Training Videos That Inspire: Effective Production Strategies

Good video content is a game-changer when training your work crew, whether fresh faces or seasoned pros. More and more businesses are hopping on the video bandwagon to educate their crew and boost their skill set. 

Videos are the best tool to deliver a message or information because of their super engaging and flexible features. However, the strategies used in producing training videos are unique from the usual video production.

In this article, you will learn what training videos are and the effective strategy for your training video production.

What is Training Video Production?

Training video production is the development of videos designed for instructing employees within an organization. This goes beyond your regular introductory welcome videos, often used to familiarize new hires with the company culture. 

Training videos are typically crafted with a more distinct and focused objective. These videos are frequently employed to educate employees on performing particular tasks or provide product information. Furthermore, this approach can be extended to volunteers or members within your organization. 

Additionally, suppose your company is in the process of revamping its approach to staff training and onboarding. In that case, you’ll discover that creating easily accessible employee training video content can be a strategic asset for long-term growth.

Effective Training Video Production Strategies

Developing a training video is undoubtedly quite intensive. Most businesses outsource this activity to media companies. But if you want to do it in-house, you will need to know the effective strategies to produce a top-notch training video.

1. Establish an Understandable Goal

Whether you intend to impart new skills or enhance existing ones, understanding your goal guides the content creation process. It ensures the delivery of profitable and precise material to your intended audience.

To assist in crystallizing your objective, consider pondering over questions such as: 

• Who are your potential viewers? 
• What does your audience need from the training video? 
• What do you want to teach your audience? 

Answering these questions helps you create the blueprint for your video content, helping you compile topics, points, and the structure of the discussion.

2. Choose the Appropriate Type Of Video for Your Viewers

Selecting a suitable video format can present a challenge. Beyond the topic and content you plan to convey, choosing a style that resonates most effectively with your viewers is crucial. Here are some video types to contemplate:

• Screen-Capture Video: Also known as screencasts, these are prevalent today, mainly due to remote jobs. They entail recording your system screen with accompanying voiceovers. They excel at demonstrating specific tasks, such as navigating software interfaces or internal processes within a company.

• Instructional Video: These videos guide viewers through step-by-step processes, from cooking recipes to tech tutorials. They are informative and engaging, covering a wide range of topics.

• Interactive Video: As the name suggests, interactive videos foster active engagement by enabling the audience to make choices or perform actions, enhancing their participation. However, creating these videos may require lots of time and advanced skills.

• Guided Video Presentation: Guided video presentations feature a person addressing the camera, suitable for teaching company procedures, offering refresher courses, imparting specialized skills, or discussing industry innovations. While they can be informative, maintaining audience engagement is challenging, necessitating charismatic speakers.

• Animation: Animated explainer videos can simplify complex ideas through visuals, icons, and graphics. They are especially valuable when producing content without the ability to capture live video.

3. Acquire the Appropriate Tools

The value of your training videos significantly relies on the tools and equipment you employ. Here’s a glimpse of the essential tools to initiate your video production:

• Lighting Equipment: Adequate lighting is essential, notably if your recording location lacks natural light. It enhances video quality, professionalism, and the audience’s viewing experience. Recommended options include LED panel lighting, Fresnel lamps, and a ring-shaped light.

• HD Video Camera: A quality recording tool is essential, as it directly impacts the output. Maintaining a professional standard is crucial when producing online courses or internal training videos. Camera options span mobile phones, webcams, digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs), and mirrorless cameras, with higher video quality achieved with Full high-definition (Full HD) resolution at 1080p.

• Tripod: Even the most stable camera can benefit from a tripod to reduce shaky shots and enable smooth transitions and varying angles for better recording.

• Outboard Microphone: Most built-in microphones in video recording devices may not deliver high-quality audio. Investing in an outboard microphone can significantly enhance sound quality, with options such as lavalier microphones, shotgun microphones, and condenser microphones.

• Video Editor Software: Video production doesn’t conclude with recording! Next, you’ll need to edit your video in post-production. An efficient video editing software allows you to refine audio, color grade footage, add captions, and create a professional end product. Consider features like music integration, text incorporation, and special effects as part of your software selection process.

4. Create a Script

 A script is indispensable for maintaining focus and coherence in your video content. To draft an effective script:

• Understand Your Viewers: Understand your audience’s preferences, expectations, and background through focus groups, interviews, or surveys. Tailor your tone to match the context; a professional tone may be suitable for corporate training, while a more conversational style works for hobby-related or casual topics.

• Keep It Simple: Avoid overwhelming viewers with technical jargon, especially if your audience needs prior knowledge of the subject. Be swift with your teachings and consider breaking down complex topics into modules for a more digestible format.

• Consider Professional Assistance: If script writing isn’t your forte, you can hire an expert with experience to create a precise and coherent script.

5. Keep Videos Concise

Video length is a crucial consideration to keep your audience engaged. Long videos can risk losing the viewer’s interest. To maintain engagement:

• Avoid Lengthy Openers: Keep introductions concise, with no more than half a minute.

• Segment Longer Content: For complex subjects, divide videos into sessions of 3 to 5 minutes to provide viewers with breaks and manageable content.

• Additional Resources: Include references to supplementary learning materials for viewers seeking more in-depth knowledge.

6. Ensure Cross-Device Compatibility

Your videos should be accessible on various devices like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and desktops. Given differences in screen sizes and resolutions, thorough testing is necessary to ensure smooth playback, clear audio, and legible text across all devices.

Conclusion

Videos serve as valuable tools for disseminating knowledge and information, whether for training your company’s employees or aiding your audience in learning and refining their skills. By incorporating these strategies, you can enhance the effectiveness and informativeness of your training materials.