The Visual Lounge

We’re diving into the basics of video editing and breaking down the differences between cuts, splits, and more. In this episode, Andy Owen walks Matt Pierce and Justin Simon through some basic video editing techniques to level up your content. Here are the links to the J&L Cut s blog and 7 Common Video Editing Mistake s blog. And if you want stock footage like Andy was using, you can check tha...

If you’re spending a lot of time getting caught up in video SEO practices and it’s not working for you, stop and ask yourself: who’s really watching your videos? While getting your videos found is important, making a human connection so that viewers come back time and time again is a much better long-term approach. Video Strategist and Founder of VideoCreators.com, Tim Schmoyer, joins this episode...

Sometimes you just don't don't feel like making a video. Whether you're bored or uninspired, it's not always easy to hop in and get creative. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon talk through different tips and strategies you can use to create videos even when you're not feeling it. During their conversation Andy recommends this video wher e Ira Glass reflects on Creativit y...

Is there a silver bullet for making engaging video? Think about a video that’s really captivated you before. What was it about the video that made you not want to look away? Did it use compelling visuals or a storyline that sucked you in? Or perhaps it left you with some food for thought. There are many techniques video creators use to make their videos engaging. Unfortunately, there’s no “silver...

There are plenty of good tips and techniques that you can use to dramatically improve your videos. But how do we know what elements are most valuable for engagement and for keeping viewers’ attention? In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon talk through our Video Viewer Research , and analyze the common elements we found in great instructional and informational videos. Do you w...

If your videos aren’t meeting your expectations or you’re struggling with the video production process, you may be making one (or more) of these common video mistakes. There are seven common mistakes or traps that video creators often fall into. However, once you know what they are, they’re easy to avoid! Matt Pierce, TechSmith’s Learning and Video Ambassador, reveals the 7 deadly sins of video cr...

Does every video need a beginning, middle, and end? Maybe. But maybe not! In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon go over the different sections within a video and how you can utilize them to keep viewers engaged and watching. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here . You can also find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify .

Social media is a great place to connect with your customers. But when your users have a question or problem, it’s often better to show, rather than tell. Videos and images win on social media channels. They generate engagement, provide value, and increase brand trust. They’re also a brilliant tool for communication, so how can you use visuals can level-up your social media game? Sharing her thoug...

We get the question all the time: “What’s the perfect length for a video?” It makes sense. Grabbing and keeping a viewer’s attention is challenging, and you want to be sure they aren’t making videos that are too long (or short). In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon talk through the myths and and misinformation around video length and what you can do to make sure your video i...

What’s the secret to creating great customer education content, fast?  If you create content, you might get swept up striving for perfection. But when it comes to customer education content, this should be one of the last things on your mind. Dave Derington, Senior Manager of Outreach’s customer education program, believes that customer education doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to be...

Are you making common mistakes when you record your screen? Probably. The good news is a lot of mistakes can be corrected with a few simple tweaks. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon go over the top mistakes they've made that you can avoid when screen recording. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here. You can also find...

How do you incorporate accessibility into your content creation process? Is it something you think about when you’re planning your content…or is it an afterthought? Digital content accessibility hasn’t always been at the forefront of the content discussion, but the tide is shifting. Now, many new technologies make accessibility features easy to include, but how can you ensure that your content is...

Writing the script for your videos can be confusing and boring. But you don’t have to waste tons of time or energy to finish your script. In this episode , Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , an d Justin Simon talk through different templates and examples of scripts that will help you create high-quality videos. Templates: Justin's Script Template Andy's Script Template Matt's Script Template Do you want mo...

How can video templates speed up your video creation process? Templates are a powerful way to structure your videos. They help you avoid repeating the same edits over and over again and can streamline video creation between teams. If you’ve never considered using a video template before, this episode of The Visual Lounge shows you what you could be missing. Listen to hear host of The Visual Lounge...

Which microphone should I use? This is one of the most common questions we receive about making videos. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon help you get the best bang for your buck and spend more of your time actually making videos rather than scouring the web looking for the best equipment. We also have a blog post where we compare and contrast a few different microphones...

When your customers, learners, or users run into issues, finding the information to move forward can waste precious time. In fact, this lost time can also have a wider knock-on effect throughout your business. So, how can you help your customers get the guidance they need? Context and microlearning strategies are just some of the ways you can support your users and help them find success. Asif Reh...

The quality of your audio in your video is critical. It’s the first thing people will notice. And if it’s bad, people will stop watching. We've collected our top strategies and tips for recording better quality audio for your videos. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon talk through how to improve the sound quality of your videos without needing to go buy a bunch of new equi...

When you create instructional content, which media do you use? Perhaps you have a favorite type of media that you turn to time and time again, or maybe certain media types resonate better with your audience. But, with new innovative technologies working their way into our media, how can these be used for learning and development? And, which ones are best for your audience? Betty Dannewitz has over...

If you're regularly making videos, it's never a good idea to skip the prep work. But organizing video files can be a nightmare and there are lots of different options to do it.  In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon walk you through what's involved in the process before you hit record. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episode...

How effectively are you communicating with your remote workforce? Remote communication is now more widespread than it’s ever been. Many people now have to communicate digitally, using virtual tools enabling written communication such as email, and audio and visual communication like video calls. But remote communication can bring new challenges. Ideas can get lost in virtual translation, and peopl...

Do you ever feel like you're just winging your way through the video creation process? One way to solve this is to set video goals and objectives before you start making your video. In this episode, Matt Pierc e, Andy Owe n, and Justin Simo n take a look at how to set clear video goals, define objectives, and what the best practices are for planning your videos before you press record. Do you want...

Are you looking for a video workflow to streamline your video creation process? Creating videos can be overwhelming – especially if you’ve never made one before. But building a video workflow can help you understand how to complete each part of the process and help you on your way to making better videos. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, TechSmith’s Video Producer, Andy Owen, and Global Conte...

Facing your first time in front of the camera can be scary. If you’re looking to create internal communications, social media clips, or professional-looking YouTube videos, getting in front of the camera is the best way to connect with your viewers. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon walk through exactly what to do to get comfortable in front of the camera. Do you want mor...

Creating great educational content is one thing. However, creating videos that contribute to improving an organization's performance is a different ball game entirely. So, how can educators create better videos and educational content that contribute to business outcomes? This is the main topic of this episode of The Visual Lounge, where award-winning author and Workplace Performance Strategist, A...

For a lot of people, they want to make a video, but don't have a clue how to start. The best way to create videos is to develop a simple, repeatable workflow. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon talk through video workflows that will let you create videos faster. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here. You can also find...