How To Make Educational Videos For Your Audience In 3 Steps

Creating great educational videos doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. If you follow the correct steps and develop a solid plan, you can produce compelling educational videos that will engage your audience without breaking the bank. Understanding educational video production cost is crucial, as factors like equipment, editing, and distribution can impact your budget. This article will help you start and show you how to make educational videos for your audience.
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Moonb’s corporate video services are valuable for achieving educational video production goals. We can help you streamline the process of making engaging educational videos so you can reach your goals faster.

What are Educational Videos?

Educational videos share knowledge about a particular subject. They break down complex ideas into digestible visual content to help an audience better understand a topic. These videos can be dramatic, animated, or presented by a talking head, but their primary goal is to teach.  

While educational videos can be entertaining, they are not made for pure enjoyment. They aim to increase the viewer’s understanding of a subject. As a result, educational videos can help an audience: 

• Solve a problem
• Complete a task
• Make informed decisions

Types of Educational Videos

Separating truly educational content from its typical marketing counterpoint can be tricky because the main difference has to do with intent. Think of it this way: a teacher uses a history book to pass knowledge on to others, and a marketer uses a history book to help sell other history books. 

That is, educational video content is an investment in helping your audience, your community, and your customers become more knowledgeable. While you’d prefer that this additional knowledge converts them into a lead, you know that a rising tide lifts all boats. As more clients become more informed about the problem your product or service solves, they become increasingly likely to buy or subscribe to your service. 

Leveraging Educational Content to Build Trust and Drive B2B Engagement

Educating your audience opens up a range of content possibilities where you can develop a close brand tone, showcase supporting values, and position yourself in collective memory as a B2B solution provider in your industry. 

• Tutorials and Step-by-Step Guides: Show how to use your products or services effectively. Break down complicated processes into simple steps and demonstrate how to solve common problems. 
• Product Demonstrations: Effective in helping potential buyers better understand what you offer and how it can benefit their business. 
• Webinars or Live Seminars on relevant topics for your industry: These events allow real-time interaction with your audience and are ideal for answering questions and delving into topics. 
• Expert Interviews: Invite industry leaders or experts on a relevant topic to discuss trends, best practices, and tips. These interviews can add credibility to your brand. 
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): This video can help address doubts and expedite decision-making. Common questions can naturally lead to a sale if answered at the right time.

How Educational Video Content Drives Customer Engagement and Sales

The variety of educational video types allows you to adapt to different goals and stages of your potential customer’s buying cycle. Educational video content is about distributing necessary knowledge that gives your customers the tools to improve themselves and make better decisions.  

The purpose of producing and distributing informative content isn’t entirely selfless. The end goal isn’t just the warm feeling inside from helping craft a more informed world. Educational content benefits the companies that create it in various ways.

Related Reading

• Customer Education
• Customer Education Examples
• How to Improve Customer Onboarding Process
• Customer Education Strategy
• How to Increase Product Adoption

How To Make Educational Videos In 3 Simple Steps

1. Ideation - Where it All Begins 

Creating educational videos starts with the ideation phase. Here, you identify your target audience, narrow your goals, and find the right topic for your video. 

Define Your Objective

Ask yourself: 

• What type of video you want to create (explainer, tutorial)
• What is your goal with it
• Where this video sits in your customer journey

For example, create a product tutorial about your new AI feature. A possible objective is to create a short video demonstration highlighting your product’s three main features and how they will solve your audience’s pain point. 

Understand Your Audience

An educational video is only compelling if it answers your audience’s question. To uncover these questions, start with understanding your audience: 

• Who are your viewers? 
• What interests them, and what are their preferences? 
• What are some business challenges they face? 
• What keywords do they look for when seeking an answer on this topic? 
• What insights from your customer database can I use to make the video more relevant? 

Source Audience-Relevant Ideas

Here’s where you brainstorm potential ideas for your educational video. Three places to source ideas from are: 

• Your own experience. The more you learn about your audience and their challenges, the better you can develop ideas for video content that solves these challenges. Test your product or service and know the challenges inside and out so your content resonates with what your audience might be experiencing. 
• Ask your sales and customer success team. They speak to prospects and customers daily and will have great educational video ideas based on the everyday observations customers share with them.  
• Ask your audience. Whether you’re active on social media, run an engaging community, or are part of communities that include your target audience, ask your target viewers what they’d like to learn. Remember that a customer testimonial video is more authentic than corporate claims and messages. 

Write Your Video Script

A script outlines all the scenes and dialogue that go into a video chronologically, giving you a blueprint of the entire content. A good place to start is by figuring out the angle you want to take and then writing the scenes you want to include in your video. 

2. Production - Time to Roll the Camera 

With your idea and script ready, roll out the camera (or video template) and start creating. 

Here’s how: 

Create Your Storyboard

Visualize your script in a storyboard. This graphical representation of each shot shows how your video will unfold. You can add text to show character emotions, dialogue, or other details. 

