Script vs Teleprompter vs Outline – THE Method That Feels Natural - Faz Business

Struggling to look natural on camera?

You’re not alone!

I’ve tried word-for-word scripts, teleprompters, and winging it, each with its own challenges.

I can remember when my kids were little, and I’d be recording a YouTube video – my youngest would say, “why do you keep saying the same sentence over and over again?”

She looked at me like I was nuts…

We all know that word-for-word scripts can make you sound like a robot on camera…

But teleprompters? They make you look like you’re auditioning for the evening news.

(or at least it feels that way sometimes)

In my 10 years on YouTube, I’ve learned a thing or two about feeling comfortable and speaking naturally on camera without a word-for-word script or teleprompter.

In this video, I reveal the hybrid scripting method that helps me stay confident and connect with my audience.

Discover how to record YouTube videos that feel authentic, save editing time, and actually make you proud to hit publish.

VIDEO: Script vs Teleprompter vs Outline – THE Method That Feels Natural | Ep. 67

Some product links in this post are affiliate links, and I will be compensated when you purchase by clicking our links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Why Word-for-Word Scripts Don’t Work

The False Sense of Security

In my early days of creating YouTube videos, I leaned on word-for-word scripts. They felt like a safety net: if every sentence was written out, I couldn’t possibly forget something important or stumble over my words. But over time, I realized this approach came with big downsides.

Scripts made me feel robotic. Instead of speaking naturally, I was acting. Because I wanted everything to be perfect, I kept re-recording sentences again and again. I remember one day when my daughter asked why I was repeating the same line over and over, it hit me that I wasn’t actually communicating, I was just performing.

That was the turning point. A tightly scripted video might be organized, but it often sacrifices authenticity and connection.

Why Scripts Can Kill Your Delivery

They make you overly focused on perfection
They slow down recording because mistakes feel bigger
They force you to “act” instead of converse
They increase editing time because every slip feels like a failure

While scripts kept me safe, they also kept me stiff. And stiff doesn’t connect with viewers.

My Experience with Teleprompters

The Hype vs. Reality

At one point, I decided to try a teleprompter. The idea of looking straight into the lens while reading my script seemed like the perfect solution. And to be fair, teleprompters did help me in some ways. But the reality wasn’t as magical as I expected.

Setting up a teleprompter requires constant adjustment, the angle, the distance, the font size, even the scrolling speed. Even once you get it working, sounding natural while reading takes serious practice. Unless you’re already trained in broadcasting, your delivery can come off forced and unnatural.

How I Actually Use It Now

The real game-changer for me wasn’t reading scripts on a teleprompter. It was using the teleprompter as a second monitor. This lets me:

Keep outlines or notes in front of me
Look at participants during Zoom calls while maintaining eye contact with the camera
Create a more conversational, connected feel

Instead of leaning on the teleprompter as a crutch, I now use it as a tool to support a more natural workflow.

Winging It: Why Going Script-Free Didn’t Work for Me

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I experimented with hitting record without any notes or outline. While this worked occasionally, it usually led to long, rambling videos. I found myself saying the best things near the end of the recording, which meant I had to re-record entire sections and spend way too much time editing.

Recording without structure felt freeing in the moment, but it made the editing process a nightmare. It wasn’t sustainable for consistent YouTube content creation.

The Hybrid Method: The Best of Both Worlds

After trying everything, I landed on what I call the hybrid method, a structured yet flexible approach to YouTube video scripting. This has completely changed the way I record and made the process more enjoyable.

What’s Scripted

The Hook: My opening lines are always scripted. This ensures I grab attention right away and avoid rambling.
Transitions: I script key segues between major points so the flow feels smooth.
The Call-to-Action: I write this word-for-word so I don’t miss the opportunity to direct viewers to the next step.

What’s Flexible

Main Content: I outline bullet points instead of writing full sentences.
Stories and Examples: I allow myself to share these naturally as they come up.
Spontaneous Thoughts: I leave space for personality and in-the-moment ideas.

This balance gives me structure without locking me into a stiff performance.

Why It Works

The hybrid method helps me:

Stay on track without sounding scripted
Reduce editing time since I avoid rambling
Deliver content that feels conversational and authentic
Create videos that connect with viewers while still feeling polished

How to Implement the Hybrid Method

Step 1: Create Your Outline

Start with a simple structure:

Script your opening hook word-for-word
Write bullet points for your main ideas
Script key transitions between sections
End with a scripted call-to-action

Step 2: Use Tools Wisely

If you use a teleprompter, treat it as a support tool, not a crutch. Keep your outline visible, but don’t rely on it for word-for-word reading.

Step 3: Focus on Confidence

Your delivery matters more than your script. The more comfortable you feel, the less cringey your videos will be. For me, confidence comes from having just enough structure to guide me without boxing me in.

Building On-Camera Confidence

Confidence doesn’t appear overnight, it’s built through practice and small wins. The more you record, the more comfortable you’ll become. Over time, you’ll notice that your natural delivery improves, even when you don’t have everything scripted.

Remember: your viewers want connection, not perfection. Mistakes, pauses, and personality make you relatable.

Conclusion

Whether you use a script, a teleprompter, or an outline, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s connection. For me, a hybrid method of YouTube video scripting has unlocked the best of both worlds: structure that keeps me focused, and freedom that makes me sound authentic.

The sweet spot lies in the hybrid method, a mix of structure and flexibility that keeps you authentic while ensuring your message lands clearly. By scripting your hook, transitions, and call-to-action, while leaving room for natural delivery, you’ll create videos that feel confident, engaging, and anything but cringey.

Your viewers don’t need you to be perfect. They need you to be clear, genuine, and consistent. Once you find your rhythm, you’ll not only feel better on camera, you’ll also build a stronger connection with your audience and grow your channel with videos you’re proud to share.

If you want more tips on camera confidence, video setup, scripting, and editing, check out my Crush It on Camera series, where I share the exact gear and strategies I use. And don’t forget to grab the downloadable Crush It on Camera guide to make recording videos easier than ever.

If you have an online business with a course, program, or any other kind of offer, and you’re not currently generating consistent sales on autopilot, I’d like to introduce you to the hands off youtube funnel that has made me over $20k on a $147 course! That way, you too can make consistent sales of your offer, with the beauty and simplicity of organic, evergreen traffic from YouTube! Start here with my free “AIT Method” training.