Your new hire stares blankly at the 50-page training manual you handed them. Meanwhile, your customer success team fields the same basic questions every single day. The solution? Learning how to make instructional videos that teach people what they need to know.
That’s because people learn by watching, not reading walls of text.
Most training managers think video creation requires a massive budget and technical expertise. Wrong. Trupeer lets you record your screen, add clear explanations, and turn any process into a professional instructional video in minutes.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Let’s take a deeper dive into this. 🏊

What is an Instructional Video?

An instructional video is designed to teach users how to perform a specific task or understand a particular concept. These videos serve as digital guides that walk viewers through processes step-by-step, making complex information accessible and easy to follow.
But here’s what most people get wrong: they think any video that shows a process counts as instructional. Not true.
Real instructional videos have clear learning objectives. They’re designed with specific outcomes in mind, not just ‘let’s record our screen while doing this.’

The main types you’ll encounter

• Step-by-step software tutorials that show every click, keystroke, and expected result

• Explainer videos that break down complex concepts like data workflows or compliance requirements

• How-to videos covering practical processes like setting up integrations or handling customer complaints

• Training or product walkthroughs perfect for onboarding new team members to your specific systems

The ROI is nuts when you think about it. Say you spend two hours creating a video that prevents 50 people from needing 15 minutes of your help each. That’s over 12 hours saved from one video!
They’re particularly effective for visual learners who struggle with written documentation. Instead of trying to describe where that tiny settings icon lives, you just show them.

➡️ Read More: What is Instructional Design? A Beginner’s Guide

When instructional videos work best

Product sales demos are obvious wins, but they’re also incredible for:

• Complex approval workflows that change based on dollar amounts

• Customer service scenarios with multiple possible outcomes

• Safety procedures that need consistent execution

• Creative processes where seeing technique matters more than reading about it

The key is choosing topics where visual demonstration adds real value over textual instructions.

🚨 Fact Alert: Almost all video marketers—99%—say video has boosted how well users understand their product or service. That’s a record-breaking number!

What Makes a Great Instructional Video?

Great instructional videos nail these essentials. 👇

Your video script needs to cut straight to the point. People don’t want backstory when they’re trying to solve a problem. They want solutions, fast.

Next, visual clarity is non-negotiable. Zoom in on the important parts and make cursor movements obvious. If viewers are squinting at your screen, you’ve lost them. Good pacing keeps people engaged without overwhelming them. Move fast enough to maintain interest, but slow enough that they can follow along. This isn’t a race.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Instructional Videos

Now, let’s learn how to make instructional videos step by step.

Step #1: Plan your content

Think about the last time you watched a tutorial that left you more confused than when you started. Chances are, the creator jumped straight into recording without considering what you actually needed to learn.

Effective instructional video creation begins with understanding your audience's current knowledge level and designing a clear path to their desired outcome.

Define specific, measurable learning outcomes that viewers can accomplish within a realistic timeframe. Instead of promising they'll 'understand project management,' commit to helping them 'set up their first project workflow, assign three tasks to team members, and track progress using visual dashboards.'

Map out every action sequence your audience needs to complete, identifying potential stumbling blocks before they become frustration points. Consider creating a simple storyboard or outline that addresses common questions like 'What happens if this button doesn't appear?' or 'How do I know if I've done this correctly?'

💡 Pro Tip: Invite viewers to pause the video and try the step themselves before moving on. This active learning approach improves retention and skill-building.

Step #2: Record your screen

Choose a screen recording tool that captures crisp footage without overwhelming your computer's processing power.

The beauty of modern instructional video creation lies in accepting that your first recording doesn't need to be flawless.

Many creators get stuck in perfectionism paralysis—they record the same segment dozens of times, trying to eliminate every 'um' and awkward pause. Focus on capturing your authentic thought process as you demonstrate each step. Your natural explanations often provide the most valuable insights for learners.

Use Trupeer’s AI Screen Recorder to capture your screen effortlessly. This tool records smooth, high-quality videos while tracking your clicks and cursor movements automatically. The AI keeps the focus on important areas, so viewers don’t miss key actions.

Step #3: Edit with AI

Traditional video editing can consume hours of your time, but Trupeer transforms this tedious process into something almost magical.

The AI tool automatically identifies and removes those annoying 'umms,' long silences, and unnecessary repetitions that plague most first recordings, creating smooth, professional-quality content from your raw footage.

What makes this particularly exciting is how Trupeer intelligently zooms in on key actions during your demonstration.

For example, when you're showing how to configure email settings, the AI recognizes important interface elements and automatically highlights them, ensuring viewers never miss crucial steps. This feature alone can transform a mediocre screen recording into a highly engaging video tutorial.

The AI-generated voiceover capability opens up incredible possibilities for creators who prefer not to narrate live or want to create multiple language versions.

Step #4: Add annotations and callouts

Strategic visual elements guide viewer attention and prevent information overload. Add arrows, highlights, or pop-up tips at moments when viewers might feel uncertain about what to click or where to look next.

Think of these annotations as your virtual pointing finger, directing focus exactly where it needs to go.

Timing annotations correctly makes the difference between helpful guidance and visual clutter. Place callouts just before you demonstrate an action, giving viewers a moment to locate the relevant interface element.

For complex procedures, consider using numbered overlays that correspond to written steps viewers can reference later.

Trupeer's intelligent editing features extend into this area as well. The AI video editor can automatically generate contextual callouts based on your screen actions, saving you from manually placing dozens of annotations.

Additionally, you can leverage Trupeer's capability to add subtle background music that complements your content without overwhelming your narration, plus brief intro and outro segments that reinforce your brand identity and encourage viewer engagement.

