How to Make an Instructional Video With Screen Recording

What is an Instructional Video

An instructional video is a type of educational content designed to teach viewers how to complete a specific task, understand a concept, or use a product or service. Unlike traditional written tutorials or guides, instructional videos combine visuals and audio to demonstrate each step in a process, making it easier for the audience to follow along. These videos are often used to break down complex topics into simpler, more digestible parts, allowing viewers to learn through direct visual engagement.

Instructional videos can vary in length and complexity, ranging from quick, bite-sized lessons to in-depth tutorials. They often include elements like screen recordings, voiceovers, on-screen text, and annotations to highlight important details and guide the viewer through the content. Whether you’re teaching a software feature, showing how to fix a device, or explaining a concept, instructional videos offer a versatile and impactful way to communicate information to your audience.

Why Use Screen Recording in Your Instructional Videos

1. Visual Clarity: With screen recording, you can visually show the steps involved in a task, eliminating any ambiguity that might arise from written instructions alone. This makes complex processes more accessible by providing a real-time visual reference that guides viewers through each action.
2. Engagement and Retention: People often retain information better when they see it in action. By using screen recordings, you engage your audience through a combination of visuals, audio, and interaction, which helps boost comprehension and retention compared to text-based guides.
3. Step-by-Step Demonstrations: Screen recordings allow you to break down tasks into manageable steps, showing exactly what to do at each point. This is especially helpful for software tutorials, troubleshooting guides, or workflow explanations, where each action is crucial for understanding the larger process.
4. Easy to Follow: When viewers can watch each step unfold in real time, they are more likely to follow along successfully. Unlike static images or written descriptions, screen recordings enable learners to visualize every click, drag, and drop, making it much easier for them to replicate the process themselves.
5. Annotations and Callouts: Screen recordings offer the added benefit of annotations, text overlays, and on-screen callouts, which allow you to highlight key areas of interest or clarify specific steps. These visual cues direct the viewer's attention to important details, ensuring they don’t miss crucial information.
6. Flexibility for Viewers: Screen recordings give viewers the freedom to pause, rewind, or replay parts of the video. This means they can take their time, rewatch tricky steps, and learn at their own pace—something that’s much harder with live demonstrations or written guides.

Best Types of Instructional Videos for Screen Recordings

Screen recordings are versatile and can be used for various types of instructional videos, but some types of content particularly benefit from this format. Here are the best types of instructional videos that are perfect for screen recordings:

1. Software Training Videos

Screen recordings are ideal for creating software training videos that demonstrate features and functionalities. Whether you’re explaining how to use a specific tool, navigate a complex interface, or troubleshoot an issue, showing the software in action helps viewers understand each step without needing to imagine how to perform it. This is especially helpful when training users on software with detailed menus or intricate workflows, as it provides a clear visual guide to ensure learners can follow along easily. Screen recordings allow trainers to walk through the software step-by-step, making the learning process more intuitive and accessible.

Read our guide to learn how to create software training videos in 4 easy steps.

2. Employee Training Videos

Screen recordings are invaluable in employee training videos. Whether you're onboarding new hires or training staff on specific software, internal processes, or company systems, screen recordings provide a clear, repeatable way to teach essential tasks. You can demonstrate how to complete administrative tasks, handle customer interactions, and walk employees through various workflows, ensuring consistency and clarity across your team. The ability to revisit and pause the video means employees can learn at their own pace and reference it as needed, making the training process more effective and engaging.

3. Customer Service Training Videos

When it comes to customer service training videos, screen recordings play a key role in effectively demonstrating how to handle customer inquiries, resolve issues, or use customer service software. By showing real-time interactions, such as answering calls, chatting with customers, or processing complaints, these videos provide a realistic and practical guide for customer service representatives. Screen recordings can also highlight the use of internal tools, CRM systems, and knowledge bases, ensuring employees know exactly how to access resources and respond appropriately in various scenarios.

4. Product Demos

Product demonstrations, especially for digital products or online services, are perfect for screen recordings. You can walk your audience through key features, show how the product works, and highlight important aspects of its functionality in a real-world context. Whether it’s a mobile app, a website, or an online tool, screen recordings allow you to demonstrate how the product functions seamlessly.

5. Troubleshooting and Fixes

For technical support or troubleshooting videos, screen recordings offer a visual solution to common problems. You can show exactly how to resolve issues, such as fixing software bugs, recovering lost files, or addressing common error messages. This provides viewers with a clearer understanding of the process and reduces the likelihood of mistakes.

