People love short videos, platforms encourage it, but do you know how to write one well?
The demand for short-form videos is at an all-time high. Reels, TikTok videos and YouTube shorts gather thousands and millions of views as more people want bit sized visual content.
And it’s not peculiar to the video platforms alone, from Pinterest to Facebook, videos stop scrolling and can boost your visibility.
The burden lies in your ability to create the right script whether it’s a casual or professional video.
This is the very core foundation of any short form video as it determines its performance.
Having written over 70 short form videos, I will share practical tips I have learned that can help your script writing.
Related Post: Platform-Specific Tips for Writing for Different Social Media Platforms
What is a Short-Form Video?
A short form video is a video that is usually between 15 seconds to 1 minute long but can also include up to 3 minutes in some platforms.
They are fast paced and offer quick educational tips or entertainment.
Due to the compressive nature of short form videos, the scripting plays a vital role in their clarity, rhythm and retention.
Purpose and Appeal of Short Form Videos
These videos appeal to a wide range of audiences for several reasons
- They Provide Instant Gratification
Think of when you are searching for how to do videos, you’ll likely click the shorter videos first.
The same applies globally. Viewers want to get the information they want in as short a time as possible.
- Potential for High Virality
The length and algorithm push makes it easy for short form videos to easily go viral. As a result, they can reach a massive worldwide audience rapidly without ads.
- There is Low Barrier to Entry
The cost of creating short form videos is low, or nonexistent at times.
Anyone can easily create them using their smart phone. No need for expensive gadgets or crew members unless you want to.
- Short videos suit modern mobile user behavior. They provide fast education or entertainment, so viewers can move on to other things.
These reasons and more make it essential for you to know how to create scripts to help you pass your message effectively.
Here’s how to get it right.
Know Your Goal and Audience
First thing first, before creating any piece of content, it’s vital you define your goal and understand your audience.
- What do you want your viewers to learn, feel or do after watching?
- Who is your target audience? This impacts your video purpose and style, whether it’s entertaining, educational or more storytelling focused.
- What social media platforms are your target audience hanging out? Choose your preferred platform and adjust your tone to suit it. Remember, a TikTok video that does well on TikTok will likely flop on LinkedIn.
- Be sure of what your video will offer – that’s the promise before you start writing.
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The Anatomy of a Good Short-Form Script
Like other forms of content, short videos have a format that can guide your script writing. I will break them down into sections.
1. The Hook (0–5s)
This is the part that makes you pause when a new video comes up.
A hook grabs viewers’ attention and is often a question, a surprising fact or something controversial.
The hook determines whether viewers will watch your video or not and you’ve got only 3-5 seconds to close this deal.
2. The Setup or Intro
This part introduces what your video is about and why it might interest viewers. It’s the introduction equivalent of a blog post structure.
3. Main Value / Body
This is the meat of the video. It captures your key points and must be kept tight for fast absorption.
4. Your CTA / Payoff
Every good content must end with a CTA, and this also applies to short form videos.
It needs a takeaway, a conclusion or a clear call to action to end the script.
Related Post: Simple Tips on How to Create Catching Thumbnails and Headlines
Techniques to Keep Viewers Watching
These tips can make viewers keep watching your videos.
1. Start late, end early
The aim of this is to maximize your precious few seconds and the end.
Start your video with the highest point of interest. Instead of, “Hello guys, today” …, deliver a value or surprise that makes them not want to leave.
Something like, “3 things I wish I knew before I started my YouTube journey.”
Always get straight to the value of your video, all parts must contribute to the video’s promised benefit.
In addition, end the video quickly and cut off any unnecessary pauses so you don’t waste your viewer’s time.
2. Use Common Words/ Phrases
Write your script to reflect on how people talk and not how it’s read.
Don’t aim to impress with vocabs and all, the goal is to communicate and do so effectively.
3. Include Micro-hooks
Sprinkle mini hooks to pique curiosity every 10–15 seconds.
A micro hook is a little teaser or cliffhanger, they reduce viewer boredom, reset their focus and their urge to scroll away.
It could be a few words or a sudden cut or transition.
You must have heard, “the final result will shock you, here is the best part,” these are common examples of micro hooks.
4. Use Rhythm
Make use of line breaks to control your video’s pace and flow. Also keep your sentences concise, short and direct.
Place one idea per line to make it easy for viewers to absorb your message to make your viewers feel the emotional connection.
5. End with Momentum
Make your video leave your viewers with a strong reason to engage by ending with momentum.
A good momentum strategy can be by asking a question or an input, emphasizing the benefits of saving or sharing your video.
It could also be a regular CTA that drives traffic to a link or profile and a promise of part 2 or continuation video.
These tell them the action to take next, and it benefits them and your video reach.
Momentum signals high interest, shows that viewers find your content valuable which boost your video success.
Also Read: How to Write Effective Calls to Action (CTAs) That Convert
Visual Thinking: Write Scripts for What People will See
When writing your scripts remember that they are not just words, in this context they are cue visuals.
This is the bridge between your script and the actual video.
It includes tone shifts, video editing cues, making you a writer, director and editor all at once.
Read your script out loud, if you can visualize it clearly, then you are on the right path.
Helpful Tools and Workflow for to Aid Scriptwriting
Several tools and workflow can improve your scripts as well as your overall content performance.
- Tools for video outline: Use Google Docs, Notion, Trello, or even MS Words.
- AI for assistance with brainstorming, and suggestions. Note that AI should not replace your creativity.
- Teleprompter apps to make video shooting easier and subtitles generator for the viewer to read along.
- Repurpose your video scripts into other content forms. It could be Instagram carousels, text for social media, or email content.
Test, Iterate and Repeat
After creating your videos, review the performance, tweak based on analytics, rinse and repeat.
Watch out for how your audience reacts (likes, comments, save) and the retention data. Comments are a gold mine for future scripts, don’t sleep on it.
Related Post: Understanding Content Engagment
Conclusion
Short form videos are the most preferred content form, and you’ll be losing out if you are not making yours.
Know your audience, have a clear goal, structure your script and your video will do well.
Start with a 30 second script, that’s less than 100 words.
Consistency beats perfection and as practice teaches quality.
Check out our other writing tips.
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