{"id":16265,"date":"2021-07-21T14:51:40","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T11:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.talentlms.com\/blog\/?p=16265"},"modified":"2026-02-26T17:24:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:24:16","slug":"elearning-videos-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.talentlms.com\/blog\/elearning-videos-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"eLearning videos: The ultimate guide for successful video-based learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Video is a fast-growing eLearning resource. It\u2019s accessible<\/strong>, affordable<\/strong> and adaptable<\/strong>, and suits pretty much every size and type of business. But making eLearning videos a successful addition to your training package requires planning and support. Here\u2019s where this guide comes in.<\/p>\n

What we’ll cover:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Benefits of eLearning videos<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Types of eLearning videos<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. How to create an eLearning video<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Useful tools and resources<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. eLearning video dos and don\u2019ts<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Challenges and limitations<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you haven\u2019t used video as part of your L&D offering before, starting from scratch can seem daunting. This guide gently steers you through the different stages \u2014 from why<\/strong> it\u2019s important to what tools<\/strong> and resources you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re already on board with video eLearning, but keen to expand or enhance your offering, we\u2019ve got tips to help move your employee training videos up a level.<\/p>\n

    And the results? Well, let\u2019s just say the benefits far outweigh that initial legwork. Here\u2019s why…<\/p>\n

    Why use videos in eLearning<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    First things first. Why invest money from your L&D budget producing eLearning videos? If you need to justify that spend, here are five key reasons why you should use videos in eLearning:<\/p>\n

    1. The go-to resource for learning (in and outside of work)<\/h3>\n

    Did you know that there are more learning-related videos on YouTube than books in the Library of Congress? Whether it\u2019s learning a new language or fixing a burst water pipe, videos are now the first port of call for people wanting to educate themselves. (86% of US viewers<\/a> say their main reason for watching YouTube is to learn a new skill<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

    2. Keep people learning for longer<\/h3>\n

    Get the content and format right, and videos are better at engaging learners<\/strong> and keeping them engaged for longer. In the hands of your instructional designer, the creative potential that video-based learning has can be exploited to maximum effect.<\/p>\n

    From interactivity and spot quizzes to animations and storytelling devices, the techniques it supports to entertain and engage outperform other learning tools.<\/p>\n

    3. Keep people remembering for longer<\/h3>\n

    Remember the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve<\/strong>? No? Ok, here\u2019s a reminder. In 1879, German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered that people forget what they learned 20 minutes after they learned it (Finkenbinder, 1913).<\/p>\n

    Over a hundred years later, and we now have a tool to combat that \u2014 video. Research shows that video training helps learners retain information for up to a month.<\/p>\n

    4. Good to share<\/h3>\n

    Around 1 million learning YouTube videos are shared every day. With video (unlike other learning tools), it\u2019s easy to spread the love \u2014 and the learning. All it takes is a click and the eLearning video you\u2019ve just produced gets both endorsement and exposure across your wider network.<\/p>\n

    5. Show not tell<\/h3>\n

    With video content, “How to” learning comes into its own. Research indicates that when it comes to instructional learning, people respond better to visual guidance than written information \u2014 even if both formats have the same words and sequencing.<\/p>\n

    Looking for more reasons why videos could be a great training tool and worth the budget? In this guide, explore all the benefits of eLearning videos<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Back to top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    Different types of eLearning videos<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    People absorb information in different ways. A versatile medium, video can be tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of learning types. And adapted to meet the goals of different learning objectives.<\/p>\n

    When you create eLearning videos, the purpose of your video should determine the format<\/strong>. And whether it\u2019s part of an employee engagement campaign or a customer-focused demonstration, there\u2019s a format and technique to suit.<\/p>\n

    Storytelling videos<\/h3>\n

    Stories help us process and retain information, making them an ideal eLearning training tool. They create an emotional connection with the material and present information in a softer format, with key learning objectives subtly and strategically enveloped in an ongoing narrative.<\/p>\n

    Embedding storytelling into your eLearning videos<\/strong><\/a> promotes a memorable learning experience, appealing to the type of learner who may not respond well to formal learning or who\u2019s had a bad experience with it in the past.<\/p>\n

