How to make your own Video Tutorials

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Is Video, the most important type of content in the internet?

From how to bake cookies to renewing the thermal paste on your laptop’s processor, nowadays you can find tutorials for almost every imaginable problem. Why are these videos so convenient and important?

The internet and its sheer endless floods of data is growing by the minute, nearly all the information someone could ever wish to find (and more…) is available. For a lot of theoretical knowledge, written text, spiced with some pictures and graphics is still a valid way of representation. Scientific papers, blogs and news articles will most definitely still have relevance in the future. That is also the reason why I am writing this article, some people still prefer a written medium and there are topics that work good with text. But what about more practical knowledge or skills? If an image is worth 1000 words, what about a video?

In a one minute video for example, someone can show you how to tie a tie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46gAXft4TMA of course that would also be possible with text and some images, but how much harder would it be to produce and to consume that content?

What about this Jojo trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MNcUe5-qGQ ? Yeah true this is even hard to grasp as a video but would you want to explain that in an article or even worse, learn it from an article? A lot of information is just easier to transport via video.

When Videos on the internet became a thing, a lot of the clips on platforms like YouTube were user generated content like funny cat videos, clips of people failing and hurting themselves or other random comical stuff. The image and sound quality of the clips in general was quite bad due to size limitations, internet speed, bad cameras and other technical limitations. Also, the quality of the content itself was pretty low. The mainstream media and companies mostly ignored internet videos at first, but with faster internet speed and the rapid rise of users on streaming platforms, some companies finally could see the potential of video content for their business. More and more professionally produced videos of all kind started to emerge. The quality gap between user- and professionally generated content was very big then.

And then there was the smartphone. With the rise of smartphones and other mobile devices this changed rapidly. Since a couple of years everybody is always carrying an HD camera in their pocket. Whenever there is something out of the ordinary happening, someone pulls out a phone and starts recording. Who does not want to upload the next viral funny video? Getting the views, likes and subscriber on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc. are an additional incentive to upload cool, funny or interesting content. No wonder Video Streaming Platforms are at the top of the most visited sites in the World. YouTube for example is the second most visited page on the planet. Roundabout 80% of all the traffic on the internet is generated by video streaming.

With the increasingly better cameras in smartphones and the practice in making videos from a very young age on, the quality gap between professionally filmed videos and a quick recording with a smartphone is closing. This opened the door for more serious topics than funny cat and fail videos and people started to create videos with real educational value. So today most of the videos uploaded are not made by professional film makers or videographers, but ordinary people who just want to share something entertaining or their knowledge.

So why should you make video tutorials?

If your goal is to reach a lot of people with your content and knowledge, video is the media to go. Studies show over 80% of people prefer watching a tutorial video over reading some article about the topic. Watching a video has multiple benefits over other media.

  • The viewers can pause, jump to a specific section, slow down or speed up the video
  • you can use visual and audio-content together to transport your message
  • a video can sometimes be understood even if the viewer does not even speak the language, additionally you can use subtitles to quickly make the video accessible for an even broader audience
  • the viewers learn from a person talking to them, like we are all used to from a young age on
  • your viewers can leave and come back to the video whenever they want
  • platforms like YouTube, Vimeo etc. theoretically allow you to reach everybody in the world.

The biggest drawback when making video tutorials, is that you need at least some basic knowledge on filming, lighting, video/sound cutting, screenwriting and maybe acting to produce a decent tutorial. Learning these skills is not as hard as it used to be and the resources and tools that help you with these tasks are way more accessible and user friendly then a couple of years ago. So with some determination and practice I am sure you can get there in no time. Keep in mind that your first tutorial does not have to be perfect, start small and you will become better and better with each video.

some useful tool examples:

How to start?

The first thing you need to start making a video tutorial is some knowledge you want to share with others. Then you have to decide how you want to present the knowledge. In a video… DOH, but what part of the process is the most vital and how do you film it for your audience.

First we have to see what kind of knowledge or skill it is.

  • Is it a digital skill? Something like how to configure a Software a certain way, how to draw pixel art or how to make a 3D model, etc.
  • Is it something you do with your hands? Like a Yo-Yo trick, some craftsmanship like woodworking or drawing on paper maybe?
  • Or maybe it is a bike trick or a dance move?

