In a world that’s increasingly digital, people are turning to the internet to discover new skills, learn how to use products, and quench their curiosity. 

It’s no surprise that, according to a study by Google, users are three times more likely to watch a tutorial video on YouTube than read written instructions for a product. Why would anyone want to drudge through paragraphs of dense text when they can watch a step-by-step video that visually guides them through the process?

Tutorial videos, and instructional videos, have become an integral part of the digital learning experience. They serve as a handy tool, not just for individuals seeking knowledge, but also for businesses striving to communicate effectively with their customers. Be it technology, healthcare, education, or entertainment, tutorial videos can simplify complex concepts, and turn tedious tasks into engaging experiences.

But what is it that makes a tutorial video truly stand out? What elements need to be incorporated to ensure that the video is not just informative, but also engaging and easy to follow? In this guide, we’ll delve into the essentials of creating good video tutorials, and show you how to make a tutorial video, step by step. 

Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to explain your product, an educator aiming to make learning fun, or simply someone trying to share your skills with the world, we’ve got you covered.

But before we dive into the ‘how’, it’s important to understand the ‘what’. By knowing exactly what a tutorial video is, you’ll have a stronger foundation to build on and be in a better position to fully grasp the key components of creating a fantastic tutorial video.

What is a tutorial video?

At its core, a tutorial video is a multimedia resource that is specifically designed to teach or guide viewers on how to complete a task, understand a concept, or use a product or service. It’s a dynamic digital tool that provides clear, concise, and visually engaging instructions to help viewers learn.

The true magic of a tutorial video lies in its ability to answer the ‘how-to’ question in the most efficient way possible. Tutorial videos do much more than just deliver information, they walk viewers through processes one step at a time. By providing practical insights, this thorough approach reinforces the learning experience and delivers real value to the viewer. 

What’s more, they’re incredibly versatile — a video tutorial can be about anything imaginable! If there’s knowledge that needs sharing, a process that needs demonstrating, or a concept that needs explaining then a tutorial video can do just that, regardless of the subject matter. 

While a business might use tutorial videos to explain how their product works to their customers or create training videos for their employees, a baker could show you how to make the world’s tastiest chocolate cake. From how to send an email, to how to send objects into space — there’s no limit to what a video tutorial can teach.

And, as 31.3% of internet users watch at least one tutorial video each week, there’s no doubt that people find them useful for learning new things.

How to make a tutorial video?

If you’re looking to create tutorial videos of your own, then there are several steps you need to take to ensure the content you create is the best it can be. Essentially, this all boils down to providing value to your viewers. 

As a concept, putting your viewers first is simple (and it really is simple) but there are some best practices to follow that will help ensure you’re keeping your content focused on providing the right information in the best possible way. 

Let’s take a look at the key steps to producing a good tutorial video: 

Write a script

Once your storyboard is ready, you’ll need to write a script. This will serve as the backbone of your video; guiding the content, the flow, and overall tone. An effective script transforms your storyboard from a mere outline into a fully fleshed narrative, setting the stage for content that will keep your audience’s eyes glued to the screen.

Be sure to use simple language that’s easy to understand. Remember, the goal is to educate your audience, so be sure to avoid jargon and complicated phrases that could be confusing.

You’ll also want to make sure that the video you create accurately reflects you or your brand. So you should write in the same style and tone of voice that you would use when speaking to your customers. 

Once you’ve written a first draft, we’d recommend reading it out loud at least once to make sure it sounds natural. The way we write is often different from how we speak, so you might need to make a few changes to avoid sounding like a robot — or worse, boring!

For the actual content of your script, start with a brief introduction that outlines what the viewers can expect from the video. Then, lead into the body of the video, where you detail the steps or processes. Be sure to break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps, making it easier for your audience to follow along.

Finally, it’s important to conclude with a summary of the key points and a clear call to action (CTA). If you want your viewers to subscribe to your newsletter, tell them. If they could benefit from your other videos or resources, share them. This is your chance to suggest what they should do next!

While not strictly necessary, depending on the complexity of your video, you may also want to consider creating a storyboard. This is the fundamental plan for a video and will help you keep the content on track, rather than relying on impromptu ideas while filming. 

You can watch the video on this topic at the top of this post, to listen to the podcast episode, hit play below, or read on for more…

Set up your equipment

Crafting a great tutorial video isn’t just about having an excellent script or a comprehensive storyboard. The quality of your video also depends significantly on the technical aspects, namely the equipment you use and how you use it — but you probably knew that already. 

While we don’t believe that the quality of a video rests solely on expensive equipment, making sure your video has good audio and visuals can make it more engaging and professional, ensuring your message is delivered effectively. 

Whatever equipment you’re using, the key to getting the most out of it lies in how you set it up. Even the best camera in the world isn’t going to capture anything in a room with no light. With that in mind, let’s talk a little more about how to set up your equipment for the best results:

Microphone

The importance of clear, crisp audio in a tutorial video cannot be overstated. Your audience needs to hear your instructions clearly to follow along effectively. 

If you can, it’s worth investing in a good-quality microphone that can capture your voice without any distortion or background noise. But, you don’t have to spend a fortune. You can get some very good quality microphones for less than $100. 

Position it close enough to capture your voice clearly, but far enough to avoid any harsh sounds. Be sure to run a few mic checks to ensure the sound is just right.

No matter what microphone you’re using, you should always try to record your audio somewhere nice and quiet. The less external noise your mic picks up, the better it’ll be for your video. 

Webcam

A high-resolution webcam can deliver a clear and sharp image that adds a professional touch to your tutorials. However, the money you spend on an expensive camera will be wasted if you don’t set it up properly.

Before you push the record button, be sure to place your webcam at eye level. This will make your video feel more natural as it gives the impression that you’re speaking to your audience face-to-face. You should also ensure your background is free of clutter, and ideally a neutral color.

Lighting

Getting the perfect lighting in your video is arguably much more important than getting the best webcam. With good lighting, you’ll add depth to your footage and ensure you and your products are clearly visible. 

Natural light is always best, but if your busy schedule keeps you busy in the daytime — or you’re in the North Pole for winter — then you might want to consider getting a ring light or softbox. 

Be sure to face your source of light (so that viewers see more than your silhouette) and make sure it evenly illuminates the area you’re recording to reduce harsh shadows and overexposed areas.

Edit your tutorial video

Creating a tutorial video is only half the battle; the other half lies in the editing. It’s here where you’ll polish your content, reinforce your message, and make your video truly engaging. Even the smallest enhancements can significantly improve the viewer experience. 

Here, we’ll discuss several key editing aspects that can take your tutorial videos to the next level. Let’s get started! 

Add a table of contents

Including a table of contents in your tutorial video helps viewers navigate your content with ease and find the parts of the video that they’re most interested in. This is especially useful for longer videos that answer multiple questions or explain processes with several steps. 

Some tables of contents will simply display the timestamps of different sections at the very beginning of a video. However, with tools like Techsmith Camtasia, you can easily create interactive tables of contents that allow users to quickly jump between sections at the click of a button. 

