How to Make an Instructional Video

The Internet has made instructional videos more popular than ever. People not only want to watch funny or strange homemade videos online for entertainment, but they're also seeking instruction for projects around the house or procedures to accomplish personal business tasks. Teachers may want to use instructional videos in their classrooms and businesses use videos for training. Follow these steps to make an instructional video of your own.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Start with planning. Design a storyboard using drawings or photos of what you want to videotape. Write down the procedures to go along with the pictures or prepare a script.
2. Use any type of video camera to record as long as you have software and a microphone to go with it. Find that even web cams come with software and a sound recording device and some of them even come with limited editing capabilities. Know you can purchase a web cam for well under $50 and it typically comes with limited software.
3. Go over your storyboard and written procedures or script before shooting. Set up your props and equipment needed. Do a walk-through before you actually make an instructional video—rehearse first. Check your lighting; shoot some preliminary footage to double check your lighting and sound.
4. Begin recording your instructional video. Get a volunteer or hire a camera person if you need the camera to be mobile or you need two cameras (from different angles) on you while you go through the procedures to make an instructional video. Watch out for background noises and visual disruptions as well as other interruptions.
5. Make sure your steps are clear, precise and understandable for instruction, and viewers can hear and see the procedures and step activities well. Refrain from recording too hot or loud; you can always adjust the sound after recording, but don't record too low either. Have some sound to work with when you complete your video.
6. Record in scenes or segments if you make an instructional video that is relatively long. Shoot on a schedule if your video is long and can't be completed in an hour or two. Edit your video if necessary if you have editing software. Add effects, scene change graphics and other enhancements to your video with editing software.