You can make money making training videos by either picking a narrowly focused topic and monetizing them on YouTube or by creating training videos for businesses that need to educate their customers in some aspect of their services or products.
Whether it is for training or advertising purposes, clearly video content is the media of the future. Training, or “how-to,” videos are gaining market share on a daily basis. Nearly ¾ of all Americans have a smartphone today, and the majority have cameras on their phones. It only makes sense to partner these concepts into one exciting and lucrative business opportunity. With the proper technique and an interesting subject, you can begin making money today by making training videos with your smartphone.
It’s not enough to create training videos, though.
Your success hinges on making training videos that others will want to watch!
Below, are ten key points that will enable you to create exciting and compelling how-to videos; the kind that will get watched and leave your audience wanting more…
#1 – Write a Script
In order to prevent you from becoming sidetracked from your message and rambling on aimlessly, it is best to prepare a script. A script will allow you to focus your message and be as precise as possible. This will also ensure that you do not leave out important points and will provide consistency for subsequent videos.
#2 – Keep It Simple
Generally speaking, the best material for a training video is a subject with which you are completely familiar and comfortable. However, you want to be sure not to be TOO comfortable with the material you are discussing. Think of your intended audience – the ones whom you are teaching. Is this material confusing? Is it a bit complicated for the first-timers? Keep your message very simple and clear so the video is easy to understand. This will keep your message relevant.
#3 – Get to the Point
Remember that your audience is watching your video in order to learn how to do a very specific task. Each of them have many other things they would like to be doing. Be pointed with your message. No one wants to sift through several minutes of rambling thoughts and opinions while waiting to learn the information they seek.
#4 – Focus on Quality Audio
Even if you are forced to choose between bad pictures or poor audio, never compromise the quality of the audio. People will usually, and painfully, sit through poor picture quality. However, if the sound is bad, they will move on to the next video. In order to ensure the highest quality for your audio, be sure to use external microphones instead of the microphones in the camera. Run a few sound checks before you begin making your video.
#5 – Keep It Real
Do not try to be too fancy; unless your training video is about how to be fancy. The best training videos keep the background and lighting very simple so that it does not distract the viewer from the actual message or demonstration. You might even find that you do not need any additional lighting as natural light can also do the trick.
#6 – Use More Cameras
When creating training videos, it is imperative that you to switch between close-up and full-length shots. It is advisable to have at least 2 cameras capturing a variety of angles and distances. This will allow you to transition between the different shots, depending on the need. Another slick trick to help with the shot angles is to shoot the video twice – Once while explaining and a second time for the demonstration.
#7 – Demonstrations Require Close-ups
It makes sense that in order to learn from a training video, it is important that people are able to actually see what is happening on the screen. When you are demonstrating a technique, it is advisable that you use close-up shots to better communicate your message.
#8 – Learn by Watching
You can always learn new techniques and get new ideas for your training video by watching similar work that other people have done. This can serve both to show you what to replicate, as well as what to avoid.
#9 – Supplement with Additional Information
Oftentimes, people would like more information about the subject you are demonstrating – perhaps they are interested in a specific tool you used, or accessory you showed. It is always a good idea to provide links to other websites or videos where they can get additional information about that subject.
#10 – Entice Them to Return
If you have additional training videos, it is always a good idea to promote them every chance you get. At the end of the video, be sure to tell them where they can find more of your helpful training segments, and be sure to inform them that there is more of your training coming soon. This way, they will be actively searching for your content.
Making training videos is a very niche market of the overall video business market, and it is growing rapidly. With a smartphone camera and the tips above, you can be on your way to a lucrative career in the “how-to” world with very little additional investment in time or video-making equipment.
Do you have a question,favorite technique or tip about making training videos? Please share them with us in the comments below!
