The Ultimate Guide on How To Make Interactive Training Videos

A powerful training program at any workplace is essential. And when these training programs are video-first, not only are they fun but also sticky, interactive, and easily accessible.

‍

This, however, doesn’t mean that creating a repository of interactive training videos is easy by any means. The resources and effort – budget, expertise, logistics, and more – that go into creating such training videos can be a mountain. On top of that, even if you manage to churn them out by hook or by crook, getting employees to watch them is a mammoth of a task.

‍

“The videos are too boring!”

‍

“The videos have way too much written content to keep a track of!”

‍

“I’m not able to access the videos on this training software.”

‍

These are just a couple of complaints one gets and the only resolution to these problems is to go back to the drawing board again. And this goes on and on. You catch our drift!

‍

So how do you ensure this doesn’t happen and how do you engage and upskill your employees with the choicest quality of interactive training videos? Here’s the ultimate guide!

‍

Make Interactive Training Videos in 5 Easy Steps

‍

Step 1: Choose a friendly, approachable AI avatar to feature in your videos

‍

Some of the most viral videos on Instagram and TikTok are the ones with human faces talking. Person-to-person interactions help learners feel like the training video is more of a conversation than an instruction.

‍

If learners perceive the presenter as directly addressing them, they tend to regard the presenter as a conversational companion, leading them to exert greater effort in understanding the presenter's message. This in turn helps learners grasp the subject matter without too much of an effort.

‍

Thus the AI avatar you choose to feature in your training videos is one of the most critical choices you’ll need to make.

‍

Think carefully about what you’re trying to achieve through this video. Are you just trying to relay some information or aiming to relate to your audience? Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you make a quicker decision:

‍

What is the subject matter of this training video?

‍

The AI avatar you choose to feature in the video must connect back to the main subject matter at hand. A training video on diversity and inclusion at your workplace should ideally have an AI avatar that can represent the same. Similarly, one on your company’s mental health policies should feature an AI avatar that appears gentle and has a soothing voice.

‍

What is your target audience like?

‍

Considering the age, location, sexual orientation, and other factors of your audience, you must choose an AI avatar that’s most relatable to them. Having a friendly face to talk to your audience helps ensure that your audience doesn’t get bored or feel disconnected.

‍

How will the AI avatar you choose fit in your brand’s tonality?

‍

If your brand’s colors are a neutral pastel palette, an AI avatar that’s wearing a bright green blazer will definitely look out of place. Similarly, if your audience is millennials and Gen Z, an AI avatar wearing business attire isn’t your best bet. Think of what your brand’s tonality is and choose an AI avatar that’s the better fit for your brand.

‍

Step 2: Plan the sequence of events you want to cover in a particular training video

‍

A video that keeps going on and on about a certain topic is tiresome and not-sticky. To ensure high engagement and maximum retention, you must ensure that your video is peppered with relevant milestones at frequent intervals.

‍

Think about:

‍

• Frequency of text on the screen
• Whiteboard-style explanations for visual concepts
• Helpful tips popping up for extra support
• Interactive charts and images
• Interactive simulations
• Pop-ups for quick quizzes
• Badges awarded for achievements
• Opportunities to provide feedback
• Call-to-actions

‍

Depending on what it’s about, place each of these instances strategically throughout its length to create interactive training videos that are also fun.

‍

Pro tip: As learners engage with your interactive training video, gather feedback and analytics to assess its effectiveness. Utilize built-in analytics tools or integrate with external tracking systems to monitor viewership, engagement rates, and user performance on interactive elements.

‍

Step 3: Write a script for your training video

‍

Training videos can be a real nuisance to sit through unless you put effort into making the scripts engaging and fun. While your script should definitely include all the information you want to relay, the method of doing so doesn’t have to be so awkward and snooze-worthy.

‍

The idea is to make sure that learners go through them in totality instead of skipping through parts you don’t want them to skip.

