How to Write a Video Brief

Writing a Video Brief 

As a business owner, you may find yourself in need of a videographer at some point. Whether you need help documenting an event, building a series of course videos or creating a marketing video, it’s important to know how to write a clear and concise video brief. This will help ensure that your videographer understands your specific needs and goals.

Videographers can only produce video content from the information they have. Therefore, the more detailed you can be in articulating your requirements, the better the output. 

Here are some tips on how to write a great video brief:

1. Start by clearly outlining the purpose of the video

What is the main message you want to communicate? Setting goals from the outset will make your video more powerful. If you know the purpose behind the video, it will be easier to communicate that to your videographer. Do you want to increase brand awareness? Drive traffic to your website? Generate leads?

2. Give some thought to the target audience

Who do you want to reach with this video? Keep your audience in mind when crafting the content of your video. If you haven’t already, build a buyer persona. This is a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer. When you know who it is that you are talking to, you can appeal directly to their needs and wants making your video more effective. 

3. Consider the overall tone of the video

Do you want it to be serious or light-hearted? Formal or informal? The tone of your video should be in line with your brand identity. If you are unsure, take a look at other videos in your industry and see what tone they have adopted. Although you can use other businesses to find ideas, it is always best to create your own tone of voice and style. This will help to differentiate your business from all the rest. 

4. Briefly describe the key points you want to cover

What information do you want to communicate in the video? Keep it concise and focus on the most important points. Remember, you don’t have a lot of time to get your message across so make every word count.

5. Decide on the format of the video

There are many different types of videos you could produce, from a talking head style video to a more creative animated explainer video. Consider what would work best for your business and your audience. Do you want to include any interactive elements in the video? 

6. Now it’s time to think about the logistics

Where will the video be shot? Do you need to hire actors or extras? What type of equipment will you need? The more specific you can be, the better. Will you and your team be in the video or will the videographer need to visit a location to capture the footage. 

7. Set a budget for the video

This will help determine the overall scope and scale of the project. It’s important to be realistic about what you can afford. Keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity so don’t skimp on your budget in an effort to produce a large volume of videos, speak openly to your production company, they will know exactly how to get the most production value from your budget.

8. Finally, provide a timeline for the project

When do you need the video completed by? Make sure to give yourself some wiggle room in case there are any delays. Once you have all of this information, you can start writing your video brief. Remember to be clear and concise. The more specific you are, the better chance you have of getting the results you want. 

As you write your video brief, remember to write it around one goal, one message and speak to one person. It should feel like you are talking directly to the viewer and no one else.