How to Create Video Tutorials That Everyone Will Love

According to Forbes, one of the biggest reasons people decide not to buy a product is that they feel like they can’t trust it or don’t understand it. 

 

In other words, you may need to be more transparent about your product, or service if you want them to sell better. How do you do that?

 

By creating easy-to-follow tutorials-duh, highlight how your products generate solutions, not problems. Whether you are teaching someone how to jam out on the latest electric guitar or showcasing a Pillsbury mixing bowl, people like to know what they are buying and how it works.

 

Studies have shown that 72% of consumers prefer video marketing to text marketing. But you should offer both because everyone learns differently. Plus, if you create a video, you can automatically convert it to text with sonix.

 

If you want to make the most significant pop on your customers’ buying decisions, you’ll need to create video tutorials.

 

Its time to show off your creations in a new light!

 

If you’re not tech-savvy, this may seem a little bit daunting. The good news is that video tutorials should always be simple, short, and to the point.

 

However, they should also have good production value and good quality, or your viewers may stray away before the video is over.

 

Let’s uncover all the allures that will keep your customers coming back for more.

 

Know What You Want to Accomplish

 

Before you get into the nitty-gritty details, decide what you want to achieve with your video tutorial.

 

It’s important to note that tutorials are different from general marketing videos and will accomplish different goals, like selling “the sauce you never knew you needed.”

 

A tutorial does more than show off the features of your product. In fact, you need to keep it short, so you can’t spend a ton of time talking about all of the great features your product comes with. 

 

Instead, consider your tutorial a trouble-shooting video that will address the most pressing issues your customers may encounter.

 

A great way to determine what your tutorial needs to cover is by reviewing the reviews and feedback left by previous customers. If you notice a recurring issue that customers have with a particular function of your product, spend some time in the tutorial showing them how to get past the issue.

 

Potential customers will read the reviews before making their decision, and you can use your video tutorial to answer any questions raised by your negative or mixed reviews.

 

Put Together a Storyboard and Script

 

Now that you know what your video tutorial needs to accomplish, it’s time to figure out how to make that goal come to life. Begin with a storyboard so that you can plan your video shot by shot. These don’t have to be complicated!

 

If you’re recording a live video, think of your storyboard as the comic book version. 

 

Nine to twelve panels should be enough for a shorter video and will allow you to draw out (as crudely or intricately as you like) the steps in your video. If you’re recording a computer screen, use a series of screenshots rather than cartoon panels.

 

Now you’ve got a tangible image of what your final video is going to look like; It’s time to figure out what needs to be said! 

 

As you’re writing your script, keep a few things in mind. First, you want to explain your product as clearly as possible without losing any crucial information.

 

Second, you want to make sure you’re not just telling, but showing and telling at the same time.

 

One way to achieve a seamless showing-and-telling video is by scripting out actions that accompany each line. For example, if your line is, “To achieve an XYZ effect, you need to hold down the 123 button,” your action might be, “Zoom in on 123 button.” For every question your lines might raise, your actions should answer them.

 

Get Recording

 

Believe it or not, you don’t need expensive equipment to produce a high-quality tutorial.

 

Even some of the newer smartphones will do the trick as long as you have the right tripod adapter and can get the phone’s camera to focus. 

 

Most importantly, make sure the camera is capturing the speaker and product directly, and not at an angle or distance that will obscure the speaker’s actions.

 

Whether you have a massive budget for equipment or not, there are a few steps you should always take to guarantee high-quality footage. 

 

Find a space where background noise and distracting clutter are at a minimum.

 

If necessary, add extra lighting that will draw the viewer’s eye straight to the product and the person conducting the tutorial.

 

As you’re recording, you may fumble some of your lines or actions. When this happens, don’t start from the very beginning. Pause, regroup, and say the line and complete the action again. You can remove these errors during the editing process.

 

Polish with Editing

 

When it’s time to edit your video tutorial, don’t get caught up on perfection. You’re not trying to win any awards; you’re just providing your customers with efficient solutions to problems that arise from their lack of understanding.

 

 The most important thing is that the video is easy to watch, easy to follow and effectively conveys your message.

 

The most important part of editing a video tutorial is cutting out all of the unnecessary bits. 

 

Get rid of all of the fumbles we mentioned earlier as well as any moments where the speaker went off script or spent too much time discussing features that aren’t relevant to the question being answered. 

 

In the end, you want to end up with a finished product that is somewhere between two and ten minutes long. 

 

Post Your Video Tutorial Online

 

Once you create video tutorials, you need to decide where to post them. 

 

Consider posting them somewhere on the product page where people will have easy access to them upon viewing the product. Alternatively (or in addition), create an FAQ section and use the video tutorial to answer a question you know your customers often ask. 

 

If you have a blog or use your social media to promote your products, consider posting your video tutorial there, as well. 

 

Make it shareable so that your viewers can pass it along to their friends or family who have questions about how your product works!

 

Hire a Company to Create Video Tutorials for You

 

If you’re still not convinced that you have the skills to create video tutorials that your customers will love, consider hiring professionals! 

 

This can be an excellent investment for your business as a quality video tutorial is sure to increase your sales.

