As content writers, we’re used to turning our hands to different tasks. Even in a singular workday, we might spend an hour researching cat food before jumping right into the impact of AI on the financial sector. We also have to adapt our writing style to everything from basic blog articles to more in-depth ebooks. Increasingly, there’s even a growing need for video content writers.
We know that this might sound daunting, but it’s entirely possible to learn screenwriting if you set your mind to it. Simply ensure a smooth writing transition by perfecting this alternative skill in the following ways.
# 1 – Prepare for a New Environment
The best on-screen content happens when you’ve got your headphones on and your home comforts all around you. This is the happy place for most content writers, and it’s an environment you will still be able to enjoy to some extent when writing video content. But, be aware that more clients will probably require your presence on-site with this format. After all, a lot of screenwriting happens on the fly, and you might need to tweak scripts as filming progresses to get intonation and timings just right.
It’s worth preparing for this new environment to ensure that you’re still able to perform. For instance, you may want to practice writing around crowds of people, or with tight time constraints. It’s also worth leaning into the benefits that this environment can offer. For instance, most film sets (even for video ads, and so on) tend to provide on-site catering and even a film TV medic for staff. Those are things you simply don’t get in your home office, and they might take a little getting used to!
# 2 – Understand how (and Why) Video Works
The filming environment isn’t the only thing that’s different about writing video copy. Your audience will also be different, potentially in the messages they’re looking for, and most definitely in the delivery they expect.
With video, you don’t have as much time to tie in crafty analogies and play around with language. Rather, this format is all about immediate impact, especially on a platform like YouTube where viewers can quickly click away.
Spend a little time researching your new audience, and also discovering which video copy really racks up the hits, and why. Is it funny, intriguing, fast-paced? All of those techniques might help you deliver what video audiences want.
# 3 – Draw Content Parallels
So far, so different, but rest easy that the general rules of quality content creation are the same here as they ever have been. Video content should certainly still follow a general structure of title, opening hook, intro, main content, and conclusion/CTA.
Simply know that this structure needs adapting for yout new audience. For instance, the opening hook becomes far more important here, while your main content should be shorter. Get that right, and you can bet clients will be as impressed with your video content as they are with everything else you write.