Guest Post

Ultimate Guide to Making Online Video Tutorials

You quickly search for an instructional video whenever you get a new product or want to know more about a service. Instructional videos have become the easiest yet most valuable online medium of teaching a new concept to someone. It also allows you to assure your existing followers that you actively provide them with the best content while also attracting new ones.

Contrary to popular belief, making a tutorial video is quite straightforward. With the right tools and knowledge, anyone can make one. Making an instructional video comes with a small formula that is sure to work every time.

You start by planning your script, then documenting it, then come recording your audio and video. Once that is done, all you have to do is edit it and upload it. For any first-timer, that can be a lot to digest at once.

If you, too, are interested in learning how to finish making a tutorial video, this article is perfect for you. Here you will find a complete guide on how you can make your own instructional video, starting from preparing your video, recording the audio, and using an online video editor.

How to Make a Tutorial Video?

Before you go about recording yourself, there are a few preliminary steps you need to keep in mind.

1. Know How You Want To Present Yourself:

The first and foremost step in making a tutorial video is knowing everything there is about the subject you teach. Even if you are an expert at the subject, doing some research will allow you to understand people’s common problems or questions. It is best to do a run-through a few times before you start recording to understand and know all the ins and outs of the subject.

2. Keep A Bullet-Point Script By You:

While it is always good to be in the moment and sound as organic as possible, it does not hurt to have a reference point. You do not have to write down the whole script for recording yourself, but make a list of the key things you plan to touch in the video. This will reduce fumbling and also keep you spontaneous and on track.

3. Pay Attention To Your Surroundings:

When you record a particular video, keep in mind that your computer screen will also show, starting from the apps you have running, the tabs on your browser, and even your desktop background. It is best to ensure that your computer display looks professional and neat before starting your recording.

4. Choose A Screen Recording Program:

While there are a plethora of options for screen recording tool, you should always choose one that you are comfortable with and used to. Free screen recorders often have a lower-resolution output which can make your video look unprofessional.

If you are not ready to invest just yet and determined to choose a free screen recorder, ensure that you choose the highest ranked one.

5. Start Audio Recording

Once you have ensured all the steps mentioned above, the next step is to start recording your audio. For this, you will need a few things, like a good microphone, a well-built acoustic environment, and utter silence in the room.

While a good microphone will ensure that your audio quality is good and there are no frequency problems, the right kind of acoustic will help omit echo or reverb. Keeping your surroundings silent helps make the audio a lot clearer, so you do not have to work very hard in post-production.

Some things can help enhance your audio in post-production. Start by adding some kind of soothing background music to your video. This will keep it from being mundane and provide the viewer with a better experience. Remember not to get the volume too high, as that might distract the viewer.

6. Edit Your Video

It is perhaps the most important part of your tutorial video-making process. A tutorial video should always be crisp and to the point, while also covering every matter of discussion on the subject. There is always a tendency of speakers to defer from the topic while talking about a particular point. Another option is to outsource the video editing and work with a video production agency that can undertake that whole process.

This often ends up distracting the viewer, and they will eventually skip your video if this keeps happening. While there is nothing you can do while recording the video, you can always take the help of an online video editor to make your video tutorial more to the point. Further mentioned are some steps that can help you do the same:

7. Choose an Editor:

It would be best if you always started by choosing a professional video editor. With so many options available, both paid and free, it all comes down to preference. Choose any tool that you are comfortable using and know your way around.

That said, if you are in a hurry or do not want to indulge in the intricacies of a professional video editor, you can always choose an online video editor. These programs are mainly made for editors who are in a hurry and need only the fundamental features. It allows you to cut out the pauses in your speech, fix all the slipups and save your viewers time.

8. Use Text:

This is another important thing you should add to your post-production process. Sometimes what you say might be very important but not very clear to hear. Since you cannot cut that part out and re-recording and syncing it with the video is a very cumbersome process, you can always use subtitles for your videos.

In addition to that, you can also add branding and other similar design elements to the video, making it look a lot more professional. The goal of your video should be to make the concept as clear as possible to your viewer while also promoting your work.

The Bottom Line

So, that’s it! With the information mentioned in this article, you will surely be able to improve your tutorial videos significantly. Now, go ahead and start making online video tutorials without any trouble.