The Visual Lounge

How effective are your videos? There’s only one way to find out – by digging into the numbers. Video metrics can tell you if your video is effective, reaching the right people, and performing how you want. That way, you’re not left guessing if your video strategy is on the right track. Matt Pierce, TechSmith’s Learning and Video Ambassador, talks us through the importance of different metrics and how you can gather this all-important data. As you look at video metrics and data, you'll notice that each platform has its own way of displaying them, and this episode of The Visual Lounge will look at both YouTube and Wistia's analytics. Learning points from the episode include: 0:00 Introduction1:08 – How Matt got started with video metrics1:50 – How to define success with video metrics3:47 – Matt’s one tip for improving your images and videos5:44 – Midroll6:45 – An introduction to YouTube metrics8:14 – Why Views is one of the most important metrics10:22 – Why you need to look at Watch Time11:40 – What View Duration tells us about the content13:06 – Pay attention to Retention rates18:33 – What Reach, Impressions and Clickthrough rates tell us about audience behavior22:50 – Other metrics that are useful to check out24:09 – How to use metrics on Wistia28:39 – How Wistia’s Heat Maps reveal more about viewers30:05 – How to look at analytics on different platforms32:20 – Speed round36:30 – Final take on video metricsImportant links and mentions: TechSmith Academy: https://academy.techsmith.com 

Drumroll…Snagit 2023 is here!And with it comes a host of intuitive new features and some new and improved fan favorites. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce sits down with Paul Donahue, Senior Technical Product Manager, and Emmie Musser, Senior Portfolio Marketing Manager at TechSmith, to get the latest.Emmie and Paul take us behind the scenes of Snagit 2023 to share details of the new release, their top features, and how Snagit helps you perfect workplace communication with images and videos.Tune in to see what’s new or download Snagit 2023 today.Learning points from the episode include:0:00 - Introduction2:43 – How Emmie and Paul first got started with Snagit5:09 – What workplace communication should look like6:11 – One tip to improve your use of images or video in the workplace8:35 – Ad break9:56 – New features to expect in Snagit 202311:56 – What the Snagit development team wanted to achieve this time round16:09 – Paul explains how Screen Draw works21:12 – Use cases for Screen Draw23:38 – A simpler option for sharing videos with your team25:34 – What a new and improved Screencast looks like29:38 – How Screencast makes collaboration easier30:46 – How you can use Screencast for free as a Snagit user32:16 – Paul explains how your data is safe in Snagit 202333:44 – The features Paul and Emmie are most excited about35:42 – Overlooked Snagit features38:20 – Features that Paul’s most proud of working on39:57 – How Snagit can help improve workplace communication41:43 – Speed round questions47:53 – Paul and Emmie’s final take on Snagit 202348:54 - OutroImportant links and mentions:Download Snagit: techsmith.com/download/snagitLearn more about Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.htmlTechSmith Screencast: https://www.screencast.com/

Before you start creating video content, there are a few things you need to know.Whether you are starting at the beginning, or have plenty of experience behind you, this is a must-listen for anybody creating educational video content. TechSmith’s Learning & Video Ambassador, Matt Pierce, is joined by Tiffany Taylor, Director, EDU Success & Education at Handshake, on this edition of The Visual Lounge. She shares what led her to create video, how she defines success and why keeping things simple and small is key.Plus, Tiffany shares her definitive 6 R’s to consider before creating video content. Learning points from the episode include:1:18 – Introducing Tiffany Taylor2:26 – How did Tiffany start using video?4:57 – Defining a successful video7:25 – Make sure video is the right medium for your content10:27 – Introducing Tiffany’s 6 principles for video content11:08 – Reiterating your design formula13:47 – The beauty of pausing videos17:51 – Why repetition is key20:33 – Keeping things simple and small23:14 – Are organizations nervous about choice?25:20 – Audience trust and change based on feedback31:36 – Diversity of Learning and Accessibility34:23 – Why collaborate on content?39:01 – Tiffany’s Speed Round43:16 – Tiffany’s final takeaway for the audienceImportant links and mentions:Tiffany on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-taylor-learner/Handshake: https://joinhandshake.com/Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.htmlSnagit: https://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.html TechSmith Academy: https://www.techsmith.com/academy.html

Thumbnails and titles are the bait that reels viewers into YouTube content. Not only are they great for SEO, but they also define your brand and catch the audience’s eye.But what makes a good YouTube thumbnail? And how do you write a great title?In this week’s episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce, TechSmith’s Learning & Video Ambassador, is joined by Paul Wilson, freelance e-Learning designer and Adobe Captivate Teacher.Paul explains how he creates videos and shares his top tips for creating thumbnails and titles that grab attention and get results. Learning points from the episode include:0:53 – Introducing Paul Wilson2:25 – How Paul got started using screen videos4:50 – How does Paul define success?7:29 – One tip for using videos10:03 – Paul’s introduction to screencasting tutorials12:15 – Interval vs. external videos14:11 – What Paul’s video creation process looks like17:00 – Function vs. appearance20:31 – Paul on consistency and templatization23:49 – Mastering video titles26:48 – What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?34:31 – Speed round questions39:00 – Final take!Important links and mentions:TechSmith Academy: Learn how to use and create better images and videos (for free): https://academy.techsmith.comSubscribe to Paul’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CaptivateTeacherFollow Paul on Twitter: https://twitter.com/captivateteachrFollow/connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/captivateteacher/

What makes a great video script?Whether you’re brand new to scripting or want to brush up on the best practices, there’s so much to unpack from this episode of The Visual Lounge. TechSmith’s Content Marketing Specialist, Ryan Knott, joins the show to share his advice on best practices, what to do vs. avoid, how to nail your tone, and so much more. If you’ve never scripted a video before, it’s easy to overthink it. The good news is that simpler is usually better, and Ryan has plenty of actionable tips to share in this episode to help you get started. Learning points from the episode include:01:18 How Ryan got started using scripts for video02:45 What does a successful script look like?04:18 Ryan’s tip for using images and video05:57 Why writing a script can be useful07:29 What are the essential elements of a script?08:20 Tips for using visual cues11:35 Finding the right tone for your script14:24 Considering language and word choices 18:00 Why you should read your script out loud20:26 What makes a good script writer?22:23 Let the content on screen speak for itself24:15 Consider accessibility27:06 Ryan’s final piece of advice for writing a script29:07 Find out more about RyanImportant links and mentions:Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.html Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.html TechSmith Academy: https://www.techsmith.com/academy.html

Successful presentations require planning and focus…and one specific part of your presentation that needs a great deal of both is visuals.Visuals play a significant part in how presentations come across and so it’s important to remember a few things.In this week’s episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce, Learning & Video Ambassador, explores how to use effective visuals to enhance presentations. He explains how they should grab the audience’s attention but not distract them from what you’re talking about. It’s all about letting the audience hear what you say while giving them something visual to connect to.Learning points from the episode include:00:55 – How Matt first got involved in using more visuals in presentations02:16 - How to define success for visuals in a presentation04:24 – Matt’s one tip to help you improve using images07:59 – Different options for visuals in presentations08:31 – Why visuals are so important10:42 – Why you should try to eliminate as much text as possible from the slides15:35 - Use Contrast. Repetition. Alignment. Proximity. (C.R.A.P.)19:39 - Do your elements and visuals go together?20:56 - Make something memorable22:07 – How to use anchoring to tie visuals with ideas 23:51 - How to use dual encoding 24:54 – Think about the unexpected and use that to draw attention26:52 – When to turn off your slides when making a point or when you want focused attention27:17 - Where to find great images for slides and presentationsImportant links and mentions:TechSmith Academy: Learn how to use and create better images and videos (for free): https://academy.techsmith.com Article about presentation design: https://medium.com/@dannysmith/good-s... Article about anchoring http://www.nlpu.com/Articles/artic28.htm Made to Stick Book: https://heathbrothers.com/books/made-... TechSmith Assets: https://library.techsmith.com - with one subscription, you can access a whole library of stock images, music, sound effects, video clips, and more

We've had a great break, but we're coming back soon with new shows, new guests, and some new ideas and approaches. This episode is a short one to give you some of those details. Some of the changes you can expect in future episodes include some new formats to the interviews, slightly shorter shows (in most cases), and a variety of other small tweaks to hopefully make watching & listening to the show even better. To watch the full video, go to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/gMwWX9Ffc7o