Highlight/emphasize important aspects of your tutorial

Emphasizing key points or steps in your tutorial helps viewers recognize the more important aspects of your video without getting lost in the details. 

Zooming, spotlighting, and adding annotations are just some of the creative editing tools in Camtasia that you can use to draw your audience’s attention and highlight specific points or parts of the recording.

Another great way to highlight important parts of a presentation or screen recording is to make the most of Camtasia’s cursor effects. By enlarging, highlighting, or creating a spotlight around your cursor, you can effortlessly draw the viewer’s attention to specific on-screen actions, making complex processes easier to follow. In doing so, you’ll ensure that the most important information isn’t missed.

Add some background music

Adding music to your video can go a long way to making your tutorial more engaging. While the right music can help set the tone and fill in any silence, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t distract from the visual content or your narration. 

If the background music is too loud, or too “in your face” (or ears!), it can do more to detract from your video than add to it. With this in mind, you might need to adjust the volume of the music and make the actual video louder, to maintain the right balance between audio tracks. 

It’s also important to choose audio that complements the tone of your tutorial. You’ll be glad to know that Camtasia offers a massive library of royalty-free music, categorized by genre and mood, that you can use as the background to your video. 

Add captions

By adding captions to your videos, you ensure that your content is accessible to the widest possible audience. From people with hearing impairments to those watching your video on their phone in a public space, captions help ensure that everyone can follow along with your content no matter who or where they are. 

Captions also improve comprehension as it’s easier to follow along and digest information when it’s being read as well as said out loud. Tools such as Camtasia, and TechSmith Audiate, can help you create captions for your videos automatically — so there’s really no reason not to include them in your video! 

Number each step

If your video contains a lot of different steps, we’d recommend numbering each of them as you go along, as this will help viewers follow along more effectively. Numbers provide structure to your content and can make complex procedures easier to understand — a bit like numbered subtitles in a how-to guide. 

Add transition sounds

As well as adding numbers to each step, transition sounds can help show the change between one step and another, which will help improve the overall flow of your video and make it come across as more professional. 

While this may seem like a small thing, sometimes it’s the smallest details that have the greatest impact — especially when you pay attention to all the details. 

However, you should also be careful not to overdo it. As with a lot of editing effects, too much tampering can make your video look amateurish, and you’ll risk distracting and confusing your audience. With this in mind, it’s usually better to add effects (audio and visual) with a “less is more” approach.

Publish your tutorial video

If you’ve managed to come this far in creating a captivating tutorial video, then we salute you! But there’s still one more step you need to take before you can put your feet up: publish your video tutorial!

These days there are so many different places where you can upload your video, and your publishing platform of choice can dramatically affect your video’s visibility, engagement, and overall success. 

With that in mind, here’s a quick roundup of some of the platforms where you can host your video:

YouTube

YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, making it an excellent platform for video tutorials. Publishing your own videos is as easy as logging in, clicking on the ‘Create’ button, and selecting ‘Upload video’.

Because YouTube has such a massive user base, there is an opportunity for your videos to reach a huge audience. However, there’s also a chance it will get lost in the endless stream of great video content. So don’t forget to add an enticing title, a detailed description, and relevant tags to help your video reach the right people.

For more tips, we also have a beginner’s guide on how to make a YouTube video. 

Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter are also great places for sharing your video tutorials. It’s worth remembering that each platform is used by different people and for different reasons, so choose the one that aligns best with your target audience. 

Uploading a video is usually as easy as clicking on the ‘Post’ or ‘Share’ button and selecting your video file. Social media platforms can also propel audience engagement rates, and the ability for users to quickly share content can help your tutorial spread virally.

TechSmith Screencast

TechSmith Screencast is a specialized platform for sharing screen recordings and videos. With seamless integration with Camtasia, you can easily publish your tutorial videos directly from your editing suite. Just click ‘Share’ and choose ‘Screencast’. 

The benefits of Screencast include easy video management, the ability to control who views your content, and the option to embed your videos on blogs or websites. While your video probably won’t go viral, there may be a time that you don’t want the world to have access to your content. 

Screencast is a great choice if you want a dedicated, professional space for your videos where they can be easily shared, viewed, and engaged with.

Tips to make a great tutorial video

So now you know the basics of how to make a tutorial video, and where to publish it. While you’re probably raring to get started — and practice is the best way to hone your video making expertise — there are a few more things we think you should know. 

In this section, we’ll explore some tips that will help your video tutorials go from good to great. 

Pick a good title for your tutorial video

Giving your video the right title is more important than you might think. As it’s the first point of contact between your video and potential viewers, the best titles intrigue users and encourage them to click on your video. Meanwhile, a poorly chosen title may cause users to scroll past it, even if the content is top-notch.

Compelling titles are concise, descriptive, keyword-rich, and should give viewers a clear idea of what to expect from the video. Include keywords that your audience might use when searching for the information your video provides. This will improve your video’s visibility not only on YouTube but also on Google. 

For example, if you’re creating a tutorial on using a specific feature in a software program, a good title might be “How to Use Feature X in Software Y: A Step-by-Step Guide”. This title is straightforward, informative, and likely matches the search queries of users looking for guidance on that particular topic.

It might be a relatively simple step, but it’s not one that you can afford to miss. If you do plan on uploading your video to a platform like YouTube, you should also spend some time working on a good video thumbnail to further entice potential viewers. 

Use both video and narration

Leveraging video and narration in your tutorial is a powerful way to deliver information more effectively. This dual-channel approach caters to different learning styles, ensuring your tutorial can be understood and appreciated by a broader audience.

Video visuals provide a concrete demonstration of the steps or processes being taught. Seeing the steps in action can make the procedure much easier to follow, especially for complex tasks. Whether you’re using screen recordings, animations, or live-action footage, the visual elements of your video are crucial for showcasing the ‘how-to’ part of your tutorial.

Meanwhile, the narration provides essential context and explanation that visuals alone can’t deliver. It offers the opportunity to explain why certain steps are taken, provide background information, and give additional tips. A clear and well-paced narration enhances the viewer’s understanding and helps maintain their engagement throughout the video.

However, it’s vital that the video and the narration work together in harmony. What’s shown should align with what’s being said, with each element reinforcing the other. When it’s done right, the combination of video and narration can make your tutorial engaging, informative, and easy to follow.

Invest in a good microphone

Sound quality plays a significant role in the overall impression and effectiveness of video content. Poor audio can distract from your message, make your tutorial harder to follow, and even cause viewers to click away. 

On the other hand, the best microphones for recording video will capture sound more accurately and deliver clearer, more professional-sounding audio. They reduce background noise and enhance the clarity of your voice, making your narration more engaging and easier to understand.

So, naturally, investing in a professional microphone will make a huge difference to the quality of your audio and will work to keep your audience focused and engaged. 

