When you book a studio to shoot video content, you want to make the most out of your time there, and that requires planning.

The similarity between you and movie directors is that you’re both trying to tell a story. Sure, one is about a product, and one is about a protagonist, but the aim of both is to connect with your audience. So you want to make a script that’s effective, ensuring a high-quality video as the end product.

Here is how you can begin scriptwriting for your videos:

1 – Brief and outline
It sounds basic, but it’s the most important step. It will dictate your outline and how you fill the gaps, and this stage will also set the tone for the rest of your video. At this stage, you want to answer the following questions:

• What is the goal of your video?
• Who is your audience for the video?
• What should viewers learn about you by the end of the video?
• What call-to-actions do you want to include?

So when we plot for, say, scriptwriting a video for a law firm, this is how we would answer the above questions:

• What is the goal of your video? – To educate viewers on inheritance law in Switzerland.
• Who is your audience for the video? – Older individuals who are looking to write their will.
• What should viewers learn about you by the end of the video? – How the firm can help individuals writing their will and next of kin facing issues with inheritance.
• What call-to-actions do you want to include? – Asking viewers to contact us for a free 15-minute consultation.

2 – Write conversationally
The way you speak is very different from the way you write. Recognize the difference between prepared and rehearsed speech and casual, conversational speech. Your audience will find it difficult to connect with you if it looks like you’re reading from a book.

Example:
“Swiss inheritance law enforces forced heirship rules, implying that certain relatives may not be disinherited despite what the will states” – Formal, belongs in a book or article.

“Switzerland has something called forced heirship, which means that certain relatives cannot have assets or property taken away from them, regardless of what’s in the will” – Informal, conversational.

3 – Write for your audience and platform
YouTube videos require more research and insights as opposed to an Instagram reel. You might even adjust your tone and approach to be more upbeat for your audience on Instagram while staying serious on YouTube. Write your script for the platform, and if you plan to repurpose the same content, keep the tone on neutral ground!

**4 – Script your B-Roll and supporting visuals.**
If you’re going for a behind-the-scenes raw footage feel to your video, script in the shots you want to take. Whether it’s you preparing for an interview, welcoming the guest as they enter the Videohaus studio, pouring a coffee, or doing your makeup… scripting it ensures you won’t forget. Additionally, if you plan to present visuals with your video (graphs, charts, images, etc.), script those in too as reference points for you and your video editor.

Finally, run through your copy a few times before hopping on camera!

If you find scriptwriting to be too tedious or time-consuming, reach out to Videohaus for scriptwriting, video recording, and editing services.