Register for the Level Up Event by TechSmith here: https://bit.ly/3oBpi9l Looking to Level Up your video creation game? We have the event for you! Come hear more amazing speakers like Adam Avermascu, Tiffany Taylor, Dee Kapila, Matt Pierce, and more! Whether you’re making product demos, software marketing videos, explainer videos, onboarding videos, tutorials, or other screen recordings, this event will help you create more engaging content faster.At TechSmith, we’ve been helping our customers with various explainer and screen recording videos for over 30 years.Everyone seems to need this content, and we want to share our knowledge with you!Register for the Level Up event here: https://bit.ly/3oBpi9lAlso, don't forget to check out and subscribe to the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/thevisuallounge

Creating your first video can be a daunting experience, and this week’s guest has to do it in front of the entire The Visual Lounge audience!In this week’s episode, we’re joined by return guest Kassy LaBorie, Founder and Principal Consultant at Kassy LaBorie Consulting, LLC., as she navigates the ins and outs of creating her own video. Matt takes her through some editing basics, such as cutting, adding all sorts of media to her finished video, and even how to pick some accompanying music.Kassy is the Original Virtual Training Hero, and she’s on a mission to transform the virtual learning space into a more interactive, interesting, and engaging one. She specializes in developing trainers to be engaging and effective when facilitating programs in platforms such as Zoom, WebEx, Adobe Connect, and others.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 – 03:26 Intro 03:27 – 10:47 Preparing and scripting your video10:48 – 12:06 Matt and Kassy discuss editing issues12:07 – 18:40 Adding your assets to Camtasia18:41 – 19:53 What’s the right size for your video19:54 – 29:02 Cutting your video29:03 – 34:10 Cutting your audio with Audiate34:11 – 43:49 Adding assets to your video43:50 – 46:27 Adding themes and your brand colors46:28 – 47:46 Matt explains Z-order 47:47 – 53:30 Using Screen recordings in your video53:31 – 55:00 Fine-tuning the B-roll 55:01 – 59:43 Adding music to your video59:44 – 01:02:59 Adding animations01:03:00 – 01:05:05 Tweaking final details and exporting the video file01:05:06 – 01:11:30 Matt’s final pieces of advice  01:11:31 – 01:15:19 Outro Important links and mentions:Kassy LaBorie Consulting: https://kassyconsulting.com/Connect with Kassy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/Learn more about Content 10x: https://www.content10x.com/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To watch the full video, go to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/kpA2WuWoeRM

Looking to take your video and image content to the next level? Well, you’re in the right place!Matt Pierce, Learning and Video Ambassador at TechSmith, is joined by eight industry experts on this episode of The Visual Lounge. From embracing video imperfections to keeping things consistent and double-checking image attributions, these guests have a lot of helpful advice to offer.Joining this episode are:Andy Owen, Social Engagement and Video Manager at TechSmithTricia Ransom, Senior Learning Experience Designer at TaskUsJason Valade, Instructional Designer/ATD Master Trainer – Customer Education at TechSmithJoseph Suarez, Independent Learning Experience Designer at Suarez Media ProductionTracy Parish, Education Technology Specialist at Southlake Regional Health CentreMike Taylor, Learning Consultant, NationwideLeslie Chamberlain, Senior Director of CX at CareerPlugDave Derington, Director of Customer Education at ServiceRocketHear eight invaluable tips to take with you on your video and image creation journey – whatever stage you’re at. Listen to the full episode now and head to the TechSmith Academy website for more.Learning points from the episode include:0:00 – 1:48 – Intro1:48 – 7:30 – Andy Owen’s tip7:30 – 12:52 – Tricia Ransom’s tip12:52 – 18:32 – Jason Valade’s tip18:32 – 27:27 – Joseph Suarez’s tip and Tricia’s thoughts on consistency27:27 – 32:23 – Tracy Parish’s tip32:23 – 38:01 – Mike Taylor’s tip38:01 – 44:38 – Leslie Chamberlain’s tip44:38 – 56:31 – Dave Derington’s tip56:31 – 57:34 – Outro Important links and mentions:TechSmith Academy: https://academy.techsmith.com/Andy Owen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenfilms/ Tricia Ransom on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TriciaRansom Tricia Ransom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciaransom/ Jason Valade on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvalade/Joseph Suarez on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Joseph_Suarez Joseph Suarez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephsuarez/ Tracy Parish on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tracy_ParishTracy Parish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyparish/ Tracy’s Creative Common and media resources: https://e-learning.zeef.com/tracy.parish#block_18269_imagesMike Taylor on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmiket Mike Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miketaylor/ Leslie Chamberlain on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-chamberlain-a3475121/ CareerPlug: https://www.careerplug.com/ Dave Derington on Twitter: https://twitter.com/davederington Dave Derington on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derington/ Dave Derington’sServiceRocket programme: https://www.servicerocket.com/dave-derington

Mistakes – everyone makes them, but most of the time we try to hide them. What should we be doing instead?Acknowledging that we’re not perfect while looking for ways ‘level up’ in every single video we make.That’s why in this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce, Learning & Video Ambassador, explores the six top mistakes he still makes in his videos. Matt doesn’t just point out the blunders, he also gives clear and precise steps on how to tackle them.So, if you find yourself making the same mistakes over and over in your videos, you’re in pretty good company. In Matt’s view, perfection is a tough goal to meet, but taking a proactive approach to get better at video creation is the way forward.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 00:19 Intro00:20 - 02:08 Why we’re going to be discussing common video mistakes02:09 - 04:51 The importance of leaving breathing room when making videos04:52 - 07:24 How to solve the issue of leaving breathing room in videos07:25 - 15:55 Why you should map out your video content beforehand15:56 - 17:42 The importance of being intentional about editing17:43 - 19:24 Why people make the mistake of not being aggressive during the editing process19:25 - 20:56 Things to consider when editing20:57 - 26:26 Why you should dial it down on the transitions26:27 - 31:24 The importance of watching your videos before rendering it31:25 - 40:39 Why analyzing your video afterward is necessary40:40 - 42:23 Matt gives a recap of the 6 common mistakes he tends to make in video creation42:24 - 42:42 OutroImportant links and mentions:Download Camtasia 2022: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia-upgrade.htmlLearn more about the TechSmith Academy

Getting started with video creation? Then one of the most basic things you need to master is how to choose the right types of videos and images to get your message across.With that in mind, Matt Pierce, Learning and Video Ambassador at TechSmith, talks about the ABCs of making videos in this episode of The Visual Lounge. As he tells us, video creation isn’t as hard as some people make it out to be. But there are some key decisions that can either make or break the final product.Learn the secret formula for a great video structure, as well as what kind of videos or images to use in different scenarios in the full episode. Learning points from the episode include:02:55 - 05:08 Matt shares a few things to keep in mind as you start creating videos05:09 - 07:03 Why the purpose of your video is important07:04 - 09:15 How to think about the structure of your videos09:16 - 14:59 The basic parts of a video15:00 - 18:49 Matt talks about video structure in terms of a bigger framework19:50 - 22:21 How to budget the time you spend on different aspects of your video22:22 - 22:56 Picking the right visuals22:57 - 27:56 What equipment do you need to make videos27:57 - 24:21 Goals vs Outcomes when creating videos24:22 - 26:09 Choosing the right images and/or videos for an information share out26:10 - 32:13 Choosing the right images and/or videos for repeated questions32:14 - 39:35 Things to consider as you go through repeated questions39:36 - 45:39 Choosing the right images and/or videos for training45:40 - 49:47 Choosing the right images and/or videos for feedback 49:48 - 55:55 Matt’s tips for anyone starting out 55:56 - 57:22 Conclusion57:23 - 57:47 OutroLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.