That said, it’s important to note that while a good microphone can improve your audio quality, it’s not a necessity for making a great video tutorial. If you’re just starting out, or working on a budget, there are plenty of ways to improve your audio without breaking the bank, such as:

• Using a quiet, echo-free room for recording
• Speaking clearly and slowly
• Using editing software to clean up your audio 

At the end of the day, the most important thing is the value you’re giving through your tutorial. Provided you’re delivering useful, clear, and engaging content, viewers will appreciate your video, even if the audio isn’t studio quality.

Making tutorial videos, the FAQs

In today’s digital age, video communication has become a major part of day-to-day life. From virtual meetings and online interviews to social media, video content creation and even Facetime calls with friends and family, we use video more than ever before. However, the expectation to be on camera — and the apparent normality of it — doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. 

While knowing how to be comfortable on camera has become an essential skill for many, there are still those who struggle with camera shyness. In fact, the very idea of being on camera can, for some, be quite terrifying.

This feeling of digital stage fright can be difficult to overcome, however with a few simple techniques and a little practice, anyone can become comfortable and confident on camera. 

Don’t believe us? 

Well, it’s worth remembering that some of the world’s greatest actors and performers have never gotten over their stage fright (including Adele and Ewan McGregor) but they have learned to control it.

So whether you’re an introvert by nature, feel self-conscious on camera, or simply don’t know where to start, this article will provide you with tips and tricks to help you feel at ease and confident when you’re in the spotlight.

What is camera shyness?

Camera shyness is a natural feeling

Feeling uncomfortable on camera is perfectly natural. In fact, the very act of being on video brings out three very common fears associated with performance anxiety, including: 

• Camera shyness: This is often about self-image and the fear of being judged for how you look on camera.
  
• Public speaking anxiety: On the other side of the same coin, this is the fear of being judged while speaking in front of a group of people.
  
• Stage fright: While similar to camera shyness, stage fright is about action and is the fear of performing in front of an audience. 

Video communication brings together all three of these fears, creating a perfect storm for social anxiety. When you’re on camera, your image, voice, and actions are all recorded and on display, which can exacerbate existing self-consciousness and highlight nervous ticks – even the ones you didn’t know you had! 

It’s also worth noting that video often feels more permanent and formal than other forms of communication. For instance, when you’re speaking in person, you have the benefit of nonverbal cues, such as body language, and the ability to adjust your message in real time. 

For many, the permanency of being recorded can add to the fear of making irreparable mistakes. It’s scary stuff – but knowing what part of being on video causes you the most anxiety can help you focus on making steps to feel more comfortable.

Camera shyness is very common

If you feel camera shy, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone – it’s actually incredibly common. As the line between our personal and professional lives continues to blur, more people are communicating via video than ever before. 

This doesn’t mean that everyone loves being on video (quite the opposite) but it does mean that a lot of people are managing to overcome their anxieties, which means you can too!

So let’s get one thing straight: Feeling camera shy is not a flaw and you’re not a failure for feeling uncomfortable on the screen – you’re just human. It’s completely natural to feel affected by the common fears we’ve mentioned above. In fact, recognizing how these anxieties affect you is the first step to overcoming them.

Try taking some time to think about what it is that makes you feel most uncomfortable about being on camera. Are you worried about being judged by your appearance or the sound of your voice? Does the idea of public speaking give you chills? Once you’ve identified the root cause of your discomfort, you can start to take steps to address it and develop strategies to feel more comfortable on camera.

Remember, too, that everyone has their own unique set of anxieties and insecurities, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to overcoming camera shyness. But by recognizing that your discomfort on video is a common issue and taking the time to understand why it scares you, you can start to develop a plan to conquer the camera.

You can watch the video on this topic at the top of this post, or listen to the podcast episode, by hitting play below, or read on for more…

Tips to be more comfortable on camera

Now that you have a better understanding of why you might feel uncomfortable on camera and how to move forward, let’s explore some practical tips for being on camera and feeling more comfortable on video. From making small adjustments to your environment, to learning techniques to calm your nerves and present yourself more confidently, we’re going to look at how to get comfortable recording yourself.

While it can take some time and practice to feel completely at ease on camera, incorporating these tips into your video-making process can make a big difference in how you feel and come across to your audience. 

So, take a deep breath, grab your camera, and let’s get started!

1/ Plan out your main talking points

The key to dealing with pressure is being prepared, and making sure you know exactly what you want to say before making a video, giving a presentation, or hosting a meeting, is a great way to stay ahead of the game. 

Think about it, you’ll be much more relaxed when you’re not trying to think of what to say next. While you might want to consider writing out a full script, even having a bulleted list of talking points will go a long way to help prepare — both practically and mentally — for being on film. 

In other words, being prepared will make you feel prepared, and when you feel prepared, you’ll feel more confident. It’s that simple.

2/ Rehearse!

Another essential part of being prepared to make a video is rehearsing it. We don’t just mean rehearsing your script in front of the mirror (though that will help as well) but rehearsing the whole process from start to finish. 

For the best results, you should try creating a kind of ‘dummy video’ to not only get used to being on camera and practicing what you want to say, but to familiarize yourself with the tools and software you’ll be using. 

Whether you’re recording a training video or giving a live presentation via Zoom, it’s really important to know what you’re doing. 

There’s nothing worse than finding yourself flailing at the beginning of your video because you’ve accidentally put your microphone on mute and you can’t figure out how to share your screen. It’s the kind of vicious cycle that will only make you feel more nervous and flustered. 

And keep in mind, as you get more comfortable on camera, you’ll likely be able to skip this step and just get to creating the real thing.

It is, of course, just as important to rehearse your script but that doesn’t mean memorizing it word-for-word. Instead, focus on key points and the message you’re trying to convey.

This is a great trick for how to act natural on camera, rather than a script-reading robot! You’ll also be less likely to trip up if you do forget a point, as rather than trying to remember lots of words and sentences, you’ll only be trying to remember ideas, concepts, and talking points. Trust us, it’s much easier this way – and it’s better for your audience. 

3/ Make sure the camera angle is flattering

One of the best ways to look professional on camera (and feel it!) is to ensure you’ve got a good camera angle. In case you’re wondering how to angle your camera for a video or virtual meeting, most people look best when the camera is at — or slightly above — their eye line.

If you have a webcam that’s separate from your laptop, then you probably have some flexibility about where you can place it. If not, you can buy adjustable laptop stands to get a better angle – or you can place your laptop on a stack of sturdy books!

It’s a small thing that can make a big difference. 

As a side note, it’s also worth ensuring you’ve got perfect lighting in the room where you’ll be recording. One of the easiest ways to do this without fancy equipment is to record videos in a room with plenty of natural light, at a time when it’s not too bright (and not too dark – but you knew that already).

4/ Dress for the occasion

When you’re interacting with people via video, whether that’s through a live virtual meeting, or a pre-recorded video, it’s important to dress the part. In the same way you wouldn’t wear cargo shorts to a black tie event, you probably shouldn’t wear a tank top to conduct an online training course. 

