The Visual Lounge

So you want to create instructional videos...but where do you start? Instructional videos come in many different forms, meaning there’s a style that suits almost every creator (and learner!). There’s plenty of opportunities to get an instructional video right – but as there’s such a wide scope for what makes a good instructional video, knowing what to begin with can be a real sticking point. Jonat...

Today we're going to cover the format and structure of a good tutorial video by breaking down one of our own. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon go through the basic elements of a good tutorial video. They break down a tutorial for TechSmith Audiate so you can see exactly how to level up your next tutorial video. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily wat...

The main aim of customer education content is often to help customers overcome the odd hiccup or knowledge gap. But a truly successful customer education strategy does so much more than that. Customer education is also a business strategy focused on keeping customers happy so that they return to your products again and again. Simply put, good customer education can be instrumental to scaling your...

We get a lot of questions from folks who are just starting out about how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to video equipment. It can be very hard to know what to spend money on. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon go over where they each would invest in gear. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here . You c...

When it comes to team communication, sometimes speed is the most important factor. A busy organization can save hours and hours of working time collectively by hosting a simple 30-minute meeting. Email and instant message solutions like Slack are the go-to options for internal communication day-to-day, but even those have their downsides. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Sherri Powers, VP of...

Lighting can make or break a video. It's crucial to get good lighting for videos, especially when it comes to being on camera. In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon talk about the different lighting options we use when we record a video - and walk you through how you can do the same! Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here...

Have you ever thought about the best ways to communicate with your team? Many businesses put their heart and soul into crafting the best ways to get their message across to customers. But when it comes to internal communications, it’s often overlooked. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Austin Norton (Project Manager) and David Patton (Partnership Marketing Specialist) from TechSmith join to di...

Transitions are one the most important effects to know how to use. They let you seamlessly move from one video clip or image to another and bring annotations and other graphics on or off the screen. But when used poorly, they can absolutely destroy your video. In this episo de, Matt Pi er ce, Andy Owen, and Justin S imon go over how to effectively use transitions so help, and don't hurt, your vide...

Want to learn how to master YouTube? Creating video and pushing it out into the world can be a massive challenge – especially if you’re an educator who needs to create engaging and informative videos. Valerie Pennington of The Penguin Prof YouTube channel joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to share her tips and tricks for mastering YouTube. She explains the lessons she’s learned to overcome c...

Trying to add music to a video can be more challenging than you think. And while the right music enhances the experience for your viewers, while the wrong music can send the wrong message entirely. In part 2 of a 2-part episode on music , Matt Pier ce , Andy Ow en, an d Justin Sim on talk about how you can effective use music in your videos to make it strength rather than a weakness. Want to learn...

The latest Camtasia release is now available, but which of its new features will help you create better videos? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce guides you through his favorite new features from Camtasia 2021. He guides you through how to use them and gives his expert advice on how to add that extra spice to your videos. Matt is also joined by TechSmith Trainer, Jason Valade, who...

Background music can add more interest to your videos, and make them even more engaging and entertaining. But where can you find music? And how do you pick the right music for your video? In part 1 of a 2-part episode on music, Matt Pierc e, Andy Owe n, and Justin Simo n go over the best ways to find and choose music for your videos. Want to learn exactly HOW to add music to your video? Here's a f...

Are you ready to harness the power of video for your business? Video content can be a huge driver of revenue, but many people don’t know where to start. Or they start and get stuck on how to make their videos more impactful and valuable. Owen "Video," YouTube Channel Producer of Owen Video, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to share his tips on creating video content to boost your business r...

There's just so much video content on the internet, how do you find the unique ones? How do you find something that no one else is doing? In this episode, Matt Pierce , Andy Owen , and Justin Simon break down the top ways to find great video ideas. 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 .

You may not be creating videos for the same reasons as the top YouTube creators, but they know what makes a good video. Many of the same principles that make their content so successful apply to your videos too – no matter whether you’re creating training, customer education, instructional design, or any other type of video. If you want to get more comfortable on camera, streamline your video crea...

Ever wonder why Hollywood movies are so successful? Or why a commercial can go viral? The answer is story. In this episode , Matt Pier ce , Andy Ow en, an d Justin Sim on talk through how to tell stories that capture attention -- including some ideas they use every single day. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and searc h past episodes he re. You can also find us o n A...

Are you educating your customers effectively? Video tutorials, blogs, and technical documentation are just some of the different ways you can provide users of your product with the help they need to be successful. But truly empowering your customers goes beyond the material you provide. Joining Matt Pierce in this episode of The Visual Lounge is TechSmith’s Customer Education Manager, Doug Brunner...

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...