Camtasia 2022 unlocks even more great features and capabilities than ever before. Joe Dearman, User Experience, and Brooks Andrus, Product Technical Manager at TechSmith, hopped on to this episode of The Visual Lounge to share their favorite features, what to expect from Camtasia 2022, how its “epic cursors” work, and much more.Joe and Brooks take us behind the scenes of Camtasia’s development and how this new iteration aims to help video creators level up their content. Find out what new features to expect and see some sneak peek demos in the full episode. Learning points from the episode include:0:00 – 4:06 Intro4:07 – 5:39 The elevator pitch for Camtasia 20225:40 – 7:46 The path from idea to delivery 7:47 – 10:59 What’s new with cursors in Camtasia 202211:00 – 14:39 Why the TechSmith team decided to focus on cursors 14:40 – 19:37 Why cursors are the new “lead actor” of videos19:37 – 21:10 How to avoid overdoing it with cursor sizes21:11 – 22:45 Camtastia demo time 22:46 – 27:20 Building a new central location in Camtasia27:20 – 35:08 Camtasia’s new templates and assets 35:09 – 40:06 The stars of the new library and what was most fun to develop40:07 – 46:06 How to use Audiate within Camtasia to edit audio with text 46:06 – 48:08 Brooks' and Joe’s top Camtasia features 48:08 – 50:47 What it’s been like working in the TechSmith development team50:47 – 58:22 Speed round 58:22 – 59:22 OutroImportant links and mentions:Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.html What’s New in Camtasia 2022: https://www.techsmith.com/learn/tutorials/camtasia/whats-new-camtasia/ Upgrade to Camtasia 2022: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia-upgrade.html Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.

Introducing video content to your arsenal is not an easy task. It’s a gradual procedure, and mistakes will certainly be made along the way. But that’s OK.In this episode, master virtual trainer Kassy LaBorie joins Matt Pierce on The Visual Lounge for a step-by-step tutorial on how to create her first video for her business. From the early planning stages to nailing your script (or deciding whether you need one), Matt and Kassy discuss how to navigate the basics when stepping into the world of video. Learning points from the episode include:00:00 – 01:10 – Intro01:10 – 01:51 – Matt introduces Kassy01:51 – 02:47 – Matt introduces the premise of the episode02:48 – 04:29 – Why Kassy wants to make a video04:29 – 05:31 – Matt and Kassy discuss advantages of video content05:31 – 08:44 – Kassy explains her ideas for her first video08:44 – 12:48 – Pinpointing an ideal outcome for the video12:50 – 15:53 – Choosing how to host a video15:54 – 20:39 – Measuring whether a video is serving its purpose20:41 – 24:32 – Forming a message to connect with the target audience30:53 – 37:51 – How to formulate a scripting plan38:23 – 48:56 – Building on from engaging introductions49:06 – 57:11 – Kassy asks Matt final questions and next steps57:12 – 58:46 – Outro Important links and mentions:Kassy’s website: https://kassyconsulting.com/Connect with Kassy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/TechSmith Academy Scripting Course: https://academy.techsmith.com/basics-of-writing-using-scripts Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.

Video creation skills aren’t “built in a day.” Like everything else worth learning, it's a gradual process that you’ve got to embrace every step of the way.To share the story behind his stellar video creation skills, Jeff Batt, Learning & Development Specialist and Founder of Learning Dojo, joins The Visual Lounge. He takes us back in time to where it all started to talk about his humble beginnings in video creation. Jeff also explains his production process and shares some insightful advice for anyone looking to up their video-making skills.Jeff has a wealth of experience ranging 10+ years in the digital learning and media industry. He also has a strong background in web development and is a regular conference speaker covering eLearning technologies such as Captivate and Camtasia.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 00:39 Intro00:40 - 01:46 Matt tells us a bit about Jeff01:47 - 03:27 Jeff shares additional insights about himself03:28 - 05:28 How Jeff got his start in video making05:29 - 08:24 Jeff’s evolution as a video creator08:25 - 10:28 Challenges Jeff first encountered when developing his video skills 10:29 - 15:00 Jeff talks us through his gear setup15:01 - 17:29 The equipment you should get if you’re just starting out17:30 - 21:35 Common mistakes beginners should avoid21:36 - 29:24 Jeff’s video and learning content creation process29:25 - 31:46 Agile vs Waterfall methodologies 31:47 - 40:13 How Jeff plans out multiple pieces of content as opposed to one video40:14 - 42:10 What interface Jeff uses on his Rode Procaster42:11 - 43:44 Where to find Jeff online and on social media43:45 - 52:39 Matt’s speed round questions52:40 - 53:27 OutroImportant links and mentions:Learning Dojo: https://learningdojo.ninja/Learning Dojo’s YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/c/LearningDojoJeff’s Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/jeffbattlxdTechSmith’s Video Gear Wish List: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-gear-wish-list/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/how-i-improved-my-videos/

Whether you’re an L&D professional, video creator, or a software developer, your industry has probably been bitten by the hybrid work bug in one way or the other.This isn’t a challenge we can master overnight, but all it takes is the right information to get you moving in the right direction.Michelle Massey, VP of Community Outreach and Customer Operations at TechSmith, joins Matt on this episode to share some practical steps and advice that make for a more wholesome hybrid work environment. She talks about organizational culture and how it affects the hybrid work setup and also doles out a few tips on how to communicate better in a hybrid work environment.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 00:49 Intro00:50 - 01:34 Matt introduces Michelle01:35 - 02:56 Michelle shares some insights about herself02:57 - 05:27 Why the topic is vital for everyone regardless of industry05:28 - 07:13 A practical example of how to communicate in a hybrid environment 07:14 - 14:57 What role does organizational culture play in establishing hybrid work environments14:58 - 19:04 How to manage communication in a hybrid work environment19:05 - 21:17 What is hybrid work21:18 - 28:28 Tips to enhance better hybrid communication28:29 - 37:30 How to be resilient as work conditions evolve37:31 - 45:28 How Michelle’s communication approach has changed since she started using Snagit and Camtasia45:29 - 53:08 Speed round questions53:09 - 53:38 OutroImportant links and mentions:Reach out to Michelle: [email protected] with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-massey-32970b4/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/effective-hybrid-workplace/

Microphones, lights, and cameras —the trifecta of good video creation.But this time, we’re focusing on lighting and all the amazing things it can do for your videos.Here’s the thing about lighting, it doesn’t just affect picture quality. It also sets the mood and tone for any video you’re creating.So, if you’re looking for pointers on how to use camera lighting to your advantage, this episode of The Visual Lounge is a good place to start.Matt Pierce, TechSmith’s Learning and Video Ambassador, delves into everything you need to know, from using natural and artificial lighting to how to get good lighting on a budget. It’s an episode packed with useful information that’ll bring you one step closer to mastering video lighting.Learning points from the episode include:00:04 - 01:25 Intro01:26 - 02:30 Why lighting is the number 2 thing to consider in video creation02:31 - 06:02 How lighting affects picture quality06:03 - 08:44 What happens when you have too much light08:45 - 10:13 Finding the right lighting balance10:14 - 13:34 What to do without lights13:35 - 14:26 Why it’s better to use natural light in gloomy weather14:27 - 15:11 Tips for using windows as a source of light15:12 - 17:10 Matt explains color temperature17:11 - 18:16 How to match color18:17 - 23:11 How to direct lights in different environments23:12 - 25:19 Figuring out your lighting on a budget25:20 - 27:43 Matt’s take on ring lights27:44 - 32:51 How to make your lighting work better using diffusion32:52 - 36:26 Adding color to your lighting36:27 - 37:58 The role of lighting in the grand scheme of video making37:59 - 39:05 ConclusionImportant links and mentions:Basics: Lighting Your Video: https://academy.techsmith.com/basics-lighting-your-videoHow to Get the Perfect Lighting for Video: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/get-perfect-lighting-video/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/lighting-yourself-on-camera

Leveling up your videos is sometimes all about getting back to basics. When creating live training or pre-recorded learning content, there’s one question you should ask yourself - what is your on-camera presence like? In the learning industry, your on-camera presence is key to getting your message across. But what if you’re not a natural in front of the camera? Don’t worry, the truth is most people aren’t. If you want to learn how to improve your on-camera image, we’ve got just the episode of The Visual Lounge for you.Diana Howles, CEO and Co-Owner of Howles Associates, shares some tips for success and breaks down all the little details you should think about to improve your videos and give a great impression to your audience. Diana is an award-winning speaker, author, and international virtual trainer with 25 years of experience in the learning industry. She has conducted live online training for clients since 2000 and has taught virtual classes in more than a dozen countries. Diana is also the author of the book Next Level Virtual Training.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 – 03:31 Intro03:31 – 05:14 Diana explains the premise of her book, Next Level Virtual Training05:15 – 08:19 What is an on-camera presence and why is it important?08:19 – 13:13 What to do if you’re not comfortable on camera13:13 – 15:29 How to tweak your on-camera presence for live vs. pre-recorded video15:29 – 21:21 Steps to take to get more comfortable on camera 21:21 – 23:34 Standing vs. sitting while on camera: which is best?23:34 – 29:41 Common mistakes people make on camera29:41 – 41:13 How to use the B.L.E.A.C.H method to clean up your on-camera presence 41:13 – 43:35 Where to find more tips from Diana43:35 – 49:27 Diana’s speed round 49:27 – 50:32 OutroImportant links and mentions:Howles Associates: https://howlesassociates.com/Follow Diana on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianaHowles Connect with Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianahowlesNext Level Virtual Training: https://www.amazon.com/Level-Virtual-Training-Diana-Howles/dp/1953946038Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/improving-your-on-camera-presence/

