Interactive training videos are a game-changer for employee learning. They combine video content with quizzes, branching scenarios, and instant feedback, making learning more engaging and effective. Here's a quick summary of how to create them:
- Set Goals and Know Your Audience: Define clear objectives using the SMART framework and understand your audience's needs.
- Write a Clear Script: Use simple language, active voice, and add interactive elements like quizzes or scenarios.
- Choose Visuals and AI Presenters: Use relevant graphics, animations, and AI presenters that align with your brand.
- Record Voice Narration: Use AI-generated narration with clear, consistent settings tailored to your audience.
- Build Interactivity: Add knowledge checks, branching paths, and navigation features for a personalized experience.
- Polish the Video: Refine timing, visuals, audio, and branding for a professional finish.
- Test and Share: Review for quality, distribute securely, and gather feedback for future improvements.
Pro Tip: Use AI tools to streamline the process, from scripting to editing, and create videos that actively engage learners. These steps ensure your training videos are effective, interactive, and aligned with your goals.
How to Make a Training Video (Using AI!)
Step 1: Set Goals and Know Your Audience
Start by setting clear objectives and understanding who you're creating the training for. This foundation is key to making interactive training videos that resonate.
Define Training Goals
Set goals that are easy to measure and align with your overall strategy. Use the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For example, you might aim for your support team to handle 90% of tier-1 inquiries within 10 minutes by June 30, 2025.
Understand Your Audience
Getting to know your audience helps you create content that fits their needs and learning styles. Focus on these factors:
Audience Factor | What to Look Into |
---|---|
Demographics | Age, education level, job roles |
Technical Proficiency | Familiarity with digital tools |
Prior Knowledge | Current expertise in the topic |
Learning Environment | Work schedules, devices they use |
Language & Culture | Primary language, cultural considerations |
You can gather this information through surveys, interviews, performance reviews, and feedback.
Plan Your Content
Once you know your goals and audience, create a content map to organize key ideas, skill-building steps, and checkpoints.
- Core Concepts: Start with the basics that support your training objectives. These should form the foundation of your content.
- Skill Development: Break down how learners will progress. For example, if you're teaching software, begin with simple navigation before moving to advanced tools.
- Knowledge Checkpoints: Add interactive elements like quizzes or simulations to test understanding before moving forward.
With your goals and content plan in place, you're ready to dive into scriptwriting in Step 2.
Step 2: Create Your Script
A well-written script is the foundation of any interactive training video. Here's how to write one that's clear and engaging.
Keep Language Clear
Focus on clarity by following these guidelines:
Script Element | Best Practice | Example |
---|---|---|
Sentence Length | Keep sentences under 20 words | Instead of "It is imperative that you thoroughly understand the process of logging into the system", use "First, let's learn how to log in." |
Technical Terms | Define complex terms right away | "The API (Application Programming Interface) helps different programs work together." |
Active Voice | Use direct instructions | "Click the button." |
Break down complicated steps into smaller, manageable parts. For instance, when explaining a software feature, start by describing its purpose, then demonstrate how it works, and finally, provide a practical example.
Once your language is clear and concise, add interactive elements to engage your audience.
Add Viewer Participation
Incorporate these interactive features to make your training more engaging:
- Knowledge Check Questions: For example, "Now that we've covered the basics of project management, which of these is a critical path activity?"
- Scenario-Based Decisions: Present situations like, "You've received an urgent customer complaint. Should you: A) Escalate to your supervisor B) Respond directly to the customer C) Consult the knowledge base first."
- Practice Prompts: Encourage hands-on learning with instructions like, "Pause and create a sample invoice using the template, then resume."
Interactive elements keep viewers involved and make the learning process more dynamic.
Step 3: Pick Visual Elements
Visual elements are essential for keeping learners interested and making information easier to remember. Here's how to choose the right graphics and presenters for your training video.
Choose Supporting Graphics
When choosing visuals, prioritize those that clarify and support the content rather than just looking decorative. Here's a quick guide:
Visual Element | Purpose | Example |
---|---|---|
Icons | Simplify concepts | Use a red stop icon for safety alerts |
Charts | Show data clearly | Display monthly progress with bar graphs |
Screenshots | Demonstrate tools | Highlight buttons or menu options in software |
Animations | Explain processes | Show workflow steps with sequential animations |
For technical training, step-by-step screen recordings with highlighted cursor movements and clickable areas work well.
Key tips for visuals:
- Stick to your company’s branding and style guide.
- Use high-contrast colors for readability.
- Limit on-screen text to 3-4 bullet points.
- Add progress indicators for multi-step instructions.
- Use arrows or highlights to guide attention.
- Break down complicated processes into smaller, clear visuals with smooth transitions.
Once your visuals are ready, it's time to pick an AI presenter that complements your brand and training goals.
Select AI Presenters
Your AI presenter should align with the purpose of your training. Here’s what to consider:
- Professional Appearance: Choose an avatar with business casual attire and a neutral background.
- Voice Style: Match the tone to the content - clear for technical topics, warm for soft skills, and firm for safety training.
- Cultural Fit: Ensure the presenter’s language and attire are appropriate for your audience.
Place the presenter slightly off-center to leave space for visuals like charts or text. Adjust their gestures to emphasize key points effectively.
Step 4: Record Voice Narration
Use AI-generated voice narration to keep learners engaged and improve retention.
Setting Up AI Voice
To create high-quality AI narration, focus on these key settings:
Setting | Recommendation | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Speech Rate | 150-160 words per minute | Ensures easy comprehension |
Voice Clarity | Clear, precise pronunciation | Makes technical terms easy to understand |
Pause Length | 1-2 seconds between segments | Allows time to process information |
Audio Quality | 44.1 kHz, 320 kbps | Delivers professional-grade sound |
Here’s how to achieve professional results:
- Break your script into short 2-3 sentence segments.
