Not just the popularity of how-to videos but also the diversity of this particular video category. When you type “How to” in the YouTube search bar you get results ranging from “how to deactivate Instagram account” to “how to make pizza at home” which shows the diversity of how-to videos. 

In this ultimate how-to video guide, we’ll be looking at everything about how-to videos right from the popular statistics, how to create how-to videos, tips, ideas, the most popular and best how-to videos, and more. 

Topics covered in this how-to videos guide

• What is a How-to video?
• How to videos statistics and numbers 
• How did how-to videos become so popular?
• Why do you need to create how-to videos
• How to videos examples and types
• How to videos maker 
• How to create how-to videos(Using a screen recorder)
• How to videos ideas and tips 
• Best how-to videos
• Most popular how-to videos 

A how-to video is best defined as a sequential step-by-step action performed to achieve a specific goal. The goal could be recording a meeting, resetting your password, sending video emails, or anything. For example, if you take this “how to record google meet without host permission” the video has the presenter walk through the steps in recording a google meet without host permission. 

• How-to videos get the maximum attention of any content category even more than music clips and gaming. 
• How to videos is amongst the top four content categories watched by YouTube users 
• 30% of people searching on Youtube are for How To type videos
• 70% of millennials in the past year watched YouTube to learn how to do something new. 
• Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to 10% when reading it in the text. 
• 83% more information is retained from video tutorials after 6 months
• 69% people prefer videos over text to learn about a product or a service
• 94% of marketers agree that videos have helped increase user understanding of their product or service.
• 43% marketers report that video has reduced the number of product support calls their company has received.
• 65% of people use YouTube to help them solve a problem.

The popularity of how-to videos can be attributed to two main factors, one is that technology has evolved very much in the last two decades. This has led to so many innovative products, software, tools, and services available to the public. The primary source of learning about something new nowadays is through how-to videos. 70% of millennials in the past year watched YouTube to learn how to do something new. 

The second factor is the rise in popularity of videos itself which had now made people to look for videos as the primary source of information. Infact people now spend seven hours every week watching videos. However, This has led to the decline in the usage of instruction manuals, support docs, user manuals as people prefer watching it as a How-to video. 

Here are four reasons why you should be creating how-to videos. The four points have been carefully curated and these apply across all different segments.  

• How to videos enable self-learning amongst viewers and users 
• How to videos reduces the dependency of the support team to solve basic queries 
• The information gained through how to videos are retained longer than guides and manuals 
• How to videos also build trust amongst users which leads to more sales/signups 

How to videos enable self-learning amongst viewers and users

Gone are the days when users preferred to be on onboarding calls and get to know from a product expert on how to set up a product or a service. Nowadays users want themselves to be “product experts” and prefer videos to learn how to set up a product/ service and understand its features. 

Lastly, companies that produce or offer services at a higher level like enterprise software and the organizations using them are better off by creating elaborate how-to video guides. This helps multiple people at the organizations using the product/service to understand the product and not be dependent on the one point of contact who used to be the product expert. The company offering the service/product is also benefited as the number of repeat training requests and queries are avoided. 

How to videos reduce the dependency of the support team to solve basic queries 

Products/services that are often ranked high for customer service and satisfaction have well run customer support teams. It’s not just about having efficient support teams but also utilizing knowledge base software to create a comprehensive knowledge base that caters to the needs of every user. A well-put-together knowledge base that includes how to videos, enables customers/users to troubleshoot basic issues, learn about features and implement themselves. This enables the support team to actually look into the issues that are more pressing and require actual assistance. 

The information gained through how-to videos are retained longer than guides and manuals 

Simply put, no one has the time to read through pages of user manuals and documentation that in most cases have multiple languages compiled in one booklet to learn about the product that they have recently purchased or signed up for or a service that they have availed. Even when done, the information that is retained is very poor and this leads to users/customers looking for the same in a short period of time. 

Videos especially how-to videos help in this case massively. The ability to learn from videos also helps in the longer run as 83% more information is retained through videos than text after six months. Some of the most common and basic queries can be answered through how-to videos and when the user sees the same and does it themselves will be able to retain the same for a longer period of time. 

