How to Plan a Video Tutorial Series for Your SaaS Product

Your SaaS product is live, and you're excited to help users discover all it has to offer. You know that video tutorials are the most effective way to guide them, but here’s where you might be stuck: you’re unsure how to structure the series and choose the right topics. How do you prioritize what to cover? How do you ensure your videos are relevant and engaging at every stage of the customer journey?

This guide is designed to help you plan a video tutorial series that aligns perfectly with your users’ needs at each stage—whether they’re just starting with your product, exploring deeper features, or becoming power users. We’ll show you how to identify the features that matter most at each touchpoint and create content that educates, empowers, and drives long-term engagement.

Understanding Your Users' Needs

Before you can start planning your video tutorial series, it’s crucial to understand your users and their unique needs at different stages of their journey. Whether they’re new to your product or looking to master its advanced features, tailoring your content to address their pain points and goals is key to making the tutorials effective.

Here's how you can effectively understand and address your users’ needs:

1. Identify User Personas

User personas are fictional representations of your different user types, helping you understand who your users are, what challenges they face, and what they hope to achieve with your product. These personas are not one-size-fits-all; each represents a unique segment of your audience with different goals and pain points. For instance:

1. Beginner Users: New users who are just starting with your product. They need tutorials that explain the basics, such as setting up an account, navigating the interface, or performing simple tasks.
2. Intermediate Users: Users who have learned the basics and now want to understand how to optimize the product or use more advanced features. Tutorials for them might focus on automating processes or integrating with other tools.
3. Advanced Users: Power users who are already well-acquainted with the core features and are now looking for ways to maximize their product’s capabilities. Tutorials for this group might dive deep into advanced features or workflows, offering tips and tricks.

By defining these personas, you can tailor each video tutorial to address specific goals and challenges, ensuring your content meets their needs at every stage of their journey.

2. Analyze User Behavior

Understanding how users are interacting with your product is another key to identifying what they need. By analyzing user behavior, you can uncover which features are being used most frequently and where users are spending the most time. This data will give you a clear idea of what your users care about most and where they may need additional guidance.

For example:

1. If you notice that users are often spending a lot of time in your product’s dashboard but struggling to use advanced filters, a video tutorial focusing on “How to Use Filters Effectively” can help resolve this common pain point.
2. If users are abandoning a specific feature, such as setting up integrations, that might indicate a need for a more in-depth tutorial on that feature.

Behavioral insights like these help you prioritize your tutorial topics, ensuring that you’re addressing the features and functionalities that will make the most impact for users at each stage of their journey.

3. Gather Customer Feedback (Including Support Tickets)

User feedback is an invaluable resource for shaping your tutorial series. Direct feedback—whether through surveys, support tickets, or user testing—can uncover specific pain points that your users are facing. By paying attention to the most frequent or critical issues raised by users, you can address their needs more effectively in your tutorials.

For example, you might receive comments like:

1. “I’m not sure how to connect my account with X tool.”
2. “I can’t find where to adjust my notification settings.”
3. “I’m having trouble understanding how to integrate feature Y into my workflow.”

Support tickets are especially insightful, as repeated questions about the same feature signal areas where users need more guidance. If multiple users are struggling with setting up integrations or using advanced features, these should be prioritized in your tutorial series.

By synthesizing feedback from these sources, you can identify recurring themes, allowing you to focus on the most impactful tutorial topics. The more real-world feedback you integrate, the more tailored and valuable your video tutorials will become.

Feature Prioritization Based on Impact

When planning your video tutorial series, not all features are created equal in terms of their importance to your users. Some features are critical for user success, while others may be secondary or even less frequently used. Prioritizing the right features is essential to ensure your tutorials deliver the most value to your users at the right time in their journey.

1. Identify High-Impact Features

Start by identifying which features have the greatest impact on your users. These could be features that solve major pain points or those that are fundamental to using your SaaS product effectively. For example, if your SaaS platform integrates with popular tools like Zapier or Slack, tutorials on setting up those integrations are likely to be crucial, especially for new users.

Features that drive the most engagement—those users interact with frequently—should also be prioritized. You can gather this data by analyzing user behavior, such as how often certain features are used or which ones tend to lead to higher customer satisfaction.

2. Align Features with the Customer Journey

When starting this journey, not every feature needs to be given upfront attention. Just like when creating an MVP (Minimum Viable Product), where you prioritize the core functionalities that provide the most value to users, your tutorial series should focus on the most critical features at the right stages of the customer journey.

For instance, early-stage users will need help with onboarding and basic functionalities—think of these as your "MVP" features. As users become more familiar with your product, you can then expand your tutorials to cover more advanced features, integrations, and optimization techniques.

By structuring your tutorials to align with these stages, you ensure that users receive content that is directly relevant to their needs at the right time. This approach prevents overwhelming users with information they don’t yet need and ensures they get the most value at each step of their journey.

