Video is one of the most effective mediums for holding a training session. In fact, one recent study found that “the brain [processes] video learning 60,000 times faster than text learning.”
A thoughtfully composed online training video will educate and make learning easier for anyone watching them, whether you’re training employees, creating an online course, teaching students virtually, or providing any other sort of education.
But as someone who’s created countless eLearning experiences over the years, I can tell you that making a good, high quality training video requires careful planning and sound execution. The good news, though, is that you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make a training video.
In the guide below, I’ll show you exactly how to make a training video your audience can connect with and learn from successfully.
Tips for Making a Great Training Video
1. Choose An Engaging Topic
Before you can make a great training video, you need to clearly identify the topic you want to cover. You have to think about what your audience needs to learn from the video and tailor the subject to the learner’s needs.
Keep the topic of your video simple and straight to the point. Shorter, engaging videos are far more effective than long, meandering ones, so you want to keep each video hyper-focused on a specific topic.
2. Choose The Type Of Video
When choosing the type of video to use, you need to consider the audience and purpose of the video. You want to make sure that the type of video you choose will deliver your message in the way you intend.
There are many types of videos you can use to train your audience:
Screencast: This is a recording on the computer screen to show different information from the computer. If you want to show an audience how to use a computer system or software, this is the best way to teach your learners. There are lots of great screen recording software tools — like VEED — out there to help you do this.
Micro video: This is a short video that most trainers use to demonstrate a single idea or a procedure. It can be a short narration with visuals on the screen to explain what the trainer wants. The video might also be visual with no audio to demonstrate a certain point to the audience. If you have a short process that you need to explain, you can use this five to fifteen-second video to explain it.
Presenter video: If you want to do a live training session, this is one of the most compelling videos. In the video, you can act as the host and show the audience the process from start to finish. You can use visual aids to make the video more interactive and exciting instead of sitting and talking the whole time. Like in a class, a presenter video can work well when the trainer is engaging.
Roleplay: This is when the trainer uses others people or themselves to act out a scenario to explain their point. The videos are good for business training, marketing, social interactions, customer care training, technical support processes, etc. You can teach your staff to handle customers and other staff members and face many situations they come across in the business. The audience will be able to picture actual scenarios and how to resolve the concerns.
Animations: These are videos that use graphics, animations, and texts to put the message across. Some may need some technical know-how to create, but animated training videos are very engaging to the audience.
Interactive video: This format allows you to respond to questions and feedback from your audience. This means that the video might have to be live so that you can respond to the learners when they ask you to. This is an excellent way to ensure the audience is also involved in the training session. You can be sure about how practical your training session is when you use this method.
Choose the type of video according to your intentions and the kind of audience you will be addressing.
3. Write A Script And A Storyboard
After choosing the type of video you want to use, you need to create a script or an outline for it. Without a script, you might find yourself rambling or not delivering the content in a clear, concise manner.
A script ensures that the content in your training video flows logically and coherently. It gives you a clear roadmap, ensuring that all essential points are covered systematically, making it easier for the viewer to follow and understand.
Scripting your videos can also help ensure consistency across them. Especially in a series of training videos, maintaining a consistent tone, style, and pace is crucial. A script helps in ensuring that the content remains consistent across different modules or sessions.
Having a script also saves you time. With a script in hand, you can reduce the number of retakes and edits. It provides a clear direction, ensuring that the recording process is smooth and efficient.
4. Record The Training Video
VEED - Edit, Record & Livestream Video - Online
VEED is the fastest and easiest way to make high quality, professional videos for eLearning, business training, sales presentations, and other applications.
Once you are satisfied with your level of preparedness, it is time to record the actual video. Set up your recording equipment and ensure you have the proper lighting and space for recording. Keep any nearby doors closed and try to eliminate or minimize any background noise to clear your audio.
With the advancement in technology today, you can easily make a training video using your smartphone or tablet. Make sure that the device has an excellent camera, and you might need to add a microphone to ensure you have clear audio.
A tripod will help keep the smartphone in place when recording, and you can also use additional lighting fixtures to make sure the picture is clear. You may not need any of these if you are not planning to be in the video.
There are different software programs that can help you correctly record a training video. Ensure that you can use the software you choose on your devices, like smartphones, tablets, or computers. VEED is an easy-to-use video presentation software that you can use to record, edit and share quality training videos.
To make the video more engaging, you should consider using the following:
Text overlays
You can place these texts on the video to help hammer a point visually to the audience. If you want to emphasize a particular issue or introduce a speaker, texts will help you drive the point home.