6. Online Course Lessons

When creating lessons for online courses, screen recordings can effectively illustrate complex concepts or tasks. Whether it’s a coding tutorial, a design lesson, or a business process, screen recordings allow you to demonstrate every action involved in the lesson. This is especially valuable for subjects that require hands-on experience, as it enables learners to follow along in real time.

Steps to Create an Instructional Video with Screen Recording

Creating an instructional video has never been easier! With a screen recorder Chrome extension, you can quickly and efficiently produce high-quality videos to teach, demonstrate, or explain processes. Follow this simple, step-by-step guide to get started on creating your instructional videos with ease. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Plan Your Content

Before hitting the record button, take the time to carefully plan your instructional video. Start by determining the topic you want to cover and clearly define its purpose. Are you teaching users how to navigate software, complete a task, or understand a new concept? Identifying the goal will help shape your content.

Equally important is understanding your audience. Who are you creating this video for? Is it for beginners who need step-by-step guidance, or for experienced users looking for advanced tips? Tailoring your content to your audience's needs and skill level ensures your instructional video resonates and provides real value.

Next, outline the key steps or features you want to highlight in the video. Break down the process into manageable parts and organize them in a logical sequence. This ensures your content flows smoothly and makes it easier for viewers to follow along. Planning also helps you stay focused, avoiding unnecessary detours or missed details during recording.

Remember, a well-structured instructional video begins with thoughtful planning—it’s the foundation for delivering an engaging and effective learning experience.

Step 2: Choose the Right Screen Recording Software

WowTo is the best tool for creating professional instructional videos with ease. Its screen recording Chrome extension allows you to quickly capture your screen and get started without any complicated setup. WowTo goes beyond just recording—it offers advanced features like text-to-speech, AI-powered voices, and support for multiple languages, making it perfect for creating videos that cater to diverse audiences.

Everything you need is seamlessly integrated into one platform, from screen recording to editing and enhancing your videos, all with zero learning curve. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, WowTo streamlines the entire process, empowering you to create impactful instructional content effortlessly. Follow the steps below to discover how to use WowTo's screen recorder and publish polished, professional instructional videos with ease.

Step 3: Prepare Your Screen and Environment

Before you start recording, it’s important to prepare both your screen and environment to ensure a smooth, professional video.

1. Clean up your desktop or browser windows: Close unnecessary tabs, apps, or files that might distract from the content you’re presenting. A clutter-free screen makes it easier for your audience to focus on the task at hand.
2. Ensure any personal information is hidden: Double-check that any sensitive data, like emails, passwords, or personal files, are not visible during recording. It’s a good practice to work in a clean, distraction-free environment to maintain professionalism.
3. Open the software or content you want to explain: Make sure the software or webpage you plan to demonstrate is open and ready to go. This will help you move smoothly through the steps without delays during the recording.

Taking a few moments to prepare your screen ensures your instructional video is clear, focused, and free of interruptions.

Step 4: Screen Record Your Video

When using WowTo’s screen recorder, you have the flexibility to record just the on-screen actions or to speak while recording. If you choose to speak during the recording, everything you say will become the script for your video, which is a huge time saver. This ensures that your visuals and audio are perfectly aligned, making your instructional video clearer and more engaging.

Here are some tips for a smooth recording experience:

1. Take your time: Avoid rushing through the steps. Give enough time for each action on the screen to stay visible so your audience can follow along easily.
2. Show your visuals clearly: Focus on highlighting important elements on the screen. Avoid clutter or unnecessary distractions. Use the cursor to point out key areas or actions that you’re discussing.
3. Speak clearly: As you record, make sure your commentary is slow and clear. What you say will serve as the script for your video, so be precise and ensure it matches what is happening on screen.

Step 5: Finalise Your Script

If you recorded your voice during the screen recording, the audio will now serve as the script for your video. You can easily edit the script, making any changes or refinements as needed.

If you only recorded your screen, now is the time to write your script for each step. With WowTo, there’s a dedicated section for you to type the script for every respective step, ensuring everything is organized. You can also use WowTo's AI-powered prompt to generate a script quickly and effortlessly, saving you time.

Once your script is ready, make sure to read through it carefully. Review your content for clarity, and add pauses or punctuation where necessary to ensure the audio aligns smoothly with the visuals. A well-crafted script will make your instructional video more effective and easier for your audience to follow.

