How to Write a Voiceover Script: Complete Guide

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Do you want to create an online course, but don’t know where to start? Or are you an audio producer looking for tips on how to write a voiceover script? In either case, you’re in luck!

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of writing a voiceover script that is both engaging and professional.

Read on and get started!

What’s the Creative Concept?

The creative concept is the brainstorming process that comes at the beginning of any project. It’s when all team members get together and throw out random ideas.

Some of these ideas get tossed, while others sound good enough to be deemed worthy. Then, the team constructs and tests the top three ideas to gauge which will resonate most with their audience.

The whole process from start to finish can take a few weeks or a few months, depending on the scope of the project and how many people are working on it.

During that time, there are certain criteria that the team has to strive for and agree on, including:

  • A theme that ties the production together.
  • Deciding on a particular audience demographic.
  • The anticipated reaction of this audience.
  • The possible conclusions could this audience possibly walk away with.

Draw Inspiration from Other Videos

Voiceover videos are becoming increasingly popular because of how effective and accessible they can be. Anyone from businesses to educators to programmers can create a narrative without being seen.

Do some research to ensure your script is up to par with other videos out there. Find the five most interesting videos and write down what drew you to them, as well as how you can implement a similar technique in your own voiceover script.

Keep Storytelling in Mind

A good storyteller keeps the listeners engaged by sparking their imagination. Using lively, engaging words in your script can help pique your audience’s interest and passion for what they’re listening to.

Photo of a book with leaves on it outside.

It doesn’t matter what the topic is. What matters is that you’re able to write about it in a way that helps entertain, as well as educate, your listeners.

Writing the First Draft

The quality of voiceover scripts will ultimately dictate the quality of the entire video. It helps set the tone, guide the audience, and ensure they get the right message.

Thus, a poor script can throw off the video and ruin everyone’s hard work.

So, to ensure you write the best possible voiceover script, check out these nine tips.

1. Use a Conversational Tone

A voiceover script should sound natural and friendly. Your voice should come across as relaxed and easygoing.

So, the best way to do this is to use a casual writing style. Just imagine you’re talking to a friend and having a normal conversation.

Check out some ways to create a script in a conversational tone:

  • Use contractions
  • Choose simple, everyday words
  • Write out numbers
  • Include vivid examples
  • Ask engaging questions

2. Stay Consistent with the Voice

Once you’ve figured out what demographic you’re aiming for, the tone and voice of the script should follow suit. For example, writing a script for senior citizens will be different than writing for 40-year-old professionals or teenagers.

One way to do that is to use vocabulary that each group is more familiar with. Using examples and drawing comparisons from each group’s life experiences will help attract a bigger audience and keep them engaged.

3. Use Active Voice

Writing in an active voice gives your content clarity and direction. It makes it easier for the audience to follow along with what you’re saying and retain information. For starters, speaking in an active voice makes your listeners feel like you’re speaking directly to them. So, they feel like they’re part of the conversation, encouraging audiences to listen and pay attention.

We have to mention that there will be some instances where you’ll need to incorporate passive voice. One example is when you want to emphasize the action rather than the subject.

Yet, you should rely more on the active voice and keep the passive to a minimum.

4. Keep Sentences Short and Concise

One of the tips mentioned above for writing in a conversational style is to keep your sentences brief and to the point. Cluttering the script with fluff and fillers can distract from the main message and confuse your listeners.

Don’t just write short sentences for the sake of it. Each one has to carry an idea, and it has to be worded in a way that’s concise and to the point. Also, try to vary their lengths to avoid sounding monotonous, or the audience will drift away and shift their focus to something else.

5. Add in Natural Pauses

Learning when we pause naturally during speech is easier said than done. In fact, there’s a whole branch of study dedicated to just this. It was initially designed to help actors and performers appear as natural as possible without sounding monotonous.

rewind | pause | fast forward arrows and symbols.

While we don’t often think of pauses as anything special, they’re actually just as important as your words.

They play a vital role in getting your message across by allowing your audience to take in everything they hear. Also, you’ll notice that people pause before emphasizing a certain idea or when they’re about to digress to a different topic.

So, to ensure your script sounds authentic and genuine, work in several natural pauses throughout.

6. Make Sure to Use Transition Words

Any type of engaging speech, dialogue, or narrative relies heavily on transition words, sometimes called ‘linking’ words or ‘connectors.’

Basically, transition words are what tie ideas and sentences together. Thus, they enhance the readability of your script and give it a more casual tone.

Without them, you can sound clunky, disconnected, and hard to follow.

