Product Training Videos: A Comprehensive Guide

What is a Product Training Video?A product training video is a specialized form of instructional video specifically designed to train employees, customers,...

What is a Product Training Video?

A product training video is a specialized form of instructional video specifically designed to train employees, customers, or other stakeholders in the use or understanding of a particular product. Product training videos can be an integral part of an onboarding process for new employees or a way to educate clients on how to get the most value out of a product. They serve as on-demand training materials that can be accessed anytime, enabling learners to gain knowledge at their own pace.

What Are the Key Features of an Effective Training Video?

Effective training videos should have the following features:

1. Clarity of Content: The video should present information in a clear, straightforward manner.
2. Engaging Voiceover: A well-done voiceover can significantly improve the retention of the material.
3. Visual Aids: Using on-screen text, transitions, and images can reinforce the video content.
4. Pacing: The information should be presented at a pace that is comfortable for the target audience.
5. Interactivity: Including quizzes or interactive training elements can engage the viewer more deeply.

What to Include in a Product Training Video

• Introduction: Briefly describe the product and its key features.
• Step-by-Step Tutorial: Provide a detailed tutorial on how to use the product.
• Use Cases: Demonstrate some real-life examples or scenarios where the product could be useful.
• FAQs: Address common questions about the product.
• Additional Resources: Direct the viewer to further training materials or customer support.

How to Structure a Training Video

1. Introduction: Start with a brief introduction outlining what will be covered.
2. Body: This is where the in-depth explanation and tutorial videos come in. Break this down into multiple sections if the content is complex.
3. Summary and Call to Action: Sum up what has been covered and direct the viewer to the next steps.

Top Use Cases for Product Training Videos

1. Employee Onboarding: New hires can benefit from onboarding training videos. With the use of video content like screencasts and whiteboard animations, organizations can provide an engaging and effective introduction to the company's products.
2. Technical Skills Training: Detailed tutorial videos that employ screen recorder technology and voiceover can guide learners step-by-step through complex processes or software, making the training session more effective.
3. Customer Education: Product training videos can be used to educate customers on how to make the most out of a product. Live-action or animated explainer videos can simplify complex ideas.
4. Sales Training: Team members in the sales department can improve their product knowledge and sales techniques through high-quality, professional video content.
5. Software Training: Screen captures and screencast videos can provide an in-depth look at how to navigate software windows, particularly useful for SaaS companies.
6. Corporate Policies and Compliance: Corporate training videos that utilize templates, professional video editing, and quizzes can make the often dry subject of compliance more engaging.
7. Product Updates and Features: When a product receives an update, a short video can effectively communicate the new features or changes, improving retention of the information.
8. Elearning Courses: Online courses often make use of a variety of types of training videos, from interactive training videos to video examples, as a part of a comprehensive elearning training program.
9. FAQs and Troubleshooting: Companies can pre-empt customer service queries with FAQ videos. A good training video can clearly answer common questions with step-by-step instructions and on-screen text.
10. Virtual Workshops and Webinars: In lieu of in-person training, virtual training sessions can be enhanced with pre-recorded video segments, transitions, and PowerPoint slides to provide a more dynamic learning experience.

Each of these use cases employs a range of techniques and tools—from storyboarding and video editing software to video formats and templates—to create the best training videos that suit the needs of their target audience. In the era of remote work and on-demand learning, well-crafted product training videos serve as invaluable training materials for a wide array of applications.

10 Tips to Creating an Effective Product Training Video

1. Understand Your Audience: Before creating training videos, know who your target audience is.
2. Create a Storyboard: Plan out your video content in advance.
3. Choose the Right Video Format: Whether it's live-action, animated training video, or a screencast, choose the format that best suits your needs.
4. Write a Strong Script: A well-written video script is essential for creating great training videos.
5. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on producing high-quality video content rather than lots of mediocre videos.
6. Include Interactive Elements: Quizzes and interactive training materials can make your videos more engaging.
7. Professional Video Editing: Use good video editing software to put together your final product.
8. Review and Revise: Before finalizing, review the video to make sure it meets your training goals.
9. Test the Video: Before launching, have some team members review it to collect feedback.
10. Distribute Widely: Use social media, webinars, and other platforms to share your video.

