Video is among the most common methods for delivering and consuming content. Training videos are omnipresent, from food television shows to photo editing tutorials on YouTube. The emergence of video-based learning has attracted the interest of L&D managers all over the world. Corporate entities have, therefore, begun to use training videos to educate their employees and clients on a number of topics.
A training video’s objective is to train the audience in a specific skill or to convey knowledge on a specific topic that helps them overcome difficulties and become more competent at their job.
Employees these days expect training to be delivered in a brief, snackable style that they can consume on any device of their choosing at their leisure. Videos are the ideal format for providing and delivering information in the most engaging way possible, enabling greater reach and retention.
In this post, we’ll provide you with ten strategies for making them more engaging and impactful.
1. Connect with the learners.
If you want to obtain good training results, the first step is to connect with the learners on a personal level. Knowing your audience and conversing in their language is the first step toward communicating effectively (even if it is a one-way conversation). So, before creating a training video, understand the learners—their educational level, role and responsibilities, position, and so on. Also, pay attention to how your employees communicate and then try to mimic their style of speech and use their language while recording a video.
2. Make your training objectives explicit to the audience.
Never leave your employees wondering why they are seeing a training video. State the learning objective clearly so that they know the purpose of the training video and can start engaging with the relevant information.
3. Keep your videos short
Don’t expect the employees to go through lengthy training videos. Even if they do, they are unlikely to retain the information. Microlearning is the method of absorbing information in little portions, which improves knowledge retention. Shorter videos are better for microlearning and appealing to learners with short attention spans. Videos should preferably be 5–6 minutes long.
4. Use of a plain background.
Nothing appears less professional in a video than a cluttered or distracting background. When selecting a shooting area, choose one with a solid color background. It could be a wall, wallpaper, or even a white sheet. It’s a good idea to shoot a training video in a “professional” setting—the location where you work. For example, if you’re going to train customer care representatives, it’s appropriate to film a video within the confines of your workplace.
5. Choose a simple, clear visual design.
It can be tempting to spice up the video with a slew of visual effects, but these can be bothersome to the learners. A clear, minimalistic style can keep the viewer’s attention for a longer period of time.
6. Add other training resources to supplement the videos.
Training videos are fantastic. However, they are not the be-all and end-all of learning. Effective learning experiences require supporting materials and resources to guarantee that proper knowledge is conveyed. Consider producing a workbook to accompany your training videos.
Also, ensure that there is a mechanism to test the depth of understanding or abilities at the conclusion. Remember that training videos are only one component of a learning experience. They require assistance to result in a highly effective training experience.
7. Use high-quality audio recording equipment.
When developing training videos for the first time, the most common mistake is neglecting the audio. Sound is the most crucial aspect of a proper training video. If you have stunning visuals, but the audience is unable to hear you, they will lose focus. Your learners must be able to hear your content loudly, crisply, and clearly for successful knowledge transmission. So, invest in a good external audio recorder and a microphone to improve the sound quality in your training videos.
8. Customize the training videos.
Include details in your video that will appeal to your employees. Sketch out a bespoke cartoon character of your CEO, incorporate your brand into the video, or make a joke about HR and Sales’ continuing friendly bowling competition. Small nuances like these can entice your audience to watch the training video again and again.
Acquiring new information can be challenging and time-consuming. Engage and entertain your employees so that the learning experience sticks with them. You can provide explicit guidance for topics that are too broad or complex by using animations. Animations are great at simplifying complex subjects and making corporate content more enjoyable and exciting.
9. Ask questions.
You can urge your audience to engage by asking questions during the video-based learning sessions. This is especially useful for in-house employee training as it allows you to pause the video and offer the employees time to contemplate and answer the question. Then maybe you can discuss the responses and continue watching the video.
Exercises like these can also help your team retain information for longer periods of time since they challenge individuals to think and contribute rather than simply viewing the content.
10. Add gamification.
Everyone enjoys a bit of fun and games, and training should be no exception. Gamifying your training videos with activities will pique your learners’ attention and build engagement. Quizzes, guessing which department an employee is from, scavenger hunts, or training videos combined with team-building exercises are examples of such activities. The possibilities are limitless as long as you keep your staff involved in the learning process.
Conclusion
Training videos are indeed one of the most efficient methods of employee training. Creating excellent training videos has become quicker and more economical than ever before, thanks to the introduction of modern video creation tools. We hope you can use these tips to improve the effectiveness of your training videos. You don’t have to be an expert to boost information retention, employee engagement, and training outcomes. All you need is a clear plan of action and some tried-and-true concepts to work with.
