Writing a script for a training video is an important part of the process if you want to end up with an effective, engaging video. From outlining the content to developing visuals and audio, this guide covers all the steps you need to follow in order to write an effective script.
1. Establish the Objective of Your Video
Writing a script for your training video begins with establishing the goals and objectives for it. Prior to starting, formalize what you want the target audience to learn or be able to do after watching the video. This will help guide all the planning stages of your video’s production and provide structure for your script. Determining any core actions that need to take place in your video can also be helpful as you write.
2. Craft an Engaging Introduction
The introduction is the first thing that viewers will notice when watching a video and can condition whether they watch the entire video or not. As Bruno Patino mentions in La Civilisation du Poisson Rouge (The Goldfish Civilization), we are like that animal that spins around in its jar and would be unable to fix its attention beyond 8 seconds. Begin by catching the viewer’s attention with an engaging hook and then provide an introductory explanation of what your training video covers. Make sure to be as specific as possible about what people are going to learn from the video and how it can help them in their work or life.
3. Keep It Simple and Action-Driven
When writing for a video, it’s important to keep your sentences short and simple, as viewers will be able to absorb the information more quickly. Additionally, use action-driven verbs wherever possible, such as “leverage” or “execute” to give your script an authoritative tone. Finally, avoid long monologues and focus on quick sound bites that emphasize clarity over complexity. This should make it easier for viewers to understand the message of your video and take action as soon as they’ve finished watching it.
4. Break Down Content into Short Segments
When crafting a script for your training video, it’s important to break down the content into shorter segments that are easy to follow. This will help keep your audience engaged as they make their way through the video, while also ensuring that they don’t become overwhelmed with too much information at once. As you write each segment of your script, think about the main point you want to emphasize – and then jot down bullet points or key phrases you’d like to include in order to get the message across.
Standard structure:
Why
1. Context :
Find a powerful and unexpected tagline, to encourage your audience to watch the rest of the content. It can be challenging, shocking, unknown or information that challenges, shocks, is little known, or a question that raises a compelling issue.
2. Challenges :
Highlight the problems encountered, the obstacles to overcome, the situation to solve with factual concepts that are easy to understand
What
3. Solution
Show how you are solving the situation: no need to give too many details, just the concept presentation
How
4. Benefits
List the main benefits and competitive advantages of your solution, giving the main and most attractive inputs
5. Concrete examples
Illustrate with clients’ references or use cases if possible, to anchor the concept in the reality and help the audience to project themselves with the solution in their own environment
Check it out
6. Call to action
Watching the video should make the audience want to know more. Let’s conclude with an incentive message to take action.
If we focus on the learning journey, this structure is adapted into patterns that are often used such as :
The OTEA method:
- Objective
- Theory
- Example
- Action
The Ranking structure:
- Top 3 or 5 advantages, best practices, tips…
- 4 secrets to know …
The interactive lecture:
- Introduce the topic
To see more types of training videos, check out this article.
5. Write the way you speak
The script should reflect the way you express yourself orally and not that of an essay. Also remember to use a vocabulary that is adapted to the profile of your audience to give them a learning environment that is familiar and understandable. Using short sentences and terms that your learners can understand will facilitate the memorization process. In the same way as in a speech that is meant to be more engaging and impactful, appealing to emotions and humor can also boost the attractiveness of your scenario.