Step 6: Add AI Voice and AI Avatar

WowTo doesn’t just stop at screen recording; it offers a range of additional features to enhance the quality and engagement of your instructional videos. Once your script is ready, you can use WowTo's Text-to-Speech feature to convert it into audio. With over 300 AI voices available in more than 20 languages, you can easily choose a voice that best aligns with your style and tone.

This AI-powered solution saves you the hassle of recording your own voice, eliminating the need for expensive equipment and saving valuable time. Plus, you can cater to your global audience by offering your videos in their preferred language with just one click—no need for translation services.

To make your instructional videos even more engaging, you can also choose an AI avatar. The avatar adds a personal touch and enhances the viewer's experience, making the video feel more interactive and professional. With these tools, you can create impactful and accessible videos without the complexity of traditional video production.

Step 7: Add Final Touches

Once your video is ready, it’s time to polish it up with some final touches to make it even more engaging and professional. WowTo offers several helpful tools to enhance your video:

1. Annotations: Use the annotation tools inside WowTo to highlight key points, add extra details, or clarify any complex steps. You can include text overlays, arrows, and other visual elements to guide your audience through the video more effectively. This will make your video more interactive and help viewers understand the content better.
2. Transitions: Smooth transitions between sections or steps can make your video feel more cohesive and professional. WowTo allows you to easily add transitions, helping to keep your viewers engaged as the video flows from one step to the next.
3. Background Music: Adding subtle background music can set the tone for your video and keep it engaging. Choose from a selection of royalty-free music tracks available within WowTo. Just make sure the music doesn’t overpower the narration—keep it light and in the background to complement your content.

With these simple but effective tools, you can elevate the quality of your instructional video, making it more engaging, polished, and professional.

Step 8: Generate and Share Your Video

And that’s it! Once you’ve added the final touches, simply click the Publish button, and your instructional video is ready to be shared with your audience.

One of the major advantages of using WowTo is that you can host your videos on its no-code knowledge base platform. This allows you to gather all your instructional videos in one place, making them easily accessible to your audience whenever they need them. No need for additional setup or third-party platforms—WowTo handles everything, so you can focus on creating content.

If you prefer not to host the videos on the knowledge base, you can download your videos in MP4 format or grab the embedded link to publish them on your preferred platform. This flexibility ensures that your instructional videos can reach the right audience, whether on your website, social media, or other platforms.

Tips for Creating Effective Instructional Videos

Creating an impactful instructional video goes beyond just recording your screen. To truly engage your audience and ensure they get the most out of your content, follow these key tips:

1. Keep It Concise: While it's important to cover all the necessary steps, avoid making your videos too long. Short, focused videos are easier to digest and keep viewers engaged. Break down complex topics into smaller, manageable videos if needed.
2. Focus on Clarity: Ensure your visuals are clear and easy to follow. Avoid cluttered screens or excessive text. Highlight the important elements on the screen to guide viewers through each step.
3. Use Simple Language: Keep your language simple and straightforward. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms, especially if your audience is new to the topic. The goal is to make your content accessible to everyone, regardless of their experience level.
4. Engage with Visuals: Don’t just talk through the steps—use visuals to reinforce your points. Include annotations, arrows, and callouts to emphasize key details. Visual aids help viewers understand complex processes faster.
5. Maintain a Steady Pace: Don’t rush through the steps. Make sure each step stays on screen long enough for viewers to follow along and absorb the information. Pausing briefly after each action gives the viewer time to process and absorb the content.
6. Provide Clear Instructions: Be precise with your instructions. Make sure viewers know exactly what to do next. Instead of just showing a task being completed, explain it step by step, ensuring there’s no room for confusion.
7. Include a Call to Action: End your instructional video with a call to action. Whether it's encouraging viewers to try out what they’ve learned, subscribe for more content, or explore other related videos, a CTA helps guide the viewer toward the next step.

Final Words

Creating instructional videos with a screen recorder is a fantastic way to share knowledge, and using WowTo takes it to the next level. Not only does it offer an intuitive screen recording feature, but it also comes packed with other powerful tools like text-to-speech, AI voices, AI avatars, and multilingual options. These features ensure your videos are engaging, professional, and accessible to a global audience—all without the hassle of complex setups or additional costs. And the best part? You can get started for free! Whether you're a beginner or an expert, WowTo simplifies the process of creating high-quality instructional videos, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking to make an impact with their content.

Create your instructional video with screen recording using WowTo—get started for free today!