before you finalize your script, it’s a good idea to have someone else read it over and give you feedback. This can help catch any mistakes or typos you may have missed, and it can also give you a fresh perspective on your script.

By following these tips and best practices, you’ll be well on your way to writing and formatting a professional, well-organized video script that effectively communicates your message.

Using Active Language and Avoiding Jargon

One of the keys to writing a good video script is using active language and avoiding jargon. Here’s why these things are important and how you can do them:

  • Why use active language?
    Active language is more engaging and easier to understand than passive language. It puts the focus on the subject of the sentence, which makes it more clear and direct. For example, “The cat chased the mouse” is active language, while “The mouse was chased by the cat” is passive language. Using active language can help make your script more lively and engaging, which will keep your audience interested and invested in your story.
  • Why avoid jargon?
    Jargon is specialized language that is used in a particular profession or field. While it may be familiar to people who are experts in that field, it can be confusing and off-putting to people who are not familiar with it. For example, if you’re making a video about accounting, you might use terms like “debit” and “credit,” but if you’re making a video for a general audience, you should avoid using these terms and explain them in simpler language. By avoiding jargon, you can make your script more accessible and understandable to a wider audience.
  • Tips for using active language: Here are some tips for using active language in your video script:
    • Use verbs rather than nouns: Verbs describe action, which makes them more engaging and dynamic. For example, “The cat chased the mouse” is more active than “The cat’s chasing of the mouse.”
    • Make the subject of the sentence the one performing the action: This helps make the sentence clear and direct. For example, “The chef prepared the meal” sounds better than “The meal was prepared by the chef.”
    • Use descriptive adjectives and adverbs: These can help add color and detail to your sentences, making them more engaging and interesting. For example, “The boxer hit a staggering and gut-wrenching punch to his opponent” is more vivid than “He punched the other guy.”
  • Tips for avoiding jargon: Here are some tips for avoiding jargon in your video script:
    • Know your audience: Before you start writing your script, think about who your audience is and what they know (or don’t know) about your topic. This will help you gauge what terms you can and can’t use.
    • Define terms as you go: If you do need to use a term that might be unfamiliar to your audience, make sure to define it clearly and concisely. This will help ensure that your script is understandable to everyone.
    • Use simple, straightforward language: Whenever possible, use language that is easy to understand and free of jargon. This will make your script more accessible and engaging to a wider audience.

By using active language and avoiding jargon, you can make your video script more engaging, understandable, and effective.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Video Script Writing

Writing a good video script requires skill and attention to detail. To help you avoid common mistakes, here are some things to watch out for:

  • Rambling: One of the biggest mistakes you can make when writing a video script is to ramble on and on without a clear purpose or structure. Your script should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and each scene should advance the story or deliver a specific message. If you find yourself getting sidetracked or going off on tangents, it’s time to cut back and refocus your script.
  • Overloading on information: Another common mistake is trying to include too much information in your script. While it’s important to be thorough, you should also be mindful of your audience’s attention span and their ability to absorb new information. Avoid overwhelming them with too much detail, and focus on the most important points.
  • Failing to grab the viewer’s attention: As mentioned earlier, the first few seconds of your video are crucial in terms of capturing your viewer’s attention. If you don’t grab their attention right away, you risk losing them for good. Make sure to start your video with a strong hook that will get them interested and keep them watching.
  • Being too salesy: While it’s okay to promote your product or service in your video, you don’t want to come across as too pushy or aggressive. Instead of making a hard sell, focus on telling a compelling story and letting your product or service speak for itself.
  • Neglecting to include a call to action: Finally, make sure to include a clear call to action in your video script. This is your chance to tell your viewer exactly what you want them to do next. Whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for your email list, or making a purchase, you should make it easy for them to take the next step.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can write a video script that is effective, engaging, and persuasive.

Video scripts are an important tool for businesses and organizations looking to create compelling video content.

By understanding the key elements of a good script and the different types of scripts that are available, you can create a video that effectively communicates your message and achieves your desired results. Some of the key elements of a video script include a hook to capture the viewer’s attention, a clear objective, a compelling story, visuals to help tell the story, dialogue, voiceover, and a call to action.

There are several different types of video scripts, including explainer videos, testimonial videos, demo videos, product launch videos, marketing videos, and corporate videos.

When writing and formatting your script, it’s important to use active language, avoid jargon, create an outline, use formatting to help organize your script, and have someone else proofread it. 

To avoid common mistakes, be sure to avoid rambling, overloading on information, failing to grab the viewer’s attention, being too salesy, and neglecting to include a call to action. 

By following these tips, you can write a video script that is effective, engaging, and persuasive.

Gerald Pagdato

A digital marketer with a focus on video marketing. Dedicated to sharing valuable information and resources with readers through engaging and informative content.

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