The Visual Lounge

How can an audio-first workflow optimize your tutorial videos?Creating tutorial videos using an audio-first workflow is one of our preferred methods at TechSmith. The editing process is often more straightforward, flexible, and easier to control than any other method.But, as tutorial videos are primarily visual content, people often don’t think to start creating them using audio.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce walks you through a step-by-step guide to creating a high-value tutorial video using an audio-first workflow.There are visual elements to this podcast as Matt demonstrates the workflow on his screen. If you prefer to watch this episode as a video, head over to our YouTube channel.Learning points from the episode include:Why choose an audio-first workflow?How to write a script for audio-first recordingThe four-steps to creating a video tutorialMatt’s tips and tricks for optimizing your audio-first workflowImportant links and mentions:CamtasiaBasics: Writing and Using ScriptsUnsplashPexelsLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

How do you create a successful online course?Online courses are incredibly popular and effective ways to provide learning solutions. However, creating a course requires a very different approach from any other type of instructional content. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Emily Weiss joins Matt Pierce and shares the secrets behind creating successful online courses. Emily is Head of Partner Marketing at Thinkific, an all-in-one online course platform. She works with top course creators to find out what works – and what doesn’t.Learning points from the episode include:How to prove market demand for your online courseHow repurposing can streamline your course creationWhy video brings 10 x value to an online courseWhy community benefits go beyond learningHow interactive technologies can make your course more effective Important links and mentions:Thinkificwww.thnk.cc/techsmith hello@thinkificic.com Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or listen to the podcast episode, click here.

Good tech isn’t just for Christmas.If you’re unsure what to get the video creator, audio editor, or remote worker in your life (or want to level-up your own content creation) we’re sharing our ultimate tech gift guide.In this bumper episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce is joined by members of the TechSmith team to share the best tech gifts for creating better videos, images, and more. Find out how you can improve your communication with better audio, change your focus with a background, and create a video gift that just keeps on giving, with advice from Ryan Bort, Austin Norton, Dave Patton, Mike Kujansuu, Jessie O’Donnell, and Rachael Parker.Listen to find out:What to consider when investing in audio technologyHow to start improving your video editing skills and the tools you really needTechSmith’s top audio, video, and remote working gift recommendationsImportant links and mentions:Microphone: Blue Yeti or FIFINE USB MicrophoneHeadphones: AfterShokz bone conduction headphonesAudio editing software: AudiateLighting: LED lightsCamera: Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless CameraScreen recording and video editing software: CamtasiaBackground: Ikea room dividerWellness: Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck MassagerLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

Effective virtual instructor-led training is more vital than ever before. But converting training from a physical space into a digital one can present some challenges.Shannon Tipton specializes in converting instructor-led training from in-person to virtual environments. She is the founder of Learning Rebels, has over 15 years experience in corporate learning leadership, and joins Matt Pierce on this episode of The Visual Lounge.Listen as she shares her methods and advice for ensuring effective online delivery and optimizing engagement in the virtual space.Learning points from the episode include:How to find your virtual training voiceWhat is VILT?Finding the right VILT toolsHow to successfully lead VILTHow long should virtual training be?How to build your own learning assets into virtual training Important links and mentions:Learning RebelsSnagitCamtasiaShannon’s LinkedInShannon’s InstagramShannon’s TwitterLearn more about the Techsmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

Are you an educator exhausted with online learning? Pivoting your skills from in-person to a virtual environment comes with its challenges in any industry. But for training and education, the transition isn’t always straightforward, and there’s a lot of pressure to succeed.But don’t despair! There are many tools that can help educators confidently deliver online training, teach successfully, and avoid burnout.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce is joined by Education Innovator and Instructional Designer Janet Lee. Janet has developed many tools over her 25 years in education and instructional design and now, she's using them to help educators shift from in-person to a virtual workspace.Learning points from the episode include:How to deal with burnout as an educatorHow to structure a successful online classJanet’s template lesson plan for synchronous learningHow to create a micro-learning lecture for asynchronous learningTips and advice for virtually engaging studentsImportant links and mentions:Janet Lee’s websiteGoogle JamboardBrain Rules by John J. MedinaTechSmith Knowmia (formerly TechSmith Relay)PromptSmartCuePrompterCamtasia Learn more about the Techsmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

