The Visual Lounge

Do you ever feel like you're just winging your way through the video creation process?One way to solve this is to set video goals and objectives before you start making your video. In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Justin Simon take a look at how to set clear video goals, define objectives, and what the best practices are for planning your videos before you press record. 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 looking for a video workflow to streamline your video creation process?Creating videos can be overwhelming – especially if you’ve never made one before. But building a video workflow can help you understand how to complete each part of the process and help you on your way to making better videos.In this episode of The Visual Lounge, TechSmith’s Video Producer, Andy Owen, and Global Content Manager, Justin Simon, join Learning and Video Ambassador Matt Pierce to share their video workflow experience. They also announce the launch of their new series, "Video Workflow," where they share tips and advice from their years of experience in all areas of the video creation process.Learning points from the episode include:Why build a video workflowHow to streamline your creation processWhat to prioritize and what to avoid when designing a video workflowThe advantages and disadvantages to multi-camera videosImportant links and mentions:The Visual Lounge Episode 17: The Best Script Writing Strategy When You’re Just Getting Started With Andy Owen and Justin SimonThe video workflow seriesLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

Facing your first time in front of the camera can be scary.If you’re looking to create internal communications, social media clips, or professional-looking YouTube videos, getting in front of the camera is the best way to connect with your viewers.In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Justin Simon walk through exactly what to do to get comfortable in front of the camera.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.

Creating great educational content is one thing. However, creating videos that contribute to improving an organization's performance is a different ball game entirely. So, how can educators create better videos and educational content that contribute to business outcomes?This is the main topic of this episode of The Visual Lounge, where award-winning author and Workplace Performance Strategist, Ajay Pangarkar, joins Matt Pierce for a deep dive discussion about understanding the business outcomes when making videos. Learning points from the episode include:Why learning professionals need to understand the business of learningWhy learning professionals struggle to grasp the business side of learningHow learning from others can improve your learning content and business knowledgeHow to convince leaders to say yesWhat LinkedIn Learning is and why it’s so usefulHow to write a conversational scriptImportant links and mentions:The Trainer's Balanced Scorecard by Ajay M. Pangarkar and Teresa KirkwoodAjay’s TwitterConnect with AjayLinkedIn LearningLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

For a lot of people, they want to make a video, but don't have a clue how to start. The best way to create videos is to develop a simple, repeatable workflow. In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Justin Simon talk through video workflows that will let you create videos faster. 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.

When you hear the word “comic”, do you think of your favorite cartoon strip, superheroes and graphic novels, or instructional content?Thinking outside of the box can often help instructional design content connect more successfully with users. Kevin Thorn advocates bringing external inspiration into designs and using creativity to communicate. His preferred educational visual is the instructional comic.Kevin is an award-winning eLearning designer and founder of NuggetHead Studioz. He joined Matt Pierce to share his thoughts on having fun with design principles, how to find inspiration, and what you can do to get more creative with your visuals.Learning points from the episode include:What is an instructional comic?How to create an instructional comicThe importance of characters and narrative in instructional visualsHow to design instructional visualsHow to improve your creativityWhere to find inspirationImportant links and mentions:Kevin’s Twitter: @LearnNuggetsKevin’s Instagram: @nuggetheadKevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinthorn/NuggetHead Studioz: https://nuggethead.net/ Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.

How can you help your videos reach more people?You’ve spent a lot of time and effort creating a great video, and you’ve just published it. What’s your next step? Is it to move on and start planning your next video? Or is it to get that video in front of as many people as possible?Repurposing your video, or any content you create, is a fantastic way to help more people find and engage with your content. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Amy Woods joins host Matt Pierce to reveal how you can repurpose effectively.Amy is the Founder of niche creative agency Content 10x and a content repurposing expert. Listen as she shares her tips and advice about how to repurpose your videos and grow your audience.Learning points from the episode include:What is repurposing?Why you should repurpose your videosHow to repurpose your videosHow to build a repurposing processWhy more small businesses are starting to create video content Important links and mentions:Content 10xThe Content 10x bookAmy’s LinkedIn Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, click here.We want to hear from you! If you would like to share your thoughts, feedback, or ask Matt a question, reach out to us at thevisuallounge@techsmith.com.  

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.