Write a request that gets the video you want

Your request, the What should the video teach? box on the New video page, is the brief for the video. SayScreen follows it closely: it covers what you ask for and no more, so a clear request gets a clear video. Write it the way you’d brief a colleague who’s never seen the app.

Start on the right page

Enter the page where the lesson begins, not the site’s home page, and not the sign-in page. If the lesson is about invoices, start on the invoices page. Less clicking around to get there means a shorter, tighter video.

Name the outcome

Say exactly what should exist or have happened by the end, with the names and details to use.

• Vague: “Show projects.”
• Clear: “Create a project called Q3 Launch with the Marketing template, then invite jane@example.com.”

When you don’t give details, SayScreen types short, obviously made-up sample data, such as Acme Marketing Site and email addresses at example.com.

Keep it to one task

One task per video, usually 1 to 3 minutes, is easier to follow and easier to find. Make several short videos rather than one long one. If you want a particular length, say so. A video is at most 8 minutes, and no longer than the minutes you have left (a trial has 5).

Say what to stress or skip

Mention what to point out along the way, and what to leave alone: “explain the Due date field, skip the advanced settings.”

Say what not to finish

To show a flow without doing it, say so: “just show how to delete a project”, or “don’t actually delete anything, stop at the confirmation.” SayScreen holds back from deleting, paying, sending and publishing unless your request asks for it. See What SayScreen won’t do in your account.

What it can and can’t do

It can click, double-click and right-click, type, choose from lists, hover, scroll, drag and drop, press keyboard shortcuts (they show on screen as keys), and follow links that open new tabs. The AI clears cookie banners, product tours and chat pop-ups away off camera, unless your request is about them.

It can’t:

• upload or attach files, or download them
• click while holding Ctrl, Shift or Cmd, such as to select several items
• get past captchas, or sites that block automated browsers
• record the site’s own sound: the soundtrack is the narration, plus music and click sounds if you choose them

Narration

The narration is in English, in a warm, plain style that explains what each step does and why. You can rewrite any line after the video is made. See Change the words or remove a step.

Use a test account

The video is made in a real account. A demo or test account with sample data looks better on camera, and nothing real can change.