This isn’t about adjusting your image to suit your audience, we’re merely suggesting you wear something that you’ll be comfortable in. No, that doesn’t mean wearing sweatpants, it means wearing something that will make you feel confident and empowered – something you feel good in. 

When recording on video, remember that solid colors tend to record better on video than patterns do. We also suggest avoiding all-white and all-black clothes as these can throw off the white balance on your camera. 

5/ Talk slower

This is one of the most useful tips for how to speak confidently on camera, and it sometimes gets overlooked. Speaking slowly (though not too slowly) is not only great for ensuring what you say will be understood, but it makes you look professional and at ease – while simultaneously helping you relax under the spotlight.

That might sound crazy, but talking fast is a key symptom of nervousness – you know it and your audience know it. By speaking slowly, you’ll appear calm, and while you might not be calm at first, it won’t take long before you actually start to feel it. It’s really quite incredible. 

One great way to regulate the speed of your speech is to pause between thoughts and remember to breathe. If you talk too fast, it might be because you’re breathing too fast – or maybe you’re not breathing enough! But breathing and speaking are very closely interlinked, so by keeping your breathing in check, you’ll be regulating your speech without even realizing it.

Keeping your breathing under control will also help slow your heart rate and work to calm your nerves, so it’s a win-win! Of course, if you’ve made a video but you think you are talking too fast (or too slowly), you can change the video speed in while you edit your video.

On the other hand, if you’re more concerned about the volume at which you speak, don’t be.  When it comes to recording videos, you can easily make your video louder when editing it to increase the volume. That said, the best way to ensure your heard loud and clear is to add subtitles to every video you make. 

6/ Take advantage of screen shares

If one of the issues you have with being on video is being able to see your own face on camera (we know how distracting it can be!) then you might find it useful to share your screen rather than show your face. 

By just sharing your screen, or by creating a screen recording, you can focus on the audio part of the recording and worry less about the angle of your camera, the lighting, and the clothes you’re wearing. 

With Camtasia , you can record your screen and your webcam at the same time. This isn’t something you have to do, but once you’ve got used to recording your screen and the sound of your own voice (which is always an adjustment!), you might want to get used to seeing yourself while recording. 

There’s no need to rush into anything you don’t feel comfortable with, but this could be a great way to slowly ease yourself into being on video and normalizing the very act of seeing yourself on screen.

7/ Use hand gestures

Being on camera can make you feel on the spot, which might lead you to freeze up or feel like you don’t know what to do with yourself. This is especially true for knowing what to do (or what not to do) with your hands. 

Now, we’d love to say something like, “Don’t think about it!” but we know it’s not that simple. So instead, we’re going to say “Use them!” 

Yes, use your hands. Hand gestures are one of the cornerstones of body language and a crucial nonverbal cue for conveying context and information. We use our hands all the time when we’re talking to people face-to-face, and talking to a camera shouldn’t be any different. 

While it can be difficult to start treating a camera like a person, especially if you’re not in a virtual meeting, it will start to feel more natural with practice. Before long, you’ll be using your hands online without even realizing it – just like you do in real life! 

8/ Just keep making more and more videos

Does practice make perfect? Yes it does. 

If you’re reading this, then it’s because you want to improve your on-camera skills. Well, one of the best ways to do that is to not avoid being on camera but rather get on camera as often as you can. Think of it as a kind of exposure therapy to help normalize being on video. 

Take the opportunity to make different videos, such as instructional videos and YouTube videos, in different environments. You might also find that editing your videos, adding effects, and learning how to use different tools, such as how to blur parts of your screen or add music to your video, is a fun way to get used to seeing more of yourself on camera.

For the ultimate test, you could even try live streaming a video. You don’t need to stream to an audience if you don’t want to, but the more videos you make, the faster you’ll feel comfortable recording them.

9/ Don’t take yourself too seriously!

As with many things in life, it’s important not to take yourself too seriously when you’re on camera. If you can try and shift your perspective to think of recording yourself as a fun way to communicate with people (because that’s what exactly it is!) rather than some stuffy formal affair, you’re going be much more relaxed. Who knows, you might even enjoy it! 

Our fear of being on video often comes from a fear of being judged, or worrying about how we’ll come across to others. By loosening up and embracing yourself for who you are, you’ll be taking away some of the pressure you put on yourself. 

Remember, nobody’s perfect, and most people don’t expect you to be.

Another way to not take yourself too seriously is to focus on the fun and playful aspects of being on video. Whether you’re creating a video for work or just for fun, try to approach it with a lighthearted attitude. Make silly faces, crack jokes, and experiment with different backgrounds or camera angles. 

By allowing yourself to have fun with the process, you’ll start to associate being on camera with positive emotions rather than anxiety or stress.

10/ Go easy on yourself!

On the subject of not taking yourself too seriously, go easy on yourself! We can often be our own worst enemies when it comes to being critical of our achievements. But, if you’ve managed to make a video while feeling anxious and uncomfortable, you’ve done an incredible thing. 

Now’s the time to pat yourself on the back, not scold yourself. And while you’re at it, remind yourself that you’re going to get better at being on video with every camera appearance you make. 

If you’re brave enough to watch your videos back (and remember, a lot of actors don’t watch their own movies) then it’s worth noting that anything “bad” you notice about yourself or your performance will probably go unnoticed by the other people watching it.

Camera shyness FAQs

Did you know that by the time someone is looking for a product demo video, they’re already very keen on the idea of buying that said product? In fact, there’s a good chance they’re already sold.

Research by Think With Google found that over 50% of internet users look for videos related to a product or service before visiting a store, making it crucial for businesses to invest in product demo videos. Without a compelling demonstration of your product, you run the risk of losing potential customers to competitors that have invested in video marketing.

You may already have a good idea of just how important video marketing is and the impact it can have on driving sales. But, creating a product demo video might seem intimidating if you’re not familiar with the process. 

That’s where this guide comes in! 

In this article, we’ll provide you with the necessary resources and skills to create a top-notch product demo video that will help you showcase the unique features and benefits of your product.

What is a product demo video?

In a nutshell, a product demonstration video illustrates how your product works by showing it in action. This can be a compelling way to communicate the value of your product to prospective customers and persuade them to make a purchase.

In fact, product demo videos are one of the most popular types of instructional videos out there – and for good reason! Plus, knowing how to make a product demo video is a skill that will serve you well across a wide range of industries and professions — maybe even all of them! 

What’s more, you don’t need to be a video expert to create an amazing demo video! With the right tools and a bit of planning, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning video that showcases the full potential of your product.

In this guide, we’ll break down the process of how to make a demo video into four easy steps, so you can create outstanding video marketing content. But first, let’s take a look at some of the other ways businesses can benefit from demo videos.

How can product demo videos benefit your business?

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: product demo videos are an effective — possibly the most effective — way to showcase a product’s features and use cases.

By visually demonstrating how your product works and highlighting important features, you can help potential customers understand how it can meet their needs. This is especially important in today’s market, where consumers are bombarded with countless options and are often looking for guidance on what to buy. 

