How to craft effective prompts for Google’s Veo 3 video AI
Google's Veo 3 text-to-video model is turning heads for its ability to turn a simple written prompt into a high-quality, often jaw-dropping video - now complete with sound and dialogue. However, while Veo 3's technology is impressive, achieving standout results depends heavily on the instructions you provide it. Your prompt is your script, your shot list, and your creative brief rolled into one. The good news? With a few tricks, anyone can learn to craft prompts that optimise Veo 3's performance.
This guide is designed for business, general, and marketing users who want to create content ranging from social teasers to product explainers. You don't need to be a filmmaker or AI expert - just bring a little creativity, and let these tips do the rest.
What makes a great Veo 3 prompt?
Think of your Veo 3 prompt like setting up a movie scene. You don't need to write a screenplay, but a bit of detail helps. Here are the main building blocks:
1. Composition:
How is the "camera" framing your shot? Wide shot, close-up, low angle, overhead? Mentioning composition helps control what's front and centre. Try: "Close-up of a steaming mug of coffee on a desk," or "Wide shot of a bustling city street at sunrise."
2. Camera movement:
Veo 3 understands movement instructions. Is the camera still, panning, zooming, tracking? Movement adds cinematic flair. For example: "Camera slowly zooms in on a smiling customer," or "Tracking shot follows a runner down the track."
3. Subject and action:
Who or what is in the scene, and what are they doing? Be clear. For people, mention age, style, or expression if you want: "A woman in her 30s, laughing as she holds a laptop." For objects or settings: "A red sports car racing along a winding coastal road."
4. Location:
Where is your scene set? Office, café, forest, rooftop, beach, outer space? Even a brief mention of the setting provides Veo 3 with important context.
5. Style and mood:
If you have a specific aesthetic or genre in mind, please specify. Veo 3 can do everything from 3D animation and film noir to stop-motion and cartoons. Try: "In a playful stop-motion animation style," or "Film noir atmosphere, black and white, dramatic lighting."
6. Dialogue:
If you want someone to say something, just write it in quotes as part of your prompt. For example: "A barista hands over a coffee and says, 'One oat latte, coming up!'" Veo 3 will generate the spoken line in sync with the scene.
7. Sound and music:
Veo 3 can now create audio, not just visuals. Mention ambient noise, music, or sound effects either as part of the scene description ("gentle jazz music plays in the background") or using an "Audio:" cue ("Audio: lively crowd chatter, soft piano music").
The beauty of Veo 3 is that you don't need all these elements every time - but including a few makes your results more intentional and engaging.
Detailed vs. simple prompts: both can work
You might think more detail is always better, but Veo 3 is flexible. A prompt can be a detailed paragraph or just a single creative sentence.
Detailed prompt example:
"Captured in a mesmerizing close-up, a fantasy elf with striking, pointed ears captivates the viewer. Her gaze is intense, framed by delicate freckles and soft, wavy blonde hair. She smiles shyly and says, 'Hello there!' A dark, elaborate crown adorned with antlers and fabric flowers graces her head. The blurred background of foliage enhances her otherworldly charm, suggesting a magical forest setting."
This kind of prompt gives Veo very clear instructions about visuals, emotion, sound, and mood. If you have a specific image in mind for your brand, product, or story, please provide details.
Simple prompt example:
"Close-up of two people staring at a cryptic drawing on a wall, torchlight flickering. 'This must be the key,' he murmured. 'What does it mean though?' she asked. Damp stone, hidden symbols. A faint, eerie hum resonates in the background."
Here, a couple of sentences set the scene, give a snippet of dialogue, and add a sound cue - just enough for Veo 3 to build something cinematic, even without a lot of detail.
One-line prompt example:
"Camping (Stop Motion): Camper: 'I'm one with nature now!' Bear: 'Nature would prefer some personal space.'"
Sometimes, a punchy one-liner and a style cue (here, "stop motion") are all you need. Veo 3 fills in the gaps with creative visuals.
