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You could say that training video content is a must-have these days. Among other things, it can help you provide excellent customer service, a memorable customer experience, and an engaging employee onboarding experience. What’s more, in a recent survey by Shift E-learning, 42% of companies said online learning via video has lead to increased revenue.

If you find yourself wandering aimlessly on the web trying to figure out how to create training videos, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.

How to Create Online Training Videos

Follow these four simple steps to create training videos.

Step 1: Select a topic

You need to know exactly what you are trying to accomplish with your business training videos. Will you be teaching professional skills ? Or will you be taking the trainees through a workflow? Having a full understanding of the message and the knowledge you are trying to convey is a huge part of what makes a good e-learning course.

Step 2: Create an outline

Whether you’re working on customer service training videos, employee onboarding tutorials or an online course, creating an outline is the most critical element of the workflow. Write down your main ideas with a few minor details to back each of them. You’ll use the outline later to write your script or to narrate your video.

Step 3: Write Your Script (Optional)

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Scripts are especially useful when you’re new to creating eLearning videos. Once you’re a professional, you can speak by simply looking at the outline but, if this is your first video and it’s going to be a short one, it could be a good idea to have a script. You can hire someone to record a voice-over to an audio file and then just edit the video accordingly.

Step 4: Record your camera, your computer screen or both

Now you’ll want to decide whether or not you’re going to record a live subject or do a screen recording.

To record a live subject, you may need to climb a steep learning curve and you’ll face stiff competition on YouTube. Here is a tutorial to get you started, should you choose to go this way.

Caption: Most of the “talking head” tutorials on YouTube look like professional video productions.

On the other hand, capturing your screen is a cost-effective and easy way to get your point across with visual demonstrations. You’ll avoid the need for makeup, wardrobe, and professional lighting.

If you don’t have to record your face, recording your screen (or your screen and facecam) can easily be done with screencast software .

That being said, you don’t need complex and expensive educational technology to record your screen. You can create effective training programs with a free screen recorder like ScreenRec (a Camtasia alternative ). ScreenRec captures screen videos quickly and it’s especially useful with its ability to record audio along with a video .

Training video software

Now that you have a basic idea of the steps to take when creating training videos for work, it’s time for you to gather your equipment.

If you’re recording live, read this article to help you round up the necessary items.

However, assuming you’ve made the decision to use screen recording software to create your video, your list of items is relatively short. All you need is screen capture software and a video editor.

Here is a table to help you pick up the right programs for the job.

Equipment

Screen Recorder

Video Editor

Features

Can record audio

Can record mouse clicks

Easy private sharing

Easy publishing

Saves to cloud for backup

Free

Easy to understand

Works with various formats

Saves in various formats

Compatible with screen recorder file

Produces a small video file

Overview

We’d suggest Screenrec because it’s one of the screen recording tools that has a minimal interface and is ideal for quick screen capture

ScreenRec checks all the boxes above and, what’s really nice, is that it also gives you 2GB of free private cloud

A good video editing tool to consider is Lightworks.

The features include text effects, animation and graphics effects, and many other tools to add a professional polish to your training programs.

Like ScreenRec, Lightworks is also free.

You don’t really need dedicated training video software. You can use a screen capture tool + video editor.

How to Make an Instructional Video for Free

When you put ScreenRec and Lightworks together, you pretty much have the best software for creating training videos. You can record any kind of training videos with those two, e.g. make instructional videos for YouTube or your internal eLearning platform. Here’s how:

1) Download Screenrec and Lightworks .

2) Prepare your script and your slides, if any. Open Screenrec and hit Alt-S or click the Record button (it looks like a video camera).

3) Click the microphone icon to use your built-in microphone for narration. Once you’ve finished recording, click the stop button.

4) Use Lightworks to add music and make awesome edits. We recommend exporting your tutorial in the .mp4 format as it is compatible with almost all modern devices. Before uploading your video, be sure to use a thumbnail creator to design a click-worthy thumbnail.

5) Upload the ready video file to YouTube, Google Drive or a private video sharing platform .

And you’re all done! Easy Peasy!

