Video is one of the most powerful ways to teach new concepts. In recent years, educational video best practices have revolutionized the way instruction is presented, whether in an organizational setting, creative projects, teaching or coaching videos, or even assessments.
There is no denying that video is one of the best outlets for expressing your creativity. Not only that, video communicates concepts with more clarity, emotion, and most especially, intent.
Educational Video Best Practices
Here are some things to keep in mind before making your next educational video.
Have a goal in mind
It’s not a good idea to immediately dive into creating an educational video without planning it out thoroughly first. You need to start with a purpose so you can have a better shot at achieving success.
There are many video producers, talented editors, and great writers that can help you create amazing content no matter what industry you are part of.
For example, some purposes for your video may include:
- Explaining lessons
- Showing instructions
- Reiterating concepts
All of these are amazing goals, but they require different videos. So make sure you start with a clear purpose that will guide you through the video process.
Know who your viewers are
Identifying your audience can be a big challenge. But every organization or online educator has to face this challenge when preparing marketing content, video content included. You need to have a thorough understanding of your target audience, and this does not only include their demographic makeup but also what goes on in their mind, what their interests are, and what their motivations are.
Don’t rush this process. You should collect research data about what motivates and interests your target audience.
Create quality content
It’s not enough to simply put your video out there without factoring in educational video best practices. Taking time to plan and create your video will ensure it will have top-notch quality. If you have an inspiration video you want to copy, make sure you’re not just releasing a B-grade version of what is already available.
Keep in mind that when using video for educational purposes, it needs to be as interesting as a sales pitch. If it doesn’t add value to your viewer’s knowledge, it won’t achieve its purpose. Remember, your viewers want to understand key concepts, so if you don’t do it right, you’ll end up losing their trust.
Have a call to action
Your audience wants to learn something new when they finish viewing your video, so never leave them hanging. Suggest what they should do after your educational video. This can be in the form of:
- Downloading a quiz
- Reviewing key summaries
- Applying knowledge in real life
- Watching part 2 of the video
For every educational video you create, there must be somewhere you can direct your viewers after they have finished watching it.
Measure the success of your video
We are living in modern times so you can measure everything. As much as you can, use all available analytics so you can gain more insight into your viewers’ behavior, such as the duration of your video that was watched, as well as how many people follow your call to action. Use this information to understand what techniques work better for your video. This will also enable you to know what to do when your audience tunes out.
Apply search engine optimization
With the right SEO tools and tagging, your educational video can be found online by all people looking for the information you have. For this tip, it is also important to craft a compelling title that perfectly encapsulates what viewers can expect from your video. The title should also include a keyword. Next, you should have a complete description of everything the educational video covers.
If you want to take the extra mile, hire a transcriptionist so you can add helpful subtitles to the video. You can also get a translator if needed.
Trends That Can Help You
Following all the educational video best practices listed above is not enough. You should also make an effort to follow the online viewing habits of people so your educational video can feel more modern and relevant. Here are some important tips to consider.
Video orientation
You have many choices when it comes to video format. You can follow a portrait, landscape, or square orientation. Just a couple of years ago, it was square videos that reigned supreme. But now, people are leaning more towards vertical videos. This fact signals two things. First, video trends quickly change. Next, you need to follow portrait orientation if you are uploading your educational video online, especially if your target audience are mobile-heavy users.
The reason why portrait videos are very popular now is that people use their phones all the time. Learners have become accustomed to Instagram and Facebook videos on social media that also follow portrait orientation.
Social-media ready
You may not be uploading your videos on social media, but it is still important for them to be social-media ready. To do this, hire a transcriptionist to have subtitles or caption files. After this, make sure to get a good graphic designer to make your thumbnail image look good. Your goal should be to capture the interest of people when they are scrolling past your video thumbnail. Your audience also needs to quickly understand what the video is all about without having to read your description.
Enhance engagement
Sitting and watching videos can lead learners to get bored or lose focus. One of the most important educational video best practices you should follow is to keep them engaged at all times. Students tend to retain material better when they answer a guided questionnaire or take notes while watching videos. Considering this, you can embed questions in the educational video using different programs to elevate their interaction level. It will also give you assessment data.
Let your personality shine
Perhaps one of the most vital educational video best practices you should follow is to keep your sense of authenticity. The most successful instruction is not only great at conveying information. It is also personal. Do not be afraid to make mistakes as long as you let your personality shine. Videos, where the instructor speaks in a conversational and enthusiastic manner, are also more engaging. Students will really appreciate it if they feel like they know the person behind the video.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
By now, you’ve learned a lot of educational video best practices, but we’re not done yet. There are a number of other important tips for you to keep in mind.
Picking a video format
Depending on what topic your video is, some video types will work better than others. The first video type you need to know is animation. This is very beneficial since it’s not limited by reality. Through animation done by a video animator, you can express any concept through visuals, even if it is abstract.
The second video format you can try is a live-action video. These are videos that are shot by a camera and depict real life. It is the ultimate format to explain a complex action that your learners need to see, such as knitting a scarf, fixing a flat tire, or cooking a particular dish.
The last type of video you can do is a screencast or a digital screen recording. This is an awesome choice if you want to show how an app or software works. For instance, if you work as a human resource officer for a company, a screencast can help you explain how your company’s email account works for new employees.
Determining the budget
Planning your video will become a more productive process if you are realistic from the start. Determining a reasonable budget in the initial video production stage is a no-brainer. If you are pitching the video to your bosses, they will be more likely to grant you funding if they understand the need for it. Not only that, but your video format will also largely depend on your budget because you can’t hire multiple professionals if you’re short on money.
Select a target length
People remember information better when they watch shorter videos that are less than five minutes. Even if the topic is very complex or complicated, do not finish it all in just one video. Consider producing a series of short videos instead. This will decrease the chance of your learners experiencing information overload.
Writing your script
It is recommended to hire a talented writer that already has experience in writing for videos. But first, you need to organize your ideas well so the writer can have a guide. In your guide, list everything that you want to happen in your videos, such as the music, visuals, or dialogue. This will also serve as the basis for filming and storyboarding.
As much as possible, tell a story in your video. Your audience may lose focus when you just present a long list of information. It is recommended to weave your facts and figures into a clear narrative. For instance, an HR educational video about workplace behavior can show a scene where an employee experiences discrimination from a coworker.
Now You Know the Secrets to A Successful Educational Video
Learning how to craft top-notch instructional videos is not something that happens overnight. It takes consistency and continual trial and error. If you follow the educational video best practices listed in this article, you are one step closer to creating an awesome output. So what are you waiting for? Start planning, hire professionals that can help you, and don’t forget to have fun.