However, the very best demo videos can benefit businesses in a number of ways. From building trust and credibility to increasing traffic and sales. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable ways in which a video demo of a product can help businesses grow. 

Product demo videos build credibility

Perhaps one of the key benefits of product demo videos is that they can help establish credibility and encourage your audience to trust that your product is going to help them in the way they need. 

By giving potential customers a clear understanding of what they can expect from your product and what makes it the best solution to the problem they’re trying to solve, you can help them feel more comfortable in taking the next step and making a purchase. This is especially important for newer or lesser-known products, where customers may be hesitant to take a chance on something they’re unfamiliar with.

Product demo videos introduce product features

Showcasing the features of a product and its USPs is a great way to sell to an audience without making it feel like a heavy-handed sales pitch. Rather than telling your audience they need to buy your product, you’re showing them how it will help them. 

This ‘show don’t tell’ approach can be a great way to explain how your product will address their needs, without seeming too “salesy”. In turn, this will help you build trust with your audience, and come across as a brand that’s authentic and approachable.

You can also use product demos as a way to announce product updates and explain new features. By walking viewers through the changes and showing how they’ll benefit, you can get your audience excited about what’s to come. 

Product demo videos increase traffic

There are a number of ways that video can help boost traffic to your website. First, the internet has become an incredibly visual space and with this change, videos have become more and more important for SEO.

In fact, research shows that websites featuring videos are 53 times more likely to reach the front page of Google than those without. And with over 25% of searchers clicking on the first organic search result, getting links to your website as high as possible on the first page of Google is key to driving traffic.

And what do users do once they’re on a website with lots of video content? They watch the content! Your videos will encourage users to spend more time on your page, which sends a positive signal to search engines — boosting your SEO and web traffic even higher! It’s like the opposite of a vicious circle. 

Finally, videos can be shared across a wide range of platforms, from YouTube to Facebook, all of which can increase your brand’s visibility and reach. In fact, viewers will share the very best videos with their friends and family, further increasing your exposure and driving more traffic to your website.

Product demo videos increase sales

When potential customers see your product in action, they’ll start to understand how it can solve their problems, which will make them more likely to buy. It’s not just about showing them what your product can do, it’s about addressing any doubts or concerns they may have about the quality or effectiveness of the product in question.

Good advertising has, at some point or another, fooled all of us into thinking that some product is going to be the best thing since sliced bread. But then when we finally get our hands on it, it doesn’t live up to expectations and we’re left disappointed. 

As a result, many people have become skeptical of advertising and wary of products that might not be all they’re cracked up to be. However, showing people how your product works will give them a little taste of what it will be like to use it themselves. This can alleviate doubts, which will make consumers more likely to make a purchase.

So, if your business is yet to make a product demo video, then what are you waiting for? 

How to make a product demo video

Step 1: Plan your product demo video

As the old adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail — and the same goes when you make a demo video. To create a successful demo video it’s absolutely vital that you take the time to plan out your video. 

This means thinking about your video’s message, working out what you want your audience to learn from it, and what they’ll need to see in order to take the next step. As you plan your product demo, you’ll also want to include the following points:

Describe the product

Provide a high-level introduction to what your product does — but keep it brief. Remember, your audience is already interested in buying your product, they wouldn’t be watching your video if they weren’t! 

Provide a solution

While it can be tempting to focus exclusively on cool features, be sure to mention the problems and pain points that your product will solve. The idea here is to remind your audience why they need your product, which will encourage them to take the plunge. 

Show how the product works

A video demo wouldn’t be a demo without a demonstration. But remember, while it’s important to show your audience how your product works, you should avoid going into too much detail. 

Your demo video doesn’t need to outline every single step required to use the product. In fact, it’s usually better to put the more intricate details in a tutorial video.

If you are working with a complex product, however, you might consider creating multiple demo videos that address different functions and uses. However, we’d still recommend starting with a more general overview that’s likely to appeal to your entire audience.

Provide the audience with a clear call-to-action (CTA)

At the end of your demo video, always provide a specific and clear next step for your audience to take. Your CTA can be super simple, such as a button to “Start a Trial”, “Request More Information”, or even “Buy Now”. In fact, we’d say that the best CTAs are simple and effortless — because customers are more likely to follow the path of least resistance. 

Once you’ve thought through each aspect and have an idea of how to incorporate them into your video, you might find it helpful to write a script and storyboard. This will ensure you have a solid foundation for your product video demonstration.

Then, with a clear plan of action, it’s time to move on to step two.

Step 2: Start with a product demo video template

Now, if you’re thinking that you need to create a product demo video from scratch, we’re here to tell you otherwise. 

With Camtasia, you can access a wide range of templates to help make the video creation process as smooth and easy as possible. And before you ask, yes, we do have a product demo template that you can use in Camtasia. 

This template is called “feature demo”, and as soon as you open it into Camtasia, you’ll see that, as if by magic, your entire video will already be laid out for you. Best of all, the template is completely customizable! You can change colors, logos, fonts, and more to fit your product branding.

Once you’ve opened up your template, it’s time to move on to the third step: recording your footage.

Step 3: Record your product in action

To capture a software program in action, you’ll need a tool that will let you record your screen. Fortunately, we at TechSmith have several screen recording tools you can use.

Of course, if you’re filming a demonstration of a physical product, you’ll need a physical camera rather than a screen recorder. But most of the other steps discussed in this guide will still apply to you. 

For desktop software

If you’re using a desktop, Camtasia is a great all-in-one program for creating a demo video project, as it offers tools to record your screen and edit your video.

For iOS apps

On the other hand, if you need to record an app or feature on an iOS device, we can help you there as well! With the TechSmith Capture mobile app, you can easily record your smartphone screen and import the recording into Camtasia.

Once you have your software open on your computer, you may want to walk through the product demonstration a few times for practice, kind of like a dress rehearsal! 
When it comes to doing the product demonstration for real, it’s worth considering the desired dimensions of your finished video, as resizing it later on might affect the picture quality. Knowing the output size before you record will ensure that your finished video is crisp and clear.

Then, when you’re ready, open Camtasia and select the record option. You’ll then be prompted to select the part of your screen that you wish to capture.

This is also when you’ll need to select which audio sources you want to record, including system audio, microphone audio, neither, or both. Recording system audio means anything that would normally play through your computer speakers will also be captured, which might be important if your software features any sound.

However, system audio refers to all the sounds that your computer makes, including things like email notifications. So be sure to adjust your settings so your recording isn’t interrupted by distracting beeps and tones.

If you choose to record your narration as you demonstrate your product, then you’ll also want to capture your microphone. However, if you have prepared a script, you might find it easier to record your voiceover separately, after you’ve captured the onscreen action. But don’t worry, Camtasia makes it easy to sync audio and video sources.  

Once all the prep and practice is out of the way, it’s time to hit the Record button and capture your demonstration. Don’t worry — you’ve got this! 

When you’ve finished showing how the product works, hit Stop. 

