The Visual Lounge

You may not be creating videos for the same reasons as the top YouTube creators, but they know what makes a good video.Many of the same principles that make their content so successful apply to your videos too – no matter whether you’re creating training, customer education, instructional design, or any other type of video.If you want to get more comfortable on camera, streamline your video creation process, or generally improve the look and feel of your videos, look no further than this episode of The Visual Lounge.Tune in to hear host Matt Pierce share the video lessons you need to know from YouTube creators, including Sean Cannell, Nick Nimmin, Amy Landino, Tim Schmoyer, Owen Hemsath, and Andrew Kan.Learning points from the episode include:How to "punch perfectionism in the face"Why a streamlined video creation process is keyHow to create videos more consistentlyWhy it's important to understand your audience's expectationsHow to overcome on-camera anxietyImportant links and mentions:Full YouTube creator interviewsThe Visual Lounge with Tim Schmoyer: Why You Need to Humanize Your VideosQuestions or feedback: thevisuallounge@techsmith.com Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.If you want to see the slides and video clips of each interview, watch this episode of The Visual Lounge (or read the blog post) here.

Ever wonder why Hollywood movies are so successful? Or why a commercial can go viral?The answer is story.In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Justin Simon talk through how to tell stories that capture attention -- including some ideas they use every single day.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.

Are you educating your customers effectively?Video tutorials, blogs, and technical documentation are just some of the different ways you can provide users of your product with the help they need to be successful. But truly empowering your customers goes beyond the material you provide.Joining Matt Pierce in this episode of The Visual Lounge is TechSmith’s Customer Education Manager, Doug Brunner. Listen in as Doug shares his thoughts on creating customer education content that powerfully impacts your customers – and, therefore, your business.Learning points from the episode include:The purpose of customer education contentHow TechSmith designs educational user experiencesWhy it’s vital to understand your customers’ learning behaviorsDoug’s thoughts on gated vs. ungated customer education contentThe 3 ways TechSmith measures retention trendsWhy tutorial videos are beneficial to businessesHow to make your tutorial videos more accessible onlineImportant links and mentions:TechSmith tutorials and trainingHow to Measure Video Engagement (+ Get Actionable Data)thevisuallounge@techsmith.comLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

We’re diving into the basics of video editing and breaking down the differences between cuts, splits, and more. In this episode, Andy Owen walks Matt Pierce and Justin Simon through some basic video editing techniques to level up your content. Here are the links to the J&L Cuts blog and 7 Common Video Editing Mistakes blog. And if you want stock footage like Andy was using, you can check that out over at the TechSmith Assets online library.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.

If you’re spending a lot of time getting caught up in video SEO practices and it’s not working for you, stop and ask yourself: who’s really watching your videos?While getting your videos found is important, making a human connection so that viewers come back time and time again is a much better long-term approach.Video Strategist and Founder of VideoCreators.com, Tim Schmoyer, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to share why you need to optimize your videos for people, not robots. He also gives his top tips for creating thumbnails, adding storytelling elements to your videos, and shares the lessons he’s learned from over 15 years in the video strategy industry.Learning points from the episode include:The best way to optimize your video titles and thumbnailsWhat “humanizing your videos” really meansThe recommended resolution for YouTube thumbnailsWhen to update your old videosWhy storytelling is your superpowerThe current challenge for YouTube video creators7 questions to help you build storytelling into your videosWhy you should incorporate storytelling into all of your online contentImportant links and mentions:Video Creators YouTube channelVideo Creators Website Tim’s InstagramLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

Sometimes you just don't don't feel like making a video. Whether you're bored or uninspired, it's not always easy to hop in and get creative. In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Justin Simon talk through different tips and strategies you can use to create videos even when you're not feeling it. During their conversation Andy recommends this video where Ira Glass reflects on Creativity.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.

Is there a silver bullet for making engaging video?Think about a video that’s really captivated you before. What was it about the video that made you not want to look away? Did it use compelling visuals or a storyline that sucked you in? Or perhaps it left you with some food for thought.There are many techniques video creators use to make their videos engaging. Unfortunately, there’s no “silver bullet” but there are many tips and tricks you can learn to help draw people in and keep them watching your videos.TechSmith’s Learning and Video Ambassador, Matt Pierce, shares his lessons learned for making engaging video from his years of experience in the video industry. He reveals the difference between passive and active engagement strategies and explains how to create truly captivating videos. Learning points from the episode include:Why it’s important to make your videos engagingWhy your video needs to be relevant and/or interestingThe difference between passive and active engagement strategies10 strategies for making more engaging videos4 ways to get your audience involved with your videoImportant links and mentions:thevisuallounge@techsmith.comNancy Duarte, Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform AudiencesLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here. 

There are plenty of good tips and techniques that you can use to dramatically improve your videos.But how do we know what elements are most valuable for engagement and for keeping viewers’ attention?In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Justin Simon talk through our Video Viewer Research, and analyze the common elements we found in great instructional and informational videos.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.

If your videos aren’t meeting your expectations or you’re struggling with the video production process, you may be making one (or more) of these common video mistakes.There are seven common mistakes or traps that video creators often fall into. However, once you know what they are, they’re easy to avoid! Matt Pierce, TechSmith’s Learning and Video Ambassador, reveals the 7 deadly sins of video creation and advises how to avoid them so that you can make better videos.Learning points from the episode include:How to prevent issues and mistakes when shooting videosWhy “fixing in post” is a mythWhat the rule of thirds is and how you can use itHow you can use lighting to communicate meaningWhy you need to pay attention to audioThe benefits of B-rollHow to stay focused on your end goalImportant links and mentions:Video process checklistLighting your videoFramingVideo Workflow seriesWriting a scriptAssets for CamtasiaLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here. 

Does every video need a beginning, middle, and end?Maybe. But maybe not! In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Justin Simon go over the different sections within a video and how you can utilize them to keep viewers engaged and watching. 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.