How to Make Great Training Videos: A Complete Guide

Creating training videos doesn’t have to be hard. This guide will show you how to make effective training videos that your team members will actually want to watch.

Why You Should Use Training Videos

Training videos work. Companies that use them see better results from their employee training programs.

When companies use video for training, their workers learn more and stay longer. Most people like learning through video because they can watch at their own pace.

Videos help explain things clearly. They save time for both trainers and learners.

Different Types of Training Videos You Can Make

Videos with a Presenter (Talking Head)

Having a subject matter expert talk to the camera works well for many types of training. Your team gets to see and hear someone explain things in a clear way. This helps build trust and makes the training feel more personal.

Screen Recording Videos

Want to show people how to use software? Screen recording videos are perfect for this. You can record what’s happening on your computer while you explain each step.

Screen recordings work best for teaching new software and showing online tools. They help viewers see exactly what to do, one step at a time. Your viewers can pause and follow along as they learn.

Animated Videos

Sometimes the best way to explain something is through animation. Animated training videos can show things that would be hard to film in real life. Animated videos help explain complex systems in simple ways. They turn abstract ideas into clear pictures. They can also make dry topics more fun to learn about.

Interactive Videos

These videos get people involved in their learning. By adding quizzes after a video, you create opportunities for active participation, and secondly, you increase knowledge retention, and a test documents the newly learned knowledge. This approach helps keep people interested and lets them practice what they’re learning right away. The immediate feedback helps reinforce important concepts and ensures understanding before moving forward.

How to Create Your Training Video

Planning Your Video

First, know what you want your video to teach. Think about the specific skills or knowledge your viewers should gain from watching. Consider who will watch the video and how much they already know about the topic. This will help you decide how detailed to make your explanations.

Writing a simple script comes next. Use everyday words and short sentences. Think about how you’d explain the concept to a friend. Your script should flow naturally and conversationally, making it easy for viewers to follow along.

Breaking your content into small chunks is essential. People learn better when information comes in manageable pieces. Break your content into smaller videos. Make each video focus on just one part of your topic. This works better than making one long video that tries to cover everything.

Making Your Video

Start with recording with your smartphone camera. Good audio matters more than expensive software. A quality microphone makes a big difference, as poor sound can ruin otherwise good content. Pick a quiet room to record. This will keep background noise from ruining your audio.

For screen recording videos, preparation is key. Before you start recording, close any unnecessary browser tabs and turn off notifications that might pop up during filming. Always do a test recording to check your audio levels and screen capture settings.

When filming presenter-style videos, focus on creating a professional but approachable environment. Good lighting helps viewers see you clearly, while a simple background keeps the focus on your message. Looking directly at the camera creates a connection with your audience, and speaking naturally helps maintain their engagement.

Editing Your Video

Keep your editing simple and clear. Cut out any mistakes or long pauses that might distract viewers.

Add text to the screen only when it helps explain your message better. Use arrows or highlights to point out important things.

Add your company logo to keep your videos looking professional.

Tips for Better Training Videos

Creating Engaging Content

The length of your video matters significantly. Two to three minutes typically works best for maintaining attention. When topics require more time, break them into separate videos that focus on specific aspects. This approach lets viewers digest the information more easily and return to specific sections when needed.

Clear communication is essential in training videos. Speak at a measured pace and use straightforward language. Whenever possible, include examples from real work situations that your viewers will recognize. Showing how concepts apply in practice helps viewers understand and remember the material better.

Making Videos Accessible

Creating accessible training videos ensures everyone can learn effectively. Include captions for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those watching in noisy environments. Make sure any on-screen text is large enough to read easily and uses colors with good contrast. Give viewers complete control over playback so they can pause, rewind, and review content as needed.

Maintaining Viewer Interest

Begin each video by very shortly explaining why the topic matters to your viewers. Using real examples from their work environment helps maintain relevance and engagement. Consider incorporating short activities or questions that encourage viewers to think about how they’ll apply what they’re learning. Varying your presentation style and visual content helps keep the material fresh and interesting.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Creating training videos comes with its share of challenges. Videos that run too long often lose viewer attention, so focus on being concise while still covering essential information. Using overly technical language can confuse viewers, so stick to clear, simple explanations. Moving through material too quickly makes it hard for viewers to follow along, so maintain a steady, appropriate pace. Poor audio quality can make even great content unwatchable, so invest time in getting clean, clear sound.

Distributing Your Videos

Think carefully about how people will access your training videos. A good learning management system makes videos easy to find and watch. Consider that many people will watch on their phones, so ensure your videos work well on mobile devices. Track viewing patterns to understand how people use your content and what improvements might help.

Measuring Success

Getting feedback from your team provides valuable insights for improvement. Ask viewers if the content was clear and if they learned what they needed. Watch for signs that indicate how well the videos work: Do viewers complete the entire video? Can they perform tasks correctly after watching? Do they return to review certain sections?

Essential Tools

Good training videos require a quality microphone that ensure clear audio that’s easy to understand. Reliable screen recording software helps capture computer-based demonstrations effectively. Basic video editing tools let you polish your content into a professional final product. If you’re filming people, invest in a decent camera to ensure good video quality. At not least you need the right platform for distribution.

Continuous Improvement

Training videos should evolve over time. Regular feedback from viewers helps identify areas for improvement. Keep content current by updating older videos when information changes. Try different teaching approaches to see what resonates best with your audience. Pay attention to which videos get the most positive responses and analyze why they work well.

Starting Your Video Journey

Begin with a focused approach to video creation. Choose one specific topic and create a short video about it. Show this video to a small test audience and gather their thoughts. Use their feedback to improve your approach. Each video you create will help you learn what works best for your specific situation.

Conclusion

Creating effective training videos takes practice, but the benefits make it worthwhile. Focus on clear communication and steady improvement rather than perfection from the start. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t, and adjust your approach accordingly. With time and experience, you’ll develop a style that engages viewers while effectively teaching the necessary skills and information. Remember that good training videos help people learn better while saving time for everyone involved.