Communicating to Your Users Through Video

Paul Meeker

Who am I?

• Paul Meeker• Franklin University• BlueQuill – Manager of Product Development

Question

• What makes communicating with users so challenging?

People don’t read!

• Why Doesn’t America Read Anymore? –NPR April Fools Joke

I Don’t Read!

Release notes, bug fixes, documentation, terms and conditions etc.

...Don’t expect others to read either.

Then how do we communicate to users?

Video (+)

• Engaging• Visual• Just in time• Users can go back to reference it• Can skip over stuff

Video (-)

• Learning curve• Takes time• Often done last minute (release cycle)• Maybe not as in depth

This session

• It’s not that hard• It’s more effective• You just need the right tools and process

Software Tools

• Camtasia Studio (for longer videos)• Jing (for shorter videos)• Microsoft Word

Hardware Tools

• Computer• USB Mic (Blue Yeti)• Headphones (Sony MDR -07506)

Distribution

Process

• Types of videos• New features• Releases• Training• Support• Mockups

Process for short videos

Use Jing and screencast (example)

Process for long videos

Script Audio Screen

Effects Publish Upload

Script

• Intro• 3 columns• Conclusion

Audio

• Test your mic levels• Use inflection • Make sure it’s loud• Read paragraphs• Turn it up!

Screen

• Record the screen while listening to the audio• One piece at a time• Stop and start

Effects, publish, upload

• Finishing touches that make a difference• Music in the background (free from YouTube)• Text on the screen• Zooming• Transitions • Highlighting• Video Dimensions • Consistency • Publish and upload to YouTube (public, private, allow comments?)

Example

Let’s make a quick video!