People are consuming more and more content in video format. Whether it's for entertainment, education, or work purposes, videos have become an integral part of our daily lives. And from a creator's perspective, the demand for video content presents an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and information with others.

Instructional videos, in particular, are extremely popular as they provide step-by-step guidance on how to complete a task or learn a new skill. No need to go through lengthy written manuals or ask someone to physically demonstrate the process right at your side.

But how to make an instructional video? That's what we'll discuss in this article. Specifically, we'll focus on using a screen recorder to capture your computer screen and create engaging tutorial videos. Let's get started!

What is an instructional or tutorial video?

Always wanted to learn how to bake a cake, but never had the time or someone to teach you? Or do you need to record a video on Windows 10 (or Mac) to train your employees on how to use new software? Tutorials are the answer to both these situations, and they come in various formats – written, audio, or video.

A tutorial video is a type of educational content that uses visual aids to demonstrate a process or explain a concept. It allows viewers to follow along with the steps in real-time and learn at their own pace.

With the rise of online learning and remote work, tutorial videos have become more prevalent in recent years, especially after the global pandemic. From teachers giving virtual lessons and trainers conducting webinars to YouTubers sharing DIY tutorials and professionals giving software demos — tutorial videos are everywhere.

The way how to make an instructional video doesn't vary much from other types of videos. The basic concept is to use a screen recorder to capture your computer's screen accompanied by voiceover, annotations, and webcam if needed.

Common types of training videos

While all tutorial videos aim to educate and teach a specific topic, there are different types of training videos you can create using screen recording software. Here are some common ones:

● Technical Demonstrations: How to use software, app, or website, or any other tool. These videos usually show the step-by-step process of performing a task. Beneficial for software companies and customer support teams.

● Product Reviews: While physical products can be unboxed and reviewed, the only way to present digital ones like eBooks, online courses, or services is by recording your screen as you navigate through them. These videos help potential buyers make informed decisions.

● Webinars: You don't always have to go live to conduct a webinar. You can pre-record presentations, lectures, or interviews and upload them for people to watch at their convenience.

● Skill-based tutorials: How to learn and develop certain skills. For example, a graphic designer can teach about creating logos. They often appear in the form of social video content on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

● Virtual Lessons: With remote learning becoming the new normal, teachers are using tutorial videos to deliver lectures and lessons. They provide an engaging and interactive way of teaching compared to traditional methods.

Tips for creating effective instructional videos

Even if your quality is good and informative, an instructional video can still fall flat if not created with the audience in mind. To make it interesting and effective, here are some tips to keep in mind:

● Structure all your points and follow a logical flow. In case you have a lot of information to cover, consider breaking it into multiple videos (creating a series often helps drag both new and old viewers).

● Speak clearly. Avoid using technical jargon or complicated terminology that might confuse your audience. If you do, make sure to explain them in simple terms (and engage in some humor or examples if possible).

● Add background music. A calm and soothing background score can do wonders in keeping your audience engaged and making the video more interesting. Just make sure it's not too loud that it overshadows your voiceover.

● Captioning is a useful feature, especially as nowadays many people watch videos with the sound off. You can include captions or subtitles to make it more accessible to a wider audience.

● Interact with your viewers by asking them questions, providing quizzes, or giving them tasks beforehand (like downloading software or reading an article). This will keep them engaged and help reinforce learning.

How to do screen recording for your training video

Now that we've covered what and how you can use instructional videos, let's dive into the main topic – how to do screen recording.

In simple terms, you just need three things to create a tutorial video - a computer, screen recording software, and content to record. Let's break down the process step-by-step using Screen Capture as an example.

Step 1: Navigate to the screen recorder

First, there is no need to download any software. Open your browser and type in 'Screen Capture' in the search bar. Open the website's homepage and you're ready to start.

Step 2: Set up your recording preferences

Before hitting the record button, the tool allows you to set a couple of settings. You can enable/disable your webcam, microphone, and system audio. Choose it based on the type of training video you're planning to create.

Step 3: Start recording

Click on 'Start Recording'. You will be prompted to select the area of your screen you want to record: a specific application, a particular tab, or your entire screen. Once selected, click on 'Share' and the recording will begin.

Step 4: Save your recording

Once you've completed the recording, click on the 'Stop Recording' button. Preview your video to see if any edits are required. You'll be given an option to save the video on your computer or start a new recording.

Unfortunately, you can't make any changes once the recording is stopped, so if you want to make your tutorial video look more entertaining, you can use some free no watermark video editor to make some edits.

And that's it! You've successfully recorded your tutorial video using a screen recorder. Now, you can share it with your audience on various platforms, including YouTube, social media, or your website.

Conclusion

Knowing how to record a video on a PC to make tutorial videos is a valuable skill that can help you effectively share knowledge and skills. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create high-quality content that engages and educates your audience.

Remember to keep your content relevant, concise, and visually appealing to make your instructional videos stand out. With practice, you'll soon become a pro, so keep creating and sharing your knowledge with the world!

Ben Jacklin

Ben Jacklin is an expert technology writer. He has qualifications in Media and Music Technology and specializes in software reviews and tutorials. Ben has been blogging about media and tech subjects since he was a teenager from his base in the East of England.