Instructional videos are everywhere—from YouTube tutorials to professional training courses—and their importance continues to grow. But not all of them hit the mark. Creating an instructional video that’s clear, engaging, and genuinely helpful in a world packed with information is more critical than ever. Whether you're a content creator or a corporate trainer, producing high-quality instructional videos captures your audience’s attention while effectively delivering valuable information.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different types of instructional videos, from microvideos to screen recordings, and offer actionable advice on how to create your own instructional videos that resonate with viewers. Let’s break it down, step by step.
An instructional video is a type of video content that aims to teach the viewer how to perform a specific task or explain a particular concept. These videos are common in both educational and professional settings, ranging from detailed software tutorials to quick "how-to" videos. What sets instructional videos apart is their focus on delivering clear, step-by-step guidance tailored to different learning styles.
Instructional videos come in many forms, including explainer videos, screencasts, training videos, and more. These are used in various industries—corporate training, marketing, education, and even on social media platforms.
Instructional videos have become a cornerstone in education and corporate training. They provide a flexible, scalable way to teach and train people, accommodating different learning styles. Research indicates that 82% of people have been persuaded to purchase a product or service after watching a video.
Video-based learning allows viewers to engage with content at their own pace, making it a powerful tool in today’s fast-paced learning environments. Whether it’s explaining a complex software feature or walking someone through a step-by-step process, instructional videos can provide much-needed clarity in a highly engaging format. And, because they can be accessed anytime, they’re a great fit for learners who need flexibility.
Each type of instructional video serves a unique purpose, depending on the content and audience. Let’s look at the most common types:
Microvideos are short, focused instructional videos that usually last under a minute. These videos are designed to teach one specific task or concept quickly, making them ideal for bite-sized learning on social media platforms. They’re great for tutorials, like demonstrating how to use a new software feature, and are often highly visual with minimal narration.
When creating microvideos, aim for laser-focused content. If your goal is to teach a simple action or task, keep the message clear and concise. These are perfect for explaining small steps in a larger process or introducing new features in a piece of software.
Screencasts are a go-to format for instructional videos that involve showing viewers how to use software or navigate a computer screen. These videos capture the movements on your screen while you provide voice-over narration, making them ideal for software tutorials or explaining digital tools.
The key to a good screencast is clear narration and pacing. Viewers need time to process what’s happening on the screen, so it’s important not to rush through the steps. Use pauses strategically to allow them to follow along, and make sure your audio quality is crisp and clear.
Explainer videos break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand segments. These are often animated, which helps visualize ideas that might be difficult to grasp through words alone. They’re frequently used in marketing and product demos, providing viewers with a quick overview of a product or concept.
To create effective explainer videos, focus on simplifying the message. Using visuals and metaphors can help reinforce your points. For example, if you’re explaining a software feature, using animations to simulate the process can make the information easier to digest.
Tutorial videos are more in-depth than microvideos, providing step-by-step instructions for completing a task. Whether you’re teaching someone how to assemble furniture or explaining how to bake a cake, tutorial videos are perfect for detailed, process-oriented lessons.
When making tutorial videos, keep the audience’s experience in mind. Make sure the steps are broken down clearly, and avoid overwhelming the viewer with too much information at once. Using visual elements such as text overlays or close-up shots of important steps can also improve clarity.
Training videos are widely used in corporate settings to teach employees new skills or provide important information. These can range from compliance training to soft skills development and often feature a mix of lecture-style presentations, explainer videos, and screen recordings.
The best training videos have a clear learning objective and are structured in a way that makes the content digestible. Using a mix of different types of instructional videos within training sessions can help keep the content engaging and cater to different learning styles.
Lecture videos are typically full-length recordings of live presentations or classroom lectures. These videos are excellent for formal education and professional development settings, where longer, in-depth content is required.
While lecture videos can be longer, it's important to maintain engagement. Break the content into sections or use visual elements like slides and infographics to keep viewers interested.
Writing a solid script is one of the most important steps in creating an instructional video. A good script keeps your content organized and helps you deliver information clearly. Start by identifying your learning objectives—what should the viewer be able to do after watching your video? Then, break the content into digestible sections, each focused on a specific step or concept.
Keep your language simple and to the point. Avoid jargon, and speak directly to your audience. Use visual cues in the script to indicate where you’ll be showing demonstrations, and always include a call-to-action (CTA) at the end, such as encouraging viewers to try the steps themselves or seek further information.
When it comes to creating instructional videos, the process begins with understanding the needs of your audience and delivering content that helps them solve a problem or learn a new skill. Creating instructional videos is not just about shooting a video—it’s about ensuring that your message is clear, engaging, and actionable.
One of the most common types of instructional videos is the tutorial video. These videos walk viewers through a specific process step by step, allowing them to follow along at their own pace. Tutorial videos are ideal for teaching practical skills, such as using a new tool or completing a task.
If you're planning to create instructional videos for professional training, consider focusing on training videos. A training video should be designed to teach specific skills, often within a corporate or educational setting. To create training videos that are effective, it's crucial to have a clear learning objective and structure the video in a way that breaks down complex topics into simple, digestible steps.
A great way to deliver clear and concise instructions, especially when teaching software usage or navigating digital tools, is through screen recording. Screen recording captures everything happening on your computer screen, which is perfect for creating video tutorials that show users how to perform tasks in real-time.
When creating instructional videos that involve software, a screen recording can help guide viewers through each step visually, which is often more effective than text-based instructions alone. Pairing this with voice-over narration ensures that your audience gets a comprehensive understanding of how to use a particular tool or feature.
Even the best instructional videos can go wrong if you overlook some key elements. Here are common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
One of the most effective ways to ensure smooth delivery when creating instructional videos is by using a teleprompter app. These apps allow you to read your script effortlessly while maintaining eye contact with the camera, which enhances viewer engagement.
For example, when creating videos that involve complex instructions or detailed steps, a teleprompter ensures that you don’t lose focus or stumble over your words. It’s especially useful for long-form content, where maintaining a professional tone and steady pace is critical.
Using a teleprompter app also reduces the need for multiple takes, as you’ll have your script directly in front of you. This results in more efficient video production, allowing you to create high-quality video tutorials or training videos faster, and even help when you want to sell instructional videos online by ensuring that the content looks polished and professional.
If you're ready to enhance your video creation process, you can sign up with Teleprompter.com. It's designed to help you deliver your content smoothly and confidently, making your instructional videos more professional and engaging.
Instructional videos are a powerful tool in education and professional training, offering flexibility and an engaging way to deliver information. Creating anything from a quick microvideo for social media to a full-length lecture video requires a solid grasp of the various types of instructional videos and the techniques behind producing them. By applying these tips, you’ll be able to create instructional videos that resonate with your audience and provide real value. It’s time to start crafting videos that are both effective and engaging.
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