How do I make a video tutorial that is easy to follow?

Quick answer 2 minute read
Quick Answer

To create a video that is easy to follow, have a brief outline of what you're going to teach, focus on one procedure at a time, and ensure both the audio and the visual are clear. State the topic and goals of your lesson, show the procedures slowly and clearly, remove long gaps in the recording, and cut out any parts of the procedure that aren't necessary. Summarize what you've just taught, or ask the viewer to apply what they've learned.

How to make a video tutorial that is easy to follow

Start with a clear goal. People need to know what they'll be able to do by the end of the video. If there are multiple distinct parts to the process, make separate videos or split one video into clearly labeled segments rather than doing everything in one video.

Plan before you record

Create a brief plan for your video. Write down the order of the steps you'll perform in the video. You can write out any special terms you want to explain in your video. Also, write down anything that will appear on the screen. Run through your plan once to make sure you haven't forgotten anything and to get an idea of how long the video will take to film.

Pay attention to the sound

While viewers may overlook a substandard camera shot, bad audio is distracting, and it makes the directions difficult to follow. Record your video in a quiet environment, maintain a consistent distance between the microphone and yourself, and deliver your speech at a constant speed. Do a trial run with a brief recording before you commit to a full-length tutorial.

Show the details viewers need

Make sure the significant actions are visible, and make little controls or items easy to spot. Do things at a pace that allows people to understand your actions. When appropriate, explain why an action is relevant for decision-making.

Edit the video for clarity

Get rid of all long pauses, re-takes, off-topic anecdotes, and errors that aren't instructional in any way. Try to keep the flow of transitions smooth. Light visual cues help the viewer understand what's happening, but don't go crazy with visual effects.

Include helpful text

Include a brief overview, a list of supplies, timecodes where relevant, and a step-by-step or transcript. Finally, review your creation and ask your viewers to perform a related activity. Then, let someone who has never done it before watch the final video. If they have questions, that will reveal the parts that might need improvement.

Learn More About This Topic