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Video tutorials are a popular way for content creators to share knowledge with an audience. Along with providing a valuable service to curious followers and interested learners, these tutorials help you build brand authority, share your personality, and position yourself as an expert. In turn, this can lead to chances to monetize your work.
Read on to learn how to make video tutorials, including ways to choose a focus for your training videos and how to make a tutorial video that looks professional.
Choosing a tutorial niche
Before you start creating video tutorials, it’s best to identify your niche. That refers to both the focus of your content and the unique knowledge and perspective you’ll bring to the table.
Everyone has talent or expertise to share. How you choose to share your expertise will shape the direction of your videos. For example, you can make an explainer video covering frequently asked questions on a topic you have a lot of knowledge about. Or you can teach viewers a useful skill or help them solve a problem step-by-step.
To find your niche, ask yourself questions like:
What are my strengths? The most effective video tutorials are those where creators play to their strengths. For example, you might be able to explain a complex idea in a simple and concise way. Or maybe you’re good at showing how to do something technical using screencasting and voiceover narration.
Do I have any specialized knowledge or training? Some content creators are experts in their field because they have specialized knowledge from on-the-job training or certifications. Consider making video tutorials that highlight this expertise.
What are my goals? Decide what you want to get out of creating tutorials. Is it growing your audience to a level that will let you monetize your content? Are you gauging interest in a possible direction for a business? Do you want to increase audience engagement with your videos?
Who is my audience? Figure out the target audience you’re trying to reach with your tutorials. For example, your videos can be for people seeking basic knowledge, or they can be for experts looking for more advanced knowledge in their field. In some cases, you may be creating tutorials for both beginners and people looking to push their understanding to the next level.
Finding your video tutorial format
Video tutorials can take on many forms, from promotional videos to DIY and educational videos. Some content creators film tutorials in real-time and make lessons interactive. Many pre-record tutorials and then use a video editor to polish, add text, or insert transitions before sharing.
Some creators film shorter clips, which pushes them to be more creative and concise. Other creators decide that being comprehensive is the way to go. If you decide to create longer videos, consider writing a script or storyboard that’s divided into shorter sections. This will help you stay on track and make it easier for your audience to follow along.
The focus of your video tutorials depends on your goals and your own individual preferences and goals.
Your video tutorial can be:
A promotional video. These highlight a product or service you offer by giving a related tutorial. For example, if you’re a photographer or run a photography business, you can produce a video tutorial on how to shoot photos in low light.
A teaching opportunity. Dive deep on a topic you know well. It could be a tactical skill, like a short coding lesson, or advice, such as how to be better at time management. Good tutorial videos can be valuable, since these can promote a business or become part of a larger online course.
A how-to tutorial. These clips show how to do something or give you a platform to share your knowledge and talents. You frequently see these kinds of clips when someone is looking to solve a problem (e.g., how to change a tire).
There’s no right or wrong way to make a tutorial video. The main things to keep in mind are to create tutorials with a goal in mind and make high-quality audio and video recordings.
Creating a professional tutorial
Technology has made it easier for creators to make professional videos that are cost-effective. For example, you can easily buy lights and a filming backdrop, and then set up a tripod and a microphone and film at home using your phone’s camera.
You also don’t have to be on camera to teach. With a good way to record audio, you could even use a screen recording tool to present a slideshow or demonstrate something on screen.
For short-form social media videos, use Unfold's video templates to create teaser clips or behind-the-scenes videos that catch viewers’ attention. For example, share your progress as you finish editing or provide a glimpse into how a tutorial came together.
Squarespace offers hundreds of customizable website templates that are optimized to host videos. You can either embed clips from a third-party platform or use native video hosting with video blocks. Plus, Squarespace’s website builder has built-in video editing tools. Once you’ve created several tutorials, you might want to put some of your video content in a paywalled Member Site, which followers can sign up to enter for a fee.