If you’re a video blogger who wants to take your content to the next level, one of the simplest ways you can make your vlogs more professional is to develop a script for each post ahead of time. Here are some basic steps you can take to plan and produce some stellar vlogs by scripting them.
Acquire the Right Tech
No matter how eloquent your script or sincere your delivery, your prep work won’t come across well in the finished product without the right tech backing you up. Investing in a high-quality microphone that can capture clear audio in any number of settings is key, as is acquiring technology that can help you deliver your message effectively. Consider buying a portable and affordable teleprompter for your smartphone that will keep you on-script and focused as you speak.
Sketch Out Your Script Elements
Once you have the right equipment lined up, it’s time to start drafting your first script. Successful vloggers incorporate both video and audio elements into their scripts in order to develop a clear connection between the two. Because vlogging is a visual medium, you’ll likely begin by listing what you expect to show your viewers. Then, as your next step, you’ll create notes about what dialogue, music, and sound effects you’ll use to support your video. If you have the artistic talent to literally sketch out your content plan, it can be helpful to design a storyboard featuring visual and aural cues that can guide you.
Write Your Dialogue
Next, use your sketched script to help determine how much dialogue you’ll need to write and where it will support your images. Create bullet points of what you want to touch on, then flesh them out into complete sentences and paragraphs. When it comes to word count, a good rule of thumb is to write roughly 130 words of dialogue for each vlog minute. You might find that it’s helpful to jot down every thought that comes to mind, because it’s generally easier to edit your ideas and pare them down than to come up with filler when you haven’t written enough.
Rehearse, Then Shoot!
You might find that the dialogue you created looks good on paper but doesn’t sound natural coming out of your mouth. The trick is to write a script that makes you sound organic, not stilted or forced. It’s important to read through what you’ve written several times to clean it up and improve its flow. Pay attention to your pacing, being sure not to race through your carefully crafted words.
Once you’ve hammered out verbiage you’re satisfied with, your dialog can then help guide you in determining how much footage you’ll need to shoot and which specific images you’ll want to capture. Then it’s time to follow your script and shoot some amazing video and audio!
Producing a next-level video blog needn’t be a complicated process. By creating and following a well-designed script and using the right equipment to capture your dialog, you can deliver professional, engaging vlogs to your followers.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.