One of content creators’ most challenging tasks today is getting their target audience’s attention. However, these days, avenues for distraction like social media make that objective extra difficult to achieve.
But how to develop engaging training videos? How do you prolong your audience’s attention span? What tools and tips can you use to attract a distracted audience?
Still, many other techniques and technologies can help level up your creation of training videos.
Whether you intend to educate your audience regarding a particular topic, teach them a new skill, or broaden their subject matter knowledge, creating videos that speak to your audience is paramount.
In this article, you’ll read about ways to make engaging training videos, including tools or software to help you create high-quality media content.
How to Create Engaging Training Videos
A study from Microsoft Group showed that people’s digitalized lifestyle has led to a loss of concentration on on-screen material after a mere eight seconds. And this number continues to decrease.
Now, more than ever, you need to be able to capture your audience and make them watch your video until it finishes delivering its purpose, or you completely lose your target market’s interest after a few seconds.
But no worries! Here are several ways to create “killer” training videos:
- Determine your goals.
Even if you’re a professional video editor, identifying a goal must be one of the first steps you should take when creating a training video.
A well-defined learning goal helps guide the flow of your instructional video by clarifying what topics you should incorporate.
Pro video editors know how to answer these questions: “What point do I really need to get across?” or “What is my main message?”
Take your time making the video by doing some research. For example, for customer training videos, you could ask your target viewers to fill out a survey regarding the questions they usually have regarding your products or services.
Your training video should focus on answering all those questions and demonstrating how to use specific product features.
Once you’ve identified the goals, write your video script based on them. Every piece of information presented should support these chosen objectives.
As you probably already know, excessive or irrelevant information only confuses the audience and reduces engagement.
- Choose a format.
Now that you’ve clarified your agenda, you can choose the best format for your message.
More than tools, the primary need you should concern yourself is engaging a distracted audience.
For instance, you’re creating a training video demonstrating a step-by-step work procedure featuring an experienced employee. In that case, a tutorial format would be more engaging than other formats.
At the same time, consider creating a screencast-style training video for your employees if you want them to learn about new software.
Meanwhile, a presenter-format online training video might best achieve teacher and student engagement and understanding.
Other formats you can consider include the following:
- Interactive: Training videos feature interactive elements, where viewers can respond to various scenarios as the video plays. This format can help maintain viewer interest or test their knowledge of the information discussed in the video.
You can use this format for the following types of training:
- Informal learning
- Formal learning
- Just-In-Time learning or performance support
- Supporting ILT (instructor-led training)
- Animation: Animated videos, usually explainer videos, use animation software to combine text and graphics to explain a topic compellingly.
Animation best illustrates complex procedures, such as instructions regarding new software or other industry tools.
- Micro video: A micro video focuses on a specific topic in shorter periods than other formats. These videos are often less than a minute long, straightforward, and appeal to the typical viewer, whose attention span is usually short.
This format is an excellent option for desired outcomes such as a call to action or knowledge transfer.
- Select the right equipment.
Video production equipment and digital tools vary depending on the type of video you intend to create.
Here are some of the equipment items you will likely use when creating training videos:
- Microphone
- Camera
- Screen capture software
- Video editing software
If you have a limited equipment budget, consider buying a “prosumer” camera with professional-grade features in a consumer-friendly package.
Also, remember that the caliber of resources you use to create training videos directly affects your videos’ quality. So, purchase products from companies with a reputation for quality. Using high-definition or ultra-high-definition cameras can also help improve your videos.
- Ensure that the audio quality is excellent.
This factor is crucial when shooting employee training videos. Choosing a quiet space with minimal background noise should be your priority when filming.
If necessary (and if you have the budget), rent an off-site studio. Still, regardless of where you’ll shoot your video, prepare for unwanted sounds like sirens from outside traffic, hums from air conditioners, and occasional knocks on the door.
- Recruit talent, if necessary.
Usually, employee training videos feature in-house SMEs (subject matter experts). However, this may not always be the best option.
Some SMEs might not be comfortable speaking in front of a camera. Other SMEs might be confident but could be more engaging presenters.
Maintaining learner interest and attention requires modulation and inflection.
You can hire professional talent to improve the video’s quality in these cases. The usual process is to review samples, select an artist, submit a script, and download the completed audio file.
In general, an amateur voice actor performs voice-overs as a hobby (and usually lacks proper training).
In contrast, a professional voice-over talent makes a living through voice acting. As such, these pros have the experience and expertise that amateurs lack.
Hiring someone who has spent time perfecting their skills can do wonders for a training video. For instance, professional voice-over talents’ delivery is smoother – their voice naturally sounds more engaging, making listeners more attentive.
Tools for Developing Training Videos
Below are some tools you’ll need when crafting training videos:
- Visuals or graphics tools: You can use these tools to create digital drawings and video screens that add flavor to your videos.
You don’t have to shoot all your content with a camera. You can use some graphic tools to create animations or titles.
Here are some visuals tools you might use when creating training videos:
- Illustrator: This tool is a vector-based image development software.
- Photoshop: This program is a raster-based image editing tool. You can use Photoshop to edit photos and illustrate and composite digital images.
- Tools for crafting and editing videos: Editing videos is an art. However, you don’t have to be a Renaissance Master or filmmaker to make polished videos.
You can use these tools to help you edit clip transitions smoothly, letting you arrange the video sequence and incorporate other visuals into the final product.
Educating and training students or employees effectively often requires the creation of unique and attention-grabbing videos. Fortunately, various techniques and tools can help you with this task.
For example, professional media creators can use cloud-based services to store, manage, and edit their videos more efficiently.
You can check this page for more information on how a secure cloud management tool can help improve your workflow.
