Creating Dynamic Video Training Content on a Budget

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The modern workforce is changing — quickly. With each passing year, employees become more tech savvy than ever before. Today’s workers want technology infused into every aspect of their jobs — including training.

As a result, many companies have begun to create video-based training content for employees. Such content tend to resonate with tech-oriented employees, and it often leads to improved knowledge retention.

You’re probably thinking, “Yeah, sure. That’d be great, but what HR department has the budget to produce Hollywood-style video content?” The remarkable thing about video is the way it has been democratized over the years. Advances in hardware and software have made video more accessible, and many of the most widely viewed videos online are filmed and edited by amateurs and enthusiasts with no budget.

That said, let’s look at how your HR department can make compelling video content on the cheap:

Skip the Expensive Equipment

If you’re sold on creating video content, your next step may be to research how much a solid high-definition video camera will cost. The subsequent step will be picking your jaw up off the floor. Video equipment is far from cheap; even the cameras used to film even local commercials can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

How can video be done on a budget? The answer lies in your pocket — or just above the screen you’re staring at.

Many modern phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops come equipped with cameras that are perfectly suitable for your training content needs. Some are better than others, and some are truly remarkable — for example, the Apple iPhone 8 is capable of capturing video in 4K!

Recording straight into one of these options, using the built-in microphone, will likely be enough for most training content needs. However, a small upgrade can definitely be worth it when it comes to sound. A number of professional-quality microphones can be purchased for $100-200 — and they will infinitely improve the sound quality in your videos. Another accessory to strongly consider is a tripod for your camera. This will stabilize the video and allow for shot set-up, leading to better content and saving time along the way.

Once you have your gear, you can write up a script and film your video. What’s next?

The Economical Way to Edit and Stream Video

Once you’ve captured your training video, you need a way to edit it, stream it, access it, and analyze its performance. You could seek out different software programs for each step, but switching back and forth between them all would be a headache — and there’s no guarantee they’d all be compatible with one another. You could upload video to a website like YouTube, but you may want private access and complete control over your library.

For most producers of corporate training content, the simplest and most economical option is a video content management system, or VCMS. The average VCMS is a beginner-friendly all-in-one platform that allows you to comprehensively manage all your video needs. You can save captured video, edit it, and curate your own video content library all within the same platform.

The strongest point of a VCMS is its ease of use. Viewers can easily locate relevant training content by searching for specific keywords, and some VCMSs can even surface results based on words spoken in the videos! This is ideal for employees who are looking for content geared toward their immediate professional needs.

Similarly, managers can automatically assign certain videos to new hires based on their positions or set up drip campaigns to release videos in a steady stream. Some VCMSs allow for interaction between employees, who can ask questions and discuss topics with one another directly through the platform.

Creating effective video content is incredibly fulfilling and can work wonders for your team. Thanks to the proliferation of cheap, high-quality video technology, companies no longer have to worry about breaking their budgets to make original video content for employees. Get recording today!

Sean Gordon  is CEO of HIRENAMI .

By Sean Gordon