How can you add humor to a video script without being cheesy?

1 Know your audience

The first step to adding humor to a video script is to know who you are writing for. Different types of humor appeal to different types of people, so you need to do some research and understand your target audience's preferences, expectations, and sensitivities. For example, if you are writing a video script for a professional audience, you might want to avoid crude or offensive jokes that could damage your credibility or reputation. On the other hand, if you are writing a video script for a younger audience, you might want to use more slang, pop culture references, and memes that they can relate to.

2 Use the rule of three

The rule of three is a classic technique in comedy writing that involves setting up a pattern with two items and then breaking it with a third, unexpected item. The contrast between the expected and the unexpected creates surprise and humor. For example, you could say something like "To make a good video, you need three things: a clear message, a catchy title, and a llama." The llama is the unexpected item that makes the sentence funny. You can use the rule of three in your video script to add some punchlines, twists, or callbacks that will keep your audience engaged and amused.

3 Show, don't tell

Another way to add humor to a video script is to show, don't tell. This means using visual elements, such as images, animations, gestures, or expressions, to convey humor instead of just saying it. Showing is more effective than telling because it allows your audience to use their imagination and fill in the gaps, which makes the humor more personal and memorable. For example, instead of saying "He was very angry", you could show him throwing a tantrum, smashing his keyboard, or turning red. Showing also gives you more opportunities to use exaggeration, irony, or absurdity, which are common sources of humor.

4 Be relevant and timely

Humor is not only about making people laugh, but also about making them think. That's why you should try to be relevant and timely with your humor, meaning that you should connect it to the topic, purpose, or context of your video. By being relevant and timely, you can show your audience that you understand their needs, problems, or interests, and that you can offer them a fresh and insightful perspective. For example, if you are writing a video script about a current event, you could use humor to highlight the absurdity, irony, or hypocrisy of the situation, or to offer a positive or hopeful message.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?