How to Naturally Read a Video Script on Camera

[@theDMLair]

Most of my videos I script out word for word. I split the script into short 1-2 sentence takes, and then deliver each 2-3 times. In post I pick the best deliver for each one, and then put them all together. This helps a lot with not having to memorize much, keeps me concise, and allows me to move around in the frame, which I think makes for a much more dynamic video.

[@TiffanysBunnyGang]

the DM Lair I shoot my videos very similarly. If I do a top 10 bunny items list, for example, I shoot each point separately. I do several takes & then edit together the best of each point. I script most of the video word for word or have talking points and have an idea of the delivery before recording. Off camera I have my note pad next to me to refer to in between takes. This is the best way I have found works for me. Winging it did not work! I rambled for 10 minutes during my first video and had no real intro.

[@richelletvforyou8324]

This is great for me not so much because of memory, but because I start out paying attention to my funny facial features but then go right back the more I am into my point. So starts great then heads south. Always have to redo last half.

[@CEDtalks85]

Dude, you just went back and looked at your videos and you are doing EXACTLY what you stated here. Solved a problem for me. Especially for what I am about to do as I rebrand my channel! THANKS!

[@CEDtalks85]

No offense, I'm not a D&D fan. But I actually sat through like 3 videos in full. Excellent presentation. You look very natural!

[@TheBitcoinExperience]

I found it to be the best for me as well, because it keeps me on track and makes editing easier, but not less time consuming.

[@NickNimmin]

Secrets revealed...the cat is out of the bag now!!!! Congrats on the 50th video!

[@SalmaJafri]

Thank you Nick!! More secrets shall be revealed to ye who believe.... 😮

[@Shavinism]

Hey, you guys know each other. This makes me happy :)

[@koolohinde]

Nick Nimmin are you her teacher?😂🤣

[@LovekeshPal]

Nick Nimmin hey nick.. hw are you? Suggest me a camera, i mean budget camera because in my videos there is a lot of blur. 😕

[@DihelsonMendonca]

Hi, Nick, good to see you here also !

[@hanzalaenam9661]

Finally a useful script tutorial after searching the whole youtube family

[@thereforechooselife]

Very helpful!

[@informedsrthankful2438]

Starts@5:08

[@EverydayMoments]

InformedSR Thankful Thanks

[@stefanfirdaus]

Hahahaha... That was a good one

[@andreykholkin2737]

damn should have read the comments before watching! well noted :D

[@evanwilson9906]

Jesus Thank you.

[@ahmadsabarai7821]

Thank you

[@funtimefilms660]

Thanks for the video, I just subbed! I needed this so bad... the scripting is definitely needed for me because of my anxiety disorder I can barely speak to people and the camera is no different because I know people will be seeting it. However knowing I can decide in the editing process if people do indeed see it is helping me move forward with planning at least. Congrats on 50 videos I hope I make it that far. :)

[@BriangjohnsonTv]

3K Subs! 50 Videos! Love the scripting ideas, perfect blend of having an outline and going off the cuff!

[@SalmaJafri]

First!! Haha, thank you Brian 😍😍 #partytime

[@yebook]

Saw your video on Entrepreneur. It was slow there. So found you here. And congrats on 50th Video!

[@SalmaJafri]

How awesome of you to come on over!!!

[@ThriveKing]

Great video. I've been struggling with this concept for a while now. Don't want to script my videos completely because it doesn't feel authentic, but when I just pick a topic and talk about it non-scripted, I go off-topic a lot. Looking forward to implementing this into my videos. Thanks!

[@SalmaJafri]

ThriveKing Sounds good! Come back and let me know your results!

[@MONTOD]

Literally what I'm going through right now! I've been trying to go verbatim and I don't like it, others say it's fine but I want it better! This is helpful

[@KarmaRayshar]

That was a wonderful tips, pause ur action and look on script. Love it. Thanks

[@kaziczek]

Absolute genius! Watching your video taught me how to write a script and surely sped up the whole process. While reading one of your articles and watching this video I had genuine moments of awe... Now I need to practice, practice, practice. Thanks a million for your help and all the best from Poland. ✌✌👌👌🖐🖐

[@SalmaJafri]

Aww thanks. Would love to hear more about these "genius moments"

[@andresbenavides9480]

I am currently doing some preparations for a speech on Wednesday. I am trying my best to keep practicing and I feel robotic only because my practice is so repetitive, not because I sound monotone.

[@ShaneTrace]

Just found your channel and Im so happy I did ! You're a lifesaver. thank you

[@Faartoon]

A much needed video for new KZbinr :-).Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience And yes,Congratulations on your 50th Video

[@SalmaJafri]

All Indians thanks for your kind words!

[@dilmerv]

These were some amazing tips thank you !