3. Focus on Pain Points and Frequent Questions

Features that consistently appear in user feedback, support tickets, or common pain points should be prioritized. If multiple users are struggling with a particular feature, it’s a strong signal that a tutorial is needed to clear up confusion and improve their experience. For example, if many users are asking about advanced reporting tools or custom workflows, these are areas that could benefit from a deeper dive into your tutorial series.

Creating Engaging and Targeted Video Content

Once you've identified the features to cover and aligned your tutorial topics with the customer journey, the next step is to create video content that resonates with your users. The effectiveness of your tutorials depends not only on the information they provide but also on how engaging and easy-to-understand they are.

1. Keep It Short and Focused

When it comes to video tutorials, brevity is key. Users often prefer quick, digestible content over long, drawn-out videos. Aim to keep each tutorial focused on a single feature or topic, ideally between 3-7 minutes. This ensures your content remains concise while delivering maximum value. If a topic requires more detail, break it down into a series of shorter videos, rather than overwhelming users with one lengthy tutorial.

For example, instead of creating a 20-minute video on "Using Our Dashboard," consider creating separate tutorials on "Customizing Your Dashboard," "Setting Up Widgets," and "Understanding Data Visualization." This approach not only makes it easier for users to find what they need but also makes the learning process more manageable.

2. Visualize the Process

Users often learn better by seeing rather than just hearing about a process. When creating video tutorials, make sure to use screen recordings or demonstrations that clearly show the steps involved. Highlight important buttons or sections of the interface and narrate the actions you're taking. Use zoom-ins, annotations, and call-outs to ensure the most critical details are not missed.

For example, if you're showing how to set up a new integration, display the exact buttons users need to click and call out key fields they need to fill in. This step-by-step approach allows users to follow along easily and minimizes confusion.

If you're wondering how to effectively create these screen recordings, check out this guide on How to Make an Instructional Video With Screen Recording. It will walk you through the process of setting up the recording, adding annotations, and editing your video for maximum clarity and engagement.

3. Include Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)

Each video should have a clear call to action that guides users on what to do next. Whether it’s exploring another tutorial, signing up for a feature, or accessing support resources, make sure users know what their next steps are. CTAs should feel natural and not interrupt the learning process.

For example, at the end of a tutorial about setting up an integration, you might say, "Now that you've set up your integration, check out our tutorial on optimizing workflows with this tool." This helps keep users engaged and directs them to the next relevant piece of content.

4. Create Playlists for Each Video Category

Organizing your video tutorials into playlists based on different user needs or product features can make it easier for your audience to navigate. Create separate playlists for topics like onboarding, integrations, advanced features, and troubleshooting. This allows users to quickly find the tutorials that are most relevant to their current stage or issue.

For example, a beginner’s playlist might focus on basic onboarding, account setup, and using essential features. A more advanced playlist could cover topics like automation, integrations, and optimizing workflows. Playlists help create a cohesive learning path and allow users to progress at their own pace.

5. Host Videos on a Knowledge Base

To ensure your video tutorials are easily accessible, host them on your knowledge base or help center. By embedding videos alongside related articles, users can find both visual and written instructions in one place. This centralized location makes it easier for users to quickly find the information they need without having to search through scattered resources.

For example, if a user is troubleshooting an integration issue, they can access a relevant article with step-by-step instructions and watch a video that walks them through the same process. This creates a comprehensive, user-friendly resource hub that supports self-service learning.

6. Maintain Consistency in Branding and Style

To make your video tutorials feel cohesive, maintain consistency in branding, tone, and visual style across all videos. This includes using the same intro/outro, color scheme, fonts, and logo placement throughout your videos. A consistent visual and tonal approach not only improves the user experience but also reinforces your brand identity.

If you're using AI voices in your tutorials, ensure that you use the same voice throughout the entire series. This creates familiarity for your audience, making it easier for them to engage with your content. A consistent voice tone and style will help establish a seamless viewing experience and make your tutorials feel more professional and unified.

7. Optimizing for User Interaction and Retention

Creating valuable video tutorials is just the start. To maximize their impact, you must optimize for ongoing user interaction and retention. Here’s how to ensure that your tutorials not only educate users but also foster a long-term, engaging learning experience:

User Feedback Loops

Engagement doesn’t end once a user watches a video—invite them to actively participate in improving your content. Incorporating clear ways for users to give feedback will make them feel heard and involved in the tutorial development process. This could be as simple as an embedded survey asking viewers if the tutorial was helpful or requesting suggestions for future topics. By analyzing feedback, especially pain points, and questions, you can constantly refine and address areas where users are struggling.

For example, after a video about onboarding, ask: “Was there anything unclear about the onboarding process? What would you like us to explain in more detail?” This real-time feedback lets you adapt and iterate on your tutorials, ensuring they remain useful and relevant. If a common issue emerges, create follow-up tutorials that address it more thoroughly.

Tutorials as Ongoing Engagement

Treat your video tutorials as dynamic learning tools that evolve as your product grows. Implementing a content calendar that schedules the release of new tutorials around product updates, new features, or common user queries will keep users engaged.

