In today’s fast-paced digital age, video content has become a powerful tool for businesses and educators to engage their audience. Whether you’re creating a tutorial, a product demonstration, or a lecture, educational videos can be a great way to showcase your expertise and build trust with your audience.
Not only is an educational video a useful tool to share information, but it also has a significant impact on advertising and marketing. Educational videos can also establish thought leadership and build trust with potential customers by providing valuable content.
Now, you probably want to get straight into how to make one of these, don’t you? Well, let’s start with the basics.
Know where to start
When it comes to creating educational videos, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Don’t worry, we’ve got you!
1. Identify the target audience
After deciding on the format, the next step is knowing your target audience. Be sure to do your market research.
2. Focus on learning objectives
The key is to start with a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your video. Once you have a solid concept, you can begin to plan your video, script, and all.
Do consider the message you want to convey and the information that needs to be included.
3. Pick a video style and format
There are several video styles you can choose from. The main two categories are animated videos and live action.
There are plenty of further animated video style options you can choose from.
The next thing you need to figure out is the format of your video.
These include tutorials, product demos, and lectures, each with its own unique approach.
Once you have determined the style and format that best suits your needs, you can move on to the production process.
So, let’s talk about animation first.
How to make animated educational videos
Creating an animated educational video can be a fun and engaging way to deliver content.
Here are some general steps to help you on your quest in figuring out how to make animated educational videos.
a. Plan and script your video
Before you start animating, it’s important to plan and script your video. This will help you organize your ideas and determine the best way to present the information.
b. Create illustrations and assets
Using software such as Adobe Illustrator, you can create illustrations and assets for your animation.
Create relevant backgrounds and prepare a storyboard to finalize your video scenes.
You can also use online resources such as stock vectors and icons.
c. Animate
Send your storyboard, illustrations, backgrounds, and other asset files to an animator. They will breathe life into the characters.
d. Add sound and voiceover
Once your animation is complete, you can add sound effects and a voiceover to enhance the overall experience of the video.
e. Render and export
Finally, you can render and export your animation in the desired format, such as MP4 or AVI, to share it with your audience.
Key tools and resources
There are several software options and tools that can be used to create animated educational videos for advertising. Some popular options include the following:
i. Adobe Illustrator (AI)
Used for creating vector graphics and illustrations. It can be used to create characters, backgrounds, and other elements that can be animated in After Effects.
ii. Adobe After Effects (AE)
Widely used for creating motion graphics, visual effects, and 2D animations. It can be used to create some really cool stuff. Of course, the learning curve is wide for these types of professional software. Here’s a 2D animated video we made for a client recently. The animation was done in After Effects.
iii. Adobe Character Animator
Used for motion capture and animation. It can be used to create realistic and expressive character animations relatively quickly.
iv. Blender
Used for 3D animation. it’s open-source and powerful for creating 3D animations, visual effects, and compositing.
v. Stock video and image sites
Sites like Shutterstock, Undrawn, Pixabay, and Unsplash, provide a wide range of stock videos, images, and illustrations that can be used in your animation.
vi. Sound effects and music sites
AudioJungle, Freesound, and Musicbed provide a wide range of sound effects and music tracks that can be added to your animation to enhance the overall experience.
However, it is not necessary to use all of these software and tools, you can choose the one that best fits your needs and skills. Most of these software have a learning curve, so if you can outsource the work, that’d be feasible. We don’t recommend doing it yourself from start to finish.
If you are looking for a professional team to help you out. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
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Read more: Explainer Video Costs: A Comprehensive Guide for 2023
How to make live-action educational videos
Making a live-action educational video involves filming footage and editing it together to create a cohesive video. Here are the basic steps to making a live-action educational video:
a. Plan and script your video
Before filming, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your video and the information you want to convey. Once you have an idea and an outline, write a script.
b. Choose your equipment
For a live-action video, you will need a camera, lighting equipment, and audio equipment. If you are on a tight budget, a good quality smartphone camera can also be used.
Another option is to rent or borrow whatever it is you need to get the job done.
c. Find a suitable location
Choose a location that is appropriate for the topic of your video and that has good lighting and sound.
d. Film your footage
Once you have your equipment and location set up, begin filming your footage. Make sure to get a variety of shots, including close-ups, wide shots, and medium shots.
e. Edit your footage
Once you have your footage, you’ll need to edit it together to create a cohesive video.
Use video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or iMovie to trim and arrange your footage, add transitions, and include any necessary text or graphics.
f. Add sound and music
Adding sound and music to your video can greatly enhance the overall experience. You can use a sound effects library or record sound on set, while you can use free or paid licensed music to add the final touch.
g. Export and share your video
Once you have completed your video, export it in a format that is appropriate for the platform where you will be sharing it. You can share it on your website, social media, or use video hosting platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo.
Additional resources
i. Footage libraries
To add visual interest and variety to your live-action videos, you can use footage libraries. These libraries contain stock footage and images that you can use in your videos. Some popular footage libraries include Shutterstock, Artgrid, iStock, and Getty Images.
ii. Live streaming software
For live streaming, you can use software such as OBS, Xsplit, or Streamlabs. These software allow you to stream your videos to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook Live.
Keep in mind that practice and experimentation are key, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way.
Also, it’s always helpful to have a checklist of things to do before and after filming, to make sure you don’t miss anything important.
Finally, let’s wrap this up with some content formats you can experiment with for your video.
Types of educational videos
1. Explainer videos
Explainers are the most popular type of educational video. They also act as marketing content. These videos are under 3 minutes long and can be a great way for businesses to introduce their product or service. At MotionCue, animated explainer videos are our expertise. Here’s one we made for Microsoft.
2. Informative videos on social media
Informative videos on social media are typically short, energetic videos that provide information in an easy-to-grasp way. If your presentation of the facts is entertaining to watch, that’s even better. Here’s an example from a popular physics content creator from TikTok.
@evanthorizon The discovery of Neptune! Math is truly badass. 🌌 #spacetok #physicstok #astronomytok #astronomy
3. How-to videos
How-tos are instructional videos that give the viewer step-by-step instructions for completing a task or achieving a goal. In a business context, they are often used to demonstrate the proper use of a product/service or to provide tips and tricks.
4. Educational webinars
Educational webinars are live or pre-recorded web-based seminars that provide education or training on a specific topic. They are often interactive and allow participants to ask questions and engage in discussions with the presenter.
Related: Webinar Marketing 101 – Your Essential Guide
That’s a wrap
To sum up, creating educational videos is a powerful way to share information, teach new skills, and engage your audience. With the rise of online video content, now is the perfect time to start creating educational videos.
Whether you’re creating explainer videos, how-tos, and more, the key is to provide valuable information that will help your viewers achieve their goals.
Start experimenting with creating educational videos today. You don’t need expensive equipment or software to get your toes into this space; you could just record yourself with your smartphone for starters.
Once you’re prepared to set aside a budget for video, you can then work with a video agency like ours to make more professional content for your business.
Read more: How to pick an Explainer Video Agency
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