Instructional videos are great for demonstrating a process or creating a step-by-step guide. There are tons of reasons to create instructional videos. You can create instructional videos for educational purposes, HR training, Product or service, and so on and so forth.

There are a couple of ways to create instructional videos. Animated, screen recorded, and videos are created by recording the narrator using a camera. 

Animated videos

These types of videos are pretty effective and eye-catching! If done correctly, animated videos are great for instructional videos. But, they come with their own flaws. Animated videos are pretty expensive to create! They require a specialist to illustrate and animate the entire video. The turnaround time isn’t particularly quick either.

Camera recorded videos 

Such videos are effective in accomplishing the objective of the videos. The face of the narrator helps build a one-to-one connection between the narrator and viewer. However, these types of videos are laborious to create. They require a high-quality camera, proper lighting, and a suitable background. Not just that, once the video is recorded, it needs to go through the process of editing. This makes it expensive and labor-intensive. 

Screen recorded videos

These videos are picking up the pace very quickly in recent times. Screen recorded videos are created by recording screen, webcam, and voiceover simultaneously using an online tool. Such videos are easy to create and extremely cost-effective. There is usually a need for only basic equipment such as a PC and webcam. With no special skills required, anyone can create screen-recorded videos. 

If you’re looking for a fast, easy, and cost-effective method to create instructional videos, screen recorded video is the way to go. Naturally, we will be focussing on these videos in our article.

Before we go any further. Setting the purpose of your instructional video is extremely important. Once that is set, you can fix the duration of your video in such a way that it is effective for the viewers. 

Let’s look at the optimum duration for videos based on their purposes.

1. For educational purposes, your videos can be between 10 to 15 minutes long
2. For Product/Service instructional videos. It’s better to keep the video length less than 4 minutes. 
3. For HR training, the videos can be between 3 and 7 minutes. 

Here is a tip: It’s always better to keep your videos as short as possible. 

Overcoming practical hurdles

The world is moving towards simple solutions to complex problems. A lot of us are working from home nowadays and we don’t necessarily have access to fancy equipment, aesthetic background, or even a noise-free environment. In fact, that’s totally okay! You don’t need any of it or even a script when you use a screen recorder to create instructional videos.

Step 1: Create a storyboard.

Wait!  don’t freak out. It’s not an artistic storyboard. All you have to do is list down the points that you want to include in each scene. For example, the content for introduction, topics covered, key takeaways, tips, and tricks, call to action, etc. You can add prompts or just one-liners that will give you the context of what to talk about in a particular scene. 

This will help you progress with your content as you record the video. You can create a simple storyboard on a PowerPoint presentation. Set up slides for different sections and write down the topics to be covered in a 2X2 box. 

You can also make use of online storyboard creators should you wish. 

Step 2: Getting feedback

Share your storyboard with friends and colleagues. This will help you get a third-person perspective and help you make the video effective. 

Step 3: (Not) Writing a script.

Technically this would’ve been the next step but we’re gonna skip it. Since we’re creating an instructional video by recording screen and webcam, the screen that you show to your viewers will give you context and help you explain without a script. 

It’s always a good idea to keep things simple, right? Vmaker is the best instructional video maker for making instructional videos that keep its core functionality and usability simple for both paid and free users. If you’re looking for unmatched quality and performance, Vmaker is the right choice for you. You can record your videos effortlessly and have them saved in cloud storage. This helps you free up space on your PC and makes it easier for you to share the videos that you record using Vmaker. With that said, it’s time to set up Vmaker and get going with the video. 

Setting up Vmaker on your PC (step by step process to make instructional videos)

Let me show you how you can set up Vmaker on your computer.

1. Visit www.vmaker.com and Sign up using your email address or social login credentials. 

2. Once you have logged in, you’ll be taken to your dashboard. Click on the download button and add the Vmaker Chrome plug-in to your dashboard. If you’re a Mac or Windows user, you can download and install the Vmaker’s Screen Recorder for Mac or Vmaker’s Screen Recorder for Windows.

3. After installing the Vmaker Chrome plug-in, pin Vmaker to your chrome browser so that you can access it quickly.

4. Click on the Vmaker icon to launch Vmaker. 

5. Open preferences and turn on noise cancellation. (this will help cut down any unwanted background noise.

6. You can also turn on the mouse emphasis feature to highlight the sections when you click. 

7. Return to the application main screen and select the screen and webcam recording option. 

8. You can set up a frame for your webcam bubble by clicking on the confetti icon. 

10. Choose the frame of your choice. You can either get quirky with the fancy ones or select a purposeful one and set up your name. 
11. You can also use the frame feature to tell what the video is about by giving a title.

