You think a brilliant video just comes together on the fly? Think again. 

Before that camera rolls, the storyboard is set, and the extensive editing process takes place, there’s the script. Writing one requires you to be part storyteller and part mind reader. 

For your video to hit home every time, you must know how to make people nod, laugh, and feel all those emotions you envisioned them to, and a script is your chance to do that.

Stay with us, and we’ll break down the nitty-gritty of how to nail this pre-production step. 

8 Tips for Writing the Perfect Script 

Great scripts have this almost magical quality where each line feels like it was meant to be there. But beyond those clever lines, there’s a strategy to consider.  

What’s the story arc? What’s the “aha” moment? What’s the perfect length to say what you need without losing their attention?

You need to know certain elements to hook your audience without overdoing it. 

Let’s jump into the details to understand how it works. 

1. Outline Key Points

Outlining your key points is non-negotiable if you want your video script to flow smoothly and make sense. Without it, you’re basically setting yourself up for chaos. 

Trust us, your audience will feel that disconnect (if they haven’t clicked away already). 

Outlining, on the other hand, guides your audience from point A to point B, and they’re more likely to stick around.

Let’s consider a practical example. 

Say you’re writing a script on “How to plan your morning routine,” an evergreen topic that promises to help your audience become more organized. 

Without an outline, you might dig in all excited, but halfway through, you could end up talking about coffee when you should still be on the topic of getting out of bed (not exactly the smooth transition your viewers were hoping for).

Here’s how you can outline the key points for the topic. 

1. Intro
2. Why Morning Routines Matter
3. Step 1: Wake Up Early
4. Step 2: Hydrate First
5. Step 3: Exercise
6. Step 4: Set Priorities for the Day 

With this structure in place, you can easily flesh out each point and keep your script tight. Your audience will also appreciate the clear path you’ve laid out for them.

2. Keep it Conversational

We’ve often watched videos that sounded like the speaker was reading from a textbook. The worst part is that we don’t even remember what they said five minutes later. That’s not the kind of impact you want. 

If you want your script to connect with your audience, you've got to keep it conversational. Nobody wants to listen to a robot recite a lecture. 

Here’s an example from the topic we mentioned earlier, “How to improve your morning routine.” 

If you write it like a lecture, it might sound something like this:

"Waking up at 6 a.m. is essential for productivity. Studies show that individuals who wake up early are more successful. They have better mental clarity and achieve their goals faster."

Now, let’s make it conversational:

"Okay, we’ve all been there — hitting snooze one too many times. But hear me out: getting up at 6 a.m. could actually change the game. And no, it’s not about being an early bird but rather getting that quiet time to set yourself up for success. Think about it. No emails, no distractions. Just you, your coffee, and your thoughts."

See the difference? The second version feels more like a person speaking to you and offering advice in a friendly, relatable way. 

Think about how you’d explain things to a friend over coffee, and aim for that vibe in your script.

3. Write for Brevity and Impact

People today don’t stick around for long-winded speeches or complex, drawn-out explanations. 

If you want your script to have any chance of making an impact, you've got to keep it to the point. 

We mean, think about how you consume content yourself. If you’re watching a video and someone starts rambling, how long do you give them before you click away? Exactly. Maybe 30 seconds, maybe 60. 

The point is you have a limited window to capture your audience’s attention, and once it’s lost, it’s hard to get it back.

So, how do you make your content hit hard without overstaying its welcome? 

Brevity is the answer. Every line in your script should serve a purpose; don’t waste time explaining things people already know. 

Here’s an example.

Bad Example:

"Morning routines have long been hailed as a great way to start your day. Over the years, many studies have been conducted to show that they are a key factor in boosting productivity. Many successful people credit their morning routines as one of the main reasons behind their success."

Good Example:

"Want to crush your day? Start with a solid morning routine. It improves focus and gets you in the right mindset for success."

See the difference? 

The second version leaves no room for boredom and delivers the value right off the bat. It's sharp and impactful, unlike the one with unnecessary details. 

4. Use Humor Wisely  

Look, we get it — humor is tempting. A little wit here, a playful quip there, and you’ve got a script that’s full of life, right? 

The truth is that using humor is not as easy as it looks. In fact, when done poorly, it can go from funny to cringy real fast and, in fact, backfire in some cases.

Good humor takes timing and knowing when to hold back. 

Too much humor and your script starts to sound like a stand-up routine. Too little, and your audience might tune out altogether.

Bad Example:

"Want to wake up feeling refreshed? Easy — just set your alarm for 5 a.m., drink a glass of water with lemon, meditate for 30 minutes, do 50 push-ups, then make yourself a kale smoothie. Simple, right? Who needs sleep anyway?"

It’s a nice try, but it feels a little forced. The humor doesn’t really add value to the point you’re trying to make. 

