Explainer video script and voiceover, timed scene by scene
Your product makes sense to you, but visitors leave your homepage before they get it. A 60-second explainer fixes that if the script is tight. This prompt has your todo.is agent write a problem-solution script with a storyboard, record the voiceover at the right pace, and give you subtitles, ready for an animator or for your own slides.
The prompt
- Write a [LENGTH]-second explainer video script for [PRODUCT OR SERVICE], aimed at [AUDIENCE]. The one thing viewers must remember: [KEY MESSAGE]. Use this structure: the problem, why it matters, how it solves the problem in 3 simple steps, one proof point, and the call to action "[CALL TO ACTION]". Write it at about 140 words per minute, in plain words, no jargon. Lay it out as a table with time, voiceover line and what's on screen. Then record the voiceover as an MP3 in a [VOICE] voice, and give me the script as a Word file and SRT subtitles that match the audio.
What to change
- [LENGTH]: 60 to 90 seconds for a homepage, 30 for an ad, up to 120 for a product walkthrough.
- [PRODUCT OR SERVICE]: Name and one line, e.g. "Shiftly, an app that lets restaurant staff swap shifts without texting the manager".
- [AUDIENCE]: E.g. "restaurant managers with 10 to 50 staff".
- [KEY MESSAGE]: E.g. "shift swaps take 2 taps and the manager just approves".
- [CALL TO ACTION]: E.g. "Start your free 14-day trial at shiftly.app".
- [VOICE]: E.g. "friendly, confident female, American", "warm male, British".
Example result
- Explainer video: Shiftly
- 75 seconds · restaurant managers, 10 to 50 staff · key message: shift swaps take 2 taps · friendly, confident female voice
- Script and storyboard
- • 0-8 s · Voice: "It's 9 p.m. Your phone buzzes. Again. Someone can't make tomorrow's lunch shift." · Screen: a manager at home, phone lighting up with texts
- • 8-18 s · Voice: "Then comes the group chat, the calls, and the spreadsheet you forgot to update." · Screen: a messy chat thread, a crossed-out rota
- • 18-26 s · Voice: "Shiftly ends the shift-swap shuffle." · Screen: logo, the app opening on a phone
- • 26-38 s · Voice: "One: your server taps the shift they can't work. Two: Shiftly offers it to staff who are free and qualified." · Screen: two taps, a notification on a colleague's phone
- • 38-48 s · Voice: "Three: you get one message. Tap approve, and the rota updates itself." · Screen: the manager taps "Approve", the rota changes
- • 48-60 s · Voice: "Restaurants using Shiftly in our pilot cut shift-change messages by more than half." · Screen: a calm manager, a quiet phone (illustrative pilot result, replace with your own data)
- • 60-75 s · Voice: "Get your evenings back. Start your free 14-day trial at shiftly dot app." · Screen: URL and trial button
- Files delivered
- • shiftly_explainer_script.docx: the storyboard table above, with word count and timings
- • shiftly_explainer_voiceover.mp3: 1 min 14 s, recorded at about 140 words per minute, 1-second gaps between scenes for the animator
- • shiftly_explainer.srt: subtitles timed to the voiceover
- Why this script works
- • Opens on a moment the viewer recognises, not on the logo
- • Only three steps, and each one is a single action
- • One proof point, kept honest and easy to check
- • "shiftly dot app" is spelled out in the voiceover so it's said correctly
- Next steps
- • Send the script and MP3 to an animator, or ask your agent to build a simple version from AI scenes or your app screenshots
- • Ask for a 30-second cut for ads from the same script
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in the product, audience, key message, call to action and voice.
- Attach anything helpful (a pitch deck, your homepage text, screenshots) and send it on the Today screen.
- Review the storyboard table, then listen to the voiceover MP3 and check the SRT.
- Ask for edits ("shorter scene 2", "warmer voice"), a 30-second cut, or a draft video built from your screenshots.
Tips for a better result
- Pick one key message. Explainers fail when they try to show every feature.
- Count on about 140 to 150 spoken words per minute. A 60-second script that's 220 words will feel rushed.
- Approve the script before the voice is recorded, so you re-record once instead of five times.
- Spell out URLs and brand names the way they should be said ("shiftly dot app") to avoid odd pronunciations.
explainer video script and voiceover: FAQ
- How long should an explainer video be? 60 to 90 seconds for most products. Viewers' attention drops quickly after the first minute, so put the key message early.
- How many words is a 60-second explainer script? About 140 to 150 words at a natural speaking pace. Leave a little room for pauses and on-screen moments.
- What is the best structure for an explainer video? Problem, solution, how it works in 3 steps, proof, call to action. It's simple, and it works for products and services alike.
- Can todo.is make the animation too? It can build a simple video from short AI scenes, your screenshots or slides with ffmpeg. For polished custom animation, give the script and MP3 to an animator.
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