Writing how-to video scripts for your SaaS product might sound like a straightforward task, but it’s easy to make some major mistakes along the way.
A great script can make the difference between a customer mastering your product or getting frustrated and giving up.
Here are the top 5 mistakes SaaS companies often make when writing their how-to video scripts—and how to avoid them.
Let’s face it: no one wants to hear a robot read a bunch of technical jargon. But that’s what happens when SaaS companies use complicated language in their how-to videos. If your video script is packed with terms that only your developers understand, your customers will tune out (or worse, get confused).
Keep it simple! Use plain language that anyone—whether they’re a beginner or a power user—can understand. The goal is to guide them step by step, not to impress them with your vocabulary.
You know your product inside and out, but does your audience? Many SaaS companies make the mistake of creating how-to scripts that assume the viewer is already familiar with everything. If you don’t address the real problems your audience is facing, your video will fall flat.
Start with the problem. What’s frustrating your users? What challenges do they need help solving? Once you pinpoint the pain point, walk them through the solution. Showing you understand their struggle will help keep them engaged and appreciative.
A lot of how-to video scripts end with a “thanks for watching” and leave it at that. But you’re missing a huge opportunity if you don’t tell your viewers what to do next. If they’ve learned how to use your product, they should be empowered to take the next step in their journey—whether that’s signing up for a free trial, watching another tutorial, or reaching out for support.
Always end with a clear call to action. Tell your viewers what they should do next, whether it’s diving deeper into your product, checking out more resources, or simply taking action on the task they just learned about.
We get it. Writing a script is all about the words. But ignoring the visual aspect of your video is a huge mistake. If your script doesn’t include cues for what’s happening on screen, your video can end up being boring and unclear. The script and visuals need to work together, not just coexist.
Include notes in your script for visual elements. For example, “Show the login screen here” or “Zoom in on the settings button.” These small details will help your team know exactly how to bring the script to life and make it more engaging for the viewer.
If your how-to video is more than 5-7 minutes long, you’re probably losing your audience. People’s attention spans are short, and if you go off on too many tangents, you risk losing the viewer before you get to the important stuff. Plus, if your script is too long, it could overwhelm your viewer, which defeats the purpose of a tutorial!
Keep it short and sweet. Focus on the key points that your audience needs to know. Aim for clear, concise instructions, and if needed, break down longer topics into multiple videos. You can always create a playlist of shorter tutorials to cover more ground!
Now that you know the top mistakes to avoid when writing how-to video scripts, why not take your scripts to the next level? With Videate, you can automatically turn your well-crafted scripts into videos—fast.
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