How to Write Video Tutorial Scripts for Software Training

You recorded a 15-minute tutorial showing how to use your product's key feature. You edited it down to 8 minutes. You published it. Comments start rolling in: "You went too fast at 3:45," "I can't see what button you clicked," "What did you say at 5:20?" Your tutorial created more questions than it answered.

Video tutorials fail when they're recorded without scripts. You jump between topics, forget to explain key steps, and move through interfaces faster than viewers can follow. A good script prevents all of this—it structures content logically, paces demonstrations appropriately, and ensures you cover everything learners need.

This guide breaks down how to write video tutorial scripts that actually teach—with clear learning objectives, precise narration, visual cues, and pacing that helps viewers follow along and master the skill.

Why Video Tutorials Need Scripts

Can't you just record your screen and talk through the process? Technically yes. But unscripted tutorials have problems:

You ramble and lose focus: "So, uh, we're going to... wait, first let me show you this other thing... actually, let's go back to..."

You go too fast or too slow: Without timing notes, you rush through complex parts and belabor simple ones.

You forget key steps: "Oh, I should have mentioned earlier that you need to..." Too late—viewers are already stuck.

You use vague language: "Click here" and "this button" don't help when viewers can't see your cursor clearly.

Scripts solve all of this. You plan what to say, when to say it, and what to show—before you hit record.

Start with a Clear Learning Objective

Every tutorial needs a specific, measurable learning objective. What should viewers be able to do after watching?

Too vague: "Understand email automation"

Specific and measurable: "Set up a 5-email welcome sequence in Mailchimp that triggers automatically when someone subscribes"

The second version tells you exactly what success looks like. You can test it: Can viewers now set up that automation? If yes, your tutorial worked.

One Objective Per Video

Don't try to teach multiple unrelated concepts in one tutorial:

❌ "How to use Photoshop: layers, masks, filters, and text"
✅ "How to use layer masks in Photoshop to blend images"

Focused tutorials are easier to find, easier to follow, and easier to script.

Structure Your Tutorial

Effective tutorials follow a predictable structure:

1. Intro (0:00-0:30)

Hook with the result: Show what they'll be able to create/do

State the objective: "In this tutorial, you'll learn how to [specific outcome]"

Set expectations: "This takes about 10 minutes. We'll cover [step 1], [step 2], and [step 3]"

Keep it under 30 seconds. Viewers want to get to the content.

2. Prerequisites (0:30-1:00)

What do viewers need before starting?

• Software/accounts required
• Prior knowledge needed
• Files or resources to download

Example: "Before we start, make sure you have: A Mailchimp account (free tier works), at least one subscriber list set up, and about 10 minutes to follow along."

3. Main Content (1:00-8:00)

Break the process into clear sections. Each section should:

• Have a mini-objective ("Now we'll set up the trigger")
• Show step-by-step actions
• Explain why each step matters
• Verify success ("You should now see...")

4. Recap (8:00-9:00)

Quickly review what was covered and verify the learning objective was met.

"You've now created a 5-email automation. You set up the trigger, designed the emails, and tested before launching. You should be able to repeat this process for other automation types."

5. Outro (9:00-9:30)

Guide viewers to next steps:

• Related tutorials
• Resources or templates
• Subscribe/engage CTA

Write in Two Columns: Visual and Audio

Tutorial scripts need two parallel tracks: what viewers see (visual) and what they hear (audio/narration).

The Format

TIME	VISUAL	AUDIO (Narration)
0:00-0:10	Show completed automation running	"Want to create email automations that run while you sleep? In this tutorial, you'll learn how to set up a welcome sequence in Mailchimp."
0:10-0:20	Click 'Automations' in sidebar	"Let's start. Click 'Automations' in the left sidebar, then 'Create Automation'."

Visual Column Includes

• Screen actions: "Click Settings button", "Type email address", "Scroll to bottom"
• Highlights: "Circle the Save button in red", "Arrow pointing to menu"
• On-screen text: "Display text: 'Step 1: Choose Template'"
• Transitions: "Fade to next screen", "Cut to result"

Audio Column Includes

• Voiceover narration: What you say
• Pacing notes: [Pause 2 seconds], [Speak slowly]
• Emphasis: Italic or bold for words to stress

Narration Principles

Be Specific About Actions

Don't say "click here" or "type in this box." Name the button, field, or element.

❌ "Click this button here"
✅ "Click 'Save Settings' in the bottom right"

❌ "Enter your info in these fields"
✅ "Enter your email in the 'Email Address' field, then your password below"

Specific language helps viewers who can't see your cursor clearly or who are following along without seeing your screen.

Describe What You're Doing, Not What You're Seeing

❌ "I'm clicking the button"
✅ "Click 'Export' to download your report"

Focus on actionable instructions, not narrating your own actions.

Match Your Pacing to the Demo

Your voiceover should sync with on-screen actions:

"Now click [click happens] Settings [2-second pause while menu opens], 
then [1-second pause] Advanced [pause while scrolling], 
and find [pause] the API section."

Build pauses into your script so you're not talking over important visual moments.

Explain the Why

Don't just list steps. Briefly explain why each step matters.

❌ "Click 'Advanced Settings'. Select 'Custom Domain'. Enter your domain."

✅ "We need to set up a custom domain so emails come from your brand, not Mailchimp—this improves deliverability. Click 'Advanced Settings', select 'Custom Domain', and enter your domain."

Context helps viewers understand and remember.

Address Common Mistakes

If there's a step where people commonly get confused, address it proactively:

"Note: If you see an error here, it's usually because you haven't verified your email yet. Check your inbox for the verification link."

"A common mistake is selecting 'All Contacts' instead of your specific list—make sure you choose the right list or you'll email everyone!"

