Why Writing Skills Are Essential for Video Creation: Tips for Scripts, Teleprompters & Filming

You need to be a good writer, to be able to good video creator to be honest, but what do You need to be a good writer to be a good video creator, to be honest. But what do I mean by that?

Of course, it depends on what type of video you’re planning to make—whether it’s a quick "behind-the-scenes" video, an "update on business news," or something else. However, anything that requires notes or a script will require you to write.

Now, as many of you know, I personally feel that a set of detailed notes can be more helpful when creating content than fully scripting every word you’re going to say. That said, there are always exceptions to this rule. If you’re willing to practice and put in the effort, you can get good at reading from a script. This is where a teleprompter can be very useful.

A teleprompter allows you to maintain eye contact with the lens while simultaneously seeing the script. Here are a few things I would personally keep in mind if you choose to use a script for your video content:

• De-robot your voice: Read the script several times before filming, then do a few practice takes to sound more natural.
• Film from multiple angles: Shooting from different points of view or with multiple cameras can help hide mistakes or awkward pauses.
• Align the script with the camera lens: Ensuring the script is aligned with the centre of the lens will prevent subtle shifts in eye placement that might look unnatural.
• Add supporting visuals in post-production: Include footage that supports what you’re talking about, overlaying it on your main video.

Personally, I wouldn’t "fully script" any video. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the content you’re planning to film.

When I write a set of detailed notes, I always ensure I know who I’m sharing the information with, as well as the TAM (Total Addressable Market). I usually start by brainstorming a list of the key points I want to make, along with any facts or quotes I plan to include.

Next, I reorder those points into a structure that I feel best helps the viewer understand and derive value from the content.

At this stage, I also plan out the HOOK (to grab the audience’s attention) and the CTA (Call to Action) for both the start and end of the video, with a few variations to test their effectiveness.

When it’s time to film, I recommend recording in the order the video will appear. This will make editing and post-production much easier!

I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes:

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

Let me know how you get on!