12. Move and place the webcam bubble to the section on the screen of your choice.
13. You’re all set now, click on the start recording button to get started.

Recording in progress

When creating your instruction video, you can use the screen annotations feature to draw and highlight the section of your video. It helps make your video engaging and grabs the audience’s attention. 

In addition to that, you can use the mouse emphasis feature as well. Using this, whenever you make a click, the mouse is highlighted. This is very useful in showing your viewers the movement and actions of your mouse. 

As you record, you can pause the video if you make a mistake. You don’t have to start from the beginning. The unwanted section can later be removed in the editor. Just click on the play button to resume the recording and start from where you left. 

Some people prefer having a perfect video without any flaws. That’s totally okay. But trust me, if you make mistakes, it’s easier to edit it out than recording the video over and over again! 

When you’re done, click on the stop button to stop the recording on the left-hand side of the screen, or just click on the Screen Recorder chrome extension. This is where the magic happens! Your video is automatically uploaded to the Vmaker cloud storage. You can access this video on the player page or through your dashboard. 

The next step is to edit the video. Before you do that, it’s always a good idea to duplicate your video so that you always have the original video as a backup. 

Click on the edit button to open your video in the editor. You can trim the unwanted section by selecting the section that you want to retain in the video. 

If you have multiple sections to remove, just duplicate the scenes and trim out the rough edges. 

You can also add intro and end slides using the scenes feature. Just upload the intro and end slides in mp4 format to the editor. Just add scenes to the start and end of the video and place the intro/end slides that you have uploaded.

Now all you have to do is export the video. Select the resolution of your choice and click on export. You will see a render scene. Don’t close the browser when this is happening. Your video will be available on your dashboard when it has been successfully rendered. 

Getting feedback for the video. 

Now that you have created your instructional video, you can show it to your colleagues and friends to get feedback. Don’t freak out if they suggest you make some changes. You can record the revised sections on Vmaker, download them, and merge them with the existing video using the scenes feature on the editor. 

All you have to do is follow the same steps that you did to add the intro and end slides on the editor. 

Once the final video is ready, you can download the video from the player page by clicking on the download button or directly share it to YouTube or other social media platforms effortlessly. 

Just click on the share button and click on the YouTube icon. Add your YouTube channel and that’s it. Your video will now be directly uploaded to YouTube from Vmaker. Saves you time, isn’t it?

To share the video on social media or any other channel, just copy the video Url and paste it on other platforms. Your viewers can click on the link and watch the video without downloading it to their device.

You can also embed the video on your landing page by copying the embed code and using it on your landing page. 

That was pretty straightforward, wasn’t it? Let me give you a few more tips that will help you with your instructional videos

1. A personal computer

You can use a laptop or a desktop computer. You don’t really need a machine that is of high configuration. If you are planning to use a laptop, it is better to connect a mouse to your computer. When using a screen recorder, it is better to use annotation tools with a mouse.

2.  A Webcam

If your computer has an inbuilt camera, it should get the job done. However, if you are looking for better quality, you can go for a USB webcam that records in high definition. You can go ahead and get a webcam from an online marketplace that is compatible with your computer. 

3. A Selfie light

It’s better to use a selfie light when recording your webcam. Do make sure that you select the type of selfie light which you can comfortably place on a table. This will make sure that when you record yourself, the light is spread evenly across your face. There are certain selfie light models which are suitable for mobile recording only. 

4. A microphone

You can opt for a USB microphone that directly connects to your computer. Make sure you choose a podcasting microphone that comes with a pop filter. A podcasting microphone is better at filtering out ambient noise and provides the right amount of amplification for non-studio recording purposes. 

1. If you’re working from home and looking to record the video, make sure you find a place that’s well lit. 
2. Pick a time to record when you can avoid natural noises and distractions. I prefer recording my videos at night (zero disturbance). If you’re working from the office, just find yourself a place that’s quiet and let your colleagues know that you don’t want to be disturbed. 
3. Select the scenes/visuals that you want to include in your video before you start recording and add them to your storyboard.
4. Clean up your desktop! It’s a good idea to remove all unwanted files from your desktop and hide your personal data before you start recording. 
5. Make sure your speech is loud and clear. Adding dynamics to your voice will be a great plus. 
6. Having your face appear in the video will help make your video look personalized and make it easier for the viewer to connect with your content. 
7. Highlight the important parts of your screen using screen annotations while recording. 

