Putting Together a Script for Your Screen Capture Video

A screen capture video is an easy way to break into online video marketing. You can do it from your computer using free or paid software. The best part is, you don’t have to appear on camera!

Screen capture videos are most effective for:

• demonstrating a process or skill done on the computer, such as how to use a particular software
• showing what’s “inside” a digital product, like an ebook or a membership site
• documenting an event that happens on your computer screen, such as an online event

If you’re new at creating screen capture videos, here are a few tips for putting together your script:

Begin with the Benefit

Although web users enjoy watching videos online, their attention spans are very short. They’ll quickly click away if they don’t realize what’s in it for them right from the beginning.

So open your video by stating what benefit your viewers will get from watching. You can even state the benefit in the video title. For example, “How to Find a Niche in 10 Minutes Using Google’s Keyword Tool.”

Follow a Logical Series of Steps

Be logical, rather than jumping around your computer screen. If you’re demonstrating a process, begin with step 1, followed by step 2, and so on.

If you’re showing the inside of an ebook, start with the cover, then the table of contents… you get the idea.

For a membership site, go from the home page, then to each significant part of the site.

Summarize

When you finish your demonstration, tell your viewers what you just did. They have short attention spans, remember? Besides, you’ll never know when somebody skips ahead to the end-part of your video just to find out what it’s really all about (and then decide to watch the entire video or not).

It doesn’t have to take more than a sentence to say, “I just showed you how to use Google’s keyword tool to find high-traffic and potentially high-profit niches.”

Tell Them What to Do Next

End with a clear call to action. What would you like your viewers to do next? Most of the time you’d like them to head on over to your landing page or sales page. Tell them to do so and why.

For example: “To get more tips for finding profitable niches, go to findmoneyniches.com.” No need to say “www” and certainly watermark your video with the URL you’re promoting.

But DO You Need a Script?

If you’re a beginner, I suggest you write out a script. It will help calm your nerves and give you more confidence. You don’t have to follow it to the letter, but having it in front of you will be reassuring once you click the “record” button.

If you’re more experienced, an outline will do.

Whether you’re a newbie or advance video maker, it never hurts to practice. Make a test recording. Take note of parts where you tend to stumble over your words, or where your viewers could get potentially lost. Rework those parts in your script or outline.

Keep practicing until you’re comfortable and confident. Your video doesn’t have to be perfect – far from it! Don’t worry about occasional “ums” or stammers. Just be clear and be yourself.

Now go and make your screen capture video!

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About the Author

Alexis Rodrigo is a passionate blogger, copywriter and Internet marketer – when she isn’t changing diapers or cooking meals, that is. A self-confessed word nerd, she is a lifelong student of how words influence people’s thoughts, attitudes, feelings and actions.

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Think…Errr…Write Before You Speak

For the most part, we’re still stuck in the so-called dark ages at Contentrix. We like to work with and communicate with the (VERY EFFECTIVE) written word. Sure, we do audio interviews and even some video – but it all comes back to our roots – words.

And seriously, if you want polished multi-media content – written words.

Every interview or video I’ve created (or at least the good ones…I apologize for the others), started with detailed notes, a script or some kind of written guideline. I’m not an accomplished speaker – just a half-decent writer – but having done my silent homework first helped create much more polished  and informative audio and video marketing pieces.

Just look at or listen to some of the content some people have out there. It’s awkward. It’s repetitive. It’s dull. Spontaneity does have it’s place, but if you want to make an impact, you’ve got to know where you’re headed. Sometimes that means planning a script or at least jotting down some brief notes so you know what you want to end up with.

That’s why movies are done with a script. What if we let the actors run wild? You might say we’d end up with ever-popular reality TV, but reality TV is NOT the same as winging it on your audio or video (you lose control of your desired marketing message). Reality TV is often scripted to some degree, but even when it’s not…it’s massively edited before it reaches our drama-hungry eyes. Even a documentary is prepared with a very specific written plan, even if some of the commentary is completely off-the-cuff.

Some tips for thinking before you speak:

• If someone asks to interview you for an audio or video, insist that they send you the questions ahead of time.
• Prepare for an interview in a way that suits you best. For some, it will be writing out a complete script (but only if you can do it without sounding like you’re simply reading) and for others, it will be jotting down speaking points, so you remember what the heck you want to say.
• If you’re recording a video of yourself talking to your audience – keep some notes or a script handy. If you’re using a web cam, you can have your notes on the screen. Or place the notes near your camera. That way, it will look natural as you refer to them.
• Break up your audio and video between scripted talk and spontaneous discussion. Add a scripted introduction and/or conclusion to your recordings that addresses details you may have missed, promotion you want to mention, etc.

Nobody’s perfect and we all stumble when we speak…but having a written plan ahead of time will allow you to wow your audience and draw them in to take action on your offers.

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About the Author

Alice Seba is the owner and creator of Contentrix.com. With a focus on using content to create relationships, loyalty and results from writing, she loves helping online business owners get more bang out of their content.

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