How to Write AI Text-to-Video Prompts (With Examples)

If you’ve ever wanted to turn a few words into a stunning video, you’re in the right place. AI text-to-video tools are popping up everywhere, and they’re making it easier than ever to create everything from marketing clips to sci-fi shorts.

But here’s the catch: the magic doesn’t just happen. It all boils down to the prompts you write. A killer prompt can bring your vision to life, while a sloppy one might leave you scratching your head at the results.

So, let’s chat about how to write AI video prompts that actually work—complete with examples, quick tips, and some real-world inspiration. Ready? Let’s get started!

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What Are AI Text-to-Video Prompts?

First things first: what’s an AI text-to-video prompt? Think of it as your instruction manual for the AI. You type in a description—like “a golden retriever chasing a ball through a sunny park”—and the AI turns it into a moving video. These tools, like Synthesia, RunwayML, or Kaiber, rely on your words to figure out what to show, how it moves, and what vibe to go for. It’s not like text-to-image where you get a single still shot; here, you’re directing a mini-movie.

The trick is, your prompt needs to paint a clear picture while leaving room for the AI to do its thing. It’s a bit like giving directions to a friend who’s great at drawing but needs specifics to nail it. So, how do you make that happen? Let’s break it down.

Why Writing Great Prompts Matters

You might be wondering, “Can’t I just toss in a few words and call it a day?” Sure, you could try “dog running” and see what pops up, but chances are it’ll be a mess—maybe a blurry pup in a random field, or worse, something totally off. A solid prompt saves you time and gets you closer to what you’re picturing.

Think of it this way: “A fluffy husky sprinting across a snowy mountain trail at sunrise, with soft wind blowing” is going to give you a way better result than “dog running.”

Good prompts matter because they control the visuals, the mood, and even the pacing. Whether you’re making a video prompt for an ad, a YouTube explainer, or just messing around with fun ideas, the details you include shape everything. Marketers, filmmakers, and educators are all jumping on this tech, and the ones getting the best results? They’ve cracked the code on prompts.

Core Principles of Writing AI Video Prompts

Alright, let’s get into the good stuff—how to write prompts that hit the mark. There are a few key ideas to keep in mind, and once you get these down, you’ll be churning out awesome videos in no time.

1. Keep It Clear: Don’t make the AI guess. “A car driving fast” is fine, but “A red sports car zooming down a coastal highway” is better. Clear language rules.
2. Add Details: The more you describe, the closer the AI gets to your vision. Think colors, lighting, actions—stuff like “golden sunlight” or “leaves rustling.”
3. Set the Scene: Give context. Is this a bustling city or a quiet forest? A quick “in a rainy jungle” sets the stage.
4. Balance Creativity: You want to guide the AI, not choke it. Too many rules might confuse it, so leave some wiggle room.

Quick tip: sprinkle in strong verbs and vivid adjectives. “A dragon flies” becomes “A massive dragon soars through stormy skies, scales glinting.” See the difference? That’s your ticket to better outputs.

Note: Most AI tools love specifics, but don’t overdo it—stick to what matters most.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting AI Text-to-Video Prompts

Now, let’s walk through a simple process to build prompts that work. This is your go-to plan whether you’re new to this or looking to level up.

Step 1: Know Your Goal

What’s the video for? A funny ad? A dramatic short? Knowing this keeps you focused. Let’s say you want a nature clip—cool, we’ll roll with that.

Step 2: Picture the Scene

Close your eyes and see it. What’s happening? Maybe it’s a deer leaping through a forest. Jot down the big moments you want to capture.

Step 3: Break It Down

Describe the key pieces:

• Setting: “A misty forest at dawn.”
• Characters or Objects: “A graceful deer with antlers.”
• Actions: “Leaping over a fallen log.”
• Extras: “Birds chirping in the background.”

Step 4: Add Style and Mood

Want it cinematic? Chill? Throw in “slow-motion, serene vibe” or “fast-paced, vibrant colors.” For our deer, let’s go with “soft lighting, peaceful tone.”

Step 5: Test and Tweak

Run your prompt: “A graceful deer with antlers leaping over a fallen log in a misty forest at dawn, soft lighting, peaceful tone.” If the deer looks like a blob or the forest is neon pink, adjust—maybe add “realistic details” or “natural colors.”

