Making a cool webvideo is tons of fun. It all starts with a good idea, that you turn into a good script. You want a catchy opening, a strong middle and a satisfying ending… but the latter isn’t always so easy. So how do you end a webvideo? I’m giving you 7 tips to write your webvideo to a proper ending.
Happy viewing!
P.S. Video is in Dutch so make sure to turn on the English subtitles
It often happens with voice over texts that it feels like they just stop without a proper ending. And sometimes, it’s hard to put your finger on the issue. But without an ending, your text just feels unfinished. You miss closure, as they call it in the storytelling business. I’m Jente Kater from Voicebooking, 7 tips to write a good ending for your web video in this video.
Tip number one: Wrap it up! You’ve shared your story, and you pray your audience is still paying attention and listening intently, but… alas! People get distracted quickly, they’re not paying attention or they’re busy with… this stupid thing here while they’re watching. Feel free to recap your story, and help the viewer out by providing them with a clear conclusion. This, this and that is important. And now buy it please, thank you kindly.
Tip 2: Ask for a reaction. This trick works especially well for online videos with a social character, this we know. At the end of your video, ask your viewers what they thought of it. You come off as sympathetic, as well as giving you something to learn from. It’s the start of a dialogue. And, it’s easy to write. Try ending your video with a line where you ask your viewers to leave a remark in the comments. Easy peasy.
Tip 3: Follow the red string. This trick requires practice, but it is the most fun one of them all. A tried and true technique often used by comedians, A red string, A recurring theme to hold your story together. And you can keep coming back to it. If you pull it off, it can bring your story to life.
Then tip 4: End with a call to action. Well, this one is kinda obvious, right? Sure, but on the other hand, There are plenty of scripts that don’t need a call to action. And you notice that writers leave it out. But it works so well! An website link, or just the usual – “Questions? Feel free to ask!” Just something! Because it works wonderfully.
Tip 5: Fake the ending. You can try an ending that’s not really an ending, in which case you start making your way towards one. In this case, the voice over can make his way to an ending. Makes sense, but by incorporating a slow period in your video, the viewer will be able to see the ending coming from a mile away. And they like that. We call this the “and they lived happily ever after” ending. You see this used a lot in news items on TV and radio. The host will start slowing down his speech pattern… And voila! The end. Good voice overs can definitely do this, but it helps when the script lends itself to this approach.
Tip 6: End with a cliffhanger. This trick works well if you upload on a regular schedule and your videos have a recurring theme. End your video with a sneak peek for your next video, preferably as exciting and teasing as possible, and maybe the viewer will be inclined to subscribe. Plus, it’s a nice ending.
Tip number 7: Add a tagline or audiologo. If all else fails, there are still some tricks left to try. For example, let the voice over end with mentioning a name and the pay-off. Easy peasy, you’re done, and it sounds good. Or try an audiologo, To wrap everything up nicely.
These have been seven writing tips to help bring your video to a satisfying conclusion.