Select Your Video Format

Decide what your video will feature. You’ve three options: 

• Live-action: It involves recording the main character in action. The Whiteboard Friday videos we talked about are live-action videos, for example. 
• Animation: It leverages trendy illustrations, animated characters, and engaging images to deliver your message. Lego does this well in their company story. 
• Hybrid: It is a mix of live-action and animation so that you can feature the best of both worlds. 

Film Your Video

Record your live-action shots. Begin by selecting your actor—this could be yourself or someone else, such as a CEO sharing their welcome message in a talking-head interview.   

Tips for Perfect Lighting

Pay attention to the lighting when shooting high-quality live-action scenes. If you’re on a tight budget, sunlight is your best friend. Shoot all your scenes while the sun is up. Alternatively, get a three-point lighting kit to illuminate the subject from all necessary angles. 

3. Editing + Distribution - Polishing and Sharing Your Educational Video 

The last step is all about polishing and shipping your educational video. 

Edit Video Format for Platforms

Think of all the platforms your video will be available on and the devices your audience will view it on. Format according to the requirements of publishing mediums and viewing devices. 

Add Subtitles and Music

According to Next TV, 83% of people in the US watch videos with their sound off. The same report also reveals that 80% of the viewers are likely to watch the complete video if it has subtitles. The takeaway? 

‍Don’t forget to add subtitles to your video when editing it. And for those of your viewers who keep their sound on, add interesting music, such as royalty-free music, to keep them watching. The good news? A good video editing tool often lets you add your subtitles automatically with the help of AI. 

Edit Your Intro and Outro and Add a CTA

A strong hook in your video’s intro convinces viewers to continue watching. Equally important is how you end your video. You must leave a lasting impression, so a tight outro will help hit your video’s objective. 

Don’t forget to add an action step (technically called a call to action) you want your viewer to take. Do you want them to try out your product for free? Or do you want them to try out your latest bag collection? Tell them. 

Share It On Relevant Channels

Making good educational videos is only part of the job. The rest involves sharing it on channels where your audience watches them like you do with your commercial video. A video-promoting checklist is handy for this last step. 

It could look like this: 

• Embed on your website or blog 
• Share in your Slack community 
• Promote it in your newsletter 
• Distribute it on social media 

Why Moonb’s Subscription-Based Model Is Revolutionizing Corporate Video Production

Moonb is a video marketing agency that offers corporate video services. 

We provide seamless project management integration via: 

• Trello
• Slack
• MS Teams
• Weekly strategy calls
• A contract-free, full-service production approach

Moonb stands out as a superior alternative to traditional: 

• Video agencies
• Freelancers
• In-house production teams

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial with our corporate video services to take your content to the next level.

What Makes Great Educational Videos?

Educational Video Basics: What to Know Before You Get Started 

Creating a great educational video requires preparation. Before you think about your video's appearance, you must consider what it will achieve. 

Your video should: 

• Answer specific questions
• Establish trust and authority
• Break complex topics into easy-to-understand chunks

Once you’ve nailed these basic objectives, you can start planning what your educational video will look like. 

Answers Questions

Your customers are looking for specific information, so ensure your video provides them with it. If customers need to know about video conference platforms and how to set them up, ensure you cover everything required in easy-to-follow steps. 

Or, if you think prospective customers are unsure what benefits a product offers, make sure the video tells them.  

Creates Trust and Authority

You want your company/brand to be recognized as an authority on what is being discussed. If somebody is looking for the best project management software, establish your credentials as an expert. 

Remember, at this stage, you are informing, not selling, so this free education can establish your authority and build trust. 

Simple to Understand

We appreciate that some topics can get complex at times. The idea of something like a hybrid cloud platform can seem bewildering to many. Still, if you take the time to break the information down into easily digestible chunks, you make the entire subject more accessible.   

Promotes Enthusiasm 

The thing about learning is that once someone overcomes the initial hurdle, they gain a thirst for more knowledge. Starting with simple and easy-to-understand info encourages your potential customers to want to learn more. 

Something as simple as learning how to screen share can lead to wanting to know what else they can do with a particular type of software. 

Flexible

While educational marketing videos may be most useful at the beginning of a customer’s journey, the reality is that because they’re so flexible, you can fit them anywhere in your marketing funnel. 

Different videos can be accessed at various stages, or a customer may refer to a previously watched video to reiterate some points. 

Knows Your Audience

There’s little point in creating a video that doesn’t meet your audience’s needs or cater to their abilities. Know potential pain points and how to help them overcome them. 

If you create videos on how to work remotely, for example, recognize the hurdles remote working presents and how you can help solve these issues. 

Avoids Brand Focus

This may seem counterintuitive but try not to focus too much on your brand. Your initial purpose is to inform, and while some brief mention of your product or a visible logo can be acceptable, the idea at this stage is to provide a more generic education. Let customers leap once they see you and your videos as a trusted source. 

Provides Quality Every Time

As with many marketing strategies, quality is essential. While you don’t need a Hollywood budget, you don’t want to shoot a video on Trevor’s smartphone in the break room. Plenty of guides are available online, from creating a training video to editing a video for free. Always ensure the information is accurate and the video quality is high. 