Examples of effective training videos

How to can create video tutorials that your students will want to watch? Let’s have a look at what others are doing! We’ve cherry-picked some of the best examples and tips for effective training videos.

1) Screen recording

Like we said earlier, the easiest way to create video lessons is to use screen capture software and that’s why it’s the focus of our article. This type of setup is especially suitable for customer service videos. Here’s an example.

2) Powerpoint training videos

If you have Microsoft Powerpoint 2010 or later, you can use it to capture your screen while narrating a series of slides. Here’s how to create a training video with PowerPoint and here’s how to create animated videos with it. Keep in mind, though, that this will only work within PowerPoint. You won’t be able to record other apps running on your computer and you won’t be able to record your computer audio.

3) Kinetic (moving) text

Text that flies and flashes throughout the video can keep things exciting throughout the training session.

4) Story-driven with people

Have you ever seen that guy on TV who can remember a list of 200+ items by creating a story around those items?

That same technique applies here. People tend to remember a large amount of information more successfully when it’s being given in the form of a story. Videos that feature characters and plots may help your audience retain the information.

This article goes into more detailed about story-based training videos. And here is a video that features storytelling.

5) Infographics

Infographics are animated visuals that are made up of blurbs of information. Here is an infographics-based video to get an idea of what they look like and how they work.

Conclusion

If you take away one thing from this article, let it be this: Keep it simple.

Whether you want to create staff training videos, customer service videos or an online course, don’t get bogged down in instructional design. Just prepare an outline and, potentially, a script, and record your screen. That’s the quickest and easiest way to create training videos.

In terms of authoring tools, we recommend ScreenRec and Lightworks because both are free and come with more than enough features. ScreenRec has a friendly interface and, unlike Powerpoint, it can record your microphone and computer audio . Even though Lightworks requires a bit of learning before you can operate it with ease, it’s still one of the most powerful free editors available.

You need a business video hosting platform which allows you to protect your content from thieves and monetize it if you want. We’d suggest StramingVideoProvider.

A training video delivers information to the viewer with the purpose of educating them on a certain topic or skill in a simple and entertaining way. Simply put, you watch a training video to see how to do a particular thing. Nowadays, creating training videos is a simple, yet engaging and effective way to share knowledge with others. For example, instead of typing a long-winded email, you can record your screen to teach your co-worker how to do something.

PowerPoint 2013 as well as PowerPoint 2016 have a screen recording feature. You can start it by selecting the ‘Insert’ tab after opening the program, going to the ‘Media’ section and selecting the ‘Screen recording’ option. With the PowerPoint screen recording feature you can either capture a particular area or the entire screen. The next step is to save your video as a file on your computer.

References and Further Reading?

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Plug-ins, devices, and content.

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Documentation

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Final Cut Pro User Guide (PDF)
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You can also get the user guides from Apple Books:

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Learn about the latest updates to Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor:

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Core Training

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Mark Spencer shows you how to work with 3D objects in Motion.

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Web Tutorials

Whether you’re new to Final Cut Pro or just looking to pick up some tips, you can get up to speed quickly by viewing online tutorials from leading video training developers.

FCP from PremiumBeat

Visit The Beat blog for news, tips, and tricks on Final Cut Pro. Then download Final Cut Pro Editor Kits to learn key Final Cut Pro techniques — such as 3D titles and speed effects — with accompanying tutorials and free PremiumBeat music and Shutterstock footage.

LinkedIn Learning

Final Cut Pro Essential Training is a video-based tutorial series that covers all aspects of Final Cut Pro. Instructor Nick Harauz helps you get up and running, cut a story, mix audio, and deliver a final project. You can also learn new Final Cut Pro editing techniques every Friday in Final Cut Pro Weekly with Nick Harauz and Jeff Greenberg.

macProVideo.com

The Mac Training Specialists at macProVideo.com bring you tutorials for Final Cut Pro and Motion. Stream them in your web browser or download HD videos to your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Get started with nearly an hour of free Final Cut Pro First Look tutorials.

Hawaiki Motion Tutorials

Learn advanced visual effects and compositing techniques from Simon Ubsdell using Motion.

