Writing an audio script for your online course videos before recording is a great way to ensure you produce quality content.
With a script in hand, you avoid prolonged pauses during narration, repetition of words and possible language addictions, such as excessive interjections and slang.
Reasons to write an audio script before recording videos
For those looking for a more professional result for their videos, writing an audio script is essential.
Here are three reasons why improvising might not be the best idea.
Less recording time
If you are already an expert in video production, or if your audience doesn’t really care about you eating words, stuttering or repeating interjections like “ah”, “right” and so on a thousand times, maybe you be able to finish a recording after only two or three tries. However, if that’s not your case, you’re likely to spend hours trying to get better results.
Writing an audio script before recording ensures that you know the flow and structure of your class, preventing you from fumbling in the middle of the filming session, forgetting important information or repeating yourself.
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Less editing time
Editing is the part of creating an online course that brings together all the recorded content and makes corrections and changes accordingly, so that the final product looks great. It’s also a rather tedious task that can take hours of your time.
Having an audio script during recording can help you minimize the time spent in post-production, as you will have a structured recording that follows a clear order, needing only to cut out the parts where you stumbled over the words or committed some mistake.
Remember: a little extra time spent in advance can save a lot of effort later.
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Consistency
Consistency is a crucial component of any business. When students buy your online course, they expect to receive a product that is well produced and cohesive in every aspect, in a way that is easier for them to understand.
A well-crafted audio script as a foundation helps ensure that the overall quality of the material is consistent. When writing and editing scripts, you have an overview and greater control over everything being presented, ensuring consistency of content.
Also, you can create a pattern and use the same structure for each module or lesson. This helps even more in the understanding of the course by the student.
How to Write a Great Audio Script
Whether you have some experience with writing or not, everyone can easily learn how to make a great audio script.
Here are the five steps we’ve listed for you to be able to script your online course videos:
1. Define the course structure
The key to quality informational video is organization. Each of the videos in your online course must have a clear and simple structure, with an introduction to the topic that will be covered in the video, the body with the explanation of the content and the conclusion.
Creating a well-planned video script is essential so that you don’t forget anything you’d like to talk about, and end up redoing the entire recording later.
– How to create videos for online courses
The first thing you need to do is plan your class by creating a rough outline. If you’re not sure where to start, try answering these questions as you plan:
- What is the purpose of this video?
- What problem/need do my students have?
- How can I help them solve this with the topic / module / lesson covered in the video?
Knowing the purpose and key point of your lesson will make writing the audio script easier.
After answering these questions and knowing what this particular lesson or module will be about, you can outline the structure of the video. There are many different ways to do this, but we recommend following the easiest formula:
- Introduction: Quickly tell your audience what the video will cover and what students should learn from it.
- Body: Enter the actual lesson, explaining the content.
- Conclusion: Finish by highlighting the main points of the lesson, recapitulating what students learned.
If relevant to the material and type of content presented, add calls to actions that your students can take once they have finished watching the video or completed the module. Example: Access the next module to learn more about the subject, or download the support material at the following link.
This type of call helps keep the student engaged and coming back for more content.
2. Use Narrative
An entire class based on “naked and raw” information can be quite tedious.
If you want to keep your students interested, we suggest you add some narrative to the video script. What does that mean? Stories! All good teachers use this strategy to make their classes more exciting.
When writing a script for your online course, think about what stories from your own personal experience you can use to further prove what you’re saying.
For example, if you are teaching your students how to develop creative writing, provide information and practical tips they can use. But also tell them a story of techniques you yourself used when you were having a writer’s block, or how you usually save a text that doesn’t have a very fun theme.
When you’re recording course material without preparation, it can be difficult to incorporate the narrative because not everyone has a story or two in their pocket. But when writing an audio script, you have the opportunity to think, remember, and tell something that will make the course material more engaging and inspiring for your students.
3. Cut out slang and jargon
After writing the audio script, it’s time to move on to edits. This is the part where you’ll examine the grammatical errors and also the words that “got away” and that you prefer not to use.
We always recommend to avoid using regionalist slang and expressions, as an online course can be attended by people from all over the world.
When editing, also pay attention to industry-specific words that are difficult to understand, especially if your course is for beginners. If possible, replace them, if not, be sure to add a brief explanation of their meaning.
You are an expert on the subject, so it is natural that you know all the terms and jargon. But if there is a possibility that your students do not have this knowledge, it could cost you an audience.
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4. Don’t forget to include CTAs
You want your students to take action after they finish the video, right? After all, you need to keep selling your course to grow your business.
When writing an audio script, think of the best sentence you can include at the end that would be compelling enough to convince your students to take action and, if possible, help you in attracting new students.
Your CTA can be anything, such as:
- Share this lesson with a friend
- Secure your registration for the next module
- Refer the course to a friend and get a supporting workbook
One effective idea is to leave a teaser for the next module in your course. When summarizing the current lesson, mention what you will teach next to get students’ attention and, if feasible, offer a discount coupon to first-timers.
5. Read your audio script out loud
Reading something in your head can sound very different from reading it out loud. So the first thing you should do when you’re finished with the audio script is just that.
This practice will allow you to notice small grammatical errors, pauses that off paper seem too long, if the audio follows the transition of screens and images presented well, etc.
This will also allow you to better master your tone of voice. Remember to show energy and enthusiasm, if you’re not awake for class, no one else is.
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Reading your script aloud helps you see if your instructions are easy to understand and if the text sounds conversational. If you want to go further, record yourself as you read so you can listen to it later and see which parts of your script still need tweaking.
When you’re satisfied, read aloud to a friend and ask for their feedback. Public opinion is cruciall.
Publish your course online and start selling
Remember to constantly check the sound quality while recording. Currently there are numerous free software that fulfill this function very well.
– 12 apps to record quality video
Finally, upload the video to the platform on which your online course is hosted.
If you use Coursify.me, this process is quite simple, just upload the material directly from your computer, Dropbox or any other platform where it is saved, such as Vimeo or YouTube.
Videos that contain audio with the teacher’s voice, even if they are just tutorials, create greater proximity with the student, since they convey closeness and affection through intonation.
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This is a practical and simple teaching method that brings several advantages for learning.
Learning Management System (LMS), Coursify.me has all the necessary features for you to integrate and import content from video hosting platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube.
– Whats is a Learning Management System
Serving companies and professionals in more than 60 countries, Coursify.me is a dynamic and customizable elearning platform.
We have three options of plans for you to decide which one best suits your needs. Visit our website, test the platform and start creating and selling online courses right now.