Tips for Creating Your Own Video PSA
Guidelines and Tips
If you want to highlight a behavioral health issue in a visual way with the potential to reach a large
audience, consider creating a video public service announcement (PSA). The following are some general
guidelines and tips for how to create a PSA.
1. Decide whether a video PSA is the right format for your message. Nowadays there are many avenues
for getting the word out to audiences about an issue. Before moving full speed ahead, determine
whether the benefits and costs of creating a video PSA are appropriate for your organization and
cause.
2. Identify your topic. Pinpoint the behavioral health topic your organization wants to focus on.
Develop the key message(s) you want your audience to absorb. Specify what action you want
viewers to take after seeing the PSA. Are there current events or news stories that make some topics
particularly relevant?
3. Research the topic. Make sure that any data or claims you plan to include in the PSA are backed by
research and evidence.
4. Identify your audience. Clarify whom the PSA’s main message is for. Researching and understanding
what this audience cares about can help target your message and final product.
5. Determine the distribution method and “hook.” Think about how the PSA will be distributed or
viewed, such as through local and national TV channels, YouTube, your organization’s website, or at
a special event. Especially if you plan to contact TV stations, consider what makes your topic
“newsworthy” and important to the media. What will make the producer say, “I can’t let this PSA slip
through my fingers”?
6. Create an outline. Write down the major points you want to convey in the PSA, and start to structure
the flow of the video. Also, decide an appropriate length for the PSA. Typically, they are 30 or 60
seconds in length.
7. Write a script. Write the narration and/or dialogue for the PSA. Use simple, conversational language.
Keep your sentences concise and to-the-point. Read your script aloud slowly and time its length to
make sure you’re on target. It also may be helpful to create a script with two columns: one for the
video’s audio content, and one to describe visuals that accompany the audio. If your PSA doesn’t
1
have any talking, you’ll still want to write out any text that appears on screen and create storyboards
to organize the flow of text and images.
8. Film and produce the video. Your organization may have an in-house production team; or, you may
need to research and contact an outside production team that can help film and polish your PSA. If
you plan to create a PSA for TV distribution, using a professional video production vendor is
recommended.
9. Distribute your PSA. Upload it online, share it through social media, or unveil it at a community-wide
event! If you partner with other organizations, bring them on board to help promote the PSA. If not,
identify organizations that focus on the topic of your PSA and ask them to help spread the word
about the video.
If you
’re interested in airing your PSA on TV, gather information about which channels and
programs would be the best fit for your topic and message. Then contact the TV station by phone or
e-mail; briefly explain the purpose and message of your PSA, and why the topic is relevant to the
particular station or program. If the station is interested, follow up by sending the PSA to them in the
format they prefer (e.g., digital file attached to an e-mail, on a disk).
Sample Video PSAs
The following videos are great examples of video PSAs that highlight the importance of health and
wellness.
SAMH
SA’s Talk. They Hear You. “Father-Son” PSA about
underage drinking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn9enF9awM4
2
SAMHSA's Talk. They Hear You. “Mom's Thoughts”
PSA about underage drinking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcQGG665r0
8&index=2&list=PLBXgZMI_zqfTBdPhFWRi7UajR4
WTztWLM
SAM
HSA’s Prevention of Substance Abuse and
Mental Illness Video PSA Contest winner I Am More
Than Meets the Eye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaA1YX6BS1I
3
The 2
011 National Children’s Mental Health
Awareness Day PSA
h
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcof4W9j8bY
