Newer technologies have paved the way for better methods of distributing information. Businesses and individuals alike have started tapping into the eLearning market, using innovative solutions for video production. On the business side of the coin, training is being done through video courses. For individuals and small businesses, eLearning video production is aimed at online courses and sales funneling techniques.
People love videos! Over 60% of online learners have taken a class that was video-based. However, they don’t just love any video. If it fails to engage them, then the viewer is not going to retain any of the information. It will simply become a wasted opportunity. But videos that connect with an audience will have a lasting impression. These creative tips around creating eLearning storyboards and videos for online or instructor-led videos will help businesses help produce effective eLearning animated videos aligning with their objectives.
Different Types of eLearning Videos
Instructor-led training is becoming obsolete in business due to the vast number of tools available for video production. For example, animated video production has become a popular alternative to in-person training for businesses. With that said, here are some of the most common types of eLearning videos.
Teaser Videos
Animated teaser videos are designed to excite an audience. Think of them as a movie trailer. They use excerpts from the eLearning experience and condense them into one short and exciting package. Teaser videos can be used as a brief summary of an employee training course, showing the viewer what to expect from the series of videos. But in most cases, teaser videos are used for marketing larger video libraries.
Teaser videos highlight important pain points that the main eLearning course will cover, while not giving away too much information. It usually does not exceed 2 minutes. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important points of a teaser video.
Teaser Videos for Announcing the Big Day
The best videos always start with a strong introduction that must cater to the short attention span of online audiences. Then the video should transition into social proof where others share their experiences.
Finally, teaser videos must always end with a call-to-action that tells the viewer exactly what to do next. For a video that’s marketing an eLearning course, the CTA would point them toward a sales funnel. For corporate video production, it would likely tell the viewer to pay attention to the videos they are about to watch.
Example of Whiteboard Teaser Video
Whiteboard animation can be used to provide all of the highlights for the upcoming videos, thus preparing them for what’s to come. Sprinkle in motivational, background music, and some powerful words to make it really click.
Course Videos with Visual Elaborations
This section will focus on the animated side of video production. As a rule of thumb, course videos should be around 10 minutes each. Therefore, providing a concise message for each video is essential. So, what makes animated videos so advantageous?
For starters, animation has the ability to drive the narrative in more imaginative ways. It can simplify complex issues in ways that are not possible through live-action shoots. For example, if a complex issue is related to the passage of time, then using animation to show these complex timelines will be far less confusing than trying to present a complex timeline in a live-action format.
The Usefulness of ILT and OLT Course Videos
One of the most important concepts with creating animated Online Training Program (OLT) videos is to only use elements that will resonate with the target audience. This will vary from niche to niche, so be sure to set the right tone for the audience who will be watching the videos. This is one area where a video production house can be quite beneficial. They can identify the right tone for a specific audience and shed some light on the perfect type of animation to use.
Finally, make sure each video addresses one key question. eLearning courses will consist of multiple videos, so each one must answer a different question. Videos that attempt to address multiple issues at the same time will confuse an audience.
Example: Informative Animation Video
Informational videos use visual support as the medium for sharing information to the viewer. They visualize a concept through animated text, characters, or a combination of the two. For instance, when COVID was first being described to the public, detailed animations were used to help communicate the concepts of the virus so that the general public could understand. This is an essential goal in all forms of marketing video production.
Building Trust with Webinars
Webinars are also the best choice for event video production because they can lead to a living Q&A session for viewers to have their concerns addressed.
With that said, there are some important things to keep in mind when hosting a webinar. While it has many advantages, the main downside is that webinars are not interactive on the same level as a video course. Questions will get asked that are not relevant to everyone in attendance. So, while they do provide valuable content, their value will not be as high for everyone watching.
That’s why it’s key to maximize the attendance of a webinar, so make sure to promote it in advance. Filling those virtual seats is an essential step. But this isn’t exactly a tip on the production of a webinar, so it’s best to move on.
Choose topics that radiate with the intended audience. That’s the only way to get them excited about the webinar. Ask the question – What is the common problem that your target market is having related to your business?
Narrow down that idea into a few concise points and then plan the webinar around that. That ensures that the audience is fully invested in it, so then all you need to do is engage them. Prepare some animations too so over certain points and then allow time for questions after each point.
The rule of thumb is to allow as much time for questions as the webinar itself. So if the content is an hour-long, then allot an hour in total for questions.
Webinar Presentation Using Animation
Obviously, the webinar itself won’t be animated since it’s done live. However, the presentations can be done entirely using animation. In fact, the animation is encouraged because it breaks away from the mundane and entertains the audience. Even a simple presentation will be greatly enhanced by providing just a touch of animation. Maybe have a character go through the topics, or have the words show up creatively?
Tips to Create Engaging eLearning Videos
Now that the three important types of eLearning videos have been discussed, it’s time to go through several valuable video creation tips to help get the most out of them.
Always plan videos with reusability in mind
The content of the video is far more important than flashy animations and graphics. Even webinars contain the value of reusability, which is why many businesses hire a video production company to edit them for later viewing.
Make the most of visuals
This is where the true value of animation comes into play. However, all visuals in a video must strengthen the content. Just like with writing, eLearning videos should contain no fluff. This is an area where a video creation agency will excel!
Keep videos short and to the point
As a rule of thumb, course videos should be no longer than 10 minutes. Make sure all videos address one pain point. The longer the video, the higher the likelihood of confusing the viewer.
Use the right tools for the job
Just like anything else, using the right tools in business, video production can make or break a video. Research to find out exactly what is needed since it will change depending on the overall production goals.
Always have a script
Some beginners tend to just hit record, talk, and then hope for the best. This is a big mistake that can lead to rambling and cause the video to steer off course.
Do not distract the viewer, ever
This is another common mistake that beginners make and one of the biggest benefits of using professional video production services. Animations should enhance the message, not distract from it. Get too fancy, and you might confuse the viewer.
Get Your eLearning Videos Created by the Video Editing Experts
There are many software and tools available for video editing. Creating eLearning videos requires extensive skills, experience, and advanced software as well as hardware infrastructure. The ideal option is to partner with a video editing and post-production company to get high-quality eLearning videos. Video Caddy (VCD) specialized in animation, storyboarding, audio and video editing, have been assisting entrepreneurs, corporate trainers, and organization alike in creating eLearning videos for the intended target audience. Contact the Video Caddy team for all your eLearning video production requirements.
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