Tools And Tips For Making Internal Training Videos

As a search marketer, you’re already skilled at creating content that captivates audiences and drives results.

But when the audience is your own team and the goal is internal training, the task might feel a bit out of your comfort zone.

Creating training videos may seem unfamiliar, especially if video production isn’t your forte.

However, your existing skills in search marketing can be incredibly valuable when crafting engaging and educational training videos for your colleagues.

This article will guide you through the essential tools, strategies, and best practices to create training videos that are not only informative but also engaging and effective.

Exploring SearchBot for internal training video insights

What do you do when tasked with an unexpected assignment – one that plays to your weaknesses, like creating internal training videos?

One possible step is to check out Search Engine Land’s SearchBot SearchBot for advice.

In my own search, I tried using the “Productivity expert/motivational coach/personal guru” persona to explore tips and tools for building internal training videos. The Coaching Expert SearchBot (powered by ChatGPT 4.0-mini) offered some valuable insights:

“Here are some key points and tools you might consider including in your presentation on making internal training videos:

Tools for Creating Training Videos

1. Screen Recording Software:
– Camtasia: Great for recording screen activity and adding annotations.
– OBS Studio: A free, open-source option for screen recording and live streaming.

2. Video Editing Software:
– Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional-grade video editing tool with extensive features.
– iMovie: A user-friendly option for Mac users, ideal for basic editing.

3. Presentation Tools:
– PowerPoint or Google Slides: Use these to create engaging slides that can be recorded as part of your video.
– Prezi: Offers a dynamic presentation style that can make your training more engaging.

4. Audio Recording Equipment:
– USB Microphones: A good quality microphone can significantly improve audio clarity (e.g., Blue Yeti).
– Headsets: For clear audio during recordings or live sessions.

5. Video Hosting Platforms:
– YouTube: For public or unlisted videos.
– Vimeo: Offers privacy options and is great for internal sharing.
– LMS (Learning Management Systems): If your company uses an LMS, consider integrating your videos there for easy access.

Tips for Making Effective Training Videos
1. Define Your Objectives: Clearly outline what you want to achieve with the training video. This will guide your content and structure.

2. Know Your Audience: Tailor your content to the specific needs and knowledge level of your audience to ensure engagement.

3. Keep It Concise: Aim for shorter videos (5-10 minutes) to maintain attention and focus. Break longer topics into a series of shorter videos.

4. Engage with Visuals: Use visuals, graphics and animations to illustrate key points and keep the audience engaged.

5. Include Interactive Elements: If possible, incorporate quizzes or discussion prompts to encourage interaction and reinforce learning.

6. Practice Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure smooth delivery and to build confidence.

7. Gather Feedback: After the training, solicit feedback to improve future videos and address any gaps in understanding.

Conclusion
Encourage your colleagues to embrace video as a powerful tool for training and development. Highlight the importance of continuous learning and how effective training videos can enhance knowledge retention and engagement within the organization.”

While these are helpful general guidelines, one thing the SearchBot didn’t touch on was the importance of scriptwriting and video planning tools. 

For example, Google Docs or Notion are great for drafting scripts and structuring content, ensuring nothing important gets overlooked. 

Tools like Trello or Asana can also help you organize the production process by breaking down each step – scripting, recording, editing, and reviewing.

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Adding a dash of creativity to your internal training videos

While technical tips and tools are essential, the real magic happens when creativity transforms your content into something memorable. 

Drawing inspiration from David Ogilvy’s philosophy of “big ideas,” I decided to seek unconventional sources of inspiration. 

One such source was the 1976 comedy film Murder by Death – a clever spoof of detective movie tropes.

This time, I used another persona in Search Engine Land’s list: Sarcastic Marketer (for fun!). It’s been “pre-prompted” as a snarky, clever, and funny marketing expert. Here’s what the chatbot generated:

“[W]hen I think of engaging internal training videos, I immediately think of a 1976 comedy/mystery film featuring a cast of eccentric detectives. I mean, who wouldn’t want to learn about compliance policies from a parody of Hercule Poirot or a bumbling version of Sam Spade?

