How to Make Training Videos People Are Happy to Watch
Beyond the Boring. The Power of Engaging Training Videos
Do you remember those long, dreary training sessions where your eyes glazed over, and your mind drifted? Traditional corporate training often gets a bad reputation for being dull and uninspiring. It doesn't have to be that way; you have the power to change that narrative.
Training videos, when done right, can be incredibly effective tools for knowledge transfer, skill development, and behavioural change. The key lies in understanding what makes a video truly watchable and applying those principles to your content.
In this guide, we’ll explore practical, actionable advice for creating training videos that not only educate but also entertain and motivate your audience, ensuring your message sticks and your investment in learning pays off.
How to Make Training Videos People Are Happy to Watch. Article outline:
Why So Many Training Videos Fail
The Science Behind Engaging Training Videos
2.1. Understand Your Learners
2.2. Keep Your Training Videos Short
2.3. Make Your Training Videos Visually Appealing
2.4. Add a Human Touch
2.5. Use Real Scenarios
2.6. Include Interactive Elements
2.7. Optimise for Mobile Viewing
2.8. Maintain a Natural FlowSummary
FAQs
1. Why So Many Training Videos Fail
When a training video feels more like a test of endurance than a learning opportunity, learners retain very little, enthusiasm fades quickly, and the time and money invested in production rarely deliver a meaningful return. But why does this happen? Here are the main reasons:
Training videos are too long
Attention is a precious commodity. When a training video runs for twenty or thirty minutes without a clear structure or breaks, learners start to disengage. The brain can only process so much information before it tunes out, especially if the content is dense. Long videos also feel like a commitment, and busy employees rarely have the patience for that during a packed workday.
Breaking content into smaller, more digestible chunks keeps energy levels high and makes it easier for people to absorb and recall what they’ve learned.
Training videos lack a story
Humans are wired for storytelling. Facts and figures alone are forgettable, but a good story gives meaning and context. When training videos are little more than a talking head reading bullet points over bland slides, the message never quite lands.
Imagine instead a short scenario showing an employee solving a common problem, making a decision, or demonstrating best practice. Suddenly, the lesson has relevance. The learner can see themselves in the situation, which builds emotional connection and long-term recall.
Poor Visual and Audio Quality
Visual design matters far more than we often realise. Grainy footage, poor lighting and inconsistent branding all give the impression that the content isn’t important. The same goes for audio. Nothing kills engagement faster than muffled sound, background noise, or robotic narration.
High-quality visuals are about clarity, consistency, and polish. Simple animation, branded colours, clean typography, and crisp audio can elevate a training video from “just another presentation” to something that feels professional and worth paying attention to.
Lack of Interaction
Passive viewing rarely leads to active learning. When employees sit and watch without participating, their attention fades quickly. Effective training is two-way; it invites thought, response, and reflection.
Adding interactive moments such as short quizzes, clickable choices, or reflection prompts turns viewers into participants. Even asking a simple question like, “What would you do next in this situation?” encourages engagement. Microlearning platforms often support these features, helping learners apply knowledge immediately instead of just absorbing it passively.
They Forget About Real People
Too many training videos sound like they were written by a policy manual. They’re usually full of corporate buzzwords and formal phrasing that alienate the very people they’re meant to help. Employees don’t want to be lectured; they want to be guided, encouraged, and inspired.
The most successful training videos feel human. They speak in a conversational tone, use real-life examples, and show empathy for common challenges. Learners should feel that the video was made for them, not at them.
2. The Science Behind Engaging Training Videos
2.1. Understand Your Learners
2.2. Keep Your Training Videos Short
2.3. Make Your Training Videos Visually Appealing
2.4. Add a Human Touch
2.5. Use Real Scenarios
2.6. Include Interactive Elements
2.7. Optimise for Mobile Viewing
2.8. Maintain a Natural Flow
2.1. Understand Your Learners
Before you even think about storyboards or scripts, the absolute first step in creating effective training videos is to understand your learners. Who are they? What do they already know? What are their learning preferences, pain points, and motivations? Are they new hires fresh out of university, seasoned professionals needing to update their skills, or perhaps frontline staff requiring specific procedural guidance?
