How to Deliver Your Video Message Clearly, Professionally & with Impact

Creating videos for your business can be a challenging and time consuming task. That’s why it’s imperative that the message you communicate reaches and resonates with your target audience.

We will look at the steps you can take when learning your script and preparing to record your video that will help to ensure a successful visual outcome for your business.

Learning your script

It’s important to be familiar with your script prior to recording your video. Knowing your script will give you the confidence to not ‘just read’ but to actually ‘present’ to the audience in your video. This helps to create a more interesting, natural and authentic video.

4 different methods that can help you memorise your script:

1.     Write it out

Write your script out – don't type it. This method works well because writing by seeing the lines, which improves your memory recall.

2.     Quiz yourself

Use a piece of paper to cover up everything but the one line you are trying to memorise. Continue to read the same line over and over again. Once you feel comfortable, try reciting the line without looking at it. If you can, move on to the next line and repeat the process.

3.     Go for a walk or take a rest

Research suggests that after reading a script (or any other form of content) it is helpful to go for a walk or take a rest. During this time, the information your brain just processed moves from short-term memory to long-term recall, where you will be able to recall things easier.

4.     Use a mnemonic device

You can use a mnemonic device to help you remember your script. Try writing down the first letter of every word in your script. When you look at those letters, it will help jog your memory and you’ll remember the script a bit easier.

Preparing to record your video

Once you feel confident with your script, it’s time to prepare for your recording. This entails taking various elements into consideration, all of which contribute to the creation of a professional and impactful video and message. These include:

• Several script readings

By this point in the video journey, your script should be finalised and ready for a read through. Only when reading it aloud will you be able to see if it flows from one sentence to the next. If there are parts that sound forced or awkward, now is the time to make any amendments needed. This process also helps to memorise the script as the more you edit it, the more you get to know it.

• Speak in a language your audience understands

When speaking in the video, keep the tone simple and conversational. It doesn't matter what industry you work in, your audience wants to hear you speaking like a human, not a robot. That’s why it’s important to keep the tone simple and conversational – don’t use any jargon, buzzwords or meaningless waffle.

• Inject volume and energy

When speaking, ensure that you are clear, loud and energetic. This doesn’t mean acting like a loud salesperson, it simply means conveying your enthusiasm to viewers. Positivity, a clear voice, inflections and emphasis all work to create a lively video which is more interesting and appealing to watch.

• Non-verbal communication

Appropriate facial expressions and hand gestures are critical to your performance. They help to amplify your words, stress important points and show that you are passionate about what you’re saying.

• One person only

Even though many people will view your video across various mediums, it’s vital that when you talk, you envision that you are speaking to one person only. This helps you to connect with each individual viewer as they feel you’re talking directly to them.

The teleprompter

Many video shoots utilise a teleprompter, or autocue.

A teleprompter can help as you can prepare your script exactly as you would like to present it.

This helps with timing and ensures that you include everything required to make your presentation powerful.

A teleprompter is basically a monitor designed to make it look like the presenter is talking directly to the audience.

A teleprompter might sound great, however, they may be difficult to use as they can make the presenter sound stiff and like they’re reading off a screen, rather than speaking directly to the viewer.

Once mastered the teleprompter becomes a valuable tool for efficiently creating scripts and recording video.

Four tips to help you create a more natural and authentic video when using the teleprompter.

• Outline your script

Turn your script into bullet points.

• Set the pace

The teleprompter should follow your pace, not the other way around. When you slow down, the prompter’s scroll should slow down and vice versa. Some teleprompters have devices that allow you to pause, increase the speed or decrease the speed of the text on the screen.

• Practice in advance so you can get familiar with the flow and be in sync.

Make sure that you’re comfortable with font size and panel height, which can be adjustable as needed.

• Maintain eye contact

The magic of the teleprompter is that it enables you to look directly into the camera lens, creating the illusion of eye contact with your audience. Take full advantage of this by not looking away. Your continuous gaze really does engage your audience. Eye movements away from the camera can make you look a little bit ‘shifty’.

Learning and preparation aside, teleprompter or no teleprompter, there are two main factors that contribute to the success of any videos you produce and they are:

• Smile!!!

Don’t forget to smile! It is the simplest way to connect with your audience and it must be present at least at the start and end of your video. The subject matter of your video will determine whether it’s acceptable to smile throughout the entire video (eg discussing death and funerals requires a more sombre presentation than a general business website welcome video) – you will need to gauge the topic and your audience accordingly.

• Finally…….

practice, practice and more practice!

There's no substitute for practice. The more you practice, the more you'll put meaning to the words. The more polished your script will be. And the more confident you will feel. Helping to create an authentic, appealing and interesting video for your audience.