PHOENIX STORY WORKS — NATURAL VOICEOVER WRITER ======================================= PROMPT ------ Act as a video script editor who writes natural, spoken English. Write a voiceover about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE]. It should last [LENGTH] seconds and sound [TONE]. The main point is: [ONE-SENTENCE MESSAGE]. Requirements: - Start with an interesting statement, question, or moment—not “Hello” or “In this video.” - Use short sentences and everyday words. - Write for the ear, not the page. - Use contractions where they sound natural. - Vary sentence length so the rhythm feels human. - Include light pauses using line breaks. - Avoid clichés, hype, and corporate language. - End with this action: [CALL TO ACTION]. After the first draft: 1. Estimate the spoken duration using 140 words per minute. 2. Highlight any sentence that may be hard to say aloud. 3. Give me a tighter alternative that is 20% shorter. Optional: Paste an existing script below and ask the AI to improve it while keeping your meaning. [PASTE SCRIPT HERE] VOICEOVER BRIEF --------------- Topic: _________________________________________________ Audience: ______________________________________________ What the viewer should understand: ______________________ Desired feeling: ________________________________________ Platform: _______________________________________________ Exact target duration: __________________________________ Voice: first person / presenter / narrator / character Call to action: __________________________________________ Words, names, or pronunciations to protect: ______________ Claims that require evidence: ____________________________ TIMING GUIDE ------------ People speak at different speeds. These are planning estimates, not hard rules. 15 seconds: 30-38 words for a clear, natural delivery 30 seconds: 65-75 words 45 seconds: 95-110 words 60 seconds: 130-150 words 90 seconds: 195-220 words Use fewer words when the script contains emotional pauses, technical terms, names, numbers, demonstrations, or moments when the picture needs to breathe. Always time a real read aloud before filming or generating the final voice. THE NATURAL-SPEECH EDIT ----------------------- First pass — Meaning - Give the script one central point. - Make every sentence earn its place. - Put the most useful or surprising idea near the beginning. Second pass — Voice - Replace formal transitions such as "furthermore" with natural connections. - Change abstract nouns into actions people can picture. - Use "you" only when it feels helpful, not accusatory. - Remove repeated explanations and empty intensifiers such as "very unique." Third pass — Breath - Keep most sentences between 6 and 16 words. - Break long lists into separate beats. - Add a line break where the speaker should pause or the picture should change. - Avoid putting several difficult names or numbers in one breath. Fourth pass — Performance - Underline one important word in each thought, not every word. - Mark [PAUSE], [SMILE], [QUIETER], or [ENERGY] only where genuinely useful. - Read standing up if the finished delivery should have energy. - Record a restrained version before trying a more dramatic one. FROM WRITTEN TO SPOKEN: EXAMPLES -------------------------------- Written: "It is important to note that the utilisation of natural light can result in a significant improvement in the overall quality of your video content." Spoken: "Before you buy another light, turn towards a window. Your video may improve in seconds." Why it works: the sentence is shorter, the action is visible, and the benefit is immediate. Written: "Our innovative platform enables users to effortlessly streamline their video production workflow." Spoken: "Plan the scenes, write the voiceover, and keep every note in one place." Why it works: it demonstrates the benefit instead of claiming it. WORKED EXAMPLE: 30-SECOND HOW-TO VOICEOVER ------------------------------------------ Topic: Make phone footage look steadier without extra equipment. Audience: New creators. Tone: Friendly and practical. "Shaky footage does not always need expensive equipment. First, hold your phone with both hands and bring your elbows close to your body. Then soften your knees and take smaller steps than usual. Imagine you are carrying a full cup without spilling it. For a static shot, lean against a wall or rest the phone on a solid surface. These three changes will not replace a stabiliser—but they can make your next clip much easier to watch. Save this and try the walking technique before your next shoot." ALTERNATIVE VERSION PROMPT -------------------------- After approving the facts and structure, ask for controlled alternatives: "Create three versions of this voiceover without changing the factual meaning: 1. Warm and encouraging for a nervous beginner. 2. Fast and energetic for a short social video. 3. Calm and authoritative for a tutorial. Keep each version between [WORD COUNT] and [WORD COUNT]. Do not invent new claims. After each version, explain the main tone choices in one sentence." PRONUNCIATION AND AI VOICE NOTES -------------------------------- - Write numbers the way they should be spoken when an AI voice misreads them. - Add phonetic guidance for names, places, acronyms, and technical terms. - Test abbreviations; "Dr" and "read" can be interpreted in multiple ways. - Break complex lines into separate generation clips if pronunciation changes. - Keep a pronunciation sheet so later videos remain consistent. - Never clone or imitate a real person's voice without informed permission. RECORDING CHECKLIST ------------------- [ ] Silence fans, notifications, appliances, and computer alerts. [ ] Record in a soft room with curtains, clothes, or furnishings that reduce echo. [ ] Keep the microphone position and distance consistent. [ ] Record ten seconds of quiet room tone. [ ] Record two complete takes before chasing individual lines. [ ] Capture one slower and one more energetic version of the opening. [ ] Listen through headphones for clicks, distortion, and background noise. [ ] Save the original recording before processing or noise reduction. TROUBLESHOOTING --------------- If the delivery sounds robotic: - Shorten clauses and use contractions. - Remove unnecessary stage directions. - Separate thoughts with line breaks. - Ask for natural emphasis, not exaggerated emotion. If the script is too long: - Remove repeated setup and examples before increasing speaking speed. - Keep one strong example instead of three weak ones. - Put optional details in captions or accompanying text. If the script feels flat: - Add a specific observation, contrast, or consequence. - Change sentence lengths and create one quiet pause. - Make the speaker respond to what appears on screen. If the voiceover fights the visuals: - Let the picture show obvious details; use audio to add meaning. - Avoid saying exactly what the viewer can already see. - Leave space for important natural sound. FINAL APPROVAL -------------- [ ] Every fact, name, number, and pronunciation is correct. [ ] The first line gives the audience a reason to listen. [ ] The script fits a comfortable real-world read. [ ] The wording matches the intended speaker and audience. [ ] The audio adds information instead of narrating the obvious. [ ] The ending provides a clear takeaway or next step. [ ] Captions will be reviewed rather than accepted automatically. Phoenix Story Works — Better prompts. Better videos.