Screen recorders are tools that allow you to create videos by recording your screen and webcam. There are some really great screen recorders available online. Let’s take a look at the top 5 screen recorders that you should consider for creating your instructional videos.

Vmaker AI:

Vmaker AI is one of the latest tools in the market. It lets you create, edit, and record your screen, webcam, or both with voice-over. The biggest USP of Vmaker is the versatility it offers with video creation and editing. There are tons of smart features that make Vmaker a terrific product. To name a few, Vmaker has screen annotations, mouse emphasis, an inbuilt editor, unlimited recording, and cloud storage capabilities. Vmaker also offers a complete white labeling solution that allows you to add your brand logo, colors and have a custom Url for the videos. All this comes with unmatched pricing and robust reliability making it the best app for making instructional videos.

Vmaker Highlights

• Unlimited recording and cloud storage in the free version
• Extremely reliable
• Value for money proposition
• Automated video editing software
• AI Subtitle Generator in over 100 languages
• Supports up to 4k recording
• Strong customer support
• Manual video editing suite including a video cutter, video trimmer, video merger, video speed changer, aspect ratio adjustment, video cropper, video resizer, add text to video, add voice to video, and more.

Here is an elaborate guide on How to Make Instructional Videos with Screen Recording using Vmaker.

Screencastify

Screencastify was launched in 2013 and it was one of the first screen recorders available. It’s been in the market for more than 8 years but there are key aspects where it differs from some of the latest tools. There is no cloud storage provided by Screencastify. The recorded videos are directly uploaded to the user’s google drive. This means if you have limited storage on your Google drive, things could get a bit difficult. The screen recorder and editor are not offered as part of one pack. The upside is that you can choose to purchase the screen recorder and editor separately or together based on your requirements. Unlike some newer tools, there is no white-labeling solution offered by Screencastify.

Screencastify Highlights

1. No limits on the number of video recordings (Google drive storage dependent)
2. Screen recorder and editor are not included as one package.
3. The videos can be directly stored on your local device as well
4. No monthly subscription is available. Only yearly subscriptions.
5. Some key features offered by newer tools missing.

Here is a detailed Vmaker vs Screencastify comparison

Loom

Loom is one of the most familiar names when it comes to screen recorders. Users have appreciated Loom for its user-friendly interface and some key functionalities in the player. Though the premium version is pretty loaded, Loom’s free plan is not exactly usable. There is a limit of 5 minutes on the recording duration on the free plan. Also, users have pointed out the customer support isn’t up to the mark. Loom still offers a very polished experience for users in the premium plan. 

Loom Highlights

1. User-friendly interface
2. Proven tool in the market
3. Only gets trim functionality to edit video
4. Cannot add scenes to a video
5. Average customer support

Here is a detailed Loom vs Vmaker comparison

Movavi

Movavi is a screen recorder primarily focused on individual users. There is an option of Mac application or Windows application for the users to choose from. Movavi is a pretty reliable tool for screen recording purposes. There are a couple of drawbacks. There is a huge watermark added to the video when recorded using the free version. Also, if you are looking to use the tool for team collaboration, you might want to look elsewhere. There are no collaborative features available. Also, the complete package is available only for a yearly subscription. If you are looking to use Movavi for a one-time purpose, you will still have to purchase the tool for an entire year. 

Movavi Highlights

1. The paid plan is a great option for individual users
2. Native applications available for Mac and Windows
3. Easy to use interface
4. Video recorded on the free plan has watermarks.
5. Cannot be licensed on a monthly basis. 

Here is a detailed Vmaker vs Movavi comparison

Snagit

Snagit is a competent product from the stable of Techsmith. It is available in the form of both Mac applications and Windows applications. The long history of Techsmith is clearly shown in the functionalities of Snagit. In addition to screen and webcam recording, you can also take screenshots using Snagit. However, it lags behind when it comes to technological advancement in storage. Snagit saves all the data in your computer. Meaning, you will run out of storage if you create long videos. Also, there is no unlimited recording for the free users. Snagit can be purchased only for a yearly subscription. There is no monthly subscription plan for occasional users. 