When it comes to creating learning video content, the key to success is in how engaging it is. A video can have all the right information and be clear and comprehensive, but unless it’s compelling, it can fall flat with the viewer. A compelling video keeps viewers engaged, and that means any message you want to convey is much more likely to stick.But what’s the secret to creating compelling instructional videos? Mark Lassoff, Video Instructor and Founder of Tech Learning Network, is on The Visual Lounge to share some words of wisdom on his process and advice for others. Mark breaks down the three must-have elements of any video and explains why talent and expensive cameras are overrated.Learning points from the episode include:0:00 – 2:07 Intro2:08 – 4:46 Why Mark prefers a media-first approach4:46 – 6:25 How Mark first got started in media production6:25 – 8:09 Why having a team of media and educational specialists is best for learning content8:09 – 11:38 The three secrets to compelling content11:38 – 13:17 Questions to ask to help you decide on the right format13:17 – 18:58 Why video production is about skill more than equipment18:58 – 21:48 The biggest mistakes when making learning content21:48 – 30:17 Mark’s process for making videos30:17 – 38:01 How to bring narrative into your content38:02 – 41:27 What people can expect from Tech Learning Network 41:27 – 43:24 Mark’s tips for newbie video creators 43:24 – 48:54 Mark’s speed round questions48:54 – 50:41 OutroImportant links and mentions:Tech Learning Network: https://www.techlearningnetwork.com Follow Mark on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mlassoff Subscribe to Tech Learning Network on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TechLearningNetworkLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/compelling-video-content

Communication is a natural part of everyday life, and yet most people don’t consider how they communicate. Whether it’s internal team communication or communication with customers and clients, it’s easy for mixed messages and confusion to crop up.The solution? Build a communication strategy. That’s Jesse Lahey’s, Co-founder and Strategic Partner at Workforce Communication, secret for communication success. Jesse joins The Visual Lounge to break down his strategies and frameworks for communicating more effectively – without relying so much on media to paint a picture.Jesse is also a consultant speaker and author with over 25 years of experience in leadership and workforce communication. Previously, he was an HR communication leader at a Fortune 500 manufacturer with nearly 20,000 employees worldwide. Since 2012, he’s also hosted the Engaging Leader podcast, which has been downloaded millions of times by leaders around the world.Learning points from the episode include:0:00 – 3:38 Intro3:38 – 5:10 How the pandemic affected Workforce Communication5:11 – 8:44 How people can get better at communicating remotely8:44 – 15:07 How to create a solid communication strategy with the 5Ms framework15:07 – 19:34 The best practices for smaller-scale communication 19:35 – 26:55 How to execute your communication strategy with the SVS model26:55 – 31:36 What TechSmith’s Video Viewer Study says about viewer preferences31:37 – 35:30 Why keeping communication shorter isn’t always easy35:30 – 41:13 The three aspects of visual communication to keep in mind41:14 – 44:28 The most important components of a story 44:28 – 46:16 When not to use story 46:17 – 47:47 Where to find communication resources to learn more47:48 – 49:03 Jesse’s takeaway tip on communication 49:03 – 51:12 OutroImportant links and mentions:Workforce Communication: https://workforcecommunication.com/ Engaging Leader podcast: https://engagingleader.com/podcast/ Jesse Lahey’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesselahey/ Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/dont-jump-to-media-first

Are you ready to upgrade your microphone but aren’t sure where to start in the complex world of audio equipment and microphones?You’re in luck. This episode of The Visual Lounge is all about audio – how to pick the best equipment, how to use it correctly, mistakes to watch out for, and much more.Host Matt Pierce has some helpful need-to-know tips and even tests some of the most popular microphones on the market. Learning points from the episode include:1:28 – 2:38 How much should you spend on a microphone?2:38 – 5:54 USB vs. XLR microphones5:55 – 7:08 Can you use headsets for recording?7:08 – 13:07 Why you need to think about your environment and pickup patterns13:08 – 18:06 How to adjust your gain and other settings18:06 – 21:08 How far away you should be from your mic 21:09 – 27:25 The benefits of using lapel mics27:26 – 28:09 Using Snagit or Camtasia to level up your audio28:09 – 29:34 Why audio is so important for videos 29:35 – 36:00 Why the sE2200 is one of our favorite microphones (but not a great fit for everyone)36:00 – 39:48 The benefits of a shotgun mic vs. other mics39:48 – 41:24 Why you should pick a mic that’s right for you41:25 – 43:53 The difference between dynamic and condenser microphones 43:53 – 44:28 Why you should be mindful of microphone placement44:28 – 47:17 The simple secret to avoiding an audio disaster 47:17 – 48:09 Recommended microphones48:10 – 49:41 Why you should prioritize audio equipment over video49:41 – 50:48 When to use noise reduction50:49 – 52:52 Matt’s favorite podcast to listen to52:52 – 55:21 OutroImportant links and mentions:YouTube Subscribe Link: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeGear List: https://bit.ly/36jPjVm Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/upgrade-your-microphone

Are demos a necessary tool in L&D? Well, according to Troy Stein, TechSmith’s VP of Customer Advocacy, they’re super vital. He joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to explain why and share some tips on how to do demos the right way.The way Troy sees it, demos are to instructional videos what trailers are to movies. They don’t just give a sneak peek into what’s coming, they also pique the viewer's interest and make them want to know more. But there are key elements that need to be on point before a demo is considered successful. In this episode, Troy discusses everything from demo length to the importance of context, and he even shares a few demos he’s worked on himself. He also shares a bonus tip for video creators: Do everything at 1080p.Before becoming the VP of Customer Advocacy at TechSmith, Troy held a range of roles with the company spanning a decade. He also played a pivotal role in making Camtasia the popular software it is today.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 00:43 Intro00:44 - 02:30 Matt introduces Troy Stein02:31 - 04:12 What Troy does at TechSmith04:13 - 07:34 Why demos are crucial in learning and development07:35 - 10:49 Accuracy when creating demos (the role of accuracy when creating demos)10:50 - 13:49 How long should a demo be13:50 - 15:02 Troy shares one demo he thinks really hit the spot15:03 - 17:54 Three takeaways from a discussion Troy had with tech marketers17:55 - 19:22 The importance of giving context in demos19:23 - 22:59 How to get started making a demo23:00 - 24:27 Why intros and outros need to be consistent24:28 - 26:52 Troy shares a sample demo26:53 - 29:23 Cutting tips for instructional designers29:24 - 30:36 Why your demo should never be generic30:37 - 34:01 Why you should start small with your demo projects34:02 - 37:26 The ins and outs of demo creation at TechSmith37:27 - 44:20 Troy dives into some demo packages44:21 - 45:41 How to apply the Hitchcock Principle to demo creation45:42 - 49:44 Speed round questions49:45 - 50:46 OutroImportant links and mentions:Troy’s LinkedInCamtasia Template Package DownloadCamtasia Package Download Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/the-art-of-the-demo