Annotations
When using video, you may need to use arrows or lines to draw attention to a specific area. This is primarily effective when using screencasts because you can help the audience get the point faster. The annotation will keep the viewer’s attention on the exact point you want them to see.
Show the presenter
A long video can be boring if the audience is not able to see the speaker. Look at the camera and switch to the footage of you talking to your learners so that the video is more engaging. You can place the speaker at the beginning or end of the video.
Interaction technique
If you are doing a live training session, it will help get feedback for the learners. Point to a particular point and ask your audience to give feedback or ask questions to ensure you are as interactive as possible.
Animations
Using texts and shapes on the screen as you guide your audience will ensure the learners get the point you are putting across. Animations keep the visuals interesting and make the audience more interested in the points you are talking about.
5. Edit The Video
After you finish your recording, you need to ensure that you have captured everything you need before sending it to your audience. Editing will help eliminate any mistakes and pick out the most critical point you want to put across.
While there are a lot of great editing tools out there, VEED is my go-to platform because of how easy it is to use.
With video editing software, you can add animations, texts, arrows, graphics, and any other effects that you need to make your video interactive. These elements will help, especially if the video is long or you need to point out some specifics. You need to ensure that the audience will not lose focus and miss out on a point or idea.
The following are some factors to consider when choosing the right software for video training recording:
- Choose software that is easy to use.
- Check the audio options and ensure that they suit the type of video you want to create.
- Pick a software with free trials or affordable plans so you can test it out before paying.
- If you choose paid software, ensure that it will fit your budget.
- The best video software should have multiple functions so that you can complete your work in one go.
6. Share The Video
Watch your video one more time to make sure it has the right content and portrays everything you want for your trainee. When you’re satisfied with the results, you can then share the video or host it so that it is ready and available for the trainee.
You can choose the platform that you want to use to share the video according to the needs you are addressing. If it is a public video, you can share on YouTube, but you can save the video and send it to your learner if it is private.
A company training video can be placed on the company website so that it is available for access to the members or staff. You can also save or download the video on a flash drive if it is used as a part of a training session.
Why Make A Training Video?
When holding a training session, you want to be as interactive and educational as possible.
Sometimes your trainees might not have time or the attention span to go through pages of written instructional manuals to get the point. Videos are a much easier and more efficient way to communicate concepts in an engaging manner that keeps your audience’s attention.
A training video will save you time, and you can focus on the critical points you need to address.
With the rise of technology, many companies are making the switch from in-person training to utilizing videos for employee learning and development. While there are many advantages to creating training videos and how to videos, some of the most notable benefits include cost savings, improved engagement, and greater flexibility.
One of the biggest benefits of using training videos is the cost savings that they offer.
Since materials can be easily pre-made and stored online, creating related content is a much more efficient process than having trainers present in-person lectures or trainings.
Additionally, by making materials available online, employees and students have 24/7 access to key information about products, procedures, and policies.
This enables them to learn at their own pace and on their own time, without having to wait until the next training session or meeting.
Another benefit of using videos for training is that it has been shown to significantly increase employee engagement.
With video content in your training program, employees can see visual representation of skills and procedures in action rather than just listening to someone describe them verbally or reading instructions on paper.
Furthermore, as learners move through different stages of video lessons such as comprehension tests or interactive activities, they get immediate feedback that helps keep them motivated and moving forward with their learning goals.
FAQ
How do you write a training video script?
Writing a training video script isn’t difficult but it does require some planning. Start by outlining the key points that you want to cover in the video and make sure they are clear and organized. Use language that is appropriate for your audience, make sure visuals are accurate, and keep your video succinct. You may also want to include a call to action at the end of the video so that your viewers will know what they need to do with the information they just learned.
How do you make training videos engaging?
To make engaging, effective training videos, use visuals that are captivating and easy to understand, use humor when appropriate, and keep your content direct and concise. Additionally, make sure that you have a clear focus for each of your training videos so that there is not too much information to process at any given time.
What should a training video include?
A training video should include content that is relevant to the topic, visuals that help illustrate key points and concepts, and a clear call to action so that viewers know what they need to do with the information they have learned. Don’t try to do too much with a single training video; instead, focus on delivering the most important information for the single topic at hand in a concise and easy-to-understand manner.
What makes a great training video?
A great training video is clear, concise, focused, well-organized, and engaging. It should be easy to follow and understand, with visuals that help reinforce the key concepts being discussed.
A Final Word on Creating Training Videos
Training videos can be a great medium for imparting knowledge to employees or students. And remember, you don’t need a bunch of expensive equipment to get started.
With careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can create effective training videos that are easy to understand and use.
Have any questions about how to create a training video? What has been your experience trying to create training videos? Leave a comment below with your questions and thoughts!