You can follow the same steps to capture any additional recordings that you outlined in your plan. Keep in mind, it’s easier to remove or trim down any unwanted footage than to have to re-record a missed step later.

Step 4: Edit your product demo Video

Once you’ve planned and filmed your video, it’s time for the fun part – editing! Don’t worry if you’re new to this, Camtasia’s easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor makes editing easy and intuitive.

The editing suite is where you can trim your footage, insert your audio narration, add captions, add music, and play with animated effects — as well as a load of other things that will make your video stand out. 

From the TechSmith blog to the free TechSmith Academy, there’s a whole library of resources and instructional tutorials that you can use to familiarize yourself with all of Camtasia’s tools.

However, do keep in mind that despite the cornucopia of tools and effects, it’s important not to go overboard. We know firsthand how tempting it can be to use every neat trick you learn, but remember to refer back to your storyboard for guidance, and always keep your audience in mind.

The best videos are usually kept simple so that your audience can focus on the information you want to convey.

How to edit with templates

If you used a template to create your video, even better! Your editing process will be even faster and more efficient.

With the template already laid out on your timeline, it’s as simple as taking your screen recording (or real-life footage) and dropping it into the placeholder.

Camtasia will give you a few options for adding your footage to the placeholders, but we recommend using Ripple Replace. This option adjusts the length of the placeholder to fit your footage, without removing affecting the other items and effects. It’s all customizable though, so feel free to adjust the transitions and identification (often called lower-third) graphics as you see fit.

The “feature demo” template also has options to add device frames that can make your footage look like it’s on a computer screen or mobile device. All you have to do is drag your clip into a scene and transition into the full screen of your recording.

Pretty sweet, right?

Bonus! Reuse your template

Now this part is really cool. Once you have your demo video set out the way you like, you can save it as a new template, ready to be used for your next video, and the one after that! 

This can save a lot of time in the future as you’ll already have all your own brand elements ready to go. The only thing you’ll have to do next time is swap out the footage and any visual aids, such as text or annotations, that are specific to your recording.

Saving the video you just made as your own custom template is easy too. In fact, it’s probably easier than all the other steps we’ve covered — and even they weren’t that hard, right? 

The first step is to replace the screen recording with a placeholder, after you’ve saved and/or exported your demo video that is. To do this, right-click any piece of media on the timeline and choos Convert to Placeholder.

Then, go to File > Save as Template and provide a name for the template file. This saves the template in Camtasia on your computer.

If, on the other hand, you want to share your template, go to File > Export > Template, and name the file.

Your template will then be exported as a Camtasia Template file, known as a CAMTEMPLATE. Once it’s exported, you can send the file to colleagues or place it in a shared location. All they have to do is download the template file and double-click to add it to their templates menu, where it can be selected at any time.

The Camtasia template file works on both Windows and Mac, so you don’t have to worry about sharing between different platforms.

Product demo video FAQs

Instructional videos are a powerful tool for anyone looking to teach colleagues, employees, and students. Whether you’re an employer, an educator, or a content creator, videos are an effective way to engage your audience and deliver information in a way that’s easy to follow along and understand.

After all, this TechSmith survey found that 98% of people who use video at work say it improves the effectiveness of their message.

While it’ll come as no surprise that instructional videos are a great way to teach people to do things like how to make a Youtube video, they can also help people learn completely new skills like video editing. 

However, instructional videos can be used for more than just educating viewers, as videos can also help you grow your business. By providing educational content to potential customers, businesses can establish themselves as industry leaders and earn the trust of their audience. Moreover, having video content on your website can work to increase traffic to your site and boost social media engagement. 

With such a wide range of uses and benefits, it’s no wonder that video content is the number one way people prefer to share knowledge and learn new skills. In fact, research shows that people prefer to consult video content when looking for answers to specific questions. Additionally:

• 83% of people prefer watching videos to accessing instructional or informational content via text or audio.
  
• More than half of online shoppers use video to help make purchase decisions.
  
• Two out of three employees complete tasks better when instructions are provided visually and absorb information 7% faster.
  
• More than 70% of YouTube viewers turn to the platform for help solving problems.

In this guide, we’ll discuss why video is important, what makes a good instructional video, and show you how to create different types of helpful videos — from explainer videos to video demonstrations — in ways that will captivate your audience. 

By reading this guide, you’ll also learn: 

• The most popular types of instructional videos
• Common mistakes people make when creating instructional videos
• The best software for making instructional videos
• The best way to make instructional videos in 7 steps
• The actual cost of making tutorial, training, and explainer videos

What is an instructional video?

In a nutshell, instructional videos are visual tools that teach viewers how to do something, or explain a subject, process, or concept. 

The best instructional videos are designed to be engaging and visually appealing through the use of visual effects, text, and audio. An instructional video might also feature a number of animations, graphics, and on-screen annotations to highlight key points and make the information more focused and digestible.

Of course, the benefits of instructional videos aren’t solely for the viewers as they’re actually really easy (and pretty fun) to make. Once you start creating your own instructional videos, you might also find that they can help simplify your concepts, ideas, and processes while making both the teaching and learning process much more personal.

The most common types of instructional videos

The great thing about instructional videos is that there is no limit to the topics they can cover. For example, an instructional video could be a product demonstration, a how-to guide, a software tutorial, or a safety procedure – the possibilities are endless! 

So let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of instructional videos.

Microvideos

Microvideos are brief and concentrated instructional videos that center on teaching a specific and narrow topic without going into too much depth. 

The term “microvideo” is really just a fancy word for “short video.” They’re designed to be super-concise and are typically less than one minute long. As with many types of video content, microvideos can either be highly polished or very informal, depending on their purpose and audience.

Plus, microvideoscan deliver a targeted message without an overwhelming amount of information. By focusing on one particular topic, microvideos help viewers quickly learn a new skill or gain knowledge on a specific subject. 

When to use a microvideo?

You might use a microvideo whenever you need to teach or explain a simple concept in a few steps. For example, a microvideo could be perfect for explaining how to use a new software feature. On the other hand, more complex concepts could be broken down into several logical steps with a series of microvideos for each one. 

Some instructors shy away from long-form videos as many argue that microvideos offer the same outcomes, but with better audience engagement. This strategy also allows for more control over the pace of learning and makes the content easier to consume.

While microvideos are most often used to teach a skill, they can be used to share knowledge or information or teach soft skills.

If you’re working on an online course, you might also want to check out the 8 Surprising Ways to Use Microlearning Activities in Your Online Training Course.

Tutorial videos

Usually between two and 10 minutes long, tutorial videos (sometimes referred to as “how-to” videos are the go-to instructional method for teaching a process or giving step-by-step instructions.

Unlike microvideos, tutorial videos typically explain more complex processes and will often give direct instructions and follow-along guidance. Sometimes, what makes the best tutorial videos are interactive elements, such as quizzes, which help captivate the viewer’s attention. 

As with all video content, understanding its purpose and the people who will be viewing it is key to knowing how polished it needs to be. 

