Preparing an online workshop or conference can be challenging, especially if you’re afraid of public speeches. The stress can be overwhelming, making you stutter or forget your lines. In short, it can turn your workshop into a total disaster.
If that’s the case with you, and you still have to prepare online training, the best idea is to create an educational video. These kinds of films have become incredibly popular, and it’s easy to see why. They’re scripted, which makes them better for learning, and they decrease the chances of anything terrible happening.
But before you begin your movie career, you need to know how to make an interesting video. You don’t want your audience to fall asleep or misunderstand the idea of your workshop, do you?
In the article below, you’ll find some useful information on creating an excellent educational video that will ensure your audience enjoys it, and at the same time, learns a thing or two.
Know Your Audience
You may know your topic and have an idea of what people should learn from your workshop, but if you don’t know your audience, you’re going to fail spectacularly. Your video should focus on different aspects, whether you prepare it for a group of hungover college students or a group of middle-aged businessmen.
But knowing who your audience is going to be is not enough. You need to learn more about those who’ll listen to your words. Talk with other people about their interests to see on which topic you should focus. Find out the knowledge gaps you need to fill and how you can make sure your audience learns something from your workshop.
Getting more information on the people who’re going to watch your video will allow you to be more effective in your preparation. Maybe you’re going to need subtitles for videos or more pictures and visual presentations.
Learn more about your audience, and you’ll know how to keep them entertained and interested in the knowledge you want to pass on.
Get the Right Equipment
Okay, you know the topic and your audience. It’s high time you create your film. But before you do so, make sure you have the right equipment. Without it, your film will lack the quality and will simply look far worse.
Keep in mind that it doesn’t mean you have to own a brand new gear to make a good educational video. Nevertheless, high-quality equipment would be much better. To create your video, you’re going to need:
- A recording device
- Screencasting program
- Microphone
When it comes to a recording device, your laptop or tablet should do just fine. As for a screencasting program, you need to do your research and compare various providers. The same goes for a microphone.
Getting these pieces of equipment is not a necessity, though. You can make your video without a screencasting program or a microphone, but if you want to enhance its quality, getting them is a good idea.
Get Creative
Many people think of educational videos as a boring necessity they have to go through. And looking at some examples, it’s hard to blame them. But it’s not supposed to be like that. Your video should be entertaining. This way, the process of learning would be far more enjoyable for your audience.
Here’s where your creativity comes in. Think about how you can enhance your audience’s focus and what ideas you should implement in your video. Here are some ideas on how you can make it more entertaining:
- Consider adding animations
- Use bright colors
- Throw in a few jokes
- Make your sentences short
- Add interactivity
- Invite other people to appear in your film
Implementing these ideas can be a great way to make your video more exciting and enjoyable for your audience. If people feel more engaged, they’ll learn more. Don’t forget that it’s your main goal.
Keep in mind that if you want your video to be entertaining and genuinely educational, you need to prepare it in advance. Write a script, draw a storyboard, and see how it makes you feel. If you’re not a creative type of person, don’t hesitate to seek help from other people. You can even hire a professional writer who will prepare the script for you.
The Bottom Line
Educational videos are perfect if you want to pass on your knowledge creatively and in an entertaining manner. But to make them this way, you’ll have to put some effort into your work. Don’t worry, though, as you can see; it’s not rocket science, you just need to follow some easy steps.
The first thing you need to do is get to know your audience. Once you learn more about it and see what you should focus on in your video, you can start making one. To make it high-quality, get the right equipment, and thoroughly plan how it should look like.
Prepare a script, a storyboard, and don’t forget to get creative. Your video should not only teach your audience but also ensure it has some fun.
Implement the things we have mentioned in the article, and become a Martin Scorsese of educational videos.