Demographics
Consider age, technical proficiency, and cultural background. A Gen Z audience might prefer fast-paced, visually rich content, whereas older professionals might appreciate a more measured, detailed approach.Prior Knowledge
Avoid overwhelming beginners with advanced jargon or boring experienced staff with elementary concepts. Tailor your content to their existing knowledge base.Learning Goals and Challenges
What specific problem will this training video solve, and what’s in it for them? How will it make their job easier, or help them grow professionally? Understanding their 'why' is crucial for framing your content.Preferred Learning Styles
While videos are visual, some learners are more auditory, and others prefer hands-on interaction. Think about how you can incorporate elements that cater to various styles, even within a video format.
2.2. Keep Your Training Videos Short
The best way to hold attention is to respect the learner’s time. Instead of cramming everything into a 30-minute session, break your content into short, focused segments known as microlearning videos.
A microlearning video is typically between two and six minutes long, each covering a single learning objective. They fit perfectly into the modern learner’s schedule, allowing people to learn in quick bursts (i.e. during a coffee break, between meetings, or on the train).
This format also helps with retention. Studies show that learners remember more when they engage with shorter, focused materials regularly, compared to one long session. [1] Think of it as snackable learning, small bites that keep your audience coming back for more.
2.3. Make Your Training Videos Visually Appealing
Visuals play a crucial role in how people absorb information. A good training video uses graphics, animations, and motion to make complex ideas easier to understand. Keep visuals clean and consistent, and don’t overload slides with text.
Simple design principles can transform how your audience experiences content:
use brand colours and consistent fonts for a professional look,
highlight key terms or statistics with motion graphics,
incorporate icons or illustrations to represent ideas visually,
keep transitions smooth and minimal (too many effects can distract).
2.4. Add a Human Touch
A conversational tone makes a world of difference. People respond better to authenticity than to polished scripts that sound robotic. If possible, use real employees or trainers who speak naturally.
On-camera presenter delivery also matters. A warm, clear voice that sounds genuinely interested in the topic will always outperform a flat, generic narration.
2.5. Use Real Scenarios
Stories are powerful teaching tools. Instead of listing company policies or procedures, show them in action. Create short stories based on real-life situations employees might face. For instance, a training video about customer service could follow a team member resolving a tricky situation using the right tone and empathy.
People remember stories because they connect emotionally with them. When learners see themselves in those scenarios, they’re more likely to remember the message.
2.6. Include Interactive Elements
People learn better when they participate. Adding interactive elements such as quizzes, clickable hotspots, or decision-making prompts keeps learners engaged. Interactive videos also give instant feedback, helping learners correct mistakes in real time.
You can also blend training videos with other resources, such as downloadable sheets or short practice exercises. The mix of video and hands-on material deepens understanding and reinforces knowledge.
2.7. Optimise for Mobile Viewing
More learners now watch training videos on their phones than on desktop computers. That means your videos must look good and function well on small screens. Use large, readable text, avoid tiny buttons, and make sure subtitles are visible.
Captions are also useful for accessibility and for learners who watch with the sound off. Adding them helps your content reach a wider audience and supports inclusion.
2.8. Maintain a Natural Flow
A good training video should feel effortless to watch. That comes from careful scripting and pacing. Avoid jargon-heavy language and keep sentences short. Instead of reading from a script word-for-word, aim for a friendly, conversational tone that sounds like one colleague explaining something to another.
3. How to Make Training Videos People Are Happy to Watch. Summary
Creating training videos that people want to watch requires a deep understanding of your audience, a commitment to crafting clear and compelling content, and an eye for quality visuals and sound. By focusing on storytelling, prioritising clarity, and including interactive elements, you can transform your training from a chore into an anticipated and valuable experience.
Remember, the goal is not just to deliver information but to inspire learning and drive real-world application. Invest in these strategies, and your training videos will not only be watched but remembered and acted upon, leading to a more skilled, engaged, and productive workforce.
Are you ready to transform your training into an experience your team will actually enjoy? Let us take the guesswork out of production. Contact Lamplight Media today to create unmissable training videos that deliver real results.
FAQs
1. What makes a good training video?
A good training video is short, clear, visually appealing, and focused on one topic. It uses storytelling, visuals, and a conversational tone to keep learners engaged.
2. How long should a training video be?
Ideally, it should be between two and six minutes if you’re using the microlearning format. For more complex subjects, keep each section under ten minutes to maintain attention.
3. What is a microlearning video?
A microlearning video is a short, focused piece of training content designed to teach one concept or skill quickly. It supports learning in small, manageable chunks.
4. How can I make my training videos more interactive?
You can include quizzes, clickable choices, branching scenarios, or prompts that encourage reflection. Interactive elements make learning more memorable and fun.
Trusted sources:
[1]Frontiers
