How to Create Engaging Training Videos in 2024

In today’s fast-paced business world, helping your employees grow and thrive is more important than ever. Once upon a time, bulky manuals and handbooks were the go-to resources for training. But in 2024, they don’t quite cut it anymore. Employees crave connection and engagement, and nearly half (48%) say that video is the most effective way to learn.

How about empowering your team with content that speaks to them, motivates them, and makes them feel supported? The great news is that you don’t have to be a tech whiz or hire expensive video producers. Tools like Dadan allow you to create professional, impactful training videos with ease – no expertise needed.

In this article, we’ll explain how to harness tools like Dadan to create engaging training videos that inspire growth and help your team succeed wherever they are.

Why Engaging Training Videos Matter?

Videos are the preferred mode of communication for employees. They’re able to digest the information better and are more likely to follow through. But the benefits of creating effective training videos stretch beyond that.

• One area where corporate training videos make a positive contribution is productivity. The same survey cited above showed that a single employee, on average, earns back 6 minutes and 43 seconds every day by watching videos. That’s 33 minutes per week and 25 hours per year!
• Another benefit is increased flexibility and accessibility. Videos facilitate on-demand learning, which allows employees to access videos from anytime, anywhere, and learn at their own pace and convenience. If you’re leading a remote team with employees working in varying time zones, this mode of training is particularly useful.
• Training videos are cost-effective. Once created, they can be reused multiple times, reducing the need for ongoing training development. Your training videos can also be easily scaled to accommodate a growing workforce without compromising quality.

Need any more reasons to create engaging training videos? Let’s get into it!

Pre-production: Planning Your Training Video

All video-based projects are generally completed in three phases: pre-production, production, and post-production. Each phase is critical with a specific purpose.

Pre-production is all about planning and creating a roadmap for creating your video. It’s when the stakeholders sit together, brainstorm various available options, and zero in on the best one. Pre-production also involves planning, scripting, storyboarding, and gathering resources.

More specifically, here’s what you’re supposed to do in the pre-production phase:

Define the goal

The most basic component of creating a training video is defining the purpose. What do you want the video to accomplish? Is it to onboard new employees, teach new software, or update employees on policies?

So, as the first step, write down the goals and define the key takeaways for your team.

Understand your audience

The best training videos directly address the audience’s issues. Who you communicate with is equally important as what you communicate. A successful message delivered to one group of people may fall flat when presented to another.

Understanding your audience is vital in the pre-production stage. Consider your viewers’ technical proficiency. Workers may vary in tech skills, so ensure the content is easy to follow and the instructions are clear.

Write a script

The script is the foundation of your training video, guiding both the visual and spoken elements. This is the content of your training videos.

When writing the content, break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand language. Keep the information focused and avoid overloading the viewer with too much detail. Think about how your team will engage with the content and craft a script that addresses their needs directly.

Storyboard

A storyboard is essentially a visual plan for your video. It outlines how each part of the script will be translated into visuals. By creating a storyboard, you can map out how the video will flow, where transitions will happen, and what graphics or screen recordings will be shown.

This step helps ensure that your message is communicated clearly and keeps you organized throughout the filming and editing process. It’s a visual blueprint that keeps everything on track.

Evaluate the tools

In the last step of the pre-production process, you detail the tools you’ll be using. There are several tools designed for corporate training and learning. Some are simple screen recording and hosting tools that allow you to make videos quickly, while others are extensive LMS software.

You can also download templates for video scripts and storyboards. Backlinko has a nice collection of free video script templates. You can also check out Jasper and dedicated script-writing software like Backlight.

Production: Filming Your Training Video

The next stage is production, where you create the actual video. Producing videos can be overwhelming, especially when you’re doing it for the first time. The key to overcoming this is breaking down the production process into manageable chunks.

Here’s how to film your training videos:

Set up the environment

Before you hit record, it’s essential to create the right environment. Whether you’re filming yourself, a subject matter expert, or recording your screen, make sure the setup is professional and distraction-free.

Choose a quiet space with good lighting. If you’re recording a screen, close any unnecessary tabs or programs to avoid distractions. You want to keep viewers focused on the training material.

Record the video

Now that the environment is ready, it’s time to record. If you’re capturing on-screen instructions, make sure to speak slowly and clearly while using the cursor to point out important steps.

