Public Service Announcements: Key Points to Get Right

In today's world, information of any kind is easy to come by — largely thanks to the internet. But what if you're planning to make a public service announcement (PSA)? Beyond using the internet to spread it, here's how to put one together.

Pick your topic. Choose a subject that matters to you and that you can visualize — and stay focused on it. Using more than one idea can confuse your audience, so stick to a single topic per PSA.
Do your research. You need to know your subject. Gather the latest, most current facts; statistics and references make a PSA more convincing and accurate.
Keep the message clear and simple, and tailored to your audience. Lean on your interests and apply your critical-thinking and literacy skills — you'll be addressing social, economic, and political topics that could touch a nerve.
Consider your audience. Are you targeting parents, teenagers, teachers, or another group? Think about their needs and preferences — and what might turn them off. These are the people you want to reach.
Grab their attention. Visual effects, an emotional response, humor, or a surprise can all draw people in. Be careful with scare tactics, though — an attention-grabbing angle is good, but choose it thoughtfully.
Write the script as a few simple statements. A 30-second spot usually needs about five to seven short statements, all based on current, accurate research, findings, and data.
Build a storyboard from your script.
Shoot and edit the spot.
Gather feedback from your audience once it's done.

Need a hand bringing your PSA to life? Talk to Konsep Motion.