Highlight: Testing is your friend. AI isn’t perfect yet, so tweak until it sings.

Advanced Techniques for Next-Level Prompts

Feeling confident? Let’s kick it up a notch with some pro moves.

• Time It: Add duration, like “a 15-second clip of waves crashing on a rocky shore.”
• Camera Tricks: Try “a drone shot circling a medieval castle” or “a close-up of raindrops on a leaf.”
• Sound Vibes: Toss in “with upbeat jazz music” or “echoing thunder.”
• Mix Styles: Go wild with “a noir detective walking through a neon-lit cyberpunk city.”

Here’s an advanced one: “A 10-second drone shot of a futuristic skyline at dusk, glowing skyscrapers reflecting on water, with pulsing techno beats.” That’s specific, stylish, and fun to play with.

Quick tip: Check your tool’s limits—some handle camera angles better than others.

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For

Even the best of us trip up sometimes. Here’s what to dodge when writing your prompts.

• Too Much at Once: “A dog running, birds flying, sun setting, cars honking” might turn into chaos. Pick a focus.
• Too Vague: “Something cool” won’t cut it. The AI needs direction.
• Ignoring Limits: Asking for “a 3-hour epic battle” won’t work if the tool maxes out at 30 seconds.
• No Mood: Skipping tone can leave you with a flat video. Add “cheerful” or “mysterious.”

Example fix: Change “A guy walking” to “A lone traveler strolling through a foggy desert, eerie silence all around.”

Note: Start simple, then build up as you get a feel for what clicks.

50 Example Prompts to Spark Ideas

Ready for some inspiration? Here are 50 prompts you can use or tweak, split into categories. Each comes with a quick note on why it works.

Nature

1. “A waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff in a lush jungle, misty air, bright greens.” Vivid details set the scene.
2. “A herd of wild horses galloping across a golden prairie at sunset, dust kicking up.” Action and lighting shine.
3. “A snowy mountain peak under a starry sky, wind howling softly.” Mood adds depth.
4. “A butterfly landing on a pink flower in slow motion, dewdrops sparkling.” Focus on small beauty.
5. “A stormy ocean wave crashing against a lighthouse, dark and dramatic.” Tension grabs attention.
6. “A forest trail with sunlight streaming through tall trees, birds fluttering.” Peaceful and lively.
7. “A desert dune shifting under a blazing sun, heat waves rising.” Simple but striking.
8. “A flock of geese flying over a calm lake at dawn, soft ripples below.” Nature in harmony.
9. “A volcano erupting with glowing lava, ash falling gently.” Bold and dynamic.
10. “A turtle swimming through a coral reef, colorful fish darting around.” Underwater magic.

Sci-Fi

11. “A spaceship zooming past a ringed planet, stars twinkling in the distance.” Classic sci-fi vibe.
12. “A robot repairing a glowing console in a dark space station, sparks flying.” Techy and tense.
13. “A futuristic city with flying cars, neon signs flashing at night.” Cyberpunk energy.
14. “An astronaut floating above a cracked alien moon, eerie green light.” Otherworldly feel.
15. “A laser battle between drones in a smoky asteroid field, fast-paced.” Action-packed.
16. “A holographic figure walking through a rainy cyberpunk alley.” Mixes tech and mood.
17. “A time portal opening in a desert, sand swirling inward.” Mystery kicks in.
18. “A massive mothership hovering over a quiet Earth town, shadows stretching.” Scale matters.
19. “A cyborg waking up in a lab, wires sparking, dim blue light.” Sci-fi suspense.
20. “A Martian sunrise over red dunes, rover tracks in the sand.” Simple but epic.

Marketing

21. “A sleek smartphone spinning on a white table, vibrant colors popping.” Clean and catchy.
22. “A coffee cup steaming in a cozy cafe, people chatting in the background.” Warm and inviting.
23. “A runner in bright sneakers dashing through a city, upbeat music.” Energetic ad vibe.
24. “A luxury car cruising along a mountain road, golden hour glow.” Classy and aspirational.
25. “A chef tossing pizza dough in a bustling kitchen, cheese melting.” Tasty and lively.
26. “A drone delivering a package to a suburban doorstep, sunny day.” Modern convenience.
27. “A watch ticking on a wrist, city skyline blurring past.” Sharp and stylish.
28. “A family laughing around a picnic table, food spread out, sunny vibes.” Relatable joy.
29. “A laptop opening to a bright screen in a dark room, logo glowing.” Tech appeal.
30. “A yoga class stretching on a beach, waves rolling in, calm music.” Peaceful branding.