 

Wondering what we can do for you? Check out our video and film production services! We just might be the solution to your business’s problems.

Do you want to get Internet famous?

 

In the mid-’00s, video sharing platforms like YouTube gave birth to a brand new type of artist and celebrity: Vloggers.

 

A few short years later, and these video bloggers have gone from niche online novelties to mainstream acclaim.

 

Nowadays, it seems like vloggers are a dime a dozen. So, those looking to tap into this world need to make sure they have the right tools in their corner to set themselves above the competition.

 

Interested in creating a channel, but aren’t sure what kind of vlogging equipment you’ll need to get started? We’ve got you covered.

 

Here are the seven essential pieces of vlogging equipment every successful video blogger needs.

1. Camera

This one may seem like a no brainer. But, a vlogger’s camera is the most valuable tool in their content generating arsenal.

 

After all, you can’t have a video-blog without any video!

 

That said, before you run out and buy the best camera money can buy, you need to take a moment to decide what kind of content you’re going to be creating. For example, if you want to vlog about your love of extreme water sports, you may not want to invest in a top of the line, but not waterproof, Canon Powershot.

 

You also need to take some time to think about what you want your overall style to be.

 

If you’re going for an ultra-sleek, film expert look, you may want to invest in an industry-standard camera.

 

But, most modern smartphones, like the iPhone, feature a camera powerful enough to handle any video project you throw its way.

2. Microphone

If video is the lifeblood of vlogging, then audio is the heart.

 

While it can be easy to get wrapped up in video quality, if your videos have bad audio, your audience isn’t going to stick around long. So, if you want to be successful in your new career as a vlogger, you’re going to need to invest in a suitable mic.

 

However, that doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy the most expensive microphone on the market. You can start with something cheap, and work your way up as you become more comfortable with audio editing.

 

That said, there’s one aspect to choosing a mic you’ll need to keep in mind.

 

Have you ever tried to talk to someone on the phone on a windy day?

 

Unless you want your audio to sound like you’re always on the set of *Twister, you’ll want to invest in a wind or puff guard as well.

 

You may also want to consider investing in some sound dampening material to make sure your auto comes out sounding crisp and clear.

 

3. Tripod

Whether you’re recording at a desk or wandering around outside, you’re going to need a way to support your camera.

 

While tripods are a bit of a standard when it comes to recording, they aren’t always the best option. When it comes to choosing camera support, the name of the game is keeping everything in frame and focus, and your shot nice and steady.

 

One favorite of many successful vloggers is the GorillaPod by JOBY. This nifty tabletop tripod has fully posable legs, so you can mount it just about anywhere to ensure a perfect shot.

4. Lighting

If you only invest in one type of lighting to cover you for the entirety of your vlogging career, make it a ring light.

 

Ring lights are the perfect way to evenly light objects in front of a camera.

 

Because the light comes from all angles, by using a ring light, you can ensure you won’t have any awkward shadows or shading on your face.

 

That said, there is a little more to lighting than what’s in the foreground of your shot.

 

While you can technically balance the lighting in a shot with regular house lamps, or even natural light fro a window, nothing beats the softbox.

 

Softbox lights are the best way to ensure even, gentle lighting throughout your shot. Because of their standard light-dispersing film, you won’t have to worry about any direct rays or awkward glares.

5. Remote Shutter

Say you’re recording a vlog, and you need to take a short break, what do you do?

 

While you could leave your camera rolling and wind up with an obscenely long piece of footage to edit down, it makes much more sense to stop recording.

 

But, if you hit the record button on your camera, you could risk tilting or moving it. And, that might end up throwing off the rest of your recording.

 

And that’s where the remote shutter comes in.

With a remote shutter, you can start and stop your camera whenever you want, without the risk of throwing off your setup mid-session.

6. Green Screen

While this particular tool is especially popular with the Let’s Play crowd, the green screen is an essential tool in the vlogger’s arsenal as well.

 

If you’re planning on being a little more daring with your editing, or are looking for a way to jazz-up a reaction video, the green screen can help.

 

And, if you don’t have a decent space to use as a backdrop to your videos, a green screen can help create the ideal background to fit your aesthetic.

 

7. Editing Software

Finally, once you have everything recorded, you’re going to need a way to pull everything together.

 

Tools like Adobe Premiere and After Effects are industry standard for a reason. That said, they can be pretty daunting if you’re new to the world of video editing.

 

Fortunately, there’s plenty of editing software out there that’s just as good and a bit more user-friendly.

 

Programs like Apple’s iMovie, are perfect for new vloggers looking for a way to cut together their video footage and audio recordings. Many of today’s most popular YouTube stars got their start using software like this, and a few still do.

 

Your goal as a vlogger should be to generate content consistently. And, one of the best ways to do that is by using the tools your most comfortable using. You can always learn new skills as your career progresses.

Choosing Your Vlogging Equipment

Now that you know what kind of vlogging equipment you’ll need to kickstart your career, it’s time to start shopping.

Need a little help finding the right tools or learning the skills you need to become a successful vlogger? We’re here to help.

 

Contact us for more information about our available services, or to kickstart your online career today.