Instead, it comes off as awkward, like you’re trying too hard to be funny. And your audience can feel that.

Now, let’s try again with a more natural, lighter touch:

Good Example:

"Okay, let’s talk about morning routines. The ‘perfect’ ones you see online? They involve waking up at 5 a.m., doing yoga, and feeling unstoppable by 7. Meanwhile, I’m over here fighting with my snooze button until it gives up on me. But hey, if my ‘routine’ consists of coffee and the will to live, I think we’re all doing just fine. Rome wasn’t built before 9 a.m., right?"

Here, the humor takes a witty angle while acknowledging the often unrealistic standards for morning routines. It’s light-hearted while still making the point that you don’t have to be perfect to start your day right. 

So, don’t try to shoehorn humor in just to sound clever — your audience isn’t here for a comedy show, anyway. They’re here to learn something, and humor should never get in the way of that.

5. Address Your Audience

If there’s one thing you absolutely must do in your script, it’s this: talk directly to your audience. And by that, we mean use the word you. 

When you write “you,” you’re engaging with a real person on the other side of the screen, and you want them to feel like they’re part of the conversation. 

Because if they don’t feel involved, they won’t stick around for long.

Think about how you’d speak to someone in person. 

Would you just give them a list of facts or instructions without ever acknowledging them? Of course not. 

You’d say things like, “What do you think?” or “Here’s how this can help you.” That’s the vibe you want in your script.

6. Use Storytelling Elements

People don’t just want to be told something. They want to experience it. And nothing hooks an audience quite like a good story. 

The human brain is wired to connect with stories, to follow the journey, feel the highs and lows, and come out the other side with a new perspective. 

So, if you can bring some of that into your script, you’re already ahead of the game.

Let’s see how this works with an example.

Without storytelling:

"Having a good morning routine is essential for a productive day. You should wake up early, drink a glass of water, stretch, and plan your tasks. This will help you feel energized and get more done."

It’s useful, sure, but it’s not exactly gripping, is it? 

Now, let’s take that same advice and tell a story to make it more engaging:

With storytelling:

"A few months ago, I was stuck in the same old routine. I’d hit snooze a few times, drag myself out of bed, and rush through the day. I was constantly behind and always tired. Then, one morning, I decided to try something different. Instead of scrambling, I woke up 30 minutes earlier and gave myself time to breathe. I drank a full glass of water and did a short stretch before checking my phone. It made me feel more in control. My whole day shifted because of a few small changes in my routine."

Instead of listing tips, now we’ve created a narrative: a relatable character (me, the storyteller), a problem (feeling tired and behind), a solution (a new morning routine), and a transformation (feeling in control). 

The audience can see now themselves in the story and feel inspired to try it out themselves.

7. Add a Clear Call to Action

Alright, you’ve shared your wisdom, but now, it’s time to seal the deal. 

A call to action (CTA) is an invitation to your viewers to take the next step. 

Otherwise, they might just walk away, having enjoyed the content but without being pushed to act on it. 

Note that a call to action doesn’t have to be salesy. It can be simple and still make a huge impact. Something like this can work wonders: 

“Now, I want to hear from you — what’s one thing you’re going to change about your morning routine starting tomorrow? Share in the comments. And if you want more tips like this, make sure to hit the notification bell so you never miss out!"

8. Revise and Read Aloud

So, you’ve written your script, and it looks perfect on the page. But the truth is it’s not really perfect until you hear it. 

That’s where reading your script aloud comes in. Here’s what you can do. 

1. Catch the awkward phrasing. You might have a sentence that looks fine in the text but feels clunky when you say it out loud. You can easily catch one while reading aloud. For example:

"It is important that you wake up early in the morning to start your productive day."

You’d read that and immediately realize, “Wait, that sounds like a chore.” A revision might be:

"Waking up early sets you up for a more productive day." 

Same meaning, but it sounds smoother, doesn’t it?

2. Test the flow. Read it as if you were delivering the video. Does it sound natural? Are you rushing through sections? Are there parts where you trip over your words? If you find yourself stumbling over something, change it! 
3. Check your tone. Does your script come off as too stiff or overly formal? If so, no one will want to listen. Reading aloud helps you figure out if you sound like you're talking to a friend or delivering a dissertation.

When you hear your script out loud, you’ll be amazed at how much better it can get. You’ll spot inconsistencies and things that just don’t sound right and tweak them until your script is smooth.

Conclusion

Every line has a purpose, and every word you choose carries weight. The goal is to make the message so clear that your audience feels you’re speaking directly to them. 

So whether it’s your first script or your hundredth, approach it with purpose and a touch of authenticity that makes your story worth a play. 

Also, if you’re feeling inspired but aren’t sure where to start, Indirap can help. 

As video production experts, we specialize in writing engaging video scripts that drive real impact. So, why settle for average when you can create something unforgettable?