Have you ever wondered how to make a video tutorial? As you know, this type of video is all the rage today. What do you do when you need to learn new software? Or do you need to know how to fix something? You are probably looking for a video tutorial.
According to a recent TechSmith study, 53% of people seem to watch two or more video tutorials a week. Like any other video, creating a tutorial movie passes through a phase of pre-production, production, and post-production. This article will explain how an engaging and successful video tutorial is made.
What is a video tutorial?
As the name suggests, a video tutorial is a video that shows how something is done by explaining a concept or practical actions. Its goal is to transfer knowledge easily and immediately, addressing the widest possible audience. Different types of video tutorials can be made according to the brand’s needs.
- Most people prefer to watch a video tutorial rather than reading an item description before making a purchase;
- 2 out of 3 employees manage to complete a sale better if supported by a video tutorial;
- 7 out of 10 millennials watch video tutorials when shopping online;
- Video tutorials are among the most-watched content on YouTube every day;
- In successful blogs, each article is accompanied by a video tutorial.
Different types of video tutorials
Micro video
Micro videos are very short tutorials that focus on a single topic. Usually shorter than a minute long, they are designed to attract media users who have very short attention spans.
How-to videos
How-to videos are designed to teach a process, providing the user with step-by-step directions. Between 2 and 10 minutes long, they can be done creatively or schematically. The best are those made with extra care, which gives the final product a professional touch.
Training videos
Training videos are very useful tools in the business environment as they are designed to improve and implement employees’ skills in the most diverse areas: from those relating to the job to those relating to the rules. Usually, these videos are part of a broader training course designed by the company.
Explanatory videos
Less than two minutes long, how-to explanatory videos are designed to explain a concept or product in an engaging and visual way. Sometimes these videos use animations to simplify complex ideas into easy content for everyone to use.
Presentation video
A tutorial presentation video is perfect for making the presentation itself available even after its conclusion: both for educational and personal purposes. It is no coincidence that this type of video is particularly suitable for presentations born as PowerPoint slides: perhaps in a business or university setting.
Video screencast
Ideal for quick and immediate training, video screencasts are tutorials created by recording the computer or smartphone screen to which a voiceover is subsequently added.
These videos are very useful to show how something is done quickly, answer a question, or clarify a concept. These videos are created for an even faster consumption than other types.
Therefore, based on the type of content you want to create and what you want to say, remember that a good video tutorial must provide added value to the viewer, and it has to teach something the user doesn’t know.
Some mistakes to avoid
Making a video tutorial is not easy. It is necessary to have a solid knowledge of video medium and marketing. Here are some of the mistakes made most frequently in creating video tutorials.
Not knowing your audience
Knowing your audience is essential: whether your company operates in the education or fashion sector. Otherwise, it will be practically impossible to make a video that has added value and is understandable by your target audience.
As we have already said, a successful video tutorial must be potentially understood by a large audience: but this cannot be separated from a targeted audience. This will be useful for making a detailed and eye-catching video tutorial.
Being obsessed with perfection
Perfection does not exist. Maybe this will upset you and yet it is. This is why it is much better to concentrate on creating precise and creative work without the obsession with perfection burdening the freedom of creation.
Worrying too much about the equipment
Many people worry about hiring the team with the most advanced equipment, perhaps leaving out their experience in the field.
Of course, state-of-the-art equipment is very useful to make a good video but what matters most is realizing a vision. Something for which it is sometimes not necessary to have the latest equipment.
How to make a video tutorial
We have already mentioned the video tutorials that take advantage of screen recording. But how are they made? Like any other video, even a video of this type requires a process divided into several phases: from pre-production to production, up to post-production.
Identify and study your audience.
Before putting any script idea on paper, you need to ask yourself: who do you turn to and why should they need help? Don’t forget to answer the following questions:
- Where will the video be posted or broadcast?
- What is the best size to post it?
- Do you want the video to be interactive?
- Do you want the video to have extra features, like captions?
Take notes together with your team: answering these questions will help you create a clear video capable of adding value to your audience.
Draw a storyboard and write a script
After having fine-tuned the video tutorial topic and having studied your target audience well, you can focus on the storyboard and script. We usually start by making the storyboard, which is also called a drawn script.
Then you can focus on the script that will contain the lines that your viewers will hear in the video. Remember that, by its nature, the video tutorial must be as simple and short as possible. So better not get lost in difficult big words: the more concise, the better.
Record the narrator
After writing the script, it is possible to start recording the narration voice accompanying the video tutorial. There are many programs that professionals use for this process. Here are some tips for recording high-quality audio:
- Choose a good microphone (even the one connected to headphones);
- Record in a quiet place and as soundproof as possible;
- Speak slowly and clearly.
Record the screen
After recording the audio track, you can finally move on to screen recording. Here are some tips for screen recording:
- Clean up your desktop, close unnecessary applications and turn off notifications;
- Before starting the recording, do some tests so that the actions are fluid and clean;
- For greater audience involvement, consider adding a webcam recording of whoever is making the tutorial.
Editing
Like any other video, the tutorial also needs to go into post-production. In particular, the editing phase is very important to modify the video and the audio.
Said this way, it may seem like a simple thing, but as we have already said, it is always better to rely on professionals in the sector to obtain an engaging video with a pleasant look.
Add an introduction
As we have mentioned, it is important that the video tutorial can give added value to the viewer. In this regard, adding an introduction will help make your video interesting and instantly recognizable.
Introductions can be made in many different styles depending on the type of video tutorial itself and the type of topic covered. Many, for example, adopt animated graphics because they are colorful and immediately allow you to capture the attention of the beholder.
Sharing
Once the video tutorial is complete, it will need to be shared online. This is a critical choice and it is strictly connected to the type of target you intend to reach.
Depending on your brand’s needs, you can choose to share the video on online platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, or TikTok. Otherwise, you can post the video on social media like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Summary
Video tutorials are an excellent way to interface with the public and grow your business. By its nature, video is an engaging and immediate medium, therefore ideal for answering the questions of all your potential buyers. We’ve explained the types of video tutorials and some mistakes to avoid. Now you can follow the mentioned steps to make an attractive video tutorial for your business.