[@diptiman2008]

Salma....your videos are so lively. I have listened to almost 2 hours till now. Love that natural bubbliness.. keep it up.

[@gabriellawinters7855]

Thank you for the informative video I watched it till the end. Do you have your sample script published outside of facebook please? I'm not o facebook and don't wish to be either, but would like to take a look at the promised example of how you scripted this one so I hope you can offer an alternative. Many thanks in advance!

[@SalmaJafri]

Yup, just released it as a stand alone thing too. Grab it here: salmajafri.com/video-script-template/

[@muradshawar]

im more of the unscripted kind of guy but scripting is important and im learning more. Im learning more how to feel comfortable with the camera pointed to my face. I wont let fear stop me from posting on youtube.

[@fandangoyoga]

I am just about to launch my own channel in Japanese on a regular basis. As I am not a Japanese native speaker I really need to get my ideas into order before execution. Great tips, thank-you!

[@dalipriyadharhini2632]

Thank you so much it help me so much ❤❤❤

[@TheHugisCh]

This is one of the best, most educational, lessons I've found so far! Thank you for that! I've truly been searching and asking around for advice like this. Great work1

[@SalmaJafri]

That means the world to me, thank for taking time to comment!

[@coffibaa]

Really helpful content! Exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thank you!x

[@SalmaJafri]

Yay Tammi that means a lot!!!

[@DrRamadeviHealtheducation]

I love your channel . Working for me . Thank you

[@MusingsbyAmit]

I cannot believe it. I just saw three of your videos back to back. 100%. I came here to find out how to improve retention or engagement in videos. And to my surprise, I see some familiar people out here. Of all the people I see the great Mr. Nick Nimmin. Just before watching your video, I was on his channel watching his video on the same topic. So great content, Salma. Keep it up. I am sure to binge-watch a lot of your videos to improve my video making skills. This video was amazing because all the things you said, in the beginning, I have tried. Rambling, Teleprompter, By heart, Notes, Bullets even Evernote. So amazing content. Thank you.

[@SalmaJafri]

💜

[@sandiebeauty2067]

Well done , Salam. Very uselful.

[@SalmaJafri]

Thank you

[@chidimmaamadi6572]

Really helpful. Thanks so much.

[@BarbaraGail_drum_song_dance]

Perfect, I joined the Facebook group this morning and here you’re mentioning it! I’m learning so much from you because even though there are a lot of YT Insiders teaching out there, and indeed I’m picking up pieces from all of them, what you address is exactly why I’m doing videos and what I’m doing on KZbin in the first place! I’m a very well seasoned entrepreneur wanting to grow my personal brand with videos, and I connect with you more as a professional colleague than I do with most of the faces out there.

[@mightyroast.1334]

Hello l am indian these is very helpfull video for me thank you so much

[@mbdrive2193]

SALAM-THANKS FOR VIDEO,STARTING UP NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET

[@rajdeepchakraborty3259]

That's very helpful, thanks for the information

[@DMidNyte]

Thank you. Very nicely done

[@VroomReacts]

Congratulations on the 50th video :) Nice to see the collab with Nick paid off with so many new subscribers who see value in your videos!

[@SalmaJafri]

Thank you thank you! Truly grateful 🙌

[@VroomReacts]

btw, why does your subscribe button in video still show 2400 :P

[@SalmaJafri]

Haha. I'll update it when I get to 5K to give myself some incentive ;)

[@VroomReacts]

Oh, that's soon then :)

[@MarianMadonia]

This is SOOOO helpful. I've been speaking in public for 25 years. I thought "I've got this!" Let's just say that I saved my outtakes on my first run because they were hilarious and I just KNOW I'm going to want to use them some day. No wonder my audiences laugh in my speeches. My facial expressions are hysterical! PS...LOVE Evernote. So glad that's the system you use. I've already made my notes there, so it should be easy to tweak it to make it better.

[@SalmaJafri]

It always amazes me how video production is a whole different ball game compared to public speaking, although there are some cross-overs. Glad you save those bloopers, should be hilarious eventually hahaha!

[@thecreativebookwritingpen37]

Superb and really need that insight.

[@riaansaini]

Amazing Salma....nice & informative

[@MirceaSerediuc]

Thanks a lot, congrats for what you are doing.

[@KatyaPaden]

I love your tips!

[@devpatel7218]

You are doing a great work maam. It is really helpful..

[@abc229_Ab]

_You speak very well in feont camera. M fan of your speech and delivey._

[@GaudzRamirez]

Thanks for the useful tips!

[@Sundayschoolnetwork]

Really appreciating this video...I relate!!

[@makinspirations]

That was educative. Thank you.

[@SkyNelson]

This is precisely the information I was searching for. Thank you for a great tutorial and great ideas.