PowerUp Training

Larry Jordan provides comprehensive training to video editors covering Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor. His conversational style, in-depth techniques, and extensive resources help media pros find work, improve their skills, and keep clients happy.

POST-PROfessionals

Robin Kurz’s best-selling German language Final Cut Pro training includes nearly 15 hours of instruction, starting with the basics and going all the way to project delivery. Learn tips and tricks designed for the beginning editor and experienced professional.

AV Ultra

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Final Cut Pro Virtual Summit

View all the presentations from the 2020 virtual conference hosted by Future Media Concepts. Featuring seven full days of cutting-edge sessions presented by top industry professionals who are well versed in the latest versions Final Cut Pro, Motion and Compressor, plugins, and editing techniques. Sign up at a reduced rate using the promo code APPLE2020 from here.

Pixel Film Studios

David Austin leads you through over 200 easy to understand tutorials for Final Cut Pro — allowing editors to master the program at their own pace.

Books

Apple Pro Training Series

Learn more about Final Cut Pro and Motion from the official guide of the Apple Training and Certification program.

Buy the Final Cut Pro guide on Apple Books
Buy the Motion guide on Apple Books

Motion Cookbook

Take full advantage of the deep features in Motion. Author Nick Harauz takes you through dozens of tutorials with downloadable content and descriptive text and images that are easy to follow.

Buy at Packt

Final Cut Pro: Pro Workflow

Proven feature-film techniques from Michael Matzdorff, first assistant editor on the Warner Bros. film Focus starring Will Smith, which was edited entirely in Final Cut Pro.

Buy on Apple Books

Motion: How It Works

This 300-page interactive ebook by author Edgar Rothermich teaches Motion using rich illustrations and diagrams that make it easy to comprehend complex concepts, features, and workflows in a very intuitive way.

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White Papers

The ProRes White Paper and ProRes RAW White Paper include detailed technical and workflow information about the Apple ProRes codec. Visit the ProRes Authorized Products page to view Apple-certified ProRes products.

The Final Cut Pro Media Management White Paper describes how to manage media with libraries in Final Cut Pro.

The iTunes Store Package Quick Start Guide describes how to use Compressor to turn your movie into an iTunes Store package and use Apple-certified delivery partners to submit to the iTunes Store for sale.

Working with Wide Color Gamut and High Dynamic Range in Final Cut Pro offers a deeper look at High Dynamic Range (HDR) and wide color workflows with Final Cut Pro, so you can get the most from your RAW and Log C footage.

Free Mac Training Courses

The Audio Roles White Paper explains how to use the power and flexibility of roles for editing, audio adjustments, and mixing.

The RED Workflows White Paper outlines various options for RED-based post-production workflows with Final Cut Pro.

The Final Cut Pro Shared & Remote Solutions White Paper published by frame.io describes best practices in shared and remote workflows for individuals and teams. It includes up to date information on third party hardware and software for storage, collaboration and review and approval.

Support

Apple Support Pages

Find up-to-date information about key topics and basic troubleshooting tips for all three apps.

Final Cut Pro Support Page
Motion Support Page
Compressor Support Page

AppleCare Professional Support

AppleCare Professional Support offers IT department–level support for deploying and managing professional video workflows that include Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor.

Learn more about AppleCare Professional Support

Apple Support Communities

Participate in online forums for Final Cut Pro, Compressor, and Motion hosted by Apple.

Final Cut Pro Support Communities
Motion Support Communities
Compressor Support Communities

Pro Video Formats

The Pro Video Formats package is a free download available to all Mac users. It provides support for a range of video codecs used in professional video workflows.

Learn more about Pro Video Formats

Communities

Tap into a rich source of information sharing and support by visiting a Final Cut Pro blog, participating in a web forum, or attending a user group in your area.

Blogs

Alex4D

Curated blog of news and notes about the Final Cut Pro ecosystem.

FCP.co

The most comprehensive resource for Final Cut Pro news.

FCPWORKS

Workflow advice and events from Final Cut Pro experts.

FCPX.tv

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LumaForge

Read about collaborative video editing from the company behind the Jellyfish shared storage device.