The Complete Sora 2 Prompting Guide: Get Better Results and Save Credits

Sora 2 is powerful, but without the right prompting strategy, you can burn through credits faster than you think. After generating hundreds of videos, we have discovered patterns that dramatically reduce wasted generations and improve output quality on the first try.

Choose Sora 2 Pro Over Standard Sora 2

This sounds counterintuitive since Sora 2 Pro costs more per generation. However, Pro delivers significantly better quality and accuracy, meaning you need fewer attempts to get usable footage. Three failed generations on standard Sora 2 cost more than one successful Pro generation.

Always Exclude Music From Your Prompts

Never include music requests in your Sora 2 prompts. The AI-generated music is generic and you have zero control over licensing, genre, or mood. Generate silent video and add your own soundtrack in post-production for complete creative control.

• You maintain full control over music selection and licensing
• Easier to edit video without baked-in audio
• Can A/B test different music options
• No wasted generations due to wrong music choice

In your prompt, explicitly state: "no background music, no sound effects, silent video"

Never Request Subtitles or Text Overlays

Sora 2 frequently generates text with spelling errors, awkward positioning, or wrong formatting. Even when the text is technically correct, you lose flexibility in editing. Professional subtitle tools give you pixel-perfect control with zero misspellings.

Always generate clean video without text, then overlay subtitles in your video editor where you have complete control over timing, styling, and accuracy.

Prevent Teleprompter-Style Script Reading

When you provide a script in your prompt, Sora 2 often generates actors who look like they are reading from a teleprompter: stiff delivery, minimal gestures, robotic pacing. This kills authenticity and engagement.

Instead of just pasting your script, add delivery instructions:

• "The person speaks dynamically and naturally, not like reading from a script"
• "Natural conversational tone with varied pacing"
• "Genuine facial expressions that match the message"
• "Subtle hand gestures that emphasize key points"

Control Movement: Prevent Random Gestures

Sora 2 has a tendency to generate excessive or unnatural movements: wild hand gestures, constant head bobbing, or awkward body shifts. This makes videos look amateurish or distracting.

Be explicit about movement constraints in your prompts:

• "Minimal, natural movements"
• "Subtle gestures only"
• "Calm and composed body language"
• "Professional presenter posture"

Product Handling: Be Extremely Specific

Product demonstrations are where most generations fail. Sora 2 makes unpredictable choices about how people hold, position, or interact with products unless you provide crystal-clear instructions.

Scenario 1: No Product in Frame

If you want someone speaking directly to camera without products, explicitly state it: "The person is speaking directly to the camera with nothing in their hands. Clean background, no products visible, full attention on the speaker."

Scenario 2: Product in Frame

When including a product, specify exact positioning and handling:

• How the person holds it (one hand, two hands, specific grip)
• Where the product is positioned (waist level, chest height, etc.)
• Product orientation (label facing camera, angled view, etc.)
• Static or dynamic (held still vs. demonstrated in motion)
• Correct text orientation (readable text, not mirrored)

Example: "The person holds the bottle at chest height with both hands, label facing the camera. The product remains steady throughout, no excessive movement or rotation."

Critical: Prevent Mirrored Product Text

Sora 2 frequently generates products with mirrored or reversed text, making labels appear backwards as if viewed in a mirror. This ruins product shots and makes them unusable.

Always specify text orientation in your prompt:

• "Product label text is readable and facing forward, not mirrored or reversed"
• "Text on product appears correct and legible to the camera"
• "Product is oriented correctly with readable branding"
• "No mirror effect on product text or labels"

Complete Prompt Example

Here is a production-ready prompt incorporating all best practices:

Quick Reference Checklist

Before submitting your Sora 2 prompt, verify:

1. Using Sora 2 Pro for better first-try success rate
2. Prompt explicitly excludes music and sound effects
3. No subtitle or text overlay requests
4. Natural delivery instructions included (not teleprompter-style)
5. Movement constraints specified (minimal, natural gestures)
6. Product handling details provided OR explicitly stating no products
7. Product text orientation specified (readable, not mirrored)
8. Clean background and lighting described

Why This Matters

Following these guidelines is not about being picky. Each failed generation costs credits and time. A prompt that nails it on the first try saves money and keeps your production timeline on track.

The difference between amateur and professional Sora 2 usage is not the tool itself but the precision of your prompts. Treat prompting like directing: the more specific your instructions, the better the performance.