Creating an instructional video is a great way to deliver information clearly, efficiently, and in a way that your audience will remember. Before you start producing your instructional videos, take a step back and think about the content you want to create. It’s important to figure out what key message you want your audience to take away. Consider also what format or style fits best. Once you’ve mapped that out, you’ll be ready to create an instructional video that’s on-brand and impactful.
In this blog, we’ll take you through practical, easy-to-follow steps to help you create and improve your instructional videos.
What is an instructional video?
An instructional video is a video content type designed to teach viewers how to perform a specific task or understand a particular concept. It typically breaks down information into clear, step-by-step guidance using visuals, narration, and demonstrations. Unlike promotional videos, the focus is on education and practical value. Similar to interactive videos, instructional videos are commonly used in training, onboarding, and e-learning environments to make learning more accessible.
25 tips to make instructional videos that actually work
While many organisations use instructional videos, studies suggest that only 1 out of 5 employees truly find these videos effective. That’s why it’s important to take the best possible approach to create instructional videos that employees can truly appreciate and benefit from. Below are 25 tips to make sure your instructional videos are functional and resonate well with your audience.
1. Know your target audience and what they need help with
Before you start writing a script for your instructional video, talk to your audience. What do they already know? What parts confuse them? These knowledge gaps are exactly where your video should focus. Ask simple, targeted questions to find out what’s worth covering and what’s not. You can also gather feedback from support tickets, surveys or common onboarding questions to identify recurring challenges. When you meet people where they are, your content becomes much more relevant and valuable.
2. Define clear learning objectives
Once you understand your audience's needs, set one practical learning objective. This will guide every decision about the video. If something doesn’t support the goal, leave it out. A clear objective also helps you measure whether the video was effective. Did viewers walk away with the knowledge or skill you wanted them to learn? Writing this objective down will keep your messaging focused from the start.
3. Choose a format that fits the topic
Different topics suit different formats. Animation is helpful for explaining abstract ideas that are hard to show with real-life footage. Live action works best when demonstrating hands-on tasks, like making a recipe or assembling a product. Screen recordings are ideal for tutorials that involve software, websites or internal platforms. Choosing the wrong format can cause confusion, so think carefully about how your audience learns best. You don’t need to commit to one format either. Many instructional videos successfully blend two or more.
Cinema8 allows you to mix animations, live-action, and screen recordings in one video. Its interactive tools, such as quizzes and branching paths, customise learning for your audience, enhancing both understanding and effectiveness.
4. Establish a budget for your video
Figure out how much you can realistically invest. Talk to decision-makers early and explain how this video will support training or operations. Costs will vary depending on format, production quality, and whether you're hiring outside help. A lean budget might mean doing more in-house, but you can still produce something effective with good planning. The earlier you align on budget, the more confidently you can move forward.
5. Keep your instructional video short
Viewers retain more information from shorter videos. Aim for under two minutes. If the topic needs more time, split it into a short series. Breaking content into shorter chunks also allows for easier updates later, especially if only one part becomes outdated. Shorter instructional videos also load faster and are easier to watch on mobile, which increases accessibility and can improve engagement.
6. Structure your content like a story
People remember stories better than lists. Even if your topic is technical, include a simple narrative. For example, instead of listing HR policies, follow a fictional employee’s first week and show the policies in context. Storytelling helps your audience relate to the material and see how it applies to their own situation. It also gives your instructional video a natural flow that’s easier to follow.
7. Think visually when you write
Use your script to plan out what the viewer should see. Add clear notes about scenes, diagrams or animations that can support your message. You don’t need overly artistic skills. Scene descriptions are more than enough to sketch out your ideas. Thinking visually while scripting also helps you cut unnecessary dialogue. If something can be shown instead of said, let the visuals do the work.
8. Prioritise images and narration over on-screen text
Too much text on screen can overwhelm your viewer. Focus on your images and voiceover instead. Use text only when necessary, such as for labels or headings. If you’re using captions, make sure they’re timed well and easy to read. Reducing screen clutter makes it easier for viewers to focus on what’s important in your instructional video.
9. Use branching scenarios if needed
For training videos, you might want to include decision points where viewers choose what happens next. These are useful for customer service and compliance or safety training. If you’re going this route, write separate scripts for each path. Branching scenarios take more work to set up, but they create an immersive learning experience that can help users apply what they’ve learned through realistic choices.
10. Add a touch of humour to your content
Learning doesn't need to be formal. A light joke, playful character, or fun voiceover can make the content easier to digest. Just keep it appropriate and in line with your brand voice. Humour makes your content feel more human and less robotic, which builds trust. Even a well-placed pun in a title or voiceover can break the tension in heavily technical discussions.
11. Ask for feedback before you record
Get subject matter experts to review the script before production. It saves time and ensures your instructional video is accurate and helpful from the start. Feedback can also help clarify tone, spot jargon, or catch gaps in the explanation. The more aligned your content is to your organisational voice and objectives, the fewer revisions you'll need later. This also boosts confidence that your video will deliver the right message.
12. Storyboard with your script side by side
Create a simple storyboard with sketches or notes next to the script. This helps you plan pacing, transitions and visuals clearly. It also keeps everyone on the same page. When teams collaborate, having a shared visual reference avoids misunderstandings. If you’re drawing your storyboard by hand, use pre-made templates with boxes for each scene. It saves time and keeps your layout consistent. Templates help you stay organised and can be reused across multiple projects.