How do you balance aesthetics and helpfulness when creating videos? Diane Elkins, the Co-owner of Artisan E-Learning and E-Learning Uncovered, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to discuss.Diane is a national e-learning expert. She’s in the business of helping people create courses they can be proud of —and visual aids happen to play a big part. It’s not simply about creating visuals that look great.They also have to be purposeful, offer value, and complement the rest of your content.For the yes’s, maybes, and absolutely-nots of creating visual content that gets the message across, tune in to this episode of The Visual Lounge.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 02:16 Intro02:17 - 02:58 Diane tells us about herself 02:59 - 04:25  How Diane pivoted from graphic design to training and learning04:26 - 07:51 The role of visuals in producing good learning material07:52 - 09:55 Best practices in creating good visuals09:56 - 13:33 How to pull back with design elements13:34 - 15:48 The difference between a classroom trainer and an e-learning module15:49 - 18:56 How much information should accompany visuals18:57 - 25:42 Different levels to consider when creating visuals25:43 - 27:33 How visuals can do more harm than good27:34 - 29:36 A litmus test to check if your content helpful29:37 - 32:03 Tips to get from analogies to solid visual concepts32:04 - 32:50 Why the audience is more important than the content32:51 - 33:29 Overlaps between training and marketing33:30 - 41:02 Decorating vs illustrating your content41:03 - 48:49 Diane gives practical tips on how to make visual content more helpful48:50 - 52:35 Speed round questions52:36 - 54:54 Diana and Matt chat about editing audio54:55 - 55:47 How to connect with Diane55:48 - 56:46 OutroImportant links and mentions:E-Learning Uncovered: https://elearninguncovered.com/Artisan E-Learning: https://artisanelearning.com/Diane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpelkins/When Graphics Lower Learning by Patti Shank: https://elearningindustry.com/when-graphics-lower-learningLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/make-helpful-images

Want to take your video editing skill to the next level (we’re talking ‘coloring outside the line' levels)?  Then this episode has your name on it.Cristi Cotovan joins The Visual Lounge to take us through some of the ‘out of the box’ work he’s been doing on Camtasia.Cristi is a video editor, educational content creator, developer, and Founder of Design Catchup and Graphicious. One of his superpowers is having a “visual brain,” and that certainly comes in handy in his line of work. One of Cristi’s core focuses is Camtasia, which he uses to produce some advanced-level material that can only be described as “out of the box.”Whether you’re just getting started in video creation or you’re further down the line, there’s something to be learned from Cristi’s approach to video making.Learning points from the episode include:What inspires Cristi to create “out of the box” videosHow Cristi’s background as a developer affects his approach to video creationThe role of constraints in video makingCristi’s favorite feature to use in videosCristi’s approach to learning in CamtasiaFoundations everyone should know for video editingWhere Cristi draws inspiration for his Camtasia videosWhen to stop tweaking a projectImportant links and mentions:Try Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.htmlThe Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeSubscribe to Cristi’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/graphiciousCheck out Cristi’s website: https://graphicious.co.uk/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy .To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/out-of-the-box-camtasia

Creating videos can be a work-intensive process – especially when you’re doing everything from scratch.But it doesn’t have to take eons to come up with a well-rounded video, and that’s what Andy Owen, the Social Engagement and Video Manager at TechSmith, discusses in this episode of The Visual Lounge.As Andy explains, recreating every element of your video from scratch is just not practical as your career progresses, it’s important for content creators to embrace the efficiency that comes with templatizing in order to make the most of their time.Andy also discusses various ways to tap into your creativity while staying consistent with templates. As a bonus, he shares a few templates that he uses in Camtasia. Tune in to this episode of The Visual Lounge to hear more about how you can cut down your content creation time using templates.Learning points from the episode include:Why it’s important to create content you can watch yourselfWhat to consider when watching videosWhat Andy still finds challenging about video creationThe importance of templatizingWhen to use scripting templatesHow to balance consistency and creativityAndy shares a few templates he uses in CamtasiaWhy calls to action are so importantThe role of music in video creationImportant links and mentions:The Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeAndy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenfilms/TechSmith’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4GLzj1-tfM91DRtD8lk-gAHow to Make a Tutorial Video in 2022 (FREE Template!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyCIXOpJGcETutorial blog post: https://bit.ly/3kvAKB5Download our FREE Script Template: https://bit.ly/3jO9L4zLearn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/faster-video-creation

Storytelling can be a powerful tool in the L&D community.But, as it is with most tools, you need to know how to use it to get the desired end result. That’s what Hadiya Nuriddin, Learning Strategist, speaker, and CEO of Duets Learning, explores on this episode of The Visual Lounge.Hadiya doesn’t just have a wealth of experience developing and delivering both technical and professional development courses, she’s an advocate for storytelling. She believes that the right stories can deliver context, spur empathy, and inspire people to take “expected” actions.As Hadiya explains, there’s always a story. It’s up to us to figure out how and when to use it. Listen to this episode of The Visual Lounge to learn how to leverage the power of storytelling for everything from compliance training to customer service training.Learning points from the episode include:Why Hadiya is keen on taking a cinematic approach to L&DHow stories add context and breed empathyWhy intent is important when telling storiesThe role of emotions in storytelling What formula makes up a good storyWhy “change’ is vital in storytellingThe difference between a story and an anecdoteWhat level of vulnerability is necessary for storytelling How to get different viewpoints using the perspective circleLessons from storytelling in TV and moviesImportant links and mentions:The Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeDuets Learning: http://www.duetslearning.com/Hadiya's resources: http://www.duetslearning.com/resoHadiya’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadiyanuriddin/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/powerful-stories-and-your-message/

What can learning and development professionals learn from marketing experts? That’s the question we tackle in this episode of The Visual Lounge featuring Danielle Wallace, Chief Learning Strategist from Beyond the Sky. Danielle specializes in coming up with innovative ways to infuse marketing into training to create learning content that sticks.Believe it or not, we can learn so much from marketing teams, especially when it comes to identifying learner (or consumer) personas, defining the content’s objectives, and creating materials and resources that our target audience wants and needs.So, where should we begin when it comes to bridging the gap between marketing and training? Tune in to this amazing episode of The Visual Lounge to find out and get ready to take your training to a new level.Learning points from the episode include:How Danielle transitioned from marketing to learning and developmentWhat makes good content How to focus your core video strategy on consumer behavior Why you shouldn’t have more than one message per videoWhy you should take a disciplined approach to video creationTips to inject drama into your video contentHow to get to “the drama” of your contentWhat learning and development professionals can learn from marketingWhat marketing teams can take away from learning and development teamsThe importance of putting time into your learning coursesHow Danielle keeps her ‘creative well’ full of ideasTips to help develop your marketing teamImportant links and mentions:The Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeBeyond the Sky: https://www.beyondthesky.caDanielle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellewallace/?originalSubdomain=caLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-lessons-from-marketing

With the world shifting more into virtual spaces, live events are becoming the order of the day. If you’re in the L&D community,it’s probably time to think about ways to manage your time, space, tech and everything in between. To speak more on how to own your virtual training space, Kassy LaBorie, the Founder of Kassy LaBorie Consulting, LLC and virtual classroom master trainer, joined The Visual Lounge. Kassy is the “Original Virtual Training Hero" and is in the business of helping people give their best in virtual training sessions. She covers everything from live virtual training events to webinars and ways to connect better with your audience. In this episode, Kassy reveals the various ways she connects with her audience, how her producers help her streamline her messages, and the ins and outs of becoming a virtual training hero.Learning points from the episode include:How Kassy got into online L&DHow to get people more engaged in the learning processHow learning objectives influence participant numbersWhat it means to have someone producing a live eventWhat makes a good producerThe dynamics of the producer-moderator relationshipKassy’s advice about making mistakes during live videosWhat differentiates live videos from pre-recorded videosKassy gives some insights into “The Virtual Trainer’s Guide to Becoming a Hero”Important links and mentions:The Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeKassy’s Site: https://kassyconsulting.com/Kassy’s E-Guide: https://kassyconsulting.com/the-virtual-trainers-guide-to-becoming-a-hero/Kassy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/the-power-of-producers

What makes graphics click with your audience?Is it your skill level, the finer details like color or shape, or could it be something else altogether? While those things definitely contribute to the success of your graphics, you could still end up producing graphics that just don’t work even if you have the skills to show for it.Mike Parkinson, author and Founder of Billion Dollar Graphics, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to explain what it takes to make graphics that work. He explains why graphic designers need to appeal to their target audience on two different levels — emotionally and intellectually.Besides being the founder of Billion Dollar Graphics, Mike is a world-renowned communication and presentation expert, best-selling author, and professional trainer. He’s also a partner at 24 Hour Company, which is a premier creative services firm. Learning points from the episode include:Why you need to understand the way people consume contentHow to take a motivator-means approach to create visually compelling contentHow to make your graphics workWhy defining your message is importantHow to avoid overdoing it with graphicsHow to pick the right aesthetic styleTips for creating material design graphicsWhen to use graphics vs. textImportant links and mentions:The Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribe Billion Dollar Graphics: https://www.billiondollargraphics.com/Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-parkinson-microsoft-mvp-apmp-fellow-bb364/24 Hour Company: https://24hrco.com/Mike’s email address: [email protected] more about the TechSmith Academy .To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/graphics-that-dont-work