    Good for?<\/strong><\/em> If you\u2019re working on an internal eLearning campaign or introducing customers to a new tool or product, a storytelling video is a great way to hook your learner in and create a buzz. Follow this up with carefully timed nuggets of content to keep momentum and interest alive.<\/p>\n

    Talking head videos<\/h3>\n

    Using a talking head video<\/strong><\/a> helps with visual and social eLearning. It\u2019s also easy to produce: all you need is an interviewee or a subject matter expert (SME) and a camera.<\/p>\n

    For many, learning by watching another human is easier than reading words on a screen or listening to a voice-over. And because of its pared-down aesthetics, it\u2019s easier to focus on what is being said.<\/p>\n

    Good for?<\/strong> <\/em>This format is perfect for microlearning (delivering short, digestible snippets of information). It\u2019s also effective as part of onboarding training, especially with remote teams. Your new employees need to feel connected to the team. Having the CEO and a few team members record short videos about the company mission and culture is the first step in building strong relationships.<\/p>\n

    Voice-over videos<\/h3>\n

    A versatile, familiar, and effective approach to video eLearning, a voice-over video<\/strong><\/a> is where someone we don\u2019t see provides a narrative to the visuals (PowerPoint or Keynote slides, for example).<\/p>\n

    Using image and sound to convey information, voice-over videos engage both visual and auditory learners. Add captions and you\u2019ve catered to all the most common learning types.<\/p>\n

    Good for?<\/strong><\/em> This format lends itself to team presentations or as an introduction to your company values during onboarding training. It also works well as a screencast video during IT training<\/strong><\/a> or sales training<\/strong><\/a> to show learners how to use a particular product or tool.<\/p>\n

    Animated videos<\/h3>\n

    Essentially grown-up cartoons, animated instructional videos<\/strong><\/a> convey learning in a fun, friendly, and engaging way. A familiar, overarching format, they\u2019re effective at reaching different types (and generations) of learners.<\/p>\n

    Good for?<\/strong><\/em> They may feel light and informal, but animated videos lend themselves to difficult, often hard-to-address content. Use them to ease learners gently into topics that can be abstract, contain complex terms or relate to specific issues within the workplace. Transcending language barriers, they\u2019re also a great learning leveler, ideal for global or dispersed teams.<\/p>\n

    If you’re looking to add animated videos to your training programs, ready-made videos could be a cost- and time-effective solution. Online collections, like TalentLibrary™<\/strong><\/a>, offer a wide range of video courses with animated characters and engaging storylines, so you don’t have to create everything from scratch.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Meet TalentLibrary™
    \n<\/b>A growing collection of ready-made courses that cover the soft skills
    \n<\/span>your teams need for success at work
    \n<\/span>    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    \n

    Instructor-led videos, demos, and simulations<\/h3>\n

    eLearning videos which show something being enacted (a live demo or a pre-recorded simulation, for example) can be more effective than training experienced first-hand.<\/p>\n

    The playback functionality<\/strong> that comes with video and the ability to show different camera angles are features that provide a richer and more reinforced learning experience.<\/p>\n

    Good for?<\/strong><\/em> This format suits product demos, the acquisition of procedural knowledge, and ongoing, technically-focused eLearning programs.<\/p>\n

    Learner-generated videos<\/h3>\n

    Promoting a knowledge-sharing culture, learner-generated video content empowers subject matter experts or employees within an organization to become informal trainers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    A form of social learning<\/strong><\/a>, its unplanned approach can be just as impactful as more structured training because it comes with the credibility of first-hand experience and knowledge.<\/p>\n

    Good for?<\/strong><\/em> Helping employees learn from each other is a great way of influencing behaviors and building a culture of positivity, empowerment, and engagement within your organization\u2019s L&D world.<\/p>\n

    Back to top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    How to create a successful eLearning video<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Producing your own video-based learning program demands commitment and focus. Our 10-step guide<\/strong> will keep you on track so you can create eLearning videos that deliver results:<\/p>\n