Want to create e-learning content that learners actually remember?
Every training manager has experienced the frustration of investing time and money into courses that are promptly forgotten by employees within days. The reality is… Traditional text-based training methods simply don’t work anymore.
The Problem:
Most corporate training programs are dull and forgettable. However, there is a proven solution revolutionizing how organizations approach employee development – professional video production for e-learning.
In This Article:
- Why Video Is Taking Over E-Learning In 2024
- The Impact Of Professional Video Production
- Types Of Training Videos That Work
- How To Pick The Right Video Production Approach
Why Video Is Taking Over E-Learning In 2024
E-learning video production is no longer a passing trend. It has become the foundation of successful corporate training programs because it delivers where other methods fall short.
The numbers don’t lie…
By 2024, 88% of large companies were utilizing virtual classrooms, webcasting, and video broadcasting to train their employees. This is not a coincidence – it’s because video delivers results that other training formats simply can’t match.
Videos are the perfect training tool.
When organizations partner with experts like Synima in Brooklyn NYC, they can transform dry and forgettable training materials into engaging visual experiences that employees actually remember. Professional video production agencies understand how to use storytelling and instructional design to create content that learners retain.
Want to hear the best part?
Over 46% of internet users between the ages of 16 to 24 reported watching online tutorials and learning videos as of 2024. Your employees are already consuming video content every day. So why not harness that power for your training programs?
The corporate e-learning market is exploding right now. Companies who are ahead of the curve are reaping massive benefits in terms of training effectiveness and employee retention.
The Impact Of Professional Video Production
Professional e-learning video production provides benefits far beyond just making your training look pretty.
Improved Knowledge Retention
You may not know this, but it’s true…
Learners will forget information fast. Like really fast. Without the proper training format, most of the training material vanishes from memory within days.
Video transforms everything. When done correctly, video-based learning improves retention of knowledge and information at an exponential level.
The reason? Visual learning triggers the way our brains naturally process information. Video engages multiple senses and takes advantage of our innate preference for visual content. The use of motion, narration, graphics, and demonstrations all make complex information easy to grasp and remember.
Cost And Time Savings
One of the things most training managers don’t realize is that professional video production actually saves money in the long run. How? By cutting repeated in-person training sessions, travel costs, and allowing employees to access training whenever and wherever they need it.
A one-time investment n video production pays for itself over time by:
- Eliminating the need for venue rentals and instructor travel expenses.
- Reducing the productivity loss of pulling employees away from their normal work duties
- Unlimited reuse across the entire organization.
Companies can scale training to hundreds or even thousands of employees without the cost and effort proportionally increasing. That’s an incredible advantage.
Flexibility For Modern Workforces
We can all agree that your employees are no longer all sitting in the same office anymore.
Remote workforces, distributed teams, multiple time zones – today’s workforces demand training that can be accessed anywhere and anytime. Video meets that need in a way that traditional classroom training simply cannot.
Employees can pause, rewind, rewatch difficult concepts as many times as they like. They can learn at their own pace without holding up an entire class. Night shift workers can access the same quality training as day shift workers.
This flexibility results in better learning outcomes and higher employee satisfaction with training programs.
Types Of Videos That Actually Work
If we can agree that not all training videos are created equal, we can conclude that the most effective e-learning programs use different video types strategically based on learning objectives.
Let’s dive in…
Presenter-Led Videos
Videos where the instructor or a subject matter expert directly addresses the camera.
These work best for building a connection and trust with learners. When employees see a real person explaining concepts, it feels more personal and engaging than reading plain text on a screen.
The downside of these videos is they can come off static and boring if not professionally produced with B-roll footage, graphics, and demonstrations to spice things up.
Animated Explainer Videos
Animation is great for complex processes, abstract ideas, and situations that would be difficult or expensive to film.
Animation allows you to visualize anything – from microscopic cellular processes to global supply chains. This power makes abstract ideas concrete and easier to wrap one’s head around.
Animation also looks super modern and polished, which projects well on your organization’s brand.
Screen Recording Tutorials
Screen recording tutorials are the best option for software training and technical walkthroughs.
These show employees exactly where to click, where to find features, and how to complete tasks step-by-step. There is no ambiguity about what they should be doing.
Screen recordings should be short and focused on one specific task or workflow.
Scenario-Based Videos
Videos that place the learners in the middle of a realistic situation they will encounter on the job.
Maybe it’s a difficult customer interaction. Or an employee safety issue. Scenario videos allow employees to practice their decision-making skills in a safe environment before real-world consequences occur.
Scenario videos are powerful for soft skills training, compliance, and building situational awareness.
How To Pick The Right Video Production Approach
Deciding how to approach your e-learning video project can be daunting.
Should you build an in-house team? Hire freelancers? Partner with a professional video production agency? Each method has pros and cons to consider.
In-House Video Production
Building your own in-house video production team gives you full control and flexibility. However, it requires a significant upfront investment in equipment, software, and staff training.
Most organizations vastly underestimate the specialized skill set needed for professional video production. Making great training content requires expertise in:
- Instructional design
- Scriptwriting
- Filming and lighting
- Audio recording
- Video editing
- Motion graphics
- Project management
Creating all that capability from scratch takes both time and money that most training departments do not have.
Working With Production Agencies
Partnering with a professional video production agency takes care of the “specialized skills” problem.
Professional production agencies have years of experience crafting compelling training content. They know the learning theory, understand what is engaging for viewers, and have refined production processes that reliably deliver high-quality results.
The best agencies act more as partners rather than vendors. They take the time to understand your learning objectives, target audience, and brand guidelines before beginning production.
You should seek out agencies with proven expertise and experience in corporate training and e-learning specifically. Request to see their portfolio and case studies with measurable training results.
Hybrid Approaches
Some organizations take a hybrid approach splitting work between in-house and external resources.
They may handle some simple screen recordings and basic videos internally while outsourcing higher complexity animation or high-production value videos to professionals.
This can work well for companies with moderate video needs and some level of internal capability.
Bringing It All Together
E-learning video production has become table stakes for organizations who are serious about effective training.
The market is growing at breakneck speed because video works. It leads to higher retention, reduced costs, increased flexibility, and engages modern learners in ways text-based training never will.
Achieving success requires:
- Understanding which types of videos best fit your learning objectives.
- Willingness to invest in quality production that reflects well on your brand.
- Making strategic choices about in-house versus agency production.
- Measure results and continuously improving and iterating your approach.
Don’t get left behind by your competition. The organizations winning at employee development are the ones that have embraced professional video production now.
Start by auditing your existing training content. What programs would benefit the most from video? What learning outcomes are you trying to achieve? Then investigate production options that work for your budget and timeline.
The investment in professional e-learning video production pays dividends in better-trained employees, reduced training costs, and improved business results. That is a return on investment that is worth pursuing.