Visual Cues That Help Learning

Raw screen recordings aren't enough. Add visual elements that guide viewers' attention.

Highlights and Annotations

• Red circles: Around buttons or fields you're about to interact with
• Arrows: Pointing to menus or sections
• Zoom: Enlarge small UI elements
• Highlights: Yellow highlight over important text

In your script, note where these go:

VISUAL: Circle the 'Save' button in red
VISUAL: Zoom in on settings panel
VISUAL: Arrow from step 2 to step 3

On-Screen Text

Reinforce key points with text overlays:

• Step labels: "Step 1: Choose Your Template"
• Key takeaways: "Remember: Always test before launching"
• Warnings: "⚠️ Don't close this tab yet!"
• Keyboard shortcuts: "Ctrl+S to save"

Slow Cursor Movements

Move your cursor slowly and deliberately:

VISUAL: Slow cursor movement to Settings button, pause 1 second, click

Fast, erratic cursor movements are hard to follow.

Handling Complex Processes

Multi-Step Forms

For forms with many fields, work through them methodically:

"This form has several fields. I'll go through each one, but feel free to pause if you need more time.

First, Campaign Name—this is just for your reference. I'm calling mine 'Welcome Series 2024'.

Next, Email Subject Line—what subscribers see. Make it welcoming: 'Welcome to [Your Brand]!'

From Name—use your company or personal name. I'm using 'River Team'."

[Continue for each field]

Repetitive Actions

Show the first instance in detail, then speed through repetitions:

"I need to add 5 emails to this sequence. I'll show you how to add the first one in detail, then I'll speed up for the remaining four since the process is identical."

[Show first email at normal speed]

"Now I'm adding emails 2 through 5. [Switch to 2x speed] Same process: click 'Add Email', choose template, edit content, set delay."

[Return to normal speed]

"All five emails are now in place. Let's review the sequence..."

Waiting or Processing

Don't force viewers to watch loading screens:

"This might take 30 seconds to process. I'll speed this up. [Fast forward with timer overlay] And we're back—the report has generated."

Optimal Video Length

Tutorial length depends on complexity:

• Quick tips: 1-3 minutes
• Single feature: 3-5 minutes
• Multi-step tutorial: 5-10 minutes
• Comprehensive workflow: 10-15 minutes
• Course lesson: 15-20 minutes max

If your tutorial exceeds 10 minutes, consider breaking it into a series. Viewer retention drops significantly after 10 minutes.

Speaking for Video

Write scripts for the ear, not the eye.

Read It Aloud

If it sounds awkward when spoken, rewrite it.

❌ "Subsequently, one must navigate to the configuration panel"
✅ "Next, go to Settings"

Use Contractions

"You'll" not "you will". "We're" not "we are". Contractions sound natural.

Keep Sentences Short

Long sentences are hard to follow in audio:

❌ "Now you're going to click the button in the upper right which will open a menu where you'll find several options including Settings"

✅ "Click the button in the upper right. A menu will open. Select 'Settings'."

Use Verbal Signposts

Help viewers track progress:

• Starting sections: "Now let's move on to...", "Next, we'll...", "The second step is..."
• Emphasizing: "This is important: [point]", "Pay attention to [detail]"
• Verifying: "You should now see...", "If you've done this correctly..."

Accessibility Considerations

Captions

Provide accurate captions (not auto-generated). Include:

• All spoken words
• Important sound effects: [notification sound], [keyboard typing]
• Speaker identification if multiple voices

Audio Descriptions

For visually impaired users, describe visual elements verbally:

• "A green checkmark appears"
• "The menu expands downward"
• "A popup dialog opens with three buttons"

Visual Clarity

• Use high contrast highlights (avoid light colors on white backgrounds)
• Make text overlays large (minimum 24pt)
• Don't rely on color alone ("click the red button" → "click the Save button, which is red")

Testing Your Script

Before recording, test your script:

Read it aloud: Does it sound natural? Are there tongue twisters or awkward phrases?

Time it: Read at demonstration speed (slower than conversation). Does it fit your target duration?

Follow the steps: Open the software and follow your own script. Did you miss any steps? Are instructions clear?

Check for jargon: Have someone unfamiliar with the software read it. Do they understand every term?

Common Tutorial Script Mistakes

Vague instructions: "Click here", "Type something", "Select that option"

No pauses: Talking continuously without giving viewers time to process

Assuming knowledge: Using jargon or skipping prerequisites

Going too fast: Racing through complex steps

No verification: Not showing what success looks like after each step

Forgetting the why: Just listing steps without explaining purpose

Key Takeaways

Video tutorial scripts need clear learning objectives that define exactly what viewers will be able to do after watching. One objective per video keeps focus sharp and makes tutorials easier to find and follow.

Structure tutorials consistently: intro with hook and objective (0-30 seconds), prerequisites (30-60 seconds), main content broken into logical sections (1-8 minutes), recap of what was covered (8-9 minutes), and outro with next steps (9-10 minutes).

Write scripts in two columns—visual (what's on screen) and audio (what you say). The visual column includes screen actions, highlights, on-screen text, and transitions. The audio column has narration with pacing notes and emphasis cues.

Be specific in narration: name buttons and fields explicitly, describe locations clearly ("top right", "left sidebar"), and match speaking pace to demonstration speed with pauses where viewers need processing time.

Add visual cues that guide attention: circles around buttons before clicking, arrows pointing to menus, zooms on small UI elements, and on-screen text reinforcing key points or warnings.

The tutorial scripts that teach effectively are tested before recording, written for spoken delivery (short sentences, contractions, conversational tone), and focused on helping viewers succeed—not just demonstrating features.