Here’s the genius plan:

1. Character-Based Scenarios: Use the iconic characters from Murder by Death as avatars for different training modules. Picture this: your compliance training led by a Poirot-esque character who meticulously unravels the “mystery” of company policies. “Ah, but what is the true meaning of ‘conflict of interest’? Let us investigate!”

2. Humor and Mystery: Inject humor into the training by creating a light-hearted mystery that employees need to solve. For example, “Who stole the last donut in the break room?” Employees can learn about teamwork and communication while trying to crack the case. Spoiler alert: it was probably the intern.

3. Interactive Elements: Incorporate interactive elements where employees can choose their own adventure, much like the film’s plot twists. “Will you follow the lead of the wise-cracking detective or the overly serious one? Choose wisely, or you might end up in a training loop of doom!”

4. Visual Style: Emulate the film’s quirky visual style. Use bold colors, exaggerated expressions and playful graphics to keep viewers engaged. Because nothing says “mandatory training” like a cartoonish detective with a magnifying glass.

5. Catchy Taglines: Create memorable taglines inspired by the film’s humor. “In the world of corporate training, the only thing more mysterious than our policies is why you haven’t watched this video yet!”

6. Post-Training Debrief: End with a “whodunit” style debrief where employees can discuss what they learned, just like detectives sharing their theories. “So, who really was the culprit behind the missed deadlines? Was it poor communication or just a lack of coffee?”

So, there you have it! By channeling the comedic brilliance of Murder by Death, you can transform those deadly dull training videos into something that employees might actually look forward to. Just remember, if all else fails, you can always blame it on the cat.”

By injecting creativity into your training videos, you can break free from the typical formulaic approach, turning mundane content into an engaging, even fun, experience for your team.

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Strategic insights for effective training videos

Creating impactful internal training videos requires more than technical know-how.

It demands a strategic approach that aligns with organizational goals, leverages industry trends, and incorporates data-driven improvements. 

Here’s how to make your training videos effective and engaging.

Align training videos with business goals

Training videos should serve as strategic tools, not just tutorials. Tie them to broader business objectives like scaling lead generation, improving ROI, or boosting organic traffic.

For example, if your company is entering new markets, focus on localization strategies for PPC or international SEO best practices. Ensuring alignment with key goals enhances their relevance and impact.

Use introductory videos and advanced tutorials

Tailoring videos for various levels of expertise within your company is key to maintaining engagement and ensuring that learning is effective.

Consider creating distinct content based on the following:

• Introductory videos: Target new hires or those with less experience. These might cover basic topics like using Google Keyword Planner or an overview of Google Ads, providing a solid foundation for those starting out in marketing.
• Advanced tutorials: Cater to seasoned professionals with more complex topics, such as conversion rate optimization (CRO), attribution modeling, or technical SEO audits using tools like Screaming Frog. These sessions should delve deep into advanced strategies, providing more technical insights and practical applications.

Tailoring your content ensures that employees at all levels feel supported, challenged, and engaged in their learning journey.

Incorporate video SEO principles

Even internal training videos benefit from video SEO practices. Optimize file names, titles, and descriptions with relevant keywords to improve discoverability within your company’s systems. 

This ensures that employees can quickly locate the resources they need, especially in larger organizations.

Tactical advice for creating effective training videos

• Leverage analytics for optimization: Treat training videos like SEO or PPC campaigns by tracking performance metrics such as watch times, completion rates, and engagement. Tools like Wistia or Panopto can help identify content gaps or opportunities for improvement, ensuring your videos remain relevant and effective.
• Integrate interactive elements: Boost engagement and reinforce learning by incorporating quizzes, polls, or interactive walkthroughs. For example, SEO training might include a quiz on keyword strategy, while a PPC walkthrough could guide users through campaign setup, offering hands-on experience.

By aligning your videos with business goals and applying these tactical best practices, you can create training content that resonates, informs, and drives measurable improvement within your organization.

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