Snagit Highlights

1. Has been in the market for a long time
2. Good for local storage purposes
3. Can also be used for screen grands
4. Very limited recording options and features for free users
5. Only available for a yearly subscription
6. Unavailability of cloud storage options

Here is a detailed Vmaker vs Snagit comparison.

1. Always keep in mind the intent and persona of your audience when creating the video. You have to make sure that you give an in-depth representation of your instructions. Follow a constant pace when recording your video. Use simple language to understand language. Also, try to address all the questions that may arise in the viewer’s mind. 
2. Keep your video uncluttered. Make sure your topic, storyboard and content are aligned and easy to understand.  Avoid including any information that may confuse your viewer. Remove any information or file from your screen that may be distracting. 
3. If you have multiple topics to cover, create separate videos for each topic rather than creating just one video. 
4. Always get feedback from your friends and colleagues for the videos that you create. Feedback is the key to improvement! 

Here is an instructional video made on how to make instructional videos without a script.

Take it easy with your first video

It’s okay if your first instructional video is not the perfect one. The first few ones are always rough around the edges. You can improve progressively with practice. If you have questions or need help with Vmaker, you can always get in touch with our customer support team through live chat. There’s always someone from our team to catch your back! One of the main reasons why our users love Vmaker. 

You can get started with creating your instructional video right away by clicking here and signing up for Vmaker instructional video maker.

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How to create training videos – Step by Step Guide

Great decision. Instructional videos are very helpful, and with easy access to the internet, more people are watching instructional videos to learn new stuff online. 

But, just like you don’t start driving a car without proper training and the right technique, instructional videos require some focus too. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you with that. 

In this blog, we will start with the basics of instructional videos, how you can ensure they are engaging, what are the different ways of making instructional videos, and how to make an instructional videos with screen recording in the simplest way.

Let’s jump in.

An instructional video is a visual instruction for performing a task or completing a job. As compared to printed manuals and booklets, videos are more friendly for learners. Reading is not so pleasurable when compared to watching videos. Also, it helps to retain information for a longer duration.

Depending on your goal, the length of an instructional video will vary. If you’re recording an onboarding instructional video for new recruits in your team, the length of your video will be longer. On the other hand, if you’re making a video on how to assemble an IKEA standing desk, your video will be much shorter. 

Either way, there are some golden techniques that will help you to improve the quality of your video. Let’s talk more about it in the next part.

There’s a difference between driving and great driving.

You know the difference between a good cook and a great cook from the taste.

Likewise, your audience can smell bad, all over the place and clickbait content from miles away. People spend a lot of time watching videos, and they’re almost used to identifying bad content. 

However, just like great cooks know what they have to do differently, and keep doing it consistently, you can make your instructional video content stand out by following some very simple ideas. 

These ideas are not filled with technical jargon, they’re just obvious things that are often missed while looking at the bigger picture. So, here are some of those tips that will help you nail your instructional video.

Start with planning

This is the basic step when you’re starting something new. At the planning phase, think of all the areas that you would want to cover in your video. Write them down. It’s not necessary that you actually cover all of them in the video, but jotting them down on your notepad or on a piece of paper will help to declutter your mind. 

If you find yourself getting stuck, think about your audience’s troubles. This will help you to come up with a problem statement, and keep the content more empathetic.

Create a storyboard

A storyboard is a visual representation of your video content consisting of multiple frames. It helps in deciding the flow of your content and analyzing it from your viewers’ standpoint. Now, don’t start scrolling. A visual representation doesn’t mean summoning all your best artistic talents. Keep it simple. You can doodle the characters, as long as you’re able to understand them.

In a typical storyboard, in every frame, different sequences of the video are broken down into small pieces. Like where the camera angle will be, how the character will react, or what the surrounding will look like. If you’re recording yourself, you can leave cues about how your facial or body expression will be, what background music you will play in a scene, and so on.  

Write a script

As your storyboard gets ready, start writing your script. Now that you have a good idea about the scenes in every frame of the video, you can write dialogues that compliment them. While doing that, keep your target audience in mind. They are here to learn. Therefore, using difficult words or technical information can get overwhelming. So keep the language simple, and if you have to explain technical details, then use images and numbers to make your job easy.

Moreover, using humor will also keep things light. Too much of it will make the content uninteresting, so ensure that you space them out throughout the video. 

