Still writing video scripts for your subject matter experts?
Lots of teams are. But, whilst having someone read from a script can be efficient and promote accuracy, there are several downsides.
The associated resource, budget and time constraints make it hard to write scripts. What else could your team be doing instead? And, what about engagement, trust and authenticity?
Whether you’re looking to create learning content, onboard new people or communicate change, here are 5 reasons why insisting on a cast-iron script is bad practice:
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- Lack of authenticity – Relatability is key. The message needs to be natural and authentic to engage your audience. This can be difficult to achieve when reading from a script someone else has written.
- Reduced engagement – With authenticity and expertise comes passion. If your SME is just told what to say they’ll struggle to keep the audience’s attention.
- Missed nuance – Your SME is the expert. They’ll provide valuable insights and nuance. A script is limiting. And, people will struggle to feel inspired, learn or understand what to do without vital context and real examples.
- Potential for errors – Assuming the script writer is not an expert, this can lead to errors or emphasis on the wrong areas.
- Oversimplification – Translating complex work experiences into a script that’s easy to read and understand risks oversimplifying important concepts.
So, what’s the alternative? Take a co-creation approach!
Of course, you need to make sure the result is fit for purpose. As the comms or learning expert, you’ll have a clear idea of your goal and how to achieve this.
Rather than writing the perfect video script instead create the brief, scaffolding and timings then let your subject matter experts share their most valuable insights.
Hearing people share expertise in their own words is much more powerful. It fosters trust and having a credible messenger is more likely to instigate the behaviour change you need.
Here are five templates StoryTagger curators regularly use to capture brilliant work stories:
Story framework 1
How our organisation works
Every organisation is different. This topic gives your leaders the opportunity to explain the role of their team or function, why it matters and how it makes a difference.
Part 1
Your team’s purpose
__________
Introduce your team.
What are its main aims or responsibilities?
Why do these matter?
Part 2
Who do you serve and work with?
__________
Who are your team’s customers?
How do they benefit from what you do?
Tell us which other teams you work most closely with and why.
Part 3
Making a difference
__________
Share how your team contributes to our company goals, strategy and vision.
If your team didn’t exist what would happen?
How you measure success in a way that makes sense to others.
Sharing how your organisation works is an impactful way to explain your company structure, who does what and how teams work in a way that’s easy to understand. It’s ideal for enhancing the onboarding experience and more. Take a look at how onboarding stories can help your new starters feel connected to people, purpose and their future careers.
Story framework 2
What our values mean to me
Strengthen how people connect to your company values by capturing how different team members live them.
Part 1
About me and our values
__________
Introduce yourself and your role.
Tell us what [value] means to you?
How do you live or reflect this value in the work you do?
Share the impact this has on you, your team and the organisation.
The quality and depth of stories we captured with StoryTagger exceeded expectations. We’re getting really positive feedback from our new volunteers.
Christina Freeman
Learning Design Practitioner, the DofE
Story framework 3
IWD 2024: #InspireInclusion in the workplace
This year’s IWD theme is #InspireInclusion. What does inspiring inclusion mean to your people? How can we build a more inclusive workplace?
Part 1
Introduce yourself
__________
Tell us your name, your role and where you work.
What does IWD day and / or inspiring inclusion mean to you?
Part 2
Inspiring inclusion for women at work
__________
Share why inspiring inclusion matters at work.
Name one important step we can take to create a workplace where women thrive.
Using templates to capture stories to raise awareness for events like International Women’s Day helps build a more inclusive and equitable work environment. Investment Manager Triple Point did just this for IWD2023! You can read their story to find out how this worked in practice and see the results.
Story framework 4
Learner testimonial
Ask your participants to share feedback on a particular programme and the impact they’ve experienced.
Part 1
Introduce you and your role
__________
Tell us your name and what you do at [your company].
What’s been the key benefit of participating in [programme name]?
Part 2
Impact of the programme
__________
What’s the most important thing you learned on [programme name]?
Tell us one thing you do differently as a result of participating in [programme name].
Share the impact this has had on you, your work, career or team.
Part 3
Advice for others
__________
Tell us why you would recommend [programme name].
Share one tip for colleagues looking to develop their skills on this programme.
Stories talking about the impact of learning build a strong connection between continuous learning, skills and career development. If you need more ideas on the stories you can capture from your people to grow your learning culture at work, check out these three story ideas to bring learning to life.
Story framework 5
Sponsor message for your change programme
Secure buy-in for an initiative by asking your sponsor to share why it’s important.
Part 1
Why is this programme important?
__________
Open with what you’re planning to talk about.
Introduce yourself and why this programme is important.
How will it help us achieve our business objectives? And, help us as individuals?
Part 2
What do we need to reinforce, change or improve?
__________
Paint a picture of what we’d like to see change or improve as a business.
Reassure people who may feel threatened by this.
How does the business commit to supporting this change?
Part 3
How can we all make a difference?
__________
Share why or how your people can make a difference.
What steps can we all take to help this change?
End with a motivational call-to-action or word of encouragement.
The best way to share expertise
One of the best ways to share expertise on video is to use technology that has co-creation built-in. See how StoryTagger helps your team capture on-point, high value and diverse video stories from your people without the need for scripts. Speak to one of our experts, today.
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Storytelling at work
Why you need an intentional strategy for curating employee-generated content