How to Create a Product Training Video: The Traditional Approach

Steps

1. Research and Planning: Time - 1 week; Cost - Varies
2. Scriptwriting: Time - 3 days; Cost - $200-$500
3. Storyboarding: Time - 2 days; Cost - $100-$200
4. Recording: Time - 1-2 days; Cost - $500-$2000
5. Editing: Time - 3-5 days; Cost - $300-$800
6. Review and Feedback: Time - 2 days; Cost - $0
7. Distribution: Time - 1 day; Cost - Varies

Resources

• Scriptwriters
• Storyboard artists
• Video production team
• Editing software
• Distribution platforms

How to Scale Up Production of Product Training Videos with AI Voice Overs or Avatars

Time and Cost

• Time: Typically cuts production time by up to 50%
• Cost: Reduces cost by up to 40%

AI-generated voiceovers and avatars can speed up the video production process, allowing for the mass production of training content.

Comparing the traditional vs AI method of creating product training videos

<table>

<thead>

<tr>

<th>Aspect</th>

<th>Traditional Method</th>

<th>AI Method</th>

</tr>

</thead>

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>Process</td>

<td>Manual, Time-Intensive</td>

<td>Automated, Quick</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Time</td>

<td>1-2 Weeks</td>

<td>Up to 1 Week</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Cost</td>

<td>$1000-$3500</td>

<td>$600-$2100</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

Top 9 Traditional Tools to Create Product Training Videos

1. Adobe Premiere Pro: Adobe Premiere Pro is the go-to for professionals looking for a comprehensive video editing suite. It provides extensive features for creating high-quality training videos.
2. Final Cut Pro: This Apple product offers robust video editing capabilities suitable for creating complex training materials.
3. Camtasia: Known for its user-friendly interface, Camtasia also offers built-in templates and screen recording, making it excellent for tutorials and training sessions.
4. iMovie: For Mac users seeking a simple, straightforward option, iMovie is a good choice. It's especially good for small businesses or individuals.
5. DaVinci Resolve: This professional video editing software is best known for its color correction and audio post-production features.
6. Pinnacle Studio: Offers a range of features including split-screen, multi-camera editing, and 360-degree video editing.
7. Sony Vegas Pro: Offers high-quality video editing tools and is particularly useful for video producers who have a background in audio.
8. Lightworks: Known for its professional-level features, it’s used in actual movie production.
9. HitFilm Express: This is a free option that offers both video editing and visual effects compositing capabilities.

Top 9 AI Tools to Create Product Training Videos

1. Lumen5: Top features include AI-driven content creation, video templates, and social media integration. Cost: Starts at $19/month.
2. Runway: Known for its AI voiceover capabilities, easy-to-use interface, and extensive library. Cost: Starts at $30/month.
3. InVideo: Offers AI-generated templates, an extensive media library, and an easy-to-use drag and drop interface. Cost: Starts at $20/month.
4. RawShorts: Features include AI-driven video creation, text-to-video, and customizable templates. Cost: Free to try, packages start at $39/month.
5. Crello: Known for its design-oriented AI features, video templates, and social media capabilities. Cost: Starts at $7.99/month.
6. Biteable: Features include AI-driven video creation, over 800,000 real-life stock footage clips, and music tracks. Cost: Starts at $29/month.
7. Animaker: Features include AI voiceover, animated characters, and video infographics. Cost: Starts at $19/month.
8. Wibbitz: Top features include AI-driven video creation, templates, and quick video rendering. Cost: Custom pricing.
9. Vyond: Known for its customizable animated characters, AI voiceover capabilities, and corporate training video templates. Cost: Starts at $49/month.

FAQ

How do you create a product training video?

Creating a product training video involves several steps including research, planning, scripting, storyboarding, recording, editing, and distribution. Tools like video editing software, screen recorders, and templates can facilitate the process.

What should be included in a product training?

Include an introduction, a step-by-step tutorial, use-cases, FAQs, and additional resources to guide the learner further.

What is the point of training videos?

Training videos aim to educate and instruct the target audience in a specific skill set or product use. They are essential tools in any effective training program.

What are the benefits of product training videos?

Benefits include flexibility in learning, increased retention rates, consistent training for all learners, and reduced training costs.

How do you know if it's a good training video?

A good training video is engaging, well-paced, and effectively conveys the intended information to its target audience. Feedback from viewers and measurable outcomes such as quiz scores can also be indicators.

How do you create a video for a product?

Creating a video for a product involves understanding the product deeply, identifying the target audience, creating a video script, choosing the appropriate video format (e.g., live-action, animated), and then proceeding with the actual video production.

What format should a product training video be in?

The format of a product training video could range from screencasts to live-action or animated videos, depending on the product and the training needs. Always choose a format that is engaging and suitable for the content you are delivering.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can produce product training videos that are not only educational but also engaging and effective.