Uses an Appropriate Style

Deciding on the style of video you’ll make is an important decision. While you may think an animated video won’t work, these can be a great form of ‘edutainment.’ It will depend on the subject matter, how you want to convey your brand image, and the right style for your video. It can also depend on the level of sales engagement I want to achieve.  

Is Imaginative 

There will often be cases where a ‘dry’ video must explain something complicated as simply as possible. But in most cases, you can be as imaginative as you like. These videos are, for the most part, meant to be both entertaining and informative. 

While a subject such as developing skills in your strategic team may sound uninspiring, a little flair can go a long way. 

Related Reading

• Educational Video Marketing
• How to Create Training Materials
• How to Create Training Modules
• How to Make Instructional Videos
• Animated Educational Videos
• Instructional Video Examples

Benefits Of Using Educational Videos For Creating Brand Awareness

Boosting Brand Awareness and Engagement Through Educational Videos  

Educational videos serve as an introduction to your brand that builds awareness and engages potential customers. Instead of directly pitching a product, educational videos help viewers better understand: 

• The industry
• Common challenges
• Possible solutions

This approach makes people more likely to engage with your brand because they gain value before buying anything.  

Showcasing Brand Expertise with Educational Videos  

In B2B marketing, credibility is everything. Companies want to work with partners who truly understand their field. Educational videos allow you to demonstrate your knowledge, offer insights, and position yourself as a go-to resource. 

Whether it's a deep dive into industry trends or a step-by-step breakdown of a technical process, these videos make your brand the expert.   

Helping Buyers Make Decisions with Educational Videos  

Unlike impulse consumer purchases, B2B buying decisions are complex, often involving multiple stakeholders and lengthy approval processes. Educational videos provide detailed information that helps potential buyers understand your product or service. When prospects have all the knowledge they need, they feel more confident purchasing.  

Attracting High-Quality Leads with Educational Videos    

Not all leads are created equal. The best ones are genuinely interested in what you have to offer. Educational videos naturally attract people searching for information on specific topics, meaning they’re already engaged and more likely to be a good fit for your product or service. A well-placed video can nurture and guide these prospects further down the sales funnel.  

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The average cost of educational video production in 2023 is $8,000 per finished minute. The price can vary depending on many factors, including the length of the video, the type of video, the desired production quality, and the specific professional services involved. 

For instance, a one-minute animated explainer video could cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. In contrast, a live-action corporate training video with a professional cast, crew, and studio could start at $15,000 and increase significantly. As a rule of thumb, the more time, effort, and expertise that goes into producing your video, the more it will cost. 

What Are the Benefits of Educational Videos?

Before we examine the cost of educational videos, let’s consider why they’re worth the investment. 

1. Video enhances the learning experience. People are naturally drawn to audiovisual content, and video caters explicitly to visual and auditory learners. This means that educational videos can help capture and hold students’ attention, making it easier for them to absorb and retain information. 
2. The video promotes knowledge transfer. Educational videos can help learners effectively transition from theory to real-world applications through their engaging formats and ability to present complex topics in easy-to-understand ways. 
3. Educational videos are highly versatile and can be used in various learning environments, from traditional classrooms to online courses and corporate training programs. 

How Long Does It Take to Produce Educational Videos?

In 2023, the average educational video runs from 5 to 10 minutes. As a rule of thumb, you should spend about a week on production for every minute of a finished video. This includes time spent planning, scripting, storyboarding, shooting, editing, and finalizing the video. Given this timeline, a typical 10-minute educational video could take 10 weeks. 

Of course, this is just an average. Depending on the complexity of your project, it could take more or less time to finish. For instance, a simple project with a clear goal and few moving parts could be completed in weeks. On the other hand, an intricate video with multiple scenes, actors, and locations could take several months to produce. 

What Factors Influence Educational Video Production Costs?

A few key factors can influence the cost of educational videos, including: 

• Video Length: Naturally, longer videos cost more than shorter videos. This is because longer videos require more planning, scripting, filming, and editing. 
• Video Type: There are many types of educational videos, from simple talking head videos to complex animated explainers and thorough documentary-style productions. Each type has its own production requirements, affecting the cost and time needed to complete your project. 
• Level of Quality: As with any type of video production, educational videos can be made with varying levels of quality. High-quality educational videos that feature professional actors, custom graphics, and original music can take a lot of time and resources to create. Lower-quality videos can be made in a fraction of the time for a much smaller budget. 
• Experience of the Production Team: Professional video production companies that have been in business for a while typically charge more than freelancers and inexperienced teams. This is because they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table that can help make your project successful and reduce the risk of costly mistakes. 

How to Make Educational Videos

Before considering the cost of educational videos, you need to know how to make them. 

• Start by identifying your audience and defining your goals. 
• Create a script and a storyboard to outline your video. After that, produce your video
• After that, produce, publish, and promote it to your target audience.

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