Fantasy

31. “A dragon breathing fire over a castle, knights charging below.” Epic showdown.
32. “A fairy dancing in a glowing forest, sparkles trailing her.” Whimsical charm.
33. “A wizard casting a spell in a stormy tower, lightning flashing.” Magical drama.
34. “A unicorn galloping through a misty meadow, rainbow in the sky.” Dreamy visuals.
35. “A pirate ship sailing through foggy waters, ghost lights flickering.” Adventure calls.
36. “A giant tree with glowing roots in an enchanted swamp, frogs croaking.” Mystical nature.
37. “A knight slaying a shadowy beast in a dark cave, torchlight flickering.” Heroic moment.
38. “A floating island with waterfalls spilling into clouds, soft winds.” Fantasy wonder.
39. “A witch brewing a potion in a cluttered hut, smoke swirling.” Cozy yet spooky.
40. “A phoenix rising from ashes in a desert, flames dancing.” Rebirth in style.

Abstract

41. “Colorful shapes pulsing to a funky beat, black background.” Pure energy.
42. “A spiral of golden light twisting in slow motion, starry void.” Hypnotic flow.
43. “Red and blue waves crashing together, sparks flying outward.” Bold contrast.
44. “A grid of cubes spinning and collapsing, neon glow.” Techy chaos.
45. “A liquid metal blob morphing into random shapes, reflective surface.” Weird and cool.
46. “A kaleidoscope of flowers blooming and fading, soft hum.” Artsy vibes.
47. “A swarm of glowing dots forming a face, then scattering.” Abstract storytelling.
48. “A tunnel of rainbow lines speeding forward, dizzying pace.” Motion overload.
49. “A clock melting into a puddle, gears floating upward.” Surreal twist.
50. “A burst of paint splattering across a white canvas, slow drip.” Creative explosion.

Highlight: These prompts mix keywords like “best prompts for AI video,” “text to video examples,” and “AI video generator prompts” naturally—perfect for search appeal.

Tools and Platforms to Try

So, where do you take these prompts? Here are some top picks for text-to-video AI:

• Synthesia: Great for talking-head videos—think “AI prompts for YouTube videos.”
• Pictory.ai: Awesome for creative stuff like “video generation prompts” with wild visuals.
• Invideo.io: Perfect for artsy or music-driven clips—try “best video prompts” here.
• Videogen.io: Easy for marketing—plug in “text to video AI prompts” and go.
• Simplified: Make your stories come alive with our best AI video generator.

Quick tip: Match your prompt to the tool. Synthesia won’t do dragons, but Runway might. Check what each one can handle before you start.

Real-World Wins with Prompts

Let’s look at some folks who nailed it with prompts.

1. Marketer’s Ad: Prompt: “A bubbly soda can fizzing open on a beach, waves crashing, sunny day.” Result? A 15-second ad that popped—sales spiked too.
2. Filmmaker’s Test: Prompt: “A samurai drawing a sword in a bamboo forest, rain falling, slow zoom.” Output? A moody clip that shaped their next project.
3. Educator’s Lesson: Prompt: “A Roman soldier marching through a dusty road, shields clanking, 10 seconds.” Perfect for a history class visual.

Note: Real results come from clear goals and smart tweaks—don’t be afraid to adjust.

Wrapping It Up

There you have it—your guide to writing AI text-to-video prompts that deliver. It’s all about clarity, a sprinkle of detail, and a willingness to play around. Whether you’re after the “best AI video prompts” or just some “video prompt ideas” to mess with, you’ve got the tools now. Start with something simple, test it out, and watch your ideas turn into motion. The future of video creation is wide open, and with prompts like these, you’re ready to jump in. So, what’s your first video going to be? Let me know—I’d love to hear!