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How to write an interesting explainer video script?

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An explainer video can be a marketing asset for any brand. The video script refers to the narrative that complements the animated video. The video script template determines the quality and reach of a narrative irrespective of the platform of publishing. To put simply, explainer are nothing without a great script template.

YouTube has become a specialized search engine for videos. Therefore, becoming a prominent contributor to YouTube takes more than fancy videography equipment and expensive animation techniques.

Having said that, it still is a video sharing platform, which is why it is important that you pay attention to the video and audio equipment. Here are a couple of videos to help you understand it.

(Above video is a part of a more elaborate course on Academy by Appy Pie. To access the complete course, please Click Here, or continue reading below.)

(Above video is a part of a more elaborate course on Academy by Appy Pie. To access the complete course, please Click Here, or continue reading below.)

For most branded videos, instructional and explainer videos, the creator needs a strong knowledge of how to write a screenplay and how to do a voiceover. These are critical video-making skills every aspiring business owner, campaign (Kickstarter, Patreon or GoFundMe) managers, and sales campaign managers should know to expand their businesses.

In most cases, people shy away from writing a script for a video because they deem the task to be too complicated or time-consuming. Then there are others, who swear by standardized explainer video script template and sales video script templates only.

In reality, the difficulty of writing an explainer video script is somewhere in between. The easiest way to be sure about the steps you are taking, the research material you are using and the quality of video narrative you are creating is by gaining some hands-on experience on the matter.

Taking a short-term course on how to write a script for YouTube videos can help you hone your skills and give you confidence regarding the script-writing process.

How does writing a script for a video matter?

Explainer videos perform superlatively for a simple reason – our brains process audio and video signals separately via distinct channels. We process them distinctly in our brains, so the totality of the content finds extra attention and memory space when a video is coupled with an explainer narrative.

For example, consider what happens when you are watching a video on how a brand is introducing a new range of cosmetics for women. There are scores of new names and colors that would be impossible to read and remember had there not been a voiceover repeating the information you see on-screen.

In short, a good quality explainer video script drives the message home.

Today, brands strive to listen to their consumers’ needs and they cater to a highly specific niche of customers segmented by geographic locations, first languages, age, gender and/or level of education. Therefore, following a single video script format is no longer enough for catering to such a wide market.

Check out this video that tells you how you should describe your customer in detail.

(Above video is a part of a more elaborate course on Academy by Appy Pie. To access the complete course, please Click Here, or continue reading below.)

Here’s what experts do instead:

They identify the brand story

People are not buying your products. They are buying your story because they want to share the exclusive experience with your brand.

Here’s an interesting video that talks about it.

(Above video is a part of a more elaborate course on Academy by Appy Pie. To access the complete course, please Click Here, or continue reading below.)

Therefore, your voiceover script can target either of two categories: the process walkthrough or problem-solving.

Process walkthrough – this category encompasses the how-to videos you see on YouTube. The video script needs to tell a self-contained story.

Problem-solving – it portrays your products/services are the hero-without-a-cape. The video content should not dwell on the problem but focus on the unique solutions your brand can offer.

Make sure the voiceover–

Sounds confident

Is easy to understand

Uses simple language that people normally do while talking

Answers the right customers’ questions

They simplify the content and make it concise

People don’t want to hear long sentences and complex words while watching a video, especially when they are trying to troubleshoot. As the script-writer, your duty is to include as much information possible in the video script format without making it trite or difficult to follow.

Here’s how you can do it –

Write your story in five simple sentences

Use simple sentences that are easy to understand

Use simple words that even 7-year olds can understand

This video will help you edit and finish your script in a way that will make your voiceover more effective.

(Above video is a part of a more elaborate course on Academy by Appy Pie. To access the complete course, please Click Here, or continue reading below.)

Remember to keep the voiceover script simple to rake up the total views.

They take the viewer on the journey

Simple greetings and direct speech can work magic on the viewers. It is important to make the viewers feel like a part of your story.

So, your product is an all-organic nutritional supplement that can help your consumers balance their meals? Explain that to them in terms they understand. Exclude scientific jargon that alienates most people and makes them feel ignorant.

On the other hand, if your product is for academics, make sure to use a language they find respectful and easy-to-follow.

However, stick to simpler words and sentences that do not confuse people.

They Pay attention to emotion

What is your brand voice? Is it empathetic and calm? Is it excited and bold?

Once you know your brand’s personality, deciding upon a voice is an easy task. Make sure your voiceover adds emotion to the otherwise plain video. Tell a good story and make sure to express what the viewers should feel in your voice. That is the secret sauce to the recipe of stellar YouTube script writing.

They double-check the length

Make sure people don’t leave the narrative half-way. Cultivate their interest by keeping the narrative interesting, informative and short.

The typical explainer video is between 30 seconds and 3 minutes long. Stick to a word count of 130 words per minute for comfortable narration.

You might think that these 5 steps are all that make professionally-written scripts hugely popular and successful. However, that’s not enough. Experts always run a focus test on their corporate video script or YouTube narrative to make adjustments. They get second opinions too before releasing it for public viewing/listening.

And folks, that is how to write a script for a short video. Since it is a mix of several tasks and responsibilities, entrepreneurs and video makers often insist upon formal training, hands-on experience, and extensive case-study research before hiring any scriptwriter.

If you are considering a future in video scriptwriting, you should give explainer and sales video copywriting/recording training a serious thought.