7. Figure Out the Length You Want

The first rule of writing any engaging piece is not to ramble on or risk losing your audience’s attention.

So, experts came up with a way to help you calculate how long your script can run. They all agreed it should take the narrator to read anywhere from 100 to 120 words in one minute.

This means that if you only have one minute of video, you need to make sure your script is approximately 100 words, give or take a few.

8. Get to the Point as Quickly as You Can

When you’re writing a script for a voiceover, you don’t have a lot of time for lead-ins and lengthy introductions. Plus, no one has time to listen to a long, boring lead-up in this hectic day and age.

To remedy that, start with a couple of general sentences. Then, jump right into the topic and focus on the most important ideas.

9. End with a Call to Action

Are you planning to achieve some sort of end goal with your voiceover script? If so, you should definitely end it with a friendly and engaging call to action.

Image with the letters CTA on it for call to action.

It can be something as simple as reminding your audience to call, text, or email. Other times, you may want to encourage them to subscribe to your channel or add a comment.

To you, it may not mean much. To your listeners, it’s a great way to keep the message fresh in their minds.

Edit your Script

Now that you’ve written out your script, use these three editing tips to make sure your message gets across loud and clear.

1. Read Your Script Out Loud

Reading your script aloud, or having someone read it to you, is non-negotiable. In fact, it’s probably the one thing that all writers around the world agree on.

When you listen, it becomes easier to determine which sections sound awkward or unclear. Plus, you’ll know if you need to add more transitions to get a better flow and ensure the entire script is well connected.

Finally, reading the script gives you insight into the best places to add natural pauses or gaps.

2. Pay Attention to Rhythm

When we talk, our speech patterns are what help us drive the message home. If you focus on podcasters, for example, you’ll notice that their voice has a certain cadence and melodic quality.

That should also apply to your script. It should have its highs and lows, move quickly in some areas, then slow down in others. Thus, by improving the rhythm and flow of your script, you can hold your listeners’ attention for much longer.

3. Make Corrections

The final part of the editing process is implementing any changes you need to make. Take the time to review the script several times to ensure it matches your vision for how you want your script to turn out.

FAQs on Writing a Voiceover Script

How can I practice voice over?

Voice acting is a unique skill that can be difficult to perfect. Here are some tips for practicing and improving as a voice over artist:

  • Record yourself reading aloud from a variety of sources, including scripts, books, and articles. Then, listen back to the recording and identify areas where you can improve your delivery.
  • Another helpful tip is to practice speaking in different character voices. This will help you to better understand how inflection and tone can be used to convey meaning.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at finding your own unique voice.

What makes a good voice-over?

A good voice-over is essential for any video that involves narration. The voice should be clear and easy to understand, with a pleasant tone that is not too monotone or robotic. It should also be able to convey emotion, without sounding forced or phony.

In addition, the voice-over should be well-paced and should not rush through the words. Finally, it should be recorded in a quiet environment to ensure that the audio quality is high.

What is a video script format?

A video script is the written portion of a video that tells the story or conveys the information in the video. The format of a video script can vary depending on the type of video, but there are some general guidelines that all video scripts should follow.

For example, all scripts should have a beginning, middle, and end, and they should be clear and concise. In addition, scripts should be formatted so that they are easy to read and understand.

How do you write a good script?

A good script is the foundation of any good movie. Without a strong story, characters that audiences can connect with, and dialogue that crackles, a video is likely to disappoint. Here are a few things that all good scripts have in common:

  • A good script is well-structured. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with each scene serving a specific purpose.
  • Next, a good script is filled with compelling characters. These characters should be relatable and three-dimensional, with their own flaws and desires.
  • Lastly, a good script has catchy dialogue. The best dialogue is sharp, witty, and real – it sounds like something that people would actually say.

How long should a script be for a 1-minute video?

A one-minute video is a very short amount of time. You will likely only need around a 100-word script to keep the video to a minute.

Wrapping Up

Voiceover scripts are a great way to communicate your message to your audience. They can be used in commercials, on websites, and even in presentations.

By following the tips we’ve outlined in this post, you can create a voiceover script that is both effective and engaging.

Now get out there, and write your next voiceover script!

Lisa Parmley
Lisa Parmley

Lisa Parmley is the founder of coursemethod.com. After gaining a Master's degree, she worked in research for about seven years. She started a training company in 2001, offering a course helping people pass a professional exam. That course has earned multiple 7 figures. She created SEO and authority site building training around 2007 which went on to earn well into the 6-figure mark.

She has 22+ years of experience in the trenches creating and selling online courses. Get help starting and growing your online course business here.

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