Advice about how to create a video training course

I actually use Camstudio. Seems to do the job okay, but I have noticed some weird lagging issue at times between the audio and video.

I dont want to get bogged down editing videos. Ill outsource that.

Yep. Got a decent one here that should do the job well. Ive used it before and its excellent.

Would I still require a lapel mic, even with a decent handicam?

This is where I get a bit lost. Ive only ever done AVI's uploaded directly to Youtube. Id like to simply allow each buyer to "download" the videos and watch them on their own computers, however I have two concerns....

1. Exceeding allowed bandwidth
2. Content theft

I havent had anything to do with Amazon S3, but might check it out.

Thanks

Agreed. People tend to get bored or lose focus with the longer vids.

I tend to "umm" and "err" a lot. I find it annoying, especially when I listen to myself back. My plan here is to have it written down, then simply read from there. Im a nice smooth reader, and this will hopefully reduce any mumbling or umms and errs

Yep.

Storyboard? Can you give an example?

Ill be documenting everything out before I even go anywhere near a recorder.

Right, okay.

Yes, I agree.

Excellent suggestion.

Yes, Ill be doing that also.

Thanks dude

Hey that sounds pretty cool

You upload them to Mediafire then just give them the URL to download? Are there bandwidth restrictions or fees?

Thanks Gaz. FusionHQ certainly looks interesting. Not sure Im quite ready for the whole membership thing though yet.

If you have or can access an Apple computer, you can get this program called iLife and it has a really simple to use video editing software that comes with it. It's designed for the non-experienced user so you should have no issue using it. It has a lot of cool functions and I believe you can do cam captures as well if you don't have video files to edit.

The other cool part is that it comes with this other program called iDVD which allows you to make full on DVD menus so that if you ever wanted to make these training videos available on DVD you could do it professionally all by yourself.

Yep. Going to get a Blue Yeti mic

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ophone-me.html

For SelfAssemblySites videos we have a very similar process.

I record the screengrabs in Camtasia. We now use the AT2020 mic but was a standard Skype-type headset previously. We have 2 Flip camera for to-camera stuff, a standard HD and a Mino HD.

For free to public videos we host them on YouTube, to try get the most out of social networking side of things.

For members only videos we use a service called BitsOnTheRun to host the videos, basically it's a CDN like S3, but has some nice video specific features built in - it's from the guy who did JWplayer. It's slightly more expensive than non-video specific CDNs but the extra features go a long way in making up for that.



Here's (a crappy little) screenshot of the transcoding tab for a video - you can just about see the different versions:

You can see the different size videos that BOTR auto-generates, this is an awesome feature. I coded a WordPress plugin that allows our members chose a video size preference so they can choose smaller videos for speed etc.

I have it set to auto create the MP3 version which is useful for some of our members to download and listen on ipod etc, particularly to the chat videos.

They also keep good analytics on views, and let you download it as a CSV

Hehe, ok this turned into a bit of a testimonial for BOTR, I didn't really intend that - I have zero affiliation with them except being a satisfied customer.

I've been through a lot in making the screencasts, always happy to help with any questions, and to learn if anyone has suggestions for me - thanks

Sometimes, the videos that are 10 - 15 minutes seem to be short to the maker, but they are stream of consciousness videos, where the people presenting are just talking along with what they are doing on the screen. And after you listen to 12 videos of that kind of stuff, I persoanlly tend to fall asleep.

If you avoid doing stream of consciousness recording, and like omk and others were saying, do an outline, a short storyboard, which is kind of like a flowchart for presentations, and practice, you can probably get your main points done in 5 -7 minutes.

If you are doing instructional videos, make sure that what ever it is you are showing on your screen works while you are doing it. I have seen so many videos where the people are showing a process and it doesn't work while they are recording it.

So they say things like, well, this would work if only you do it this way instead. But all that really happens is that you have taught someone that what you are doing does not work.

When you are watching a video and seeing something happening, even if that thing is wrong or broken or whatever problem it many have, it is almost impossible to erase that learning by saying that if they only did it this way, it would work. Too late for that, and you just taught them something wrong.

Avoid things like being logged into your google account while you are searching. Looking in your adwords account or something like that where you need to be logged in, different story.

Avoid adding a music loop to every video intro and extro. They don't add anything except size to your files and bandwidth usage. Use a static splash screen with a voice over intro and extro.

I have a paid weekly video subscription series and I know people pass it around, so I make sure my contact information and website info is displayed prominently. I deliver mine through downloadable links. That has worked out well for me.

Those ideas have worked out pretty well for me, I hope they help a bit.

I use Camtasia to record the screen.

I deliver via online using PayPal or Clickbank

or if they want it on DVD I used Kunaki who takes care of payment, artwork & shipping

The download thing is an issue, but only one or two people take advantage.