- Add pronunciation guides for complex or technical terms.
- Insert natural pauses after important points.
- Test multiple voice options with sample content to find the best fit.
Once your setup is complete, focus on choosing a voice that matches your audience.
Matching Voice to Your Audience
Selecting the right voice is crucial for keeping learners engaged. Consider these factors:
Demographics and Tone
- Choose a voice tone and accent that resonate with your audience’s background.
- Ensure the voice style fits your industry and the training context.
Content Requirements
- Use authoritative voices for compliance or safety training.
- Opt for friendly tones for onboarding sessions.
- Go with energetic voices for sales-focused content.
Here’s a quick guide to help you match voice styles to training types:
Training Type | Suggested Voice Style | Example Use Case |
---|---|---|
Technical Training | Clear, steady pace | Software tutorials |
Safety Procedures | Firm, authoritative | Emergency protocol instructions |
Customer Service | Warm, approachable | Client interaction scenarios |
Leadership Development | Professional, confident | Management skills training |
Stick to a consistent voice style across the entire training series to build trust and familiarity. Before finalizing, test your chosen voice with a short in-house review.
Pro Tip: For multiple training modules, create a voice profile template that includes your preferred settings. This saves time and ensures uniformity across all your projects.
Step 5: Build Interactive Features
Transform passive videos into engaging, interactive learning tools by adding thoughtful features.
Add Knowledge Checks
Knowledge checks help keep viewers focused and improve information retention. Here’s how to use them effectively:
Where to Place Them: Insert questions at critical points, such as:
- After introducing new ideas
- Following complex sections
- Before moving to a new topic
- During natural breaks in the content
Types of Questions and Tips
Question Format | Best Use Case | Suggested Settings |
---|---|---|
Multiple Choice | Checking specific knowledge | 2-4 options, "Repeat Until Correct" enabled |
Free Response | Encouraging deeper thinking | No time limit, allow skipping |
Drawing Inputs | Identifying visual elements | Clear instructions, 30-second limit |
Rating Scale | Gauging confidence levels | 1-5 scale, response required |
Pro Tip: Configure questions to pause the video until the viewer responds. This approach significantly boosts attention and interaction compared to optional questions.
Next, take engagement further by introducing branching paths.
Build Choice Paths
Make the experience personal with branching scenarios that adjust to viewer input. This creates a more engaging and tailored learning journey.
Keep each video section under 60 seconds to hold attention and avoid overwhelming the viewer.
Designing Decision Points
Align decision points with realistic scenarios. For instance:
Decision Type | Example Scenario | Next Steps |
---|---|---|
Knowledge-Based | "How would you handle this situation?" | Branch to a detailed explanation or advanced content |
Skill Level | "Do you know how to use this tool?" | Skip to advanced features or cover the basics |
Role-Specific | "Select your department" | Show procedures specific to each team |
Navigation Features
Include a menu for reviewing sections, skipping topics, tracking progress, and accessing additional resources.
Best Practice: Add the first interactive feature within the first 30 seconds of the video. Early engagement sets the tone for active participation throughout the session.
Step 6: Polish Your Video
After adding interactive features, focus on the final details to make your training video look professional and polished.
Refine Video Elements
Pay attention to timing, audio, and visuals to ensure a smooth and engaging experience:
Timing and Flow
- Make sure transitions, on-screen text, and pauses are well-timed for easy understanding without disrupting the video's rhythm.
- Sync animations, transitions, and spacing with the narration to guide viewers naturally.
Audio Adjustments
- Add subtle background music that complements the narration without overpowering it.
- Keep audio levels consistent throughout the video.
Visual Tweaks
- Maintain a consistent look across all visuals, including fonts, colors, and layouts.
- Optimize resolution and contrast to ensure the video looks great on any device.
- Test playback on various screen sizes to catch any display issues.
Add Branding Elements
Once the technical details are fine-tuned, integrate your brand into every aspect of the video.
Brand Identity
- Use your logo, brand colors, typography, and design templates consistently to reinforce your identity.
- Keep layouts clean with consistent padding and alignment.
- Apply brand colors to interactive features like buttons and progress bars.
Final Touches
- Ensure all visuals and assets are high-resolution and display clearly on different devices.
- Align interactive features with your brand guidelines for a cohesive look.
- Consider creating templates for future training videos to save time and maintain consistency.
To speed up the process, try using AI-powered editing tools. These can help you quickly apply final adjustments while keeping the video aligned with your branding.
Step 7: Test and Share
Review Your Video
Take a close look at your interactive training video to ensure it aligns with your goals and maintains high quality. Once you're confident everything is in place, you're ready to share it.
Distribute the Video
Use a secure hosting platform that supports interactive features and allows for custom access settings. Once the video is live, you can start collecting data on how viewers engage with it.
Collect Feedback
Ask viewers for their thoughts. Their input can help you pinpoint what works well and what could be improved, making your future training videos even better.
Conclusion
The steps outlined above provide a clear path to creating training videos that truly connect with your audience. By incorporating interactive elements and thoughtful design, you can craft content that promotes active learning and achieves real results.
AI-powered tools can take your videos to the next level, turning basic presentations into engaging experiences. Features like knowledge checks and choice-based paths keep viewers involved and participating, rather than just watching passively.
The best training videos are built around clear goals and interactive features that invite engagement. These elements serve as the backbone for improving your content over time. By focusing on these key aspects during the creation process, you’ll produce videos that not only resonate with learners but also meet your educational objectives.
Start with these steps, gather feedback from your audience, and continuously fine-tune your approach. With the right tools and strategies, you can create training videos that deliver real, measurable impact.