For instance, after the release of a major feature or update, create a corresponding tutorial to explain how users can take advantage of the new functionality. This could be in the form of a mini-series that delves deep into the new feature and its real-world applications. By constantly introducing fresh content, you keep users coming back to your tutorial hub for the latest tips, tricks, and product insights. Additionally, promote these updates across your user base with notifications or email newsletters to keep your users in the loop.

Cross-Linking with Support

Integrate your video tutorials seamlessly into your wider support strategy. Make your tutorials an essential part of your help center, FAQs, and live support channels. When users access support content, whether it’s an FAQ article or a live chat, ensure video tutorials are cross-linked where relevant, making it easy for users to access visual, step-by-step guidance alongside written information.

For example, if a user is troubleshooting an issue related to integrations, link directly to a tutorial that visually guides them through the process. Support agents should also be trained to recommend specific video tutorials during live chats, providing quicker solutions while guiding users to self-service resources that improve their understanding of your product.

If you're using Intercom as your customer support tool, WowTo enhances your chat support experience. With WowTo, you can create tutorial videos, and with its integration into Intercom, easily embed your entire video knowledge base directly into the intercom chat widget. This allows users to browse and find the right tutorial videos instantly within the chat interface. Support agents can also quickly search for and share specific videos during customer conversations, ensuring fast and accurate responses. By incorporating WowTo’s integration with Intercom, you can streamline support and increase customer satisfaction—all within your existing support system.

By using these cross-linking strategies, you not only provide more value to your customers but also empower them to solve problems independently, improving both satisfaction and retention.

Distribution Strategies

Once your video tutorials are ready, it’s time to focus on getting them into the hands of your users. Effective distribution strategies ensure that your content reaches the right people at the right time, increasing engagement and user retention. Let’s dive into key distribution strategies to get the most out of your video tutorials.

1. Multi-Channel Distribution

To maximize the impact of your tutorials, you need to distribute them across multiple channels. Each channel serves a different purpose, and tapping into each ensures your content reaches users wherever they are most engaged.

1. Website: Embed video tutorials on relevant pages such as product feature pages, onboarding sections, support hubs, and your knowledge base. Make them easily accessible to users who are already browsing or seeking help on your website. Ensure these videos are placed strategically on pages where users are likely to have questions or need guidance, such as setup instructions, feature explanations, or troubleshooting steps.
2. Email Campaigns: Use video tutorials in onboarding emails, product update notifications, or troubleshooting emails to guide users through the learning process. For example, when a new feature is released, you can send a tutorial video demonstrating how to use it.
3. Social Media: Share video snippets or teasers on social media to attract new users and guide existing users to your full tutorial series. Platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are great for distributing your content and reaching broader audiences.
4. In-App Prompts: Trigger video tutorials at the right moments within your app to provide users with on-demand guidance. For example, after a user completes the sign-up process, you could prompt them with a video tutorial on how to get started with key features.

2. Sequencing & Timing

Creating a release schedule that aligns with your users' journey is essential for maintaining engagement. To ensure your tutorials reach users at the right time, plan your distribution around key user milestones.

1. After Sign-Up: As new users get started with your SaaS product, trigger a series of onboarding videos that walk them through the basics and highlight essential features.
2. Feature Releases: When a new feature is rolled out, release a targeted tutorial video to help users get acquainted with it and integrate it into their workflow. Timing is critical here, as it ensures users don’t miss out on updates and are able to use new features effectively from the start.
3. Ongoing Engagement: Create a continuous stream of educational content that aligns with ongoing user needs. This could be weekly or monthly updates to keep users informed and engaged with new functionalities or advanced tips.

3. Optimizing for Searchability

To ensure your video tutorials are easily discoverable, optimizing them for search engines is crucial. Just like any other content on the web, videos need to be SEO-friendly to help users find them when they search for relevant terms.

1. Keywords: Include relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags to ensure they are indexed properly by search engines like Google and YouTube. Think about the phrases your users are likely to search for, such as “how to set up X integration in [Product Name]” or “troubleshoot Y issue.”
2. Metadata: In addition to keywords, add clear, concise metadata that explains the video’s content. Include timestamps for different sections if the video covers a variety of topics, making it easier for viewers to jump to the section they need.
3. Thumbnails: Create custom thumbnails that are eye-catching and relevant to the video topic. A compelling thumbnail can increase the chances of users clicking on your video and engaging with your content.

Create Your Video Tutorial Series with WowTo

WowTo simplifies the process of creating high-quality video tutorials for your SaaS product. With its intuitive screen recording, voiceover, and annotation tools, you can easily produce engaging and informative videos. You can then embed these tutorials into your website, knowledge base, and customer support channels, including integrations with tools like Intercom. Organize your tutorials into playlists to guide users through their journey, and use analytics to track engagement and improve your content.

Start building your video tutorial series with WowTo today and enhance your customer education experience.