Tips to Develop the Most Effective Video with Minimum Effort

If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine how many words a video would be. That’s why videos have become the preferred learning medium for today’s millennial generation. Videos can breakdown highly complex topics using a combination of sleek animations and smart voiceovers. This short and crisp audio-visual learning medium creates a lasting impression, much more than plain text or static infographics.

Using video results in higher knowledge transfer, retention, and recollection as it keeps learners engaged. Since watching videos is fun as no one thinks twice before learning through them, they greatly increase the reach of your e-learning program.

But if you want your e-learning videos to create maximum impact, it is necessary that they are designed the right way. If you end up creating a video that is very long or something that doesn’t convey your subject matter effectively, then the whole purpose of using it will be lost. To avoid that, let’s see some best practices you can follow to develop the most impactful video with the minimum effort:

Conceptualization

Before you can start with the video development process, you need to figure out two very important things. What knowledge will your video convey? How will it convey it? Videos usually need to convey a lot of information without losing the attention of your learners. That’s why you need to make a detailed outline of the content that will give an estimate of its duration and budget. You can then proceed to form a concept around this information so that the video generates interest when your employees see it. Also, since this video will most likely be part of a larger e-learning course, you need to make sure the concept is in sync with the course.

Scripting and Storyboarding

Once you figure out the concept of the video, you can start writing the script. It is best to avoid complicated language, involving a lot of esoteric terms. In the short duration of the video, learners respond best to a simple and natural language. Be clear in your script and make sure that it delivers a singular objective without any contradictions.

It would also be best to include the onscreen text that will accompany your voiceover. As you develop the script, it is always advised to create a rough storyboard as well. A storyboard will give your animators or creators, visual cues for the corresponding text. This allows them more control over the final product and reduces rework in the later stages.

Voiceover

For learning videos, voiceovers play an important part in delivering the right knowledge in less time. That’s why it is always preferred to hire professional voice talent who enunciate each word clearly and make the voiceover crystal clear. Professionals also have a good voice that demands the attention of the people, increasing the impact of your video. But before you go on to record the main thing, you should always record a sample voiceover just to make sure that words are going well with the onscreen visuals. 

Pay Attention to Production and Technicalities

After all the planning, you should remember that creating a video is a tedious creative process. For the outcome to match the expectation in your mind, you need to pay attention to details, music, graphics, camera angles, etc. Take inspiration from many sources but create a product that has a unique look and feel to it. The technical aspects of videos also play a large part in creating a seamless learning experience. Factors such a resolution, graphic quality, compatibility with various devices, etc., should be of the highest possible standard that make your video stand apart from the crowd. 

Create Videos that Reflect Your Company

All the above tips should be applied in the video creation process keeping in mind the brand image of your company. It is important that you follow some sort of a corporate style guide to ensure your video doesn’t go astray. Use your company’s color scheme, headers, logos, or any other specific graphical element wherever applicable. The video should reflect your company’s voice for it to resonate with your employees and establish relativity.

Video creation has never been so easy. In addition to the above tips, you can use a wide variety of video development tools to make the process even smoother.