The Art of Scriptwriting: Crafting Compelling Content for Your Videos
By Autumn Singh on May 7, 2024 in Content Content Writing Videos
Reaching potential clients via marketing efforts in the competitive legal industry is challenging for law firms of all sizes. One tool that is constantly increasing in value is video. Videos are invaluable for law firms to communicate with potential and existing clients. By using videos, firms can convey legal experience and use the avenue to engage and resonate with clients.
This article will explore essential elements for law firms to follow in writing an impactful video script.
Identify Your Target Audience and Focus Only on Them
Law firms cater to specific clientele depending on their practice areas, making it crucial to understand your audience before beginning the scriptwriting process. Whether your firm is targeting clients seeking legal advice or businesses needing corporate counsel, it is critical to have a deep understanding of the potential clients’ needs.
Once you have identified the target client for the video, identify legal topics that would resonate with your audience. For example, what do they need to learn about or gain more information about? Based on this need, you can tailor the script to ensure the video is informative and covers the topic of interest.
Developing a Strong Concept
When developing a concept, brainstorm ideas that align with your firm’s experience and practice areas. Identify content likely to address legal issues your audience is likely to encounter or questions you’re frequently asked.
Structure Your Script
When preparing a video script, it is recommended that you follow the three-act structure (a Clear Introduction, a Middle Section, and a Call to Action). The clear introduction will define the legal issue and establish expertise. The middle section showcases your firm’s expertise, incorporating examples, attorney discussions on relevant topics, and more. The Call to Action section will reinforce the firm’s contact information and highlight its differentiators. Be sure to organize the script in a way that is easy to follow.
Create Engaging Dialogue
Since legal dialogue tends to be more formal, it is important to maintain an engaging tone throughout the script. Explain legal information in a more simplistic way that is easy to follow without sacrificing accuracy and incorporating real-life examples or prior client stories whenever possible. Carefully crafted conversation makes scripts come to life.
Show, Don’t Tell
Rather than explaining with legal jargon, engage users with compelling visuals. Incorporate infographics, animations, etc., to add strong visual appeal.
Character Development
A great approach is to utilize the faces of your firm and incorporate lawyers as the “characters.” This is a great way to develop an online presence for your legal team, and viewers can connect with the faces behind the firm. Be sure to showcase your experience and the firm’s commitment to helping clients. If, however, you find that you become too stiff or unapproachable, it’s fine to keep yourselves behind the camera.
Revising and Refining
Revising the script as a team will help ensure the legal information comes across accurately in the form of a script. Ask for other attorneys at the firm to review the script to help eliminate potential client misinterpretations. Also have a non-lawyer review the script to ensure that you’re easy to understand and relevant to those outside of the legal field.
Conclusion
Scriptwriting demands a delicate balance between legal accuracy and engaging storytelling. By mastering the art of scriptwriting, your firm can develop scripts that reach your target audience effectively and engagingly. Continue to experiment with different approaches along the way. Once you master the craft, you can elevate your firm’s online presence through the power of well-crafted legal videos.
Need help brainstorming your videos? Contact PaperStreet today for script writing, videographers, and more.