For example, if you’re making a tutorial video for an audience outside of your organization, such as customers or clients, you’ll probably want to make sure it has a little more professional polish. On the other hand, if it’s a tutorial video for staff training or internal communication then it can be as formal or informal as you need it to be.

When to use a tutorial video?

Like microvideos, tutorial videos can teach just about anything and there aren’t any rules for deciding how or when to use them. Essentially, if there’s ever a time that you need to teach a process or share valuable information on how to improve a skill, a tutorial video will always be useful.  

Training videos

Training videos are a more specific type of instructional video to those that we’ve covered so far. They are a powerful tool for improving employees’ workplace skills and addressing interpersonal topics that are important for maintaining a healthy work environment.

While there are some clear similarities to tutorial videos, training videos are more focused on improving job-specific skills and covering work-related topics such as compliance and health & safety training. 

Training videos are also more likely to use footage of real people, which could be used to create examples of real-life situations. This could also help the trainer connect with the trainees. However, as with most video content, there are no set rules and this isn’t a requirement for creating a training video. 

Visual aids such as animations and graphics can be just as useful for creating engaging and informative training videos. The most important thing to remember is that the best training videos will help businesses improve employee knowledge and performance while promoting a positive culture of learning and development.

When to use a training video?

Employers, trainers, and HR teams might use training videos when onboarding new staff, introducing new processes or technology, and providing refresher training. 

However, businesses can use training videos to teach employees about any subject or process. This type of instructional video is used a lot in situations that lend themselves to live video, where the interpersonal connection can enhance knowledge retention.

Explainer videos

An explainer video is like a modern-day elevator pitch, and like an elevator pitch, the best ones are short (between 30 seconds and a few minutes). They’re also designed to quickly capture the viewer’s attention and simplify ideas, products, and services.

These videos are a popular way for businesses to introduce and explain complex (and sometimes even simple!) concepts in an entertaining and visually engaging format. While it’s not always necessary, some explainer videos will use a combination of animation, graphics, and voiceovers to help grab the viewer’s attention and convey information. 

One of the primary advantages of explainer videos is their ability to communicate information in a way that’s concise, engaging, and entertaining. By using a combination of storytelling, animation, and visuals, explainer videos can help to establish a clear and memorable message that resonates with viewers. 

Additionally, explainer videos can be easily shared on social media platforms, making them a cost-effective and efficient way to reach large audiences.

When to use an explainer video?

On a fundamental level, businesses use explainer videos to introduce a new product or service to prospective customers to help them understand how it works and why it’s valuable. It’s a simple idea but once you’ve got a well-polished explainer video ready, there are many different ways it can be used and shared. 

For example, great explainer videos can double up as marketing material and be used across adverts and social media. Businesses might also feature their explainer videos on their website so that it’s the first thing prospective customers see when shopping online. 

Lectures or presentations

A recording of your lecture or presentation is an effective way to expand the reach of your content and offer viewers the flexibility to learn at their own pace. 

With the added ability to revisit sections they may have missed or didn’t fully understand the first time, viewers can pause, rewind, or fast-forward as needed. By providing this level of flexibility, you can ensure that your instructional content is more accessible while encouraging a deeper understanding of the material.

This type of instructional video also doesn’t need to be complicated to create. You could, for example, create a simple visual and audio presentation featuring just your slides and your voice. Or, for something more professional, you could set up a camera (or cameras if you plan on recording your own TedTalk!) to complement your presentation.

When to use a lecture or presentation video?

There are a few reasons why you might want to record a lecture or presentation. First, you might want to make it available to a wider audience or be able to share it with people who couldn’t attend the live event. Second, you might want to review your content and presenting style at a later date.

Screencasts

Screencasts are videos created primarily from screen recordings that aim to teach someone how to complete a task or share knowledge. For example, you could even create a screencast demonstrating how to make an instructional video with a screen recording! 

While screencasts aren’t a specific type of instructional video, they can be used to create all the videos mentioned in this article. Generally speaking, they’re usually quick, informal, and intended for smaller audiences than tutorial videos.

The beauty of screencasts is that they allow the instructor to quickly grab information from their screen to answer a question or clarify a concept. Because they can be produced so easily, with minimal production value, many screencasts tend to be considered “disposable” videos, serving a specific purpose for a short time.

But that’s not to say that screencasts can’t also provide long-lasting value. For instance, a well-crafted software tutorial screencast may prove to be useful for months (or even years!) and could be used to onboard new team members or educate customers.

When to use screencasts?

Screencasts are great for sharing quick instructions in an informal format. For example, if you know your audience is going to be small and the stakes are low, making a quick screencast is a great way to visually communicate an idea or help answer a question or solve a problem.

The best software for making instructional videos

With so many different software packages to choose from, finding the right tool to capture your screen and edit your videos can be a daunting and difficult task, especially if you’re new to creating instructional videos.

However, tools like TechSmith Camtasia are perfect for beginners and professionals alike as it’s easy to use and provides a range of advanced recording and editing tools. This makes Camtasia great for creating all types of instructional videos, as it’s easy to get to grips with. 

With Camtasia, you don’t need any advanced video editing skills, but if you do want to learn how to edit like a pro, we’ve got plenty of helpful tutorials to get you started. You can even download a free trial of Camtasia to start recording & editing and get a feel for the software. 

How to make an instructional video

If you’re wondering how to make an instructional video, there’s one thing you need to remember: Always have a video plan. 

As with any creative process, ensuring you have a well-thought-out plan for what you want to create and how you’re going to create it is crucial to making a successful instructional video. 

Taking the time to really think about the purpose of your video, your audience and the information you want to convey will help you get started, but let’s take a look at some of the other steps you should consider before recording your footage:

Step 1: Find the right software and equipment

Firstly, you’re going to want to make sure you have all the tools you need to actually record and edit your footage – this is an important step in making sure you’re happy with the final version of your instructional video.

Understanding your audience and the purpose of your video will help determine the hardware you need. For example, you can probably create a 30-second screencast with the built-in camera and microphone on your computer or laptop. However, if you’re going to film an hour-long presentation for hundreds of people, you might want to consider investing in more sophisticated recording equipment. 

When it comes to the software you use to edit your video, Camtasia is great for recording and editing both short and long-form video content.

Step 2: Determine and get to know your target audience

The more you understand your audience, their needs, and their interests, the better equipped you’ll be to create an instructional video that engages and captivates their attention. 

Things like age, interests, language, and even geographic location can all play a part in knowing how to best communicate with your audience. For example, an educational video about dinosaurs is going to be very different for a class of 10-year-olds than it would be if it was for a group of paleontology students. 

While it sounds obvious, you can always learn a little bit more about your audience. This is another important part of creating instructional videos that your audience not only learns from, but also enjoys watching.

You might also consider asking your audience questions to better understand what they need help with or are most interested to learn, as this can help you focus your content on the very topic they want to know more about. 

Step 3: Write a storyboard and script

Once you have a topic and know your audience, create a storyboard to outline and visualize what you plan to show.