How-to videos also build trust amongst users which leads to more sales/signups 

How to videos also build trust amongst potential users and customers. The need to get to experience the product or visually see how it works is of paramount importance nowadays as it gives the confidence to make the buying decision.  73% more visitors who watch product videos which include how to videos will make a purchase. With the rise of social media, platforms like Instagram have become essential for brands to showcase their products through engaging videos. To maximize reach and visibility, brands can explore online to get Instagram followers, ensuring their content reaches a wider audience and drives higher engagement. So how to videos not only helps in improving support efficiency, customer satisfaction but also the conversion rate of sales and sign-ups. 

Here are a few how-to videos examples listed below. 

• How to deactivate an Instagram account?
• How to record zoom meetings without host permission?
• How to create animated videos?
• How to use LinkedIn to find a job?
• How to get more views on YouTube in 2023?
• How to move from Android to iPhone?
• How to sell anything to anyone?
• How to take a screenshot?
• How to create a YouTube channel?
• How to download files from iCloud?

The five most common types of how-to videos are listed below. Using these five types you can brainstorm the topics for your how-to video. 

• How to use
• How to create
• How to make 
• How to take
• How to get

There are different types of how to videos on youtube but most of the how to videos could be made using a how to video maker which supports screen recording. A how-to video maker with the functionality to record screen and camera enables the one recording to “show and tell” how to perform a certain action. 

A good how-to video maker should have the following features:

• Ability to record your screen, camera or both 
• Annotate on the screen and highlight mouse clicks 
• Record at full HD clarity 
• A webcam overlay that could be moved across the screen 
• Video editor to edit and fine-tune the how to video recording 
• External video uploading and syncing with the how to video recording 

The Vmaker how-to video maker offers all of the above features and also the ability to white-label the player page based on the brand kit, share directly on social platforms, support platforms, and much more. 

A how to video maker that has a screen recording functionality enables you to create most types of how to videos easily. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create how-to videos for youtube. 

Decide on the topic of the how to video

There are quite a lot of topics that you can create how-to videos on, so it is essential you pick the right topic and do your research on the same. Look out for existing or similar how-to videos and see what is being conveyed. This enables you to build on the same to improve it and enables you to offer something new in your video. If the topic doesn’t have any video then ensure that you cover the topic in detail so that it is highly beneficial for the viewers. 

Prepare a script for your how-to video

Although unlike other video formats a script isn’t necessarily stressed upon for a how-to video. But having a script for how the video will be formatted is always good. Doing so will ensure that only the right amount of time is spent on each section of the video keeping the video duration ideal. 

Here is a how-to video script for your reference: How to create a video resume? ~ Script(How to video script example)

Feel free to access the same and make a copy of the how-to video script.

Record a few mock recordings of your script

Practicing a video script by having a mock recording is always good and especially if it’s a how to video. The mock recordings will help you get comfortable with the script and also allow you to correct the tone, language based on the mock recording which further enhances the quality of the final how to video. 

Prepare the product and your screen for the recording 

Ensure your screen is clear and has only the relevant apps and files required for the recording. Also, prepare the app/product that you’ll be explaining in your video and ensure all the settings are in place.

Record the how to video

Once you’re all set then go ahead and screen record your how-to video. Inspite of all the meticulous planning there will be certain things that might go wrong. So instead of panicking, you can pause the recording and then resume when it’s good again. Hit on the finish the recording once you’re done with the recording. 

Use our AI video editor to fine-tune your recording

With Vmaker AI Video Editor, you can convert your raw screen recording footage into publish-ready videos in minutes.

All you have to do is upload your raw footage and select the kind of visual enhancements or elements you want to add to your video like Subtitles, B-rolls, Background Music, Text Animations, etc— Vmaker AI will automatically add them for you.

Not just AI, it also comes with an intuitive timeline, allowing you to easily edit parts of the video as you like, including using a video cutter, video trimmer, online video merger, video speed controller, aspect ratio adjustment, video cropper, video resizer, add audio to video, add text to video, and more without watermark.

Moreover, it converts long-form videos into short-form content, perfect for platforms like Reels, Shorts, and TikTok.

Here are some of the tips that will help you further enhance the quality of your how to videos and achieve your goals of reducing support requests, getting more views on youtube, and more.

Use an engaging title for your how-to video 

The title of your how to video isn’t essentially “how to something” but in fact you can offer a lot more value in your how to video title. People search for how to video to gain knowledge on something that they have no prior experience with or learn a simplified process to do something. So adding value to the title will make the ones looking out for the video to check it out and learn from it. 