Using stories to make more impactful videos is not a new idea. But it’s an overlooked part of video creation, especially when it comes to tutorials or corporate videos.But storytelling isn’t just for the fun, creative videos out there. Even if you’re creating a video tutorial about car insurance, injecting a little storytelling can go a long way in hitting your primary video goal – connecting with your audience.Andrew Kan, filmmaker, storyteller, and YouTube creator, joined The Visual Lounge to talk all about story, and how it can help you level up your video skills.Andrew helps people overcome the hurdles stopping people from achieving their creative goals. He’s an experienced film director and has produced award-winning documentaries for film festivals.Andrew is skilled in storytelling, YouTube search engine optimization, camera operation, and all things filmmaking. You may know him from his time as Director of Video Production at TubeBuddy, where he used his skills to grow TubeBuddy’s YouTube channel from 6,000 to 525,000 subscribers. This episode has plenty of nuggets of wisdom from Andrew that can benefit all sorts of content creators.Learning points from the episode include:Why videos are about creating connections with your audienceHow to improve your skills by watching othersHow to inject storytelling into your videosWhy professional gear is less important than you thinkHow to keep people watchingWhat to do when you feel demotivated about your videosImportant links and mentions:Andrew Kan’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AndrewKAndrew Kan’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewKanFilmThe Kan Do Creator Community on Discord: https://discord.com/invite/4kKxvYTaW4Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/impactful-story-videos

What’s the secret to the perfect video editing workflow? Same as for many great questions we hear, the true answer is that it depends. But it all depends on you.Building a workflow that’s efficient, doesn’t cut corners, and saves time can take a while to figure out, especially if you’re new to it all. But once you’ve figured out what works for you, you can start to level up your videos and fine-tune your craft. The Visual Lounge host Matt Pierce breaks down a sample video editing workflow that covers the main areas of video editing, from organizing your footage to adding audio and graphics. Download our workflow example or feel free to mix and match each element to find out what works for you. Learning points from the episode include:Why you should create a video editing workflowHow organizing your footage can save you a lot of time How to create a rough cut vs. fine cut What you need to know about adding audio and visual effectsWhen to color correct your videosWhy video editing is about finding what works for youWhy it’s so important to experiment and try new editing tacticsImportant links and mentions:Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.html Video editing workflow: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0e0weizistb0wh2/TechSmith_VideoEditingWorkflow.pdf?dl=1Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-editing-workflow

How do people really learn? As an instructional designer or learning and development professional, understanding how people learn helps you deliver training that hits the nail on the head. It’s more complicated than learning styles or picking video over written instructions. In fact, there’s a whole science behind it. Clark Quinn, Executive Director of Quinnovation, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to impart some words of wisdom and share his knowledge on the science of learning.He takes us through what the research shows and busts some common myths we could all do with putting to bed.Clark provides learning experience design strategies for corporations, higher education, government, and not-for-profit organizations. He’s an award-winning consultant, an internationally known speaker, and author of six books. He integrates a deep understanding of thinking and learning with technology to improve organizational execution, innovation, and ultimately performance. Learning points from the episode include:Why learning science is key for businesses Why practice is essential for real learning How to learn in ways you can apply The problem with learning style theories Why context is important in learningThe benefits of multimedia learning What the research says about learning Important links and mentions:Quinnovation: https://quinnovation.com/ Clark’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinnovator/Clark’s books: https://quinnovation.com/books.htmlLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/creating-effective-learning

It may be considered the most basic part of editing, but there’s nothing basic about a cut.Cuts can be powerful tools in the hands of anyone who knows how to wield them. They don’t just make videos look way cooler, they bring an extra dash of clarity, brevity, and seamlessness to the table.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce takes us through some handy cutting techniques as well as how to use them on Camtasia or any other video editing tool. This is a great episode to sink your teeth into if you’re looking to grasp the ABCs of video editing.Learning points from the episode include:Why cuts are a vital part of editingHow cuts provide clarityWhy context is important when using cutsHow and when it’s best to use a jump cutWhat makes cuts tricky in screen recordingsHow to juxtapose different media with J and L cutsThe importance of sound effectsImportant links and mentions:Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.htmlLearn more about the TechSmith Academy https://academy.techsmith.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=visuallounge&utm_content= video-cuts-you-should-knowTo read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-cuts-you-should-know

Are you ready to level up your video creation skills this year?Whether you’ve been creating videos for the past month or several years, there’s always room for improvement to make your content the best it can possibly be.    Matt Pierce, host of The Visual Lounge, breaks down some ways to hone your skills, improve your videos, and level up for 2022. If you want to make 2022 your year for video, start by tuning in to this episode.Learning points from the episode include:Why you should try out video types you usually don’t makeWhy you should hit record more oftenHow to make tiny changes to improve your videosWhy it’s so important to learn your tools Important editing techniques to rememberHow templates can streamline your videosWhy following standards can help you make videos faster How to slowly upgrade your space and gearWhy feedback is essentialImportant links and mentions:Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.html Camtasia templates: https://library.techsmith.com/camtasia/assets/Customizable/Templates Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.html TechSmith Academy: https://www.techsmith.com/academy.html Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/making-better-videos

Snagit 2022 is here! And it comes packed with brand new and updated features to help instructional designers, L&D professionals, and anyone who wants to create video level up their content. To explain more about what’s new on Snagit and why, TechSmith’s Chris Larson, Technical Product Manager and Daniel Foster, Strategy Manager, joined The Visual Lounge to give us a breakdown.Chris currently works remotely with an amazing development team dedicated to Snagit.He’s a graduate of Michigan State University and joined TechSmith 14 years ago with a background in user experience design. Daniel heads up the marketing and product strategy side for Snagit. He has 16 years of software industry experience in marketing, communications, content creation, and social media. Daniel has previously spoken at STC Summit, LavaCon, tcworld, and other conferences. Whether you’ve been a long-standing Snagit fan from the very beginning or are looking to get started, this episode is full of new updates and tips on what you can get out of the tool.Learning points from the episode include:Why Snagit has been a popular tool for over 30years Why visual communication and the need for tools like Snagit has boomedHow Snagit’s cloud library worksWho Snagit is for How TechSmith prioritized and implemented changes for Snagit 2022Brand new and updated features to check outHow using templates on Snagit can transform your instructional videos Important links and mentions:Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.html Snagit Assets: https://library.techsmith.com/snagit Snagit tutorials: https://www.techsmith.com/learn/tutorials/snagit/  What’s New in Snagit 2022: https://www.techsmith.com/learn/tutorials/snagit/whats-new/  Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/snagit-2022-revealed

What’s new in the world of instructional and informational video? If you’re in the business of creating videos, having the latest research and stats at hand is always important.Luckily, we’ve got you covered. We’ve just released our 2021 Video Viewer Study – a collaboration between TechSmith and Dr. Jane Bozarth, Director of Research at The Learning Guild. We publish this study every year, but this time, we invited Jane to help us out as an unbiased third party. Jane joined this special episode of The Visual Lounge to discuss the most interesting findings and what they mean for video creators going forwards. Jane is a veteran classroom trainer who transitioned to the world of eLearning in the late 90s and hasn’t looked back since. Jane now specializes in finding low-cost ways to provide online training solutions. She’s the author of several books, including E-Learning Solutions on a Shoestring, Social Media for Trainers, and Show Your Work: The Payoffs and How-To's of Working Out Loud. Take a look at our updated findings on video viewer habits and trends in the link below, or tune in to the episode to hear more from Jane. Learning points from the episode include:Why we’ve become a video-consuming societyHow the reason people watch videos correlates to how often they watchWhy titles and descriptions are so importantWhat the data says about video lengthWhy you should always focus on what’s important to the learner/viewerHow to keep people watching your videosWhy audio is the most important aspect of a videoImportant links and mentions:Video Viewer Study 2021: https://assets.techsmith.com/Docs/TechSmith-Video-Viewer-Study-2021-Report.pdf Video Statistics, Habits, and Trends You Need To Know [2021 UPDATE!]: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-statistics/Jane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janebozarth/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/what-viewers-want-2021