13. Give viewers a clear sense of what's next
Let your audience know what to expect. Use cues like voiceover lines, animations, or headings to introduce the next section. It helps viewers stay committed and follow the flow of the lesson. Phrases like “next, we’ll cover…” or “let’s move on to…” give the participant a sense of progress. This structure reduces cognitive friction and makes learning easier.
14. Use animation web apps and templates to stay creative
In case you want to animate your ideas, there are now plenty of web apps that make it easy to realise your vision, even without technical skills. From creating short explainers to a full, high-definition animated video, using the right software can save you hours of work and make your content look cleaner and more professional. These tools often come with drag-and-drop features, pre-made assets, and templates to help you get started quickly. You can experiment with scenes, characters, and transitions without having to start from scratch. Plus, most platforms let you export in multiple formats, making it easier to share your work across different channels.
15. Record yourself drawing
If you like to hand-draw your storyboard, that can work too. Use a whiteboard or piece of paper. You can even record yourself sketching each frame, positioning your camera to focus only on your hands and the drawing area. This adds a personal touch and helps others visualise the flow of the video in real time. It’s a simple way to bring your ideas to life and articulate your thoughts clearly.
16. Reduce information overload
Avoid throwing too much at your viewer at once. Don’t combine a complex voiceover with fast music and cluttered visuals. Keep things simple and focused. Make sure each element on screen has a clear purpose and doesn't compete for attention. A well-paced instructional video with breathing room is easier to follow and more likely to keep viewers tuned in.
17. Use professional voiceovers when possible
A trained voice actor knows how to deliver lines with clarity and energy, helping your message land more effectively. The voiceover is often one of the most overlooked elements of a video, but it’s critical to maintaining tone and pacing. A good voiceover adds warmth, trust and professionalism to your instructional videos. You can find quality talent even on modest budgets through established freelance platforms. If you're short on time or resources, AI-generated voiceovers are also an option you can explore.
18. Add interactivity when it makes sense
Interactive elements like quizzes, click-to-choose paths or drag-and-drop exercises turn your video into a learning experience. They’re especially useful for e-learning or internal training. Interactivity encourages viewers to pay attention and apply what they’ve learned. It also gives you data on how viewers are engaging with your content. Use these insights to improve future videos.
19. Choose the right video hosting platform
Where you host your video depends on its purpose. YouTube is good for public content, but internal training videos might be better hosted elsewhere. Hosting on the right platform ensures viewers can access it easily and securely. It also affects playback quality, mobile accessibility, and data tracking. Cinema8 gives you full control over how your videos are shared, tracked, and experienced, making it ideal for business and e-learning needs.
20. Optimise for all devices
Make sure your instructional video works well on smartphones, tablets and desktops. This increases the chances your audience will watch it in full, wherever they are. Test your video on multiple devices before publishing. Check for issues like small text, slow loading or misaligned visuals. Accessibility boosts reach and improves the overall learning experience.
21. Create a clear, clickable thumbnail
The thumbnail is often the first thing someone sees when they come across your video content. Use a strong, relevant image that gives a good idea of what the video is about. Include a short label or title if it helps the viewer understand the context. Think of the thumbnail as your video’s first impression. A thoughtful thumbnail helps set expectations and builds interest before the viewer even presses play.
22. Promote your content strategically
If your video is part of a marketing campaign, share it on relevant platforms. Niche industry channels often bring better quality leads than general ones. Tailor the message and call to action depending on where it’s shared. For internal videos, use email campaigns or learning portals to distribute them effectively. Make it easy for people to find and access the video at the right time.
23. Embed your video into your onboarding or training processes
If your video is for new team members, add it to your onboarding process. It saves time, keeps information consistent, and helps people feel more prepared from day one. Embedding videos into learning workflows also makes them more likely to be viewed in full. You can also build quizzes or reflection questions around them to reinforce retention.
24. Organise your video content clearly
If you’ve created a series of instructional videos, work with your team to make them easy to find on your site or LMS. Good categorisation improves visibility and makes it more likely people will return to watch more. Use logical naming conventions and group related topics together. This creates a smoother user experience and helps learners follow a clear path. Consider creating playlists or content hubs to make navigation simple.
25. Include short surveys for valuable feedback
Include a short survey or feedback form at the end of your entire learning session to gather insights on how participants feel about the content. Use this data to understand what works well and what could be improved. Don’t hesitate to update or refine your videos based on feedback to keep content relevant and effective. Regularly collecting and acting on feedback ensures your instructional videos continue to meet your audience’s needs.
Final thoughts on creating engaging instructional videos
The best instructional videos focus on clear communication. They’re about making learning simple, clear, and useful. Know your audience, pick the right format, and focus on what matters.
Start with a clear goal and keep every choice practical to create videos that help people learn and remember the content. Every element should serve the learning objective and avoid unnecessary distractions. When done well, instructional videos become valuable tools that save time, improve understanding, and boost organisational branding.
If you want a platform built to support instructional videos, Cinema8 is a promising solution that helps your content perform better. With interactive tools, detailed analytics, and A/B testing, it covers everything needed to improve your training efforts and more. Sign up today and start creating more engaging instructional videos with Cinema8.