For live-action recordings, make sure the presenter follows the script but remains natural and conversational. Avoid reading word-for-word; instead, focus on delivering the key points with confidence. Recording in short segments is helpful since it allows you to re-record small sections rather than redoing the entire video.

Capture high-quality audio

Audio is just as important as visuals. Poor sound quality can ruin an otherwise well-made video. Use a quality microphone, and ensure that there’s no background noise or echo in the recording space. Always test your sound before recording the full session.

If the audio is being recorded separately from the video, ensure it aligns perfectly during editing. Clear, professional sound will keep your audience engaged and enhance the overall learning experience.

Follow the storyboard

During production, follow the storyboard you created in the pre-production phase. The storyboard serves as your guide, helping you know which visuals to capture and when to incorporate key transitions.

By sticking to the storyboard, you ensure that nothing is missed and the video stays on message. This is especially useful when adding visual aids like slides, charts, or screen captures that correspond to the script.

Be prepared for multiple takes

Even with the best preparation, you’ll likely need to record some sections multiple times. That’s perfectly normal! If something doesn’t look or sound right, take the time to re-record it. Don’t rush the process, it’s always better to favour quality over speed.

Keep in mind that minor mistakes can often be corrected when you edit, so don’t stress over every tiny detail during production. However, capturing clean footage with the best training video equipment with as few mistakes as possible will make editing much smoother.

Post-Production: Editing Your Training Video

Your videos are ready, but they’re not polished yet. That’s what the third phase is about. In the post-production phase, you sit down and edit your videos and make them production-ready.

In this stage, here are the steps involved:

Edit your footage

After recording, the first step in post-production is to edit the raw footage. This is where the video starts coming together. Use video editing software to cut out any unnecessary parts, fix mistakes, and arrange the clips according to the storyboard.

During this process, ensure your video flows smoothly from one section to the next. Keep it concise by removing any long pauses, unnecessary filler, or irrelevent information. The goal is to maintain engagement and keep the video focused on the key training points.

Add visual aids and graphics

Visual aids like slides, diagrams, or animations can help reinforce key concepts. Add these to your video where necessary. Use on-screen text to highlight important information or emphasize steps in a process.

If you’ve included screen recordings, consider adding callouts, arrows, or highlights to draw attention to crucial details. Annotations enhance clarity, making it easier for employees to follow along.

Include captions and subtitles

Adding captions or subtitles is a crucial step, especially for remote teams. This not only helps those with hearing impairments but also makes your video accessible to team members in noisy environments or non-native speakers.

Most video editing platforms allow you to add captions easily, ensuring that the text matches the spoken content. Providing transcripts alongside your video is also a good practice, making it easier for team members to refer back to specific sections later.

Review and refine

Before finalizing the video, review it carefully. Watch it from the perspective of your target audience, paying attention to both the content and the overall flow. Look for any sections that may need additional clarity, smoother transitions, or tighter editing.

It’s also helpful to share the video with a small group of team members or colleagues for feedback. They can point out any areas that need improvement or clarify if the training material is easy to follow.

Bonus Step: Add Video Interactions

The best way to create an engaging training video is to make it interactive. By adding interactive elements such as quizzes, polls and open-ended questions, you can:

• Turn your training video into an immersive experience.  
• Increase learning retention
• Get direct feedback from participants

Some video-creating platforms support video interactions, and some can even create interactions automatically with AI.

Export and optimize the video

Once you’re happy with the final product, export the video in the appropriate format. Ensure the file is optimized for the devices your team will be using—whether that’s laptops, tablets, or smartphones. You’ll want to strike a balance between high-quality visuals and manageable file size, especially for remote workers who may have varying internet speeds.

Test the video on different devices to ensure it plays smoothly and maintains its quality across platforms.

Tips for Making Your Training Video More Engaging

You can, of course, make a video in any way that works best for you, but you should always consider following the best practices. Here are the tips to follow while making your training videos:

Keep your videos short and focused

Attention spans are shrinking. Research from Microsoft shows the average human attention span is just 8 seconds – shorter than a goldfish. With that in mind, break your training content into bite-sized videos, typically 5–10 minutes long.

Shorter videos help retain attention and allow remote employees to consume the content at their own pace. Focusing each video on one specific topic reduces cognitive overload, making it easier for the team to absorb key concepts.

This section probably took longer than 8 seconds to read, so hopefully you now know what cognitive overloading is!..there will be a test at the end! (Joke).