In this how to video the video creator has not just mentioned how to create a video resume but has also added four actionable steps and tips along with a sample video resume. This actually educates the user that creating a video resume isn’t a difficult process and gives them confidence for viewers to watch and create a video resume themselves. 

Use frames, filters, and annotations to explain concepts clearly in your how-to video

In this above example, you could see how the presenter has used a webcam overlay with a frame having his name which adds to the overall looks of the video. Not just that the presenter has also used screen annotations to showcase that it is a sample video resume.

Focus on certain sections on the screen to grab user attention

How to videos often include a step-by-step process and to keep users engaged it is better to showcase the exact sections of the screen rather than the entire screen. This way viewers will have a clear understanding of what has to be done. In the example above, users have to go to vmaker.com to sign up for Vmaker and record video resumes. The video focuses on the address bar instead of the whole screen which grabs the attention of the user. 

Share key points and best practices in the how-to video 

Often how to videos are termed boring and transactional as it is generally in the format of a problem statement and solution for the same. However, you can offer some tips, best practices in the video which will be refreshing for the viewers and also break the monotonous step-by-step flow of the how to videos. In the example above, apart from conveying how to record how to videos, the creator has also mentioned the essential things needed in a video resume

Here is our list of 10 best YouTube how-to videos spread across different categories.

How to Use Zoom – Free Video Conferencing & Virtual Meetings

In this how to use zoom video, the presenter explains in detail how to use Zoom for video conferencing and virtual meetings. 

How to Use TO & FOR English Prepositions

Grammar is something that people across all age groups look for an answer and this how-to-use to & for video explains the concept beautifully. 

How To Record Webex Meetings | Record Video & Audio

This Webex meeting video perfectly explains how to record Webex meetings with both video and audio. 

How to make animated videos [Tutorial for beginners]

Creating animated videos has always been considered a daunting task. This how to make animated videos breaks the myth by creating one in just a few simple steps. 

How to Tie a Tie For Beginners

A tie is something every professional have in their arsenal but not quite a lot of them tie it properly. This how-to-tie a tie video breaks it down in simple steps to tie a tie perfectly.

How to Make a Website in 10 mins – Simple & Easy

A lot of people aspire to create a website but only a few take the step to creating one. This video helps users in making a website in a simpler way.

How To Create A YouTube Channel! (2020 Beginner’s Guide)

Every content creator aspires to create and successfully run a YouTube channel. This beginner’s how to create a YouTube channel guide helps aspiring users on creating a YouTube channel. 

How to Make an App for Beginners (2020)

Creating an app is often considered to be considered a tough job but this how to make an app series offers lessons to create one for beginners.

How To Create A Profitable Shopify Store From Scratch

A Shopify store is the pathway for business owners to sell products online independently. This video offers everything that you’ll need to know to set up your Shopify store.

How To Use Google Sheets

Google sheets has now been preferred over the traditional Excel due to it’s convenience and ease of use. In this how to use google sheets video gives you a completely overlook of google sheets and help you get started with the same.

The how to video guide would have helped you understand how to videos in detail. Create how to videos using Vmaker how to video software for free!

If you enjoyed reading the above article, then here are a few cherry-picked ones for you to read further!

How to Make Instructional Videos with Screen Recording

How to Make a Tutorial Video by Recording Your Screen

How to Film Yourself Without Freaking Out | Actionable Recording Tips

How to Get Video Testimonials from your Customers

How to record video online with audio

There are 1000’s of product launches happening every day and the competition is getting tougher with every passing day. Product Hunt alone has 100’s of products released in a single day. In a challenging space, it is important to grab the attention of potential users quickly.

In order to do that the product launch video needs to be right on the money. But when you are offering a product and then spend big money depicting the same product differently to the user then there is a high chance that users will move past without relating to the actual product.

It is for this reason that founders and companies have switched to simple screen recording videos for product launches. Nothing works like the way quick screen and webcam recording video from the creator of the product explaining why the product has been created, the challenge it will solve, and a quick glimpse of the solution on offer. 

Jason Fired, CEO of Basecamp uneveling and giving the world a walkthrough of Hey in this screen recording video.