Thank You for ListeningJust a quick end-of-the-year episode to say thank you and to share with you some of the things we have learned. I asked a few of my TechSmith friends and colleagues to share so of their takeaways about visuals and images this year. We'll be back with full episodes in 2022 and look forward to continuing the conversations in The Visual Lounge. Share What You've LearnedWe'd love to hear from you! What have you learned from The Visual Lounge this year? Who was your favorite guest? What was something we got you to think about that you hadn't previously? You can always share with us on social media - tag @techsmith, or #thevisuallougne, or email us at: [email protected] wish you the best for the rest of the year, and an amazing 2022 filled with growth and opportunities, and of course lots and lots of images and videos! Best,Matt

Your video and workplace media can have a big impact on users, but is it affecting everyone in the same way?Understanding how your media choices represent people and their experiences can help you select more diverse and inclusive images and videos that impact everyone more effectively. Jess Jackson, Racial Equity Strategist, and Megan Torrance, CEO, both of TorranceLearning, join this episode of The Visual Lounge to explain how to incorporate a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) mindset into your video and workplace media decisions.They also talk about the unique position and responsibility creators, instructional designers and those in learning and development roles have for instilling DEIB approaches within organizations.Learning points from the episode include:What is diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging?Why instructional designers and learning and development departments are vital to spreading the DEIB messageHow organizations (including small businesses) can embrace more inclusive and diverse practicesThree key things to consider when making media choicesDifferent approaches for tackling representation within your organizationRecommended diversity, equity, and inclusion resourcesImportant links and mentions:Resource guide: https://torrancelearning.ac-page.com/crew-workshop-access-your-resource-guideTorrance Learning: https://www.torrancelearning.com/Megan’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmtorranceJessica’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/learnsjessSo You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo: https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Talk-About-Race/dp/1580056776Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald: https://www.amazon.com/Blindspot-Hidden-Biases-Good-People/dp/0553804642The Harvard Implicit Association Test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html Camtasia asset library: https://library.techsmith.com/camtasia Snagit asset library: https://library.techsmith.com/snagit Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/diversity-inclusion-in-video

What’s the best budget-friendly microphone to make videos? How do you set up your lighting in a home studio? Do you need a green screen? What’s a stream deck?The TechSmith team has all these answers covered and much more. On this episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce, Kara Swanson (Content Marketer), Andy Owen (Video Production), and Anton Bollen (Customer Success) share their top picks for audio, camera, lighting, and accessories. If you’re looking for some recommendations to point you in the right direction, be sure to tune in today or keep reading. For a list of all the gear mentioned in this episode, head over to Matt’s wish list.Learning points from the episode include:What to look for in a budget microphoneHow different types of microphones workDifferent types of studio lighting for different budgets Why lighting is just as important as camerasThe misconceptions about sound panels The benefits of using a green screen and how to pick a budget-friendly oneWhat accessories you need along with your cameraWhy you should focus on little improvements, not just expensive gearImportant links and mentions:TechSmith’s video gear wish list: https://piercemr.notion.site/98f5ee292b5b49e38cf1f6441acabc45?v=60df64b84ee94764832f77e084c4c56bTechSmith Assets: https://library.techsmith.com/camtasiaLearn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-gear-wish-list/

What can we learn from comic books that we can apply to instructional design or marketing?It may seem like an odd question, but it turns out we can learn a whole lot from comic books.Buddy Scalera, comic book writer, educator, and Founder of Comic Book School, joins The Visual Lounge to share those lessons with us.Whether you’re creating your own comic book or designing instructional videos for a corporate environment, we can all take something from comic books.In this episode, Buddy explains why comics can help contextualize your brand in a simpler and less expensive way than other mediums.He shares some of his biggest lessons about visual communication and some details about his fantastic career so far. Buddy is an award-winning creator with a focus on marketing, storytelling, and technology. For the past 25 years, he’s moonlighted as a comic book writer. Buddy has had the chance to work on Marvel favorites like Deadpool as well as many other comics. He’s won three awards, including the Content Marketing Institute Award. This interview is full of advice on achieving great visual design, storytelling, and getting your message across in a fun, clear, and interesting way.Learning points from the episode include:Why we need to learn how to think visually – and how comics are great for thatInsights into the comic book pitching processHow every medium has its own constraints of time, space, or budgetWhy comics translate so well into other mediums How comics can help us build interesting visuals and tell a story The best way to create a corporate comic Top tips for good storytellingWhat it’s like pitching stories for Deadpool comicsWhat comics can teach us about visual layouts and designImportant links and mentions:Buddy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buddyscalera/Buddy’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BuddyScaleraComic Book School’s website: https://www.comicbookschool.com/Buddy’s website: http://buddyscalera.com/Buddy’s comic book work: http://buddyscalera.com/writingLearn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/visual-communication-comic-books

The digital age has ushered in its fair share of upsides and challenges, especially when it comes to productivity. While there are so many applications and tools that promise to make it a lot easier, sometimes, they do the opposite.That’s probably why people end up getting lost in the maze of keeping up with the times, are overwhelmed while finding information, or are just plain unproductive.The critical question here is, how do you address this productivity problem? And how can videos and images play a part?With us on this episode of The Visual Lounge is Tom Solid, the founder, and CEO of The Paperless Movement and a workplace productivity guru of sorts. He’s leveraged years of working in big industries and academic institutions to solve the same productivity issues most people face in the digital age.He has worked with an array of teams in multiple industries and has helped increase their productivity by as much as 60%.Learning points from the episode include:Why a tool-agnostic approach does wonders for efficiency How to leverage Tom’s Input Control Output Refine (ICOR) frameworkWhat workplace productivity has to do with videos and imagesHow to use videos during the onboarding processTom’s hacks for optimizing the video-making processHow using the right tools reduces frictionWhy freeing up time is integral to productivityHow defining priority levels makes all the differenceImportant links and mentions:Tom at Paperless Movement https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8qxhdxV0U2NQ9vinFffDJQPaperless Movement’s Website: https://www.paperlessmovement.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperlessmove/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paperlessmoveTwitter: https://twitter.com/paperlessmove/Tom’s video about Snagit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_r69N-MSqILearn more about the TechSmith Academy https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-in-workplace-productivity/To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-in-workplace-productivity

Becoming a content creator is a dream that many people have these days. But it’s far from an easy road to follow. It takes a great deal of grit, determination, and a commitment to learning and growing to get your channel off the ground. On top of that, there’s also the big learning process of developing your camera and editing skills. Joining this episode of The Visual Lounge is Sean Cannell, CEO of Think Media, and host of the Think Media Podcast. If you’ve ever looked up YouTube or content creation tips or tutorials, you’ll probably have come across his content.Sean is one of today's leading online video experts and the world's most-watched YouTube strategist. He has been featured on Forbes.com, CNBC, Social Media Examiner, Entrepreneur.com, and Success.com, after growing a six-figure income as a tech YouTuber. Sean is also an international speaker, coach, and prolific content creator. His mission is to help 10,000 purpose-driven people create a full-time living while making a difference in the world with YouTube.Learning points from the episode include:How Sean went from being a college dropout to having a multimillion-dollar media company How Sean got started on YouTubeWhy you need to prioritize learning new skillsWhy you need to stop waiting for perfection and just start How to pick the right niche for your contentHow to assess the business viability of your ideaThe best ways to stay motivated How to develop a healthy routine to keep your mind on the ballThe two skills you need to start taking actionWhen to use a script vs. when to avoid itImportant links and mentions:Think Media TV YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/thinkmediatvThe Think Media Podcast: www.youtube.com/ThinkMediaPodcastVideo Influencers YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/videoinfluencersSean’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/seanthinksSean’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/seancannellSean’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/seanthinksSean’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/seancannellLearn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/finding-your-groove-with-youtube-and-video-creation-sean-cannell

What makes a solid explainer video? The kind that gets your point across fast, without confusion, and equips the audience with all they need to know.There are many components that go into a good explainer video. Lee Lefever, Co-Founder of Common Craft, breaks them down in this episode of The Visual Lounge.Common Craft excels in creating simple animated videos to explain concepts suitable for use in online presentations, courses, classrooms, and more. With a refreshingly simple animation style, Common Craft’s videos focus totally on the audience and the content while also telling a story in a unique way.As well as being the Co-Founder of Common Craft, Lee is also the author of two books – ‘Big Enough’ and ‘The Art of Explanation.’ He’s worked with clients such as Google, Intel, Lego, Microsoft, and more.This episode covers a lot of ground on everything you need to know to craft a successful explainer video. You’ll hear why it all begins with the audience, why keeping it simple is usually best, and how to tell a great story.Learning points from the episode include:Why explainer videos should appeal to a general audienceWhy videos need to start with the audience in mindHow to use familiar language to get your point acrossWhy videos should aim to be “low noise” to avoid cognitive loadHow to use storytelling in your videosWhy you should start speaking slower in your videosImportant links and mentions:Common Craft: https://commoncraft.comLee’s website: https://leelefever.com Lee’s LinkedIn: https://linkedin/in/leelefever Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here.

