The Visual Lounge

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.

Social media is a great place to connect with your customers. But when your users have a question or problem, it’s often better to show, rather than tell.Videos and images win on social media channels. They generate engagement, provide value, and increase brand trust. They’re also a brilliant tool for communication, so how can you use visuals can level-up your social media game?Sharing her thoughts in this episode of The Visual Lounge is TechSmith’s Social Media Coordinator, Jessie O’Donnell. Jessie has over 10 years’ experience working in social media for TechSmith.Jessie explains how to use videos and images on social media channels to better communicate, troubleshoot problems, and answer your customers’ questions. She also shares her top tips for creating and sharing social media content.Learning points from the episode include:Why social media is powerful for businessesHow to provide better customer service with images and videosHow social media listening can help build better productsWhat and when to post on social mediaWhy repurposing your content gives extra value to your social media audienceWhy your organization’s goals should shape your social media strategyJessie’s advice for keeping up with changing social media channelsHow to build customer relationships onlineConnect with us on:FacebookLinkedInTwitterInstagramLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/videos-images-rule

We get the question all the time: “What’s the perfect length for a video?”It makes sense. Grabbing and keeping a viewer’s attention is challenging, and you want to be sure they aren’t making videos that are too long (or short).In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Justin Simon talk through the myths and and misinformation around video length and what you can do to make sure your video is just right. 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 creating great customer education content, fast? If you create content, you might get swept up striving for perfection. But when it comes to customer education content, this should be one of the last things on your mind.Dave Derington, Senior Manager of Outreach’s customer education program, believes that customer education doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to be helpful. He joins Matt Pierce in this episode of The Visual Lounge to share a faster way to create fun and relatable customer education content and explains why you should leave the idea of perfection behind.Learning points from the episode include:Dave's definition of customer educationWhy creating customer education content quickly is criticalHow to get comfortable with imperfectionHow to give customers the education content they needHow to create content fast Important links and mentions:CELab: https://customer.educationOutreach University: https://university.outreach.ioOutreach: https://outreach.ioLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/successful-customer-education