Decide a length for the video 

This requires special mention. While you’re scripting, you might be a bit tempted to stretch things. Storytelling is important for your video, but too much of it can ruin things. To avoid that, have a rough time limit set in your mind for the video. This will help you start, build and end your video content within that time frame. You might not get it right the first time, which is ok. You can go back and tinker with the content. But, when you don’t have a yardstick, you can go off-limits easily.

It’s also important to mention that keeping your video on the shorter side is more preferable. The audience attention span is low, so you have a very little aperture to let your content sink in. If your video has too many details, break them into smaller videos and collate them to make a series. 

Pick your video format

There are many ways in which you can make an instructional video, what will work for you depends on the timeline, budget, and what you’re most comfortable with. Also, consider the availability of your team members. If you’re working solo, then an animation video or a live-action video can take up a lot of your time. Both of these require more time in production and editing. In this case, a presentation video or a screen recording can be a good choice. 

This particular point deserves a separate section. It’s difficult to do justice here, so let’s build more on this in the next part of this blog

In this part, we will take a closer look at each of the popular types of making instructional videos

Presentation videos

Fire up your PowerPoint and start writing content on slides. The good part about using a slide is that you can use images, graphs, and numbers. Videos can be added too. However, the bad part is that presentation videos are less personal. Although they can hear your voice if you record it, your audience cannot see you. Besides, presentation videos are a little old when you compare them with the other forms of videos.

Animated videos

This is probably one of the most popular forms of making instructional videos. Animated videos are fun to watch, they are great for explaining difficult concepts, and it’s easier to remember the content. On the flip side, it costs a lot of money to produce animated videos. Also, It takes more time. So, if you want something quick and efficient, this might not be the best choice for you. 

Screen recording videos 

Screen recorders are made for recording instructional videos and using screen recorders is the best way to make instructional videos. They are versatile, personal, and less expensive too. You don’t need professional training in handling a screen recorder. It’s easy to get started and start making videos. The biggest advantage of using screen recording programs is that you don’t need an external device to make the video. Your laptop or computer can get all the work done. On a serious note, screen recorders don’t really have a con. Except for the fact that a few of them do not have an advanced in-build editor. However, there are exceptions. Stay tuned.

There are ample screen recorders in the market. In this blog, we will be telling you how Vmaker instructional video maker is one of the best apps for making instructional videos and better than its counterparts, what are its advanced features that can help you nail your instructional video

While your content gets recorded on the screen, your face gets captured with a webcam. Your viewers can now not only see your content but can see you too. This builds more trust and easily adds more personalization to your content.

When you’re using a tool like Vmaker, you can experiment with your webcam view too. You increase or decrease the size, add your name and filters to it. This further helps in establishing a stronger touch base with your viewers.

All you have to do is plug-in your earphones. That’s it. Now you can record your voice to narrate the steps, add modulations to them and let your audience feel like they’re getting a personalized demo.

Vmaker’s intuitive system automatically identifies your microphone. If you’re using the system audio to record your voice, it will display a “built-in microphone” message. When you connect your Bluetooth headphone, it will display the model name of your headphone. 

This is something that sets screen recorders like Vmaker a notch higher than other tools. To ensure that your content is clearly understood, you can underline or highlight areas of your content with annotation. Plus, with mouse emphasis, viewers can track the movement of your mouse cursor. Further, ensuring that they DO NOT MISS any details

When you’re using the annotation feature, you also get the option to choose from different colors to customize your content. This is a great feature, especially if you’re an educator sharing content that has a lot of numbers, figures, and diagrams 

This is where the game changes. With advanced screen recorders like Vmaker, you don’t have to spend time exporting the recording and uploading it in a third-party editor to chisel things to perfection. The in-built editor is strong, and capable of handling video cropping, trimming, and resizing. You can also add external music and videos in your recording to add more oomph to your instructional video

The same goes for uploading videos on social media. Once your recording is ready, you can directly upload the video from your dashboard without changing tabs. This is great if you want your videos to go online on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter. It can help in going a long way in building social engagement. 

Bonus: The Ultimate Guide to Create an Instructional Video Without a Script

This was only a gist. If you want to know how you can make videos with Vmaker in a step-by-step manner, we highly recommend checking out this video:

Final words

Instructional videos are great for making content that is helpful, relevant, and actively searched for by people. However, before you get started, plan things in advance. Along with that, create a storyboard, write a script, decide a video length and the right tool for recording the video.

Screen recorders like Vmaker are an excellent tool for instructional videos. They can help you get started in no time, create personalized content, edit and upload it without changing platforms.

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