There are so many different kinds of knowledge and there is no one correct way to share or teach them in a video. So choose your way of recording accordingly.

For a digital skill maybe a screen recording is the best way to go. Depending on the skill, showing the buttons that are pressed, your keyboard and mouse or your face can add additional value to your tutorial. Sometimes marking the interesting Areas helps your viewers to see where the magic stuff happens. This can be done by highlighting your mouse for example or drawing some circles around these areas etc. The necessity of these optical clues depends highly on the used audio too. Try not to overload the screen with too much information. Make it clear to your viewers where their attention should be at a given time.

For real world skills, the camera positioning, camera movement and the lighting should be chosen in a way that you viewers can clearly see what is going on. If you are a beginner don’t go overboard with optimizing these aspects in detail. My tip would be to start with a static camera position if possible then just pick a spot that is decently lit, don’t film against the light and position your camera so that all the essential parts of you presentation are on screen and avoid other optical noise like unimportant junk and especially moving objects in the background.
If you think you have to move your camera, or need the shot in a different angle, also consider using multiple cameras. That way you can later decide what angle is the most useful for the specific part of the video. If you only have one camera, try to move the camera from one static spot to another static spot and edit it later. Sometimes you have to move your camera while filming but I would advise against it for a simple tutorial video, especially if you are a beginner.

Before even starting to record, you should have some clear plan on how you want to tell your story. You start by writing down some ideas on possible scenes and use storyboards to describe your vision of the tutorial. It is up to you how detailed you want to plan your story and depending on your style, a rough plan can be enough, but do not skip this step, or you will end up recording a lot of material that will not be used at all. It is OK to sometimes deviate from you plan a bit, but especially as a beginner you should not go overboard with it.

There is also the possibility of utilizing AI to generate engaging tutorial videos. We at CLUEVO are already using AI for our tutorials like this one for example:

How to proceed?

When you got a good amount of recorded video and audio material it is time to start thinking about editing. There are a ton of editing tools and techniques and to cover that it would fill a complete article on its own, so lets just look at the basics.

One of the most important things is that you get a very good understanding on what material you have. So watch and listen to all your recordings, even if you think you are not going to use it. If you like a part, write down the timestamp and document it somewhere, together with a description on what it is and how you want to use it, so you know where to find it later. When you feel you know your material, you can start putting the pieces together.

To keep the viewers engaged, try to avoid monotony. Break up your A-Roll with some B-Roll, make use of Breaker Slides and other techniques to change up the visuals regularly. The use of A and B-Rolls also helps to hide cuts and thereby allows you to cut out excess material without the viewers noticing. If you can not hide the cut, use transitions but again, do not go overboard with it.

If you are using music, try to match the pace of the music with your visuals or the other way around. If you have a song that you want to use, try to match your visuals to it, but if you have a clear vision of your visual story, it is maybe better to find a matching song.

Use text to highlight and complement your voice-over and emphasize your core message. Keep in mind to not overload on information.

And last but not least, keep your video as short as possible, while still providing all the necessary information. With things like TikTok, YouTube shorts, Instagram stories etc. the patience for consuming longer content is decreasing rapidly and most people prefer short videos.

How to finish?

So you recorded and edited your video and you are happy with the result, then it is time to publish and promote it. Here are some tips:

