Video Scripts 101

What makes a video script compelling? Or why should you even bother to write one in the first place? These are all questions to ask yourself if you want to create content for social media.

It’s been said that a video script is like a blueprint. If you want to build a home, you won’t start building without a plan! Not having a blueprint would cost more money and be an overall disaster. I’m pretty sure the final product wouldn’t turn out how you’d hoped. The same can be said for creating a video for social media content. Whether the content is meant to be funny, educational, or dramatic, a script should be written before starting any of the actual work. The video script is your blueprint or framework for the finished product.

Before beginning any video script, I have to understand who my target audience is. Who am I hoping to engage? What might that person want to see from my content? Having a well-defined target audience helps to narrow down the message into focused content. I don’t want to spend time trying to appeal to the masses if I don’t want to engage everyone. Understanding the audience is where you have to start when writing anything- including a video script.

For me, writing a good video script includes several drafts. It begins with a simple and basic idea, then evolves into a polished script. This often takes a few drafts and editing turns. Understanding what I want my finished product to look like helps me know how to compose backward, in a way. I try to think of a way to bring my audience to the call to action, which is often at the end of the script. This requires a great opening and buildup throughout the video! The introduction to the video needs to have a hook or some creative way to draw in the audience. As the video progresses, I look for ways to keep the content concise and easy to follow. If it goes on too long, the audience loses interest and won’t make it to the end of the video.

The content of the video script should also include descriptions of scene shots, the overall mood, and audio overlay. That can include narrations or music. The video script should describe the feeling of the desired content. Will it be upbeat and cheery? Moody and somber? Those are all things to include in the script. The person (or client) reading the video script should have a good idea of what you’re hoping to achieve. And lastly, don’t forget the call to action in the script! How will you engage the audience?

Writing a video script should serve as your brainstorming session! Have fun with it until you finalize the overall feel and look you want for your content. And be creative!