How can a simple exercise help develop your skills, find gaps in your learning, and motivate you to progress to the next level? It might sound too good to be true, but the simplicity of the “maturity matrix” is what makes it so effective. Anyone, from teams to individuals, can use them to help grow any skills – that’s right, any skills.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, join host Matt Pierce as he interviews guest Phylise Banner, Learning Experience Design Consultant, about this innovative tool and how you can start using it today. Listen as Phylise shares her expert, innovative advice for designing learning experiences and finding solutions to learning challenges.Learning points from the episode include:How to approach skills developmentWhat is a maturity matrix?How to design your own maturity matrixHow to use a maturity matrix for teams, performance reviews, and personal developmentImportant links and mentions:Phylise’s LinkedInTechSmith AcademyLearn more about the Techsmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or listen to the podcast episode, click here.

If you’re a beginner video creator, it can take time to develop a scriptwriting strategy that suits your style and helps you create better content. But there are ways to streamline and improve your process if you’re just getting started.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we discuss how to write a video script – even if you’re not a scriptwriter (or video producer!) Listen in as TechSmith’s Video Producer, Andy Owen, and Global Content Manager, Justin Simon, join podcast host Matt Pierce and share their advice for optimizing your scriptwriting process and tell you why you should never “skip the script”. Learning points from the episode include:How to start writing scriptsHow to optimize the scriptwriting processWhy you shouldn’t skip the scriptWhen a script can go beyond videoAndy and Justin’s words of advice for scriptwriters and video producersImportant links and mentions:Andy Owen’s LinkedInJustin Simon’s LinkedInAndy on TechSmithJustin on TechSmithAudiateSnagitCamtasia Learn more about the Techsmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

Digital communication can often straddle the space between problem and solution. For example…Problem: You’re a live speaker, but all live events are canceled.Solution: Pivot to virtual speaking and utilize technologies and tools to continue your career in a new way.Problem: You’re unsure about how to transition from live speaking to virtual speaking.Solution: Get some advice from the experts (listen to find some!).In March, TechSmith collaborated with the one and only Jay Baer to find out more about how 2020’s significant digital shift affected a range of industries.We surveyed people with expertise in various industries, from leadership and coaching to equality and social change. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Jay sits down with us to discuss the findings.Listen in as Jay shares his unique insights into the live to digital shift and gives his thoughts on how industries and content creators can continue to succeed in this new space.Learning points from the episode include:Why different industries began to lean into digital communicationWhy video is the first choice for digital communicationThe challenges with switching to videoHow to connect with your audience digitallyJay’s advice for video creatorsImportant links and mentions:Jay Baer's websiteConvince & ConvertNational Speaker’s Association Facebook groupCamtasiaSnagitLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic, click here.

Can simplified user interfaces revolutionize your visual instructions?You may not have heard of simplified user interfaces (otherwise known as SUI) before, but there’s a good chance you’ll have seen them. Companies like Dropbox, Microsoft, Adobe, and Google use SUI graphics to help their audience navigate their software.But what are SUI graphics, and how can they improve your users’ experience? Instructional content and SUI expert, Anton Bollen joins Matt Pierce in this episode of The Visual Lounge, as they dive deep into the benefits of giving your screenshots the SUI treatment. Learning points from the episode include:Why SUI is used in visual instructionsHow SUI can easily help localize your instructional contentWhen to use SUI and when to use traditional screenshots The best practice for creating SUI graphics The pros and cons of creating SUI videosImportant links and mentions:Anton’s LinkedIn SUI articleAnton’s live talk on SUISnagitLearn more about the Techsmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

Does your informational content take too long to create?If you create visual instructions, like a job aid or a step-by-step guide, you’ll know that gathering the information is just part of the work. The other part is making sure that you display the information so users can effectively learn from it.It can be time-consuming to design your informational content, especially when you might not need a whole new design.Templates are a great way to optimize the way you create your informational content. With drag and drop functions, intuitive features, and customizable options, you can focus on providing great information without compromising the way you present it.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, TechSmith’s Learning and Video Ambassador Matt Smith breaks down how to use Snagit and Camtasia’s template functions to help you save time and create more efficient workflows. Learning points from the episode include:Why using templates simplifies creating your contentHow to use screen captures to make informational content The step-by-step process of creating visual instructions using templatesHow to make a video templateImportant links and mentions:TechSmith’s YouTube channelSnagitCamtasiaTrelloLearn more about the Techsmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here