Make your videos sound as good as they look
Don't forget, Veo 3 isn't just about what you see. Adding audio cues such as background music, crowd noise, dialogue, or even product sounds makes a significant difference. You can write these right into your prompt, either as a natural part of the scene ("A fluffy guinea pig munches on an apple slice - crisp, juicy bites echo in the quiet kitchen") or by listing desired effects after an "Audio:" section ("Audio: rapid crunching, soft squeaks, gentle kitchen ambience").
Want someone to speak? Write the exact line in quotes. Want background music or atmosphere? Mention the style: "gentle acoustic guitar plays softly," or "buzz of busy office phones and printers." If you skip the audio, Veo 3 will often add something fitting - but for full control, be specific.
Camera moves and cinematic tricks - no film school needed
With Veo 3, you're not just describing what's in front of the camera, but also how the camera itself behaves. Words like "pan," "zoom," "tilt," "crane shot," "tracking shot," or "POV" (point of view) add instant professionalism to a video. Try:
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"The camera pulls back from a single gear to reveal a giant mechanical heart in a desert."
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"Sweeping aerial shot over misty mountains, camera descends to focus on hikers below."
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"Playful Dutch angle rotates slowly, showing a whimsical, gravity-defying playground."
For businesses, something as simple as "camera slowly zooms in on our product while upbeat music plays" can add high production value, even for short social clips.
How short can you go? Minimal prompts, maximum effect
One of Veo 3's surprising strengths is its ability to work with very minimal prompts. If you're brainstorming or just want something fast, try a poetic or abstract line:
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"The cathedral grown from a single, ancient seed."
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"A looping animation of the brand logo blooming like a flower, soft synth music."
Short prompts give Veo 3 creative freedom - and sometimes the results are delightfully unexpected. For brand and business content, this is a fast way to ideate new looks or campaign ideas.
Business use cases: practical ideas to try
Veo 3's flexibility makes it useful for all sorts of business and marketing needs:
Marketing teasers and product promos:
Create quick, eye-catching video teasers for launches or campaigns by prompting dramatic scenes with your product front and center. Try:
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"A new smartwatch floats in space, glowing numbers swirling, voiceover says, 'Reimagine time.'"
Social media and engagement:
Generate playful or trending content in seconds. For a bakery:
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"Stop-motion animation: a croissant leaps off the tray, dances across the counter, jazzy music playing."
Explainers and product demos:
Show products in action or visualize abstract concepts. For smart home tech:
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"A 3D animation of a smart speaker lighting up in a modern living room, user says, 'Play my morning playlist.' Soft pop music starts."
Brand storytelling:
Create visual stories for campaigns. For a non-profit:
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"Wide shot of a sapling in dry earth, gentle piano music. A child's voice whispers, 'Hope.'"
Event visuals and backgrounds:
Do you need a looping, branded video for a conference booth or virtual event? Prompt:
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"A seamless loop: company logo emerges from swirling blue mist, calm electronic music."
Final tips and best practices
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Experiment: Don't be afraid to try multiple approaches. If your first result isn't perfect, tweak the prompt - change the style, camera move, or add dialogue.
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Be specific when it matters: If brand colours, slogans, or key visuals are non-negotiable, spell them out.
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Leverage sound: Always add audio cues for realism and emotional impact.
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Use style and genre: Specify animation styles, cinematic genres, or moods to match your brand or campaign.
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Chain shots for more complex videos: You can script short sequences by describing a series of shots in one prompt.
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Review and edit: Veo 3 is powerful but not always perfect. Use its outputs as a starting point - refine or remix as needed.
With these prompt-writing techniques, anyone can get professional, creative, and even surprising results from Google's Veo 3 video AI - no film crew required. The real magic is in the words you choose, so take a few extra moments to set the scene, direct the action, and let Veo 3 bring your vision to life. Happy prompting!
