Here are five more tips and tricks that will help you refine your script and ensure you give the production team the perfect platform for success.

So, you’ve completed the first draft of your script.

You’re preparing to share it with colleagues for initial feedback.

Are you sure it’s the best it can be?

In the second part of our script writing guide, we’ve got five more tips that will give you the confidence that you’ve ticked all the boxes.

1. Think visually

While it’s up to the designer, animator or director to explore how best to execute your script from a visual perspective, you can certainly make things easier by thinking about how this might happen as you write.

Can you describe things in a visual way that brings them to life and helps your design team?

For example, contrast:

You can spend the money on anything.

With:

You can cover rent payments, pay medical expenses or even go on holiday.

Quite clearly, the second option gives the design team much more to work with and could make it easier to transition from one scene to the next.

2. Slow down

You might be able to talk at 200 or even 250 words per minute but, as we’ve seen in Part One of this guide, you should stick to 150 words per minute with your script.

Notwithstanding the fact that your voiceover artist will need time to breathe, you need to allow enough time for people to understand what you are saying and to follow your narrative – especially if you’re talking about complicated products or services.

A rapid fire approach will cause confusion and will have people switching off in no time.

3. Don’t forget your call to action

You’ve hooked your audience in.

They’ve been attentive as you explain how you can help them.

Make sure you don’t leave them hanging – tell them what you want them to do next.

Whether it’s visiting your website, purchasing a product or sharing with their friends, be sure to finish your video with clear and concise instructions about what action your audience should take.

4. Read it out loud

You may have read and re-read your script countless times but have you read it out loud?

The way we write and the way we speak are actually quite different so by reading your script out loud you’ll find it easier to find sections or phrases that don’t flow and need sharpening up.

You might even want to record yourself and then play it back – would you be engaged by what you’re saying?

5. Give yourself enough time to get it right

Two minutes. 300 words.

Easy, right?

It doesn’t sound like a lot but crafting a compelling script that explains your key messages, engages an audience throughout and then compels them to act isn’t something that can be rushed.

Make sure you allow adequate time in your schedule to write something that you’re excited to share with colleagues and customers.

And there ends our scriptwriting masterclass.