‍

So how do you write a script that doesn’t just cover all crucial bits but also engages the learners well? Here are some pointers you can keep in mind:

‍

Start with an on-the-point introduction

‍

You wouldn’t want to sit through a whole video without knowing exactly what it’s going to cover. So ensure that your training video’s introduction clearly defines what the learners are going to learn in it. Something as simple as “In this video, we’ll learn how to raise requests for travel reimbursements…” can do the trick for you. Keep it simple!

‍

Emphasize the importance of the video

‍

If learners don’t know why this video is important, they wouldn’t bother paying attention to it. Clearly talk about why this training video is important and how learning about the information in it can help make their work easier.

‍

Add visual cues

‍

Some of the most effective videos are the ones that have visual aids – photos, simulations, demonstrations – that can help learners visualize the concepts being explained. So when you’re writing the script, ensure to make space for such additions and explain them as much in detail as possible.

‍

Pro tip: Add analogies and metaphors to make the video content easier to understand. Complex topics are simpler to retain when learners have a real-world example or comparison to relate back to.

‍

Keep a conversational tone

‍

Speak to them like you’re their friend. Keep it light and breezy so the video’s material doesn’t come across as dry, dull, or even rude. Plus, use simpler vocabulary. The more your script has heavy jargon or complicated sentences, the more difficult it is for learners to keep up with the course of the video. Additionally, you can also divide your script into sections or chapters to make it easier to follow and navigate.

‍

Keep it short and add a CTA

‍

No one likes watching videos that keep droning on and on. Think about what’s really valuable in your script and what’s not so you can accordingly cut short the video. Ideally, try to keep the length anywhere between 1-3 mins. Of course, there will be several topics which will need more time spent – so consider breaking them down into smaller videos. In the end, always add a Call to Action i.e. a CTA to the video. Some options include:

‍

• Share with your colleague
• Watch the next video in this series
• Contact your HRBP for further information
• Download the PDF

‍

Step 4: Use an AI video tool to bring it all together

‍

Now that you have your visuals and script ready, it’s time to package them all quickly. Don’t be afraid to be scrappy in this step. Remember, your videos don’t have to be perfect for them to be effective. Focus more on the fact that they appear well put together and are easy for your learners to consume.

‍

An AI video tool like Rephrase Studio helps eliminate the complexity of intimidating video editing softwares and empowers users to create professional-quality videos featuring AI avatars in under minutes. Using such an AI video tool involves:

‍

• No large production costs
• No previous video experience
• No budgets for actors and a crew
• No long hours in post-production
• No steep learning curve

‍

Step 5: Review and edit the video output

‍

Once the AI text-to-video tool generates the video, review it carefully to ensure accuracy and coherence. Here are some things to keep in mind:

‍

• Reviewing content: Watch the entire video carefully while referring to the original script. Check for any discrepancies between the generated visuals and the intended message. Ensure that the video accurately represents the content you want to convey.
  
  
• Assessing visuals and transitions: Pay attention to the visual elements, such as images, animations, and transitions between scenes. Evaluate the quality and relevance of each visual asset. Make sure the transitions are smooth and coherent, enhancing the overall flow of the video.
  
  
• Audio and voiceover: Evaluate the audio quality and ensure that the voiceover or narration is clear and easily understandable. Adjust the volume levels if necessary. If the AI tool allows customization, consider modifying the voice characteristics to match your desired tone or style.
  
  
• Test viewing experience: Preview the video as if you were a learner to get a firsthand experience of the viewing journey. Check for any technical issues, such as loading problems or compatibility issues with different devices or browsers. Optimize the video for seamless playback and accessibility.

‍

Elevate your Training Programs to New Heights

‍

AI text-to-video tools like Rephrase Studio have opened up exciting possibilities for creating interactive training videos. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can harness the power of AI to deliver engaging and effective training videos that captivate learners, foster knowledge retention, and drive learning outcomes.