  • Choose a video hosting platform: Select a platform to host your videos, such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia. Consider factors like ease of use, audience reach, and monetization options when making your decision.
  • Optimize video titles and descriptions: Use descriptive and engaging titles for your videos to attract viewers. Include relevant keywords in your video descriptions to improve search engine visibility.
  • Create visually appealing thumbnails: Thumbnails act as a visual preview of your videos. Design attractive thumbnails that accurately represent the content and entice viewers to click and watch.
  • Utilize SEO techniques: Implement search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to increase the discoverability of your video tutorials. Use relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags to improve search rankings.
  • Leverage social media: Promote your video tutorials on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Create engaging posts, share snippets or teasers of your tutorials, and interact with your audience to generate interest and drive traffic to your videos.
  • Add value through additional resources: Provide supplementary materials or resources to complement your video tutorial. This could include links to relevant websites, downloadable cheat sheets or templates, or references to further reading. By offering additional resources, you show your commitment to helping your viewers learn and apply the knowledge beyond the video.
  • Collaborate with influencers or industry experts: Partner with influencers or experts in your niche who have a substantial following. Collaborating with them can help you tap into their audience and gain exposure for your video tutorials.
  • Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, questions, and feedback from your viewers. Building a relationship with your audience helps create a loyal community around your tutorials and encourages word-of-mouth promotion.
  • Embed videos on your website or blog. Use tools like the CLUEVO video tutorial manager, to easily embed, arrange and manage your tutorials on your website or blog. This allows you to attract traffic from your existing audience and improves the overall visibility of your content.
  • Offer valuable content for free: Consider creating some introductory tutorials or snippets that you can provide for free. This showcases your expertise and encourages viewers to explore your paid tutorials or other products.
  • Encourage subscriptions and notifications: Prompt viewers to subscribe to your channel and turn on notifications so they never miss an update. This helps build a dedicated audience that eagerly awaits your future tutorials.
  • Analyze and adapt: Regularly review your video analytics to understand which tutorials perform well and resonate with your audience. Adjust your content strategy accordingly to deliver what your viewers find most valuable.

Remember, consistency, quality, and engagement are key factors in successfully publishing and promoting video tutorials. By implementing these tips, you can enhance your reach, grow your audience, and establish yourself as an authority in your field.

Overview – Step by Step guide

  1. Use a clear and concise narrative: When creating video tutorials, it’s important to communicate your instructions or explanations in a clear and concise manner. Break down complex concepts into smaller, easily digestible steps. Use a conversational tone and avoid jargon or technical terms that your target audience may not understand. Remember that you are teaching, so focus on being informative and engaging.
  2. Pay attention to audio quality: Good audio is crucial for a quality video tutorial. Invest in a decent microphone or ensure that your recording environment has good acoustics. Avoid background noise and speak clearly and audibly. If necessary, consider adding voice-over narration during the editing process to enhance audio clarity.
  3. Use visuals effectively: Visuals play a significant role in video tutorials. Whether you’re recording your screen or showcasing physical actions, make sure your visuals are clear and easy to follow. Use close-ups or zoom-ins when necessary to highlight important details. Consider using visual cues like arrows, text overlays, or captions to draw attention to specific areas or provide additional context.
  4. Edit strategically: Editing is where you bring your video tutorial to life. Trim any unnecessary footage, tighten up the pacing, and ensure a smooth flow from one step to the next. Use transitions, text overlays, and other editing techniques to enhance the viewer’s understanding, but use them sparingly. Consider adding background music or sound effects to make the tutorial more engaging, but ensure they don’t overpower the main content.
  5. By offering additional resources, you show your commitment to helping your viewers learn and apply the knowledge beyond the video.
  6. Optimize for search and discoverability: When uploading your video tutorial to platforms like YouTube, optimize it for search engines and discoverability. Use relevant keywords in the title, description, and tags to increase the chances of your tutorial appearing in search results. Write a compelling thumbnail and consider adding a short preview or teaser to entice viewers to click and watch.
  7. Encourage viewer engagement and feedback: At the end of your video tutorial, encourage viewers to like, comment, and subscribe to your channel. Ask them to share their thoughts, questions, or suggestions in the comments section. Engage with your audience by responding to comments promptly and fostering a sense of community. Feedback from your viewers can provide valuable insights and ideas for future tutorials.
  8. Continuously improve and iterate: Creating video tutorials is a learning process. Take the time to analyse the performance and feedback of your tutorials. Pay attention to metrics like view count, watch time, and audience retention. Learn from the feedback you receive and use it to refine your content, delivery, and production techniques. Keep experimenting, trying new approaches, and evolving your style to ensure your tutorials remain fresh and engaging.
  9. Share and promote your tutorials: Don’t just stop at uploading your tutorial to a platform. Promote it through your website or blog, share it on social media channels, and consider collaborating with other creators or influencers in your niche. Leverage your existing networks and engage with online communities or forums relevant to your tutorial’s topic. The more you share and promote your tutorials, the wider your reach and impact will be.

Remember, becoming proficient in creating video tutorials takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself, embrace the learning process, and don’t be afraid to iterate and improve along the way. Your passion for sharing knowledge and helping others will shine through in your video tutorials, making them valuable resources for learners around the world.

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