During the pre-production process, some videos require interviews and authentic answers to help shape the narrative, while others need a detailed script. When a detailed script is necessary, it’s important to be aware of certain blind spots that often become apparent too late in the filming or editing process.
Here are the most common blind spots to watch for when your school, nonprofit, or business is working on a video script:
Word Count
This is by far the most common blind spot. Word count serves as a useful guide for estimating your video’s length (focusing specifically on the voiceover portion of the script). It can be tempting to include every little detail about your organization, brand, product, or service, but too much information overwhelms viewers and dilutes your message.
While there’s no exact science for word count versus video length, a good rule of thumb is that roughly 200 words will fit into a two-minute voiceover. Another key consideration is sticking to one core message—not five different ones. This helps structure the script around a single, clear focus and keeps the message concise.
Speech Pattern Issues
Even if your script has the right word count and message, the best way to test its effectiveness is to read it out loud. Sometimes, what looks great on paper sounds unnatural when spoken. You may notice it feels robotic, overly polished, or even disjointed.
Conversational language improves flow and makes the voiceover easier for viewers to absorb. If it doesn’t sound natural when read aloud, it’s a sign that adjustments are needed.
Writing for Yourself, Not Your Audience
This is an easy blind spot to overlook, especially if you’re new to video production or marketing. Every video you produce should be created for your audience—not for you.
Avoid industry jargon or terminology that might not be relevant to your viewers. At the end of the day, your audience is the protagonist, not you. Your role is to guide them. Be clear and concise, and try to minimize overuse of “we,” “I,” “us,” or your brand name. Instead, shift the focus toward “you” or keywords that resonate with your target audience.
Pacing and Timing Issues
Pacing ties directly to word count. Reading the script out loud can help pinpoint sections that feel too slow, too fast, or off-topic. The good news is that some adjustments can be made in post-production, but it’s always better to refine the script beforehand. A well-paced script keeps viewers engaged and prevents sections from dragging.
Lack of Emotional Impact
The last thing you want is a script that falls flat emotionally. Words on paper guide the voiceover artist, but the script itself needs to convey the right emotions to align with your video’s goals.
Choosing the right voiceover artist can enhance delivery, but a strong script lays the foundation. If the words don’t naturally inspire emotion, it will be difficult for the final video to connect with your audience in a meaningful way.
Being aware of these blind spots will help you create a more effective video script. While a scripted video isn’t always the right fit, when it is, it’s a great way to tell a story in a concise, impactful way.
If you ever want to chat about scripting, storytelling, or video production, feel free to reach out to me at Joe@monzomediapro.com