[@glamwithme6460]

Thank u for great tutorial.

[@nickmiller9599]

Informative and quite helpful, thank you. I'm not really scripting most of my videos yet, I just started making them, but I do have one that I used a script for, which was my intro video. What I did was just jot down points I wanted to address in a notebook (yes, a physical notebook, I'm old school) and when I would find myself stumbling, I would glance down at my notebook in my lap. This allowed me to see what else I wanted to talk about and take a moment to collect my thoughts before I start speaking (very important for me, as my mouth often has a very hard time keeping up with my brain). Then when I look back up, I give myself a second or two to make for easy editing, and start speaking. The uncut version of this minute-long video ended up being almost 15 minutes of me rambling, staring awkwardly at the camera while I collect my thoughts, and (the most common, in my case) getting tongue-tied and tripping over my words. It really kind of makes me want to include blooper reels in my videos. On an unrelated topic, I really like that shirt you're wearing. Hope you have a great day! Thanks again for a great video, and congratulations on your 50th video!

[@SalmaJafri]

Sounds perfect and exactly what I do, except with the phone. Even though I love making notes old school too with a notebook, definitely helps with clarity! Love your detailed description 💜

[@541raymond]

You are brilliant! thank you.

[@charmw8313]

Thank you for this., I have been switching my camera on and rambling. Now I will script

[@joydeepbanerjee5964]

Nicely explained... Madam ji... Helpful...

[@laurenrobbs4244]

Thanks for this information

[@SarahChicharro]

This is an awesome video! Nice to meet you!!

[@ngp9609]

Congratulations on the 50th video. Lots of tips. Thanks.

[@SalmaJafri]

NITHIN PHILIP Thanks for watching!

[@syedwaqarali4554]

Congratulations of your milestone.

[@vernielariosa8996]

I love you! Learned so much

[@hustales2173]

That was so helpful. Video is amazing. Straight to the point!!!!!

[@SarahsQuest]

This was really helpful. Hopefully, I will have to struggle a lot less for making my future videos. Thank you for creating this content.

[@helpvid]

Thank you for this video, such a nice presented video.

[@Laikainearthorbit]

This was a great video. Going through the exact same problem. Thank you

[@shirleycapili9838]

Love your techniques,simple but very detailed

[@DihelsonMendonca]

Salma, since you jump cut all of your scenes on the edition, I can´t see no point in having the cell phone on your hand. You could use a small monitor or laptop in front, in order to see the points. It´s strange a person talk with a cell phone in the hands all the time, don´t you think ? I have great difficulty in speaking naturally on camera, looking to the camera lens is strange to me, because it doesn´t looks like a person ( strange dark big eye ), so, I often read from a teleprompter, and have gained confidence in doing that, but I´d like to begin making videos as you do, just talking freely without pauses or many cuts and without looking I´m lost. Keep up the good work.

[@SalmaJafri]

You raise some interesting points Dihelson. The phone in my hand helps me take a quick glance at my notes before continuing the video, so I find it more convenient than lifting my head all the way to a monitor or screen. It also helps to keep me in flow with my thoughts since I only look at it when I've completed a thought and want to remember what I want to say next. Also, talking with a phone in my hand is pretty much second nature to me, i.e. I do it anyways even when I'm not filming videos. It may not be comfy for you, in which case, I encourage you to find a device and position that works best for you. It did take me a long while of experimentation to arrive at this solution but it's one I'm comfortable with. And I think that's very important for camera, to be comfortable. Find what works for you and makes you feel natural. Then you can focus on the actual content because your body is relaxed.

[@SalmaJafri]

Hi Pianella, it took me a few years to start this video channel after the idea was planted in my head :) English is also not my first language, but I grew up listening to a lot of news in English, which shaped my understanding of accents and words and how to use them. I would say that to gain camera confidence, make lots of videos and study yourself on camera, making minor inprovements as you go along. My Facebook group "Personal Branding with Video" is a safe place to ask for critique on your video.

[@NasirandFatima]

Hi Salma, I figured out your strategy the moment I saw the phone in your hand. The reason for that is that I'm trying to use the exact same strategy in my content as well. Though I'm currently struggling with it a bit, this is the strategy that I think suits me. I learned some other important points as well from your video, and am now going to watch the other video that you mentioned. Congratulations on completing your 50 videos and best of luck for the future. -Nasir

[@SalmaJafri]

Great minds.... :) Thanks so much for watching and let me know if you face any challenges as you figure out your scripting and production set up!

[@nextlevel7790]

subscribed.. The video was helpful.

[@BookWealthTV]

Thanks for this.

[@zulfchoudhary2746]

Great hints

[@memorabiliaexpert]

Thanks

[@zero2dad644]

I've struggled with this myself and it has put me off making videos until now. I'm going to be putting this idea into action straight away and will comment back on how I get on.

