How to Write a Training Video Script?
One of the most essential elements of training videos is not the video, but the script. The thing is, understanding how to write a training video script can be challenging for someone that’s never done something like that before. Writing the script, and finalizing it before production ensures that you don’t get to a point where footage has been taken, expenses incurred, and then the shot is removed from the overall plan. Instead of wasting time, and money which are both very valuable commodities, we’re showing you how to write a script for a training video and providing you with a free training video script template to get started.
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Step 1: Prepare a Training Script Brief
The brief is essentially the starting point where you will define the overall goals that you wish to achieve with the video, the general topic or topics to be covered, and the key takeaways that you wish viewers to have after they watch the video. The brief does not need to take up an excessive amount of time, nor does it need to be lengthy or fancy. Follow the basic template below to create your brief:
- Define the goal of the video. Keep it simple and to the point. Don’t over-complicate things or intend to have multiple goals in a single video.Describe your audience. Who will watch the video?
- Define the essential topic or topics of the video. Again, keep it simple and do not over complicate it. At this point, you should describe specific details about the video.
- Define the important takeaways that you want the viewer to have upon watching the video. What will the viewer learn by sticking around until the end?
- Define the appropriate call-to-action for the video. What do you expect the viewer to do after he or she has watched the video in full?
The training video script brief can easily be outlined in a basic shared document that you can deliver to anyone else that is involved in helping you plan the training video so that revisions can be made quickly and easily as your team collaborates together and changes arise.
Step 2: Write the Video Outline
Once you’ve prepared a brief you can begin to fill in more essential details by creating an outline. The outline will be a more in depth break down of the training video with essential main topics, subtopics, and details that will layout how the dialogue will progress from scene to scene.
As you prepare an outline, consider how you would naturally talk about the topic of your video. Think about the natural transitions that would come up and plan your outline around a similar structure that flows naturally from one major point to the next with appropriate takeaways delivered in a logical manner.
Step 3: Provide an Introduction in the Beginning of the Script
Although the audience may already know who you are, when you are first considering how to write a training video script it’s important to build character expertise around the topic of the video. You should provide a brief introduction of yourself and offer information that will help the audience to not only know who you are, but also WHY you’re the best person to be delivering the training.
Step 4: Write in a Conversational Tone
As you write your training video script, whether it’s a corporate training video or a computer software training script (or anything else), make sure you are writing in a conversation and relaxed tone. You want the audience to feel that you are talking to them, not at them.
Use second person narration which means using the word “You” rather than “people” or “they” or anything that is talking at the person versus talking TO the person. The training video should have a relaxed tone that has the viewer feeling as if the two of you are having a basic conversation between one another.
Step 5: Keep Sentences Short, Succinct, Easy to Understand and Easy to Hear
As you progress through the process of writing your training video script it is important to keep sentences short, succinct, and both easy to understand and to hear. Avoid sentences that have tongue twisting word combinations that could be misunderstood or misheard. Also pay close attention to how sentences and word combinations sound when spoken out loud. Now is the time to revise and consider all wording closely prior to shooting.
Short sentences are generally the easiest to understand, and to hear. They are also easiest for the brain to process which means they are more likely to be retained. Avoid confusion by speaking in short, well planned sentences that focus on a single clause.
Step 6: Consider Wording Closely
Take the time to closely consider the words that you use as you write your training video script. Now is not the time to incorporate big vocabulary words in an attempt to impress the audience. Using difficult vocabulary or too much industry jargon may make the video difficult to grasp for the viewer. Therefore, it is best to avoid words that could be misinterpreted or misunderstood.
The words that you use to detail your script should be concrete words that have a single meaning that cannot be misinterpreted. When you edit your script, be sure to pay close attention to the wording and eliminate any filler words or words that are abstract and lack conception.
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Step 7: Write for the Platform that the Video will Be Delivered On
If you’re creating a training video for Facebook you are likely going to follow completely different rules regarding appropriate timing, length, and style than if you are creating a video that will be on your corporate website. As you write the script, closely consider the length, tone, style and method in which the message is being communicated to ensure they are within the appropriate guidelines for the platform that the video will be delivered on.
Step 8: Every Single Word of the Script MUST Be Written
Your video script must include every word that you expect to be mentioned. You cannot simply jot down some points and expect the talent to know what you meant to say or want to say. As you write your script, you should be writing down every word that is to be spoken, paying special attention to the inclusion of any details that would help to make the topic easier to understand by your audience.
You will likely find that writing every word out leads to several revisions–and that’s okay! Revising the script several times now, versus finding changes that need to be made after filming has occurred, is vital! The script is much easier to revise than video footage–and much cheaper, too!
Step 9: Include B-Roll Callouts
If you intend to include B-roll footage, which you should, make sure that you are properly scripting the text to discuss the footage as viewers see it. For instance, if you have B-roll footage that demonstrates an important element of your training, make sure that the script covers details that will backup the footage so that your viewers are not simply watching the video without narration.
Step 10: Keep the Script Short & Concise
Now that you have written the script, you should edit and take steps to ensure that it is clear and concise. Remember–short sentences that are easy to understand are best. Studies show that people retain a significant amount of information that is learned in videos, especially short training videos that clearly outline a main idea and supporting points in an engaging manner.
Now that you know how to write a training video script, why not get started? Beverly Boy Productions is here to assist, or to provide the next steps in the production process to help you make the best training video for your needs. Give us a call to learn more.
