Process
1. Choose a topic.
Select one or two closely related, specific issues related to your Global Goal.
2. Do your research.
Gather compelling details that will resonate with your audience
3. Consider your audience.
Who will be most motivated to take action to fix these issues?
4. Grab their attention.
Find a way to produce an emotional response from viewers
5. Write a script.
Think about how you will present your information in an organized way with text and/or narration
6. Create a storyboard.
What images or footage will best connect to the information you’re presenting? Sketch out your ideas
7. Gather footage & edit your PSA.
Gather all of the visuals you will need to bring your storyboard to life and craft your composition.
8. Gauge audience reaction.
Use peer feedback to fine-tune your PSA in order to deliver your message more effectively.
Progression
Every PSA is different, but this is a suggested order for presenting your information to connect with viewers and maximize impact:
- Be bold and hook your viewer right away with a shocking fact or statistic.
- Make an emotional appeal using powerful imagery that will connect with your audience.
- Use supporting facts to provide context and demonstrate why your issue needs to be taken seriously.
- Suggest a solution for the problem you are highlighting.
- Present a call to action — something the average person can do to make a meaningful difference.
- Offer a next step to learn more or get involved.
Pointers
When possible, use video clips — they tend to be more engaging than still images.
Make sure visuals clearly connect to the message you are delivering.
When using images, make sure they are high quality — don’t stretch or distort them and avoid using images with watermarks.
Make sure any effects or audio you use enhance the mood and message of your PSA, rather than confusing or distracting from it.
Limit your focus — if you touch on more than one issue, make sure they are closely connected.
A video can often be made more dynamic with voice-over narration.
If using text without narration, keep it on the screen long enough to be read twice at a good speed.
When laying text over images/video, make sure the color can be read clearly.
Always carefully proofread text.