Creating a storyboard ahead of time will help you make an instructional video that is clear, concise, and interesting to your audience. 

Some people get creative and draw detailed pictures, but you don’t have to be an artist. Your storyboard can be as simple as this:

Quick sketches and stick figures are perfectly fine for live video. If you’ll be recording your screen to demonstrate a process, use a series of simple screenshots to show what you plan to display with the narration.

After storyboarding is done, it’s time to write a script. 

Even a simple script will help you be more efficient, saving both yourself and your viewers time. Plus, you’ll also be far less likely to forget something.

It’s helpful to match your narration to what will be happening on screen during your video. If you were creating an instructional video about using the default calculator on a Mac, your script might look like this:

You don’t need to start with a blank page. Using a general script template can help you write a successful script in less than 10 minutes.

Step 4: Record your narration

With your script in hand, it’s time to record the narration. Camtasia comes with a built-in, easy-to-use voice recording feature that is a great option. Still, you can take your voiceover and narration recording to the next level with TechSmithAudiate.

Audiate transcribes your voice in real-time – as you record. This means you can edit your audio just as you edit the text in a document.

With Audiate, you don’t have to stare at a waveform all day to figure out exactly what you said and where. Audiate even automatically finds and deletes all of your “ums,” uhs,” and other hesitations for you.

Already have a voiceover recorded? Import it into Audiate, and the program will transcribe it for you. 

You can save your edited audio file and import it right into Camtasia. You can even export the edited text as a transcript or SRT file for captions.

Even if you’re comfortable using professional audio recording software like Adobe Audition, Audiate is the best (and easiest) way to record voiceovers.

Next, get your hands on the best microphone you can find. Even a middle-of-the-road mic (like the one connected to your headphones) will provide much better sound quality than the one built into your computer.

Step 5: Record your video

Depending on your instructional video’s topic, you might need to capture a recording of a process happening on your screen, demonstrate something in real life, or both.

Recording your screen for an instructional video

First, clean up your computer screen and close any unnecessary applications. Turn off notifications that might pop up before you start recording. Follow these directions to get a crisp, clear screen video.

Then, open the application you want to record and conduct a few practice walkthroughs of exactly what you want to show your viewers. This practice will help you get smooth cursor motions, and you’ll have less editing to do in the end. 

After a few run-throughs, open the Camtasia recorder and capture your screen just as you practiced. Remember, if you make a mistake, pause and start again from that point. You’ll be able to smooth things out when editing later on.

TIP: When you choose a screen capture or screencasting software, pick a tool with built-in recording, editing, and sharing features. It will save you time and let you do all of your work in one tool.

If you want a simple way to increase engagement and help viewers connect with your content, try adding a camera recording to your screencast. 

Recording an instructional video with a camera

There are a lot of similarities between recording your screen and creating a training video with a camera. You still need a plan, a script, and the right tools, but stepping in front of the camera brings new challenges.

Here are a few things to consider when creating an instructional video that includes camera video:

• Don’t get overwhelmed by equipment. In the video above, we only used five tools: a tripod, smartphone, phone clip, a clean backdrop, and lights.
• Make sure your recording space is well-lit. You’ll either want to record in an area with a lot of natural light or add some video lighting to your equipment list.
• Place your camera on a tripod, and position it as close to your subject as possible while still getting everything you need in the shot. Being close to the subject will help you get the best possible audio when recording with a smartphone camera.

Step 6: Edit your video

Most people feel like they need to be a professional video editor to make a nice-looking video, but the truth is that you don’t need expensive editing tools or a lot of knowledge to get started.

In Camtasia, you can cut out mistakes by selecting them with the playhead, then clicking cut. To trim extra footage from the ends of your recording, drag the end of the clip in.

Add your audio narration to the timeline when you finish editing your video. You can use clip speed and extend frame to sync the audio and video in your project.

Here are some simple video editing tips to improve your instructional videos:

• If you need more time explaining a concept, split the clip and use extend frame to freeze the video.
• To speed up a boring part of your recording, add clip speed, then drag the handles to speed it up.
• Add interactive elements like callouts, arrows, shapes, lower thirds, or sketch motions to highlight key points in your video.

Step 7: Add a video intro

Use a video intro to lead viewers into your content, but don’t get too crazy. Keep your opening simple and to the point. 

Viewers want to get to the substance of your video. They don’t care about anything other than what you promised to teach them.

A good intro clearly lays out the topic and quickly explains what viewers can expect to learn.

To create your own video intro in Camtasia, you will need to add some space at the beginning of your video. Hold the shift key on your keyboard and drag the playhead to the right.

Then, open the media bin and select the Library tab. From the “Motion Graphics – Intro Clips” folder, drag the intro you like onto the timeline.

Step 8: Promote your video

After you’ve spent all that time preparing, recording, and editing your video, you’re probably going to want to share it with the world – and you should! 

Posting your videos online, sharing them on social media, and sending them to your friends, family, and colleagues are all great ways to promote your instructional video. However, there are other ways to expand the reach of your videos and grow your audience.

Here’s a quick round-up of just some of the ways you can promote your instructional video: 

• Create an engaging title, ideally one that’s optimized for search engines, and try adding relevant keywords to the video’s description.
  
• Promote the video on your social media with links and short clips.
  
• Share the video in forums related to your video’s topic, but be sure to explain why it’s relevant in your comment.
  
• Share the video with your email list and give some insight as to what went on behind the scenes.
  
• Include links to your new video in your past videos, both in the old video descriptions and on the videos themselves.
  
• Embed the video on your website or blog and write a post that either summarizes or expands on the topic.
  
• And finally, tell people about it! Sometimes the best way to promote your content is with some good old word-of-mouth, so share it with your friends and family, and encourage them to share it within their own circles.

By following these steps, you’ll be sure to maximize the reach of your video content. Who knows, your next video might become a viral sensation and people might start coming to you for the best instructional video examples.

Instructional video mistakes to avoid

While creating videos is, in many ways, easy and straightforward, it’s still possible to make mistakes. If you’ve read this far you should be more than ready to go and make your first instructional video, but you should also consider the most common mistakes people make so that you know how to avoid them. 

• Focusing on equipment: Don’t get distracted or overwhelmed by fancy equipment if you’re just starting out. It’s much more important to master the basics and focus on developing your video creation skills.
  
• Striving for perfection: While it can be hard to let go of your need to perfect every little detail, being a perfectionist can also cost you a lot of time and we believe it’s much better to release a video that’s engaging and creative than to spend an unnecessary amount of time on things most people probably won’t notice.
  
• Targeting the wrong audience: Make sure you know your audience and create your video with them in mind.
  
• Explaining steps too broadly: The point of an instructional video is to provide clear, concise, and specific instructions. So be sure to thoroughly explain each step and include visuals to make everything easier to understand. 

Now that you know the most common mistakes to avoid, you really are ready to start creating successful instructional videos.

Making instructional videos, the FAQs