[@James-uz9se]

Zero2Dad do you have the outcome allready?

[@rounakmondal3225]

Thanks a lot,I love ur tips,and it's really helpful to me.......thnk u,thnk u,thnk uuuuu😊😊😊😊

[@letitiavitelaru1051]

Thank you very much!

[@spillbeautybean3136]

Watching this today as I have started my youtube channel and want to learn about scripting. Thanks for this ma'am.

[@labib8aug]

How did you bring those bullet points on the right side ?

[@aonchitsj]

Glad to have come across this. Thanks for sharing your tips.

[@rosavasconcelos9496]

Very useful video! 👏👏👏

[@MrStevepga]

congrats salma. tqvm for the tips.

[@glenfordgreen3277]

Thanks for this some great information have you written any books

[@SalmaJafri]

Not yet!

[@robertroseberry8252]

Salma, I've seen a lot of videos and I have to say that I am really impressed!

[@Qaisar.Raheem]

Very nice and useful information. I am very surprise to see this 5 years old video on your channel. In new videos you are looking more young as compared to 5 years old videos. D/d you are going more young. Your videos are really very knowledgeable and looking real loyality with the viewer. You are delivery original information . Best of luck 👍

[@Taxita]

Thank you so much

[@DerekMakerFitness]

thanks i love this! After a year I've JUST come to the same conclusion then came across this video. When scripting, I'm on point and articulate but lose my connection. Off script I ramble and repeat myself but I'm "me" and having a conversation. I think treating it like a presentation, practicing it with talking points, is my sweet spot.

[@kathasaritsagaram]

Congrats for 50 th video. Very useful. Expecting more.

[@SanjaiRealtySolutions]

nice information

[@lightinthelantern]

Bravo! This helped me alot. Do you know a good video editor?

[@lightinthelantern]

@content2go Podcast Windows

[@lightinthelantern]

@content2go Podcast Cheers!

[@ashraffouad]

Really useful video, thanks Salma

[@SuperChargeYourself]

Great video! Can I ask one thing: how to get that nice clean background? Mine is full of household type stuff. Yours is easier on the eyes!

[@SalmaJafri]

Thank you, this is done using a green screen background and then replacing it with a photoshop (digital) backdrop. I have a few videos on this, search for "green screen Salma jafri" and they should show up.

[@SuperChargeYourself]

Thank you Salma, appreciate it!

[@mohanrgopal6097]

Thank you

[@theDMLair]

Great tips on scripting, Salma! Thanks for sharing! 😁👊

[@stancedtaco]

Congrats on 50 vids! I have 47 vids on another channel of mine and only have 23 subscribers. I'm on my 3rd video on my personal brand channel though and it's tough. I cannot stop looking at my script on my tablet in front of me. It's hard. I get frustrated every time. I've tried bullet points but when I use bullet points, I end up rambling even more out of nervousness. I'm constantly looking away from the camera and it looks terrible. Does it ever get better with time? The nervousness part?

[@l.b.1952]

I needed that,because I did not make a script and then I struggle when talking and cant remember everything I wanted to say :). I deleted everything 3 times and decided to start with a video with voiceover without the people seeing my face. But thats not what I want! So now I start all over with some good preparations :D

[@TanyaKatherine]

This was SO helpful! Thank you so much! I am so happy I found this.

[@SalmaJafri]

Yay!!

[@LindaAbrahamLead]

Thanks again

[@RaviKumar-oi1eu]

Wats that app name??

[@cieslastolarz4188]

Your a real natural ! Good info and very well explained!

[@VivienPap]

Honestly I love your videos and all the great tips!

[@go4growthsllimited]

So useful for me

[@thinkelevation1356]

Love this video! Great job Salma!

[@NishantChoudharyJi]

Beautiful videos

[@subhamskitchen]

New subscriber here ♥ Your videos are really very helpful

[@mariolinton]

This was a very educational vid. I definitely subscribed & will learn more from u. Congrats on you 50th!!🎉🎉

[@SalmaJafri]

Woohoo Mario!

[@vaslforpoetry1736]

Please make video on what camera and lens do you use. How you edit your video and how do you plan your recording and editing tell us please how do you schedule it.

[@MySonsMother]

Salma, I so admire you. I'm in your group and catching up on old your older videos I haven't seen. I'll go look for this in the group. Thanks for the content that will help me grow.

[@mariksingh4990]

Congratulations with your 50th video. I love your channel and keep up the good work. I am really learning a great deal of ideas and strategies. Thanks Nick Nimmin for pointing me here to Salma's channel. Bless you both

[@SalmaJafri]

Yay for Nick! And also for you for coming over :) Thanks for the kind words.

[@zulfines850]

Good tips