Here’s the product launch and walkthrough video of Hey, the fourth most upvoted product on the product hunt in 2020. Hey, is a modern email tool from Basecamp. Not that the marketing team of a big company like Basecamp didn’t have the budget to launch a big product launch video. They just kept it simple and stuck to the basics which worked well for them. 

Tutorials and how-to videos are the most common type of screen recording videos that could be found on the internet. The tutorial videos need to be solving the queries of the users and help them use the product easily.

It is for this reason tutorials and how-to videos are as much as important to a brand compared to their muti dollar ad campaign video.

Earlier in the day tutorials and how-to videos used to have just screen recordings with voice narration or mouse emphasis. However, the tutorial videos can be made even better with a webcam overlay showing one of the product experts demonstrating what needs to be done. This makes the video more engaging and as well resourceful. 

Vmaker for Mac tutorial video

Here’s the tutorial video of Vmaker where one of our product experts is walking through each and every step of setting and up using Vmaker for creating highly engaging screen recording videos. 

Product demo videos are one of the vital components for a product to be adopted by users and customers. Often the sales team, new users, and potential leads/users are all super reliant on product demo videos. 84 percent of customers report being convinced to buy a product or service after watching a demo video.

58% of Shoppers Think Companies with Product Videos Can Be Trusted.

Product demo videos need to be clean, clear, and concise. It is important to convey to the user what the feature is particularly for and how it can be used. If this goes wrong there are high chances that the user misunderstands the features and functionality of the product. 

Screen recording videos along with webcam overlay are the best way to create product demo videos. Users will get to know about the product and its features in the best way possible giving them a clear understanding and clarity about the product. 

Further Read: Creating personalized product demo videos using screen recording videos

Customer support is another key area of focus for brands and businesses to be successful. Often the best of the businesses and brands are equally known for their support as much as they are known for their product. In fact, 86% of buyers are willing to pay a higher price for a better customer experience. It is, for this reason, customer support teams need to act quickly, fast, and be more personal in solving customer queries and problems. 

75 percent of the users are more likely to watch a video than read a support document.

Customer support teams should start treating each and every customer and their support ticket individually by quickly recording a screen recording video. This helps support teams give a personalized solution to their queries instead of sending a help doc or a generalized support video.

Check out how we at Animaker handle our customer support using screen recording videos from our customer support expert.

Further Read: 5 proven ways to improve customer service in 2021

We are in 2021 and sales has become more personal. Sales teams have adopted various strategies to get more personal with leads and offer them a personalized selling experience.

One way to do this is to pitch them personally by understanding their main pain points and offering a solution to the same through one of the product features. 

This might seem daunting but yet quickly done using a screen recording video. Salespeople can quickly record a video explaining how their potential client’s problem could be solved using their product. In fact, by sharing a glimpse of the product helps in pushing the client/lead to get on a brief demo. 

Further Read: How to use screen recording videos in cold sales emails

Getting a new employee is always exciting for any organization. It is important to make the new hire feel comfortable which will enable them to set the ball rolling in quick time. HR Teams and teammates of the new hire could share their welcome messages through a screen recording video. A personalized video is much better and memorable than a message or an email, especially in a remote working environment.

Screen recordings can also be used to create training videos for new employees to help them understand the system and process in place.

Tutorial videos also help anyone in the organization to quickly have a look at the same in case of any clarification. 

Further Read: How screencasting videos help in smooth remote onboarding

Education and learning just like sales have become more personal over the years. Educators have been constantly evolving the way they teach lessons and it has changed rapidly as most of the education nowadays is online. Educators nowadays share lesson notes, resources, feedback, corrections, and even engage in educational app development, all through educational screen recording videos.

Screencasting tools form a major part of EdTech tools for educators and students. It is not just teachers who communicate with students using screencast videos. Students too send in their assignments, doubts, and other submissions through screen recordings making it easier for teachers. 

Further Read: Breathe life into courseware videos with educational video creation tools

Now with the 7 different types of screen recording videos, you’ll have a fair idea of what you want to create using screen recordings.

Bonus articles:

How To Do Screen Recording Videos? 10 Step Guide With Tips & Tricks

How to Film Yourself Without Freaking Out | Actionable Recording Tips

How to Record Online Video Lectures for Free | Lecture Recorder

How to Record Webinars: A Simple 5 Step Process

A complete Guide to Screen Recorder