What does it take to be great at learning and development?Is it down to fancy tools, qualifications, or top video creation skills? Not exactly.It’s all about your audience and focusing on what they need to know. The other stuff can come later.In her career, Kati Ryan, Founder of A Positive Adventure, has picked up so many fantastic tips for L&D professionals. She joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to share her best advice for new and experienced L&D professionals alike.She explains why we need to get back to basics, focus on the audience, and plan everything with the end goal in mind.Learning points from the episode include:Why having a mentor can help you become a better trainerWhy you need to establish your aims before creating contentHow many people make the mistake of overengineering learningHow to make learning stickThe best way to involve subject matter expertsWhen to use images and video to break up contentImportant links and mentions:A Positive Adventure: https://www.apositiveadventure.com/Kati’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiryan/Kati’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/katiryan?lang=enLearn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/good-training-kati-ryan

Did you know that customer education can help to boost both customer adoption and retention?Education is often an overlooked part of the customer experience, but companies that prioritize it see great results.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Cutler Bleecker, Learning Experience Designer at Skilljar, joins to share his expertise on customer education and creating great training content.Cutler has a passion for both teaching and technology, with an undergraduate degree in education as well as a Master’s in Instructional Technology. As a former high school Business and Technology teacher, Cutler has taught everything from accounting and computers to graphic design and video production.He transitioned into educational technology as a product expert, then a content creator for Classworks before moving to Skilljar.This episode is packed full of advice on creating educational content and what you need to know before you get started. We hear about Cutler’s successes, the challenges he’s faced when creating content, and his best advice for others.Learning points from the episode include:What customer education really meansWhy customer education is crucial to customer retentionWhy education can help customers before they sign upHow internal and external education differsHow to choose what formats to use in education materialThe best ways to make content more engagingWhy you shouldn’t forget accessibility when creating educational contentImportant links and mentions:Skilljar: https://www.skilljar.com/Cutler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cutler-bleecker/   Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/improve-customer-retention  

Are you ready to take the plunge and become a YouTube content creator?Before you wing it and hope for the best, you need to know the best practices. Luckily, we’ve got you covered.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we invited Nick Nimmin, a YouTube content creator and educator, who’s seen great success on the platform with over 800,000 subscribers and counting!Nick is passionate about the power of YouTube and online video to help people connect with an audience, expand influence, and grow their businesses.In this episode, he teaches the best ways to get ahead on YouTube, how to boost viewer retention, how to figure out the mystical algorithm, and everything else you need to know about the platform. This episode is packed full of tips and actionable advice for budding YouTubers and experienced content creators alike.Learning points from the episode include:Why being a YouTube content creator is such a big learning curveBusiness lessons from being on YouTubeWhy you should be intentional with your contentWhy knowing your audience is the most important thing in content creationHow to optimize for search on YouTubeWhy you shouldn’t only think about searchKey metrics that define success on YouTubeHow to boost viewer retention with in-screen video linksHow to use the Community Tab effectivelyImportant links and mentions:Nick’s website: https://www.nicknimmin.com/Nick’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCei6wyubYC1I1FwZ54LZFiANick’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickNimminNick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicknimmin/  Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/succeed-content-creator   

What does it take to record great audio? A recording studio? A degree in sound engineering? You may be surprised. Justin David Proctor, audio recording master and two-time Grammy Award winner, joined this episode of The Visual Lounge to share his expertise on creating great audio. Justin takes us through his advice on getting the right equipment, pre-production and planning, preparing the room, dealing with background noise, software, and much more. Justin has worked in professional audio and music recording since 2005, engineering in multi-room large format commercial studios and cutting albums for major label record companies. He began managing a private record recording studio with his college records production partner a few years into this work while running Delivery Room Studios.Justin has won two Grammy Awards for recording engineering and composes original music, which can be heard on television networks and streaming services in the US and overseas. Learning points from the episode include:How new technology makes creating great audio much easier      Why preproduction and planning are unmissable steps in recording audioWhy you should always back up your dataThe different types of microphones to look atHow distance affects audioHow to choose the right microphoneThe best ways to set up your space for good audio recordingWhy overtreating a room can do more harm than goodWhy you should always sample your audio How different platforms like Spotify lay out audio requirements What to consider with decibels Important links and mentions:Justin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/justindavidpro  Justin’s website: http://www.justindavidproctor.com/ 2021 Video Viewer Study: https://assets.techsmith.com/Docs/TechSmith-Video-Viewer-Study-2021-Report.pdf Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/audio-production-mastery  

How do you ensure great learning design?Whether you’re working with video, PDFs, or blog posts to deliver training content, visual elements are key to delivering a clear message to your audience.Mel Milloway, Learning Experience Design Manager at Miro, joined this episode of The Visual Lounge to talk about the importance of visuals and video in learning design.Prior to working at Miro, Mel worked in learning design at Amazon and has held other learning and development roles at various organizations.She’s known for promoting and talking about UX design, crafting mock-ups, and developing learning products with a variety of technologies. She often blogs about the new tools she’s testing and shares her thoughts on the world of learning and development.In this episode, we get to hear some of her words of wisdom around learning design, getting feedback, working with data, and the benefits of video in learning. We hear some stories from her career and how she’s helped to solve problems and target audience needs effectively.Learning points from the episode include:What makes good learning designThe role of visuals in designWhy you should make decisions based on data rather than preferenceThe benefits of getting a second opinionWhy your audience should be the focusWhy video is a great medium for learningImportant links and mentions:Mel’s Learning Lab: http://melslearninglab.com/Mel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melmilloway/Mel’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCep9W9nv5oP1y8t5OQKQhFgMel’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/melmillowayLearn more about the TechSmith AcademyTo read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/creating-learning-experiences   

The future of communication in the workplace is video (and no surprise, it's already here). If you haven't found a way to implement video in your your workplace communication methods yet, there's no time like the present. juIn this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Kara Swanson discuss ways that video has become a part of their internal communication and why they think replacing some communication with videos will serve you and your coworkers better in the long run.Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

What’s the secret to great visual design?We asked Connie Malamed, The eLearning Coach, to share her eLearning and visual design expertise in this episode of The Visual Lounge.Connie helps people build their instructional design skills. She’s a consultant, an author, and speaker in online learning and visual communication. Connie is the author of ‘Visual Design Solutions: Principles and Creative Inspiration for Learning Professionals’ and also runs The eLearning Coach website and podcast.Connie’s interview is packed full of fantastic advice for instructional designers, experienced or otherwise. She explains how creativity comes in many forms and why you don’t need to be a top artist to be a great visual designer. She also delves into the top design principles you need to know about, how to avoid overwhelming your audience, and why style guides are so important.Learning points from the episode include:Why everyone can be creative in visual design, not just the artistsWhy using white space and positioning are key to great visual designHow to create focal points and draw the eyeHow cognitive load worksWhy we need to avoid overloading our audience with informationHow standardization and style guides can help visual designersImportant links and mentions:The eLearning Coach: https://theelearningcoach.com/Connie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniemalamed/Connie’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/elearningcoachMastering Instructional Design: https://masteringid.com/Businesses Must Modernize Communications or Risk Productivity Loss: https://www.techsmith.com/visual-communication-research.htmlThe Future of Communication Is Visual. Here Are 6 Ways Your Team Can Innovate: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/visual-types-remote-communication/How To Use Visual Communication and Why It Matters: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/why-visual-communication-matters/The One Tool You Need to Create Awesome Visual Instructions: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/the-tool-you-need-to-create-awesome-visual-instructions/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/visuals-for-instruction-secrets