Use interactive elements

As we mentioned above, interactive videos can increase viewer engagement. By including quizzes, clickable options, or decision-making scenarios in your training videos, you encourage active participation, which leads to better retention of information.

Interactive elements also allow you to check for understanding in real-time, making the learning process more dynamic and effective.

Use high-quality visuals

Video is a visual medium, and people process visuals 60,000 times faster than text. Poor-quality visuals or cluttered screens can disengage your viewers and reduce the effectiveness of your training. Invest in high-quality visuals, including clean graphics, animations, and on-screen text to make the training easier to comprehend.

A video that looks professional not only keeps the audience engaged but also reflects the professionalism of your training material.

Engage with the audience directly

Address your viewers directly by using a conversational tone and asking rhetorical questions. Research shows that videos where presenters make direct eye contact with the camera have a 30% higher engagement rate.

By speaking directly to your remote team, you create a sense of connection and make the training feel more personal.

Maintain a consistent pace and energy

A flat, monotone voice or slow pacing can lose the audience’s attention quickly. To keep viewers engaged, maintain an energetic, varied tone throughout your video.

Avoid speaking too quickly, but also steer clear of long pauses or drawn-out explanations. Keep the pacing lively, and don’t be afraid to inject enthusiasm into your delivery.

Provide a call-to-action

End each training video with a clear call-to-action (CTA). This can be a request to complete a task, apply a skill, or take a quiz. According to research by HubSpot, CTAs boost engagement by 80% when clearly communicated.

A strong CTA reinforces the purpose of the training and gives viewers a next step, helping them apply what they’ve learned immediately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Training Videos

• Overloading information: It’s tempting to cram as much content as possible into one video, but this can overwhelm your audience. Aim for clarity and focus by breaking complex topics into manageable segments.
• Poor audio/visual quality: High-quality sound and lighting are essential for maintaining viewer attention. Invest time in ensuring clear audio and well-lit visuals to create a professional and inviting learning environment.
• Not testing your video: Before launching your training video, beta-test it with a small audience. Gathering feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and ensure your content resonates with viewers.
• Lack of engagement: Keep your audience engaged by incorporating interactive elements, such as quizzes or discussions, and maintaining a clear narrative throughout. This approach fosters a more dynamic learning experience and helps reinforce key concepts.

Tools for Creating Engaging Training Videos

There are several tools are key to creating engaging videos. From recording and editing to adding interactive elements, using the right software can streamline production and enhance the overall quality of your videos.

Here are some top tools that can help you create professional, polished training videos:

1. Dadan

Dadan is an AI-powered screen recording tool that allows you to capture your screen, webcam, and audio simultaneously. You can record training videos in 4K quality and upload them to Dadan, edit and add interactions using AI, generate a link, and share them with your team. Dadan’s main focus is providing a powerful communication platform, making it ideal for startups and remote teams. You can start your free trial here.

2. Wistia

Wistia is a video marketing platform designed for businesses. It’s particularly useful for tracking viewer engagement, allowing you to see which parts of the video are most watched, skipped, or rewatched. You can also embed videos on your website, customize the player, and protect your content.

3. Adobe Premiere Pro

A professional-grade video editing software, Adobe Premiere Pro is suitable for creating high-quality training videos with advanced features like color grading, motion graphics, and audio mixing. It integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, making it a great choice for teams with existing Adobe workflows.

4. iMovie

For those who prefer a simpler, more intuitive option, iMovie is a solid choice. It offers basic editing features, built-in transitions and effects, and easy-to-use tools for adding text and music. iMovie is particularly well-suited for creating shorter training videos and is available for both Mac and iOS devices.

5. Powtoon

This cloud-based animation platform is ideal for creating animated training videos. Powtoon offers pre-designed templates, characters, and props, making it easy to create professional-looking animations without extensive design skills. It’s a great option for creating explainer videos, product demos, and interactive training content.

Time to create your next engaging training video

Videos are a proven medium for training your team effectively and affordably. But as you’ve just seen, it’s more than recording and editing. It’s about following the structured process of pre-production, production, and post-production and leveraging the right tools.

With this guide, you now have the roadmap and resources to create professional, impactful training videos that deliver lasting results. Dadan allows you to record your screen and trim/tweak your videos effortlessly. You can add text overlays, structure with chapters, video interactions and attach resources to train your employees. We’ve also just launched a suite of AI-tools that makes it even easier to make engaging training videos. It’s time to put your plan into action and watch your team thrive. Start your free trial now.