How to Write Better Prompts for AI Video and Motion Graphics

Better Prompts, Better Videos

The quality of your AI-generated video is directly tied to the quality of your prompt. A vague prompt gets vague results. A specific, well-structured prompt gets professional-quality output every time.

The Anatomy of a Great Video Prompt

• Subject — what is the video about? Be specific
• Style — what visual style? Modern, minimalist, retro, bold
• Colors — specify exact colors or a palette
• Motion — what kind of animation? Smooth, fast, subtle, dynamic
• Text — what text should appear? Headlines, CTAs, dates
• Format — aspect ratio and duration

Example Prompts That Work

Bad: 'Make a video for my business.' Good: 'A 15-second Instagram Reel promoting a coffee shop grand opening. Dark brown and cream colors. Animated coffee cup with steam. Bold text: Grand Opening March 15. Music: upbeat jazz feel.' The more specific, the better.

Common Prompt Mistakes

• Being too vague — 'make it look good' does not help the AI
• Overloading with instructions — focus on the 3 most important things
• Forgetting the format — always specify aspect ratio and platform
• Skipping the mood — 'professional' vs 'playful' creates very different results
• Not iterating — your first prompt is a starting point, refine from there

Pro Tips for AI Video Prompts

• Reference specific styles — 'Apple product launch style' is clearer than 'clean'
• Use sensory words — 'warm lighting, smooth transitions, energetic pace'
• Specify what NOT to include — 'no characters, no voiceover, text only'
• Include your brand context — 'for a B2B SaaS company targeting enterprise'
• Iterate in conversation — tell the AI what to change after the first result