How to Write a Video Script (+ Free Template)

By Kyle Odefey
Video Producer at Synthesia

Creating videos is no easy task, but a good video script can provide a solid foundation to make it easier. But before you start writing a video script, you should take time for some deep, creative thinking.

Yes, you are probably tempted to cut right to the chase, write the script, and film the video. But trust me, these 5 pre-writing steps are essential if you want your video to actually make sense.

Here's my step-by-step guide to writing a video script.

Step 1: Define your audience and goal

The first step in writing a video script is understanding your audience and clearly defining the goal of your video.

To understand your audience, ask yourself these questions:

• What is their current level of knowledge of your video topic?
• What problems do they have and are they trying to solve?
• Where and how will they be watching your video?

To ensure that you are clear on the goal of your video, I suggest you start with a high-level goal of either educate, persuade, or instruct.

Next, define your video's success metrics, which might be completion rates, engagement (e.g. average watch time), or conversions.

If you're going for conversions, then you should also determine what your call-to-action will be.

Step 2: Choose the right video type

The video type that you want to create should align with both your goal and the expectations of your audience.

Here are some of the most common video types made with Synthesia:

1. Training videos
2. Internal communications videos
3. Explainer videos
4. Marketing videos
5. Customer support videos

Step 3: Pick your visual delivery method

The next step is to pick the type of visuals you want your video to use. Your choice will have a big impact on how you will write your script.

Here are some common video formats:

• Talking head videos
• Screen recording videos
• Motion graphics videos
• Animated videos

Step 4: Write a brief

Before getting started writing your script, I highly recommend creating a brief. This is a quick five-sentence summary of the core message that your video will communicate.

Your brief should answer the following questions:

• What problem is your video solving?
• Why should your viewers care?
• What is the main message of your video?
• What proof or examples will your video provide?
• What action do you want your viewers to take?

Step 5: Create a beat sheet before scriptwriting

A beat sheet outlines the key moments of your video that will guide your viewers from a problem to a solution.

Beat sheet: your script blueprint

• Hook (0-5 seconds): Your hook grabs the attention of your audience with a compelling problem or question.
• Context (5-15 seconds): You then provide some context to help your viewers understand why they should care right now about the topic.
• Solution overview (15-30 seconds): The solution overview is where you present the main message of your video clearly and concisely.
• Proof points (30-90 seconds): Sharing a few examples or demonstrations grounds your video's message and helps your viewers to relate and understand.
• Call-to-action (final 10 seconds): This is when you give your viewers a clear and actionable next step that you want them to carry out.

Step 6: Write your script using the two-column format

I always use a two-column format when writing a script, with one column used for visuals and one column for audio.

Left column: Visuals & on-screen text‍

The left column of your script should contain scene descriptions, any on-screen text and visual cues for screen recordings, motion graphics, or animations.

Right column: Voiceover and dialogue

The right column of your script is where you write your spoken narration and should include any pauses you want to include as well as any pronunciation notes that you might need for technical terms.

Step 7: Write, test, and refine

It's highly likely that your first draft will be very rough, but the real work (and progress) always comes in the revision process.

Script quality checklist: 12 points to review before production

Script quality checklist

Does your script have:

1. One clear goal and a clearly defined call-to-action
2. A hook that captures attention within the first 5 seconds
3. A conversational tone used throughout (that you have read aloud)
4. Visual and audio elements that are mapped in two columns
5. Pronunciation guides for any technical terms
6. Scenes that are each focused on one main idea
7. On-screen text that stays under 2 lines (6-9 words per line)
8. Timing that allows for natural pacing ( 130-150 words per minute)
9. Proof points that directly support the video's main message
10. A call-to-action that is specific and actionable
11. A script length that matches your intended video duration
12. A completed peer review with a target audience representative

Free script template you can use today

Here's a simple script template that you can use for almost any business video.

Scene 1: Hook (5-10 seconds)

Visuals: These should be some sort of visualization of the problem or pain point that you are addressing in your video.

Scene 2: Solution overview (15-20 seconds)

Visual: This scene should use your presenter, screen recording, motion graphic, or animation to explain the solution to the question you asked in your first scene.

Scene 3: Proof (30-45 seconds)

Visual: This scene is for showing your audience a step-by-step demonstration of how and why your solution works.

Scene 4: Call-to-action (5-10 seconds)

Visual: Your video should typically finish with an end card with a clear next step and some kind of visual call-to-action.

5 common scriptwriting challenges (and solutions)

• "My script sounds robotic when read aloud": Try using more contractions, casual phrasing, and conversational language.
• "I can't fit everything important into a short video": You should either zoom in on one important aspect or key takeaway of your topic or create a video series to give you some more room.
• "My technical content is too complex for general audiences": Try using some analogies and real-world examples to help your audience understand the technical parts of your video.
• "I struggle with timing and pacing": I find it helps to read my script aloud and use shorter sentences for emphasis.
• "My videos don't get watched to the end": Hook your audience with a question that addresses your viewer's pain point in the first 10 seconds.