Creating Engaging Videos - Top 10 Tips

This video shares my top 10 tips on how to create engaging videos. Transcript: Hi Everybody! Thanks for tuning in. My name is Tyler, and today, I’m going to share my top 10 tips to creating engaging videos. Let’s get started! If you’ve never created video content before, you might be wondering why somebody would choose to make instructional videos. Some instructors like to use video instruction to create a flipped classroom, where students view videos before class so class time can be spent discussing the topics and digging deeper. Some educators choose to create videos to summarize material that was taught during a regular class session, in case students were absent or just need a refresher. Others like to blog and have taken to using videos as their method of recording their thoughts. YouTube has become the go-to spot for posting instructional videos on a wide variety of topics. Some users just find the process of creating videos fun and do so in their leisure. Now, let’s get to that top 10 list. Number 10 – Minimize the amount of text displayed on a slide. Remember, your slides are a summary of what you said, not a script to read off of. If your viewers are trying to read and listen at the same time, they may miss important info. Number 9 – Use pictures and other forms of media when appropriate. Rather describing how polluted waterways have become in third world countries, put up a powerful image. Not only will viewers have more time to focus on what they are hearing, but the image is more likely to be remembered. Number 8 – Use a consistent layout on all of your presentations. You can have some minor variations between presentations, but maintaining a consistent layout helps learners categorize information better, which aids in recall later. Number 7 – When it comes to color schemes, keep it simple. Remember that the video will be viewed on a much smaller window or even from a connected device, so text on screen must be easily read. If you are using PowerPoint, consider altering the Slide Master before creating slides to minimize tweaks later. Number 6 – Make sure that your audio and video are crystal clear. Make sure that your microphone is only picking up your voice and that you minimize background noise. Make an effort to look into the webcam as you are recording if you are featuring your face or body. Even if your viewers aren’t sitting in front of you, they will appreciate the eye contact. Number 5 – Make sure to “tag” your videos with applicable tags. Your video is more likely to show up in the search results if you’ve included relevant tags. Number 4 – Write a script. You won’t believe how many “umms” and “uhhs” you have in your video if you are just making it up on the fly. Write down what you want to say ahead of time for a clean product. Number 3 – Post a transcript. Most video sharing sites allow you to post a description and more info about your video. Take that script and make it available to your viewers. Number 2 – Keep your videos short and sweet. Aim to keep your videos between 4 and 6 minutes long. If your video goes beyond that, consider breaking it up into separate videos. By keeping your videos short, you are more likely to maintain the attention of your viewers and prevent them from being distracted. And your number 1 tip for creating engaging videos is to just be yourself! Whether you are funny, energetic, goofy, or dorky, your viewers are much more likely to stay engaged and keep them coming back for more if you let your personality shine through. Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed this video and learned a couple things. Thanks for watching!