In 2016, 98% of organizations said they would implement video as part of their digital learning strategy. And it will become more and more critical for your training programs to include effective video content in the near future. (Read “Why Your Training Materials Must Include Video Content in 2018” for more details.)
MarioGuti / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Here’s how you can create effective video content for your training programs.
Select the Right Video Editing Software
If you’re interested in creating stellar video content for your training programs, you’ll need to select a video editing tool that allows you to easily capture, edit, and share video clips and more.
You’ll also want to make sure that the videos you create are easy to store and archive and that your learners will be able to access them from various types of mobile devices. Some learning management systems come with great video editors, and some don’t, but there are still quite a few options out there, so make sure you select the one that meets your organization’s unique needs.
Keep Videos Brief
If you want your training videos to be effective, keep them brief. Learners will tune out after 5–10 minutes of watching video content, regardless of what it’s about. It’s better to have multiple shorter videos with training content than it is to have one long video—learners will retain more of the information in them, watch more of the video content in total, and shorter videos are also much easier to create and edit.
Incorporate Real-Life Situations and Scenarios in Each Video
When capturing or creating video content, make sure to include real-life situations and scenarios that your employee learners will encounter in their current or future roles. Otherwise, they will tune out and not retain the information included in each video.
For example, you can show footage to new hires of an employee operating a machine to demonstrate how it’s done safely.
Or, you can create an animated video about how to handle a common customer request to your unseasoned customer reps, and so on. Ultimately, the video content must be relevant to its viewers and their everyday work environments, or it will not be effective.
Use the Correct Graphics, Text, and Audio for Learning Objectives in Each Video
When including visuals and graphics in your training videos, consider each video’s learning objective first and what you want your viewers to learn.
For instance, viewers learning how to write memos will need to see a lot of images with text, while viewers learning about emotional intelligence will need to see images of facial expressions and see and hear role-playing scenarios being acted out, and so on.
Offer Live and On-Demand Video Options
According to research, on-demand video training can increase sales by as much as 50% and can increase learners’ rates of knowledge retention by as much as 60%.
And live video training is great for employees who are new to an organization and work remotely, as it allows them to meet and engage with others.
Be sure to use the tips above if you want to create effective training video content for your organization.