Media production allows teachers to teach any time and any place. However, the right production is key to keeping your audience engaged.
Notice this training created by Intentional Marketing and Communications for American Water Works Association. This national non-profit needed to train potentially thousands of water utilities around the country on how to apply for a very time-sensitive grant from the USDA.
While we didn't have the most interesting topic, we were strategic in making the following tactics to make the training effective.
Tips for effective online video training:
1. Pick the best instructor you have.
This instructor should have impeccable writing and speaking skills. Not only should he or she be ready with a script, he or she can also revise it on the spot in a natural way in front of the camera. Make sure your presenter doesn't waste time with extra words or your production will be a nightmare to edit.
2. Keep the script and sentences short.
If you are teacher, you should know that speaking in short sentences get people's attention quicker and delivers results more effectively. Give directions as if you only had 60 seconds with your audience. Never waste an audience's time. You have way less time to hold their attention online, so be concise.
3. Give your audience a ton of energy.
Wow your audience with pizazz. Your presenter should feel as though he or she is an entertainer on a stage making a speech. (this refers back to #1 - choose the best instructor you have). Make sure your speaker has a stage presence. Encourage arm and facial, and voice expression. Remember, online people are expecting a lot more energy.
4. Have a soft background with shallow depth of field that is not distracting.
Use a logo in the background, if you have one. DO NOT use a wall. You need depth behind your speaker. If you don't have a logo banner, try a plant in the distance and blur the background with your camera.
5. Light your subject evenly.
Unless you have a creative topic like film or art, light your subject evenly. That means light your subject with a key light and a fill light relatively evenly on both sides. Use soft box lighting. A clear, bright picture will help your students stay focused.
These are the five basic tips for making your next online training. The next post will focus on sound and editing.