Step #5: Export and share

Your polished tutorial deserves strategic distribution across multiple channels. Embed videos directly on your website to keep visitors engaged longer, upload to YouTube for broader reach, or share targeted clips with customers during onboarding.

Each platform serves different purposes in your overall content strategy.

Consider repurposing short segments for social media or email sequences. A comprehensive 15-minute tutorial might contain five separate 2-minute clips perfect for LinkedIn posts or customer support responses. This approach maximizes your content investment while providing value in digestible formats.

Smart creators also prepare their videos for global audiences.

Trupeer's translation capabilities mean you can record once and instantly create versions in over 30 languages and accents.

Why Use AI to Create Instructional Videos?

AI video creation tools have transformed how businesses approach training material. What used to require specialized skills and significant time investment now happens in hours, not days. ⌛️

1. Speed up editing and production

Traditional video editing involves multiple time-consuming steps: cutting footage, adding transitions, syncing audio, color correction, and final rendering.

Each revision cycle adds hours to your timeline.

AI tools handle these technical tasks automatically. Simply record your screen, and get back a polished video with professional transitions, proper audio levels, and consistent branding

The real advantage is faster iteration. When you can test different approaches quickly, you create better content. Try three different ways to explain a complex concept and see which one resonates with your audience.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t hesitate to share personal tips or shortcuts you’ve discovered through experience—these insider insights add unique value and authenticity.

2. Maintain consistency across training content

Building a comprehensive training library with traditional methods creates quality control nightmares. Different editors have different styles. Voice actors bring their own interpretation. Equipment settings change between recording sessions.

AI eliminates these variables.

Every video gets the same level of polish, the same visual treatment, and the same voice. Your viewers experience consistent quality instead of wondering why video five sounds completely different from video one.

Consistency builds trust with your audience. They know what to expect from your content, which keeps them coming back when they need help.

3. Offer extra value with written documentation

Many AI platforms generate written documents alongside your video content. Script a software tutorial, and get back the video + a PDF user guide with screenshots, a quick reference checklist, and even troubleshooting tips.

This multi-format approach serves different learning preferences without extra work. Some people prefer watching demonstrations. Others want to scan through written steps quickly. Smart organizations provide both options from a single content creation effort.

🎥 Trupeer Insight: Trupeer can convert your video tutorial into comprehensive step-by-step documents or blog posts. This means you create one piece of content and instantly have multiple formats for different learning preferences.

Convert Videos Into Docs With Trupeer

Best Practices for Better Engagement

Let’s look at some easy ways to make your videos more engaging. 🙌🏼

1. Increase completion with interactive elements

Static demo videos have higher abandonment rates than interactive ones. People learn better when they’re actively participating.

Build in participation points:

• ‘Pause here and try this step yourself’

• ‘Before moving on, check that your screen matches mine’

• ‘If you see an error message, here’s what it means and how to fix it’

Address common failure points before they happen. If 30% of people struggle with step six, spend extra time on step five preparation.

2. Prevent overwhelm with a strategic content structure

Long processes need strategic breaking points. Don’t just dump 30 steps in a row and hope people keep up.

Group related actions into phases. If you’re showing how to set up a new project, break it into: ‘Initial Setup,’ ‘Adding Team Members,’ and ‘Configuration Options.’ This gives people mental rest stops and clear progress markers.

Use preview techniques: ‘We’ll cover three main areas today’ followed by brief descriptions. With this, people can decide if they need the whole video or can skip to specific sections.

🎥 Trupeer insight: No time for filming? Let Heygen AI avatars take over your instructional videos. They make explaining things easy and keep your audience hooked without any of the usual setup fuss.

Simplify Video Production With Trupeer AI

3. Try pacing techniques

Match your speed to the viewer’s experience level, not your own knowledge.

For beginners: 5-7 seconds per interface action. Show where to look, what to click, and what result to expect. Include brief confirmations like ‘you should see a green checkmark appear.’

For intermediate users: 3-4 seconds per action, with more focus on decision points and customization options rather than basic navigation.

4. Measure success beyond views

View count doesn’t tell you if your video actually helped anyone. Track metrics that indicate learning and task completion.

Watch for these signals:

• Average watch percentage (aim for 70%+ on instructional content)

• Comments asking for clarification on specific steps

• Support ticket volume for processes covered in your videos

• User completion rates for tasks demonstrated

Use this data to improve future videos and update existing ones. Remember, engaging video content needs maintenance as processes change and you discover better ways to explain things.

🎥 Trupeer Insight: See beyond the play button. Trupeer’s analytics reveal total views, watch time, comments, and reactions, helping you understand what parts of your instructional videos engage your audience and where to sharpen your message next.

A real-life user shares: “We had the smoothest IT migration ever in our company, thanks to Trupeer. The videos were consistent and engaging. The best part - we pulled the content off in weeks, without external help.”

Analyze Video Impact Quickly Using Trupeer

Zoom Into Success With Trupeer

Making instructional videos can feel like a lot, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Trupeer takes the busy work off your hands. It cleans up your video, zooms in on the important parts, and even adds voiceovers for you. Plus, it turns your videos into written guides, so you get more out of every tutorial.

If you want to save time and make videos that actually help people learn, Trupeer’s got your back. Give it a try and see how simple instructional video creation can be.

FAQs

1. What’s the best tool to create instructional videos from screen recordings?

The best tool to make instructional videos should simplify the entire process from recording to editing. Trupeer is a strong AI video creation tool that combines screen recording for tutorials with easy editing, voiceover for instructional videos, and even document generation. It lets you create polished step-by-step instructional videos without needing advanced video skills, making it ideal for trainers, educators, and creators.

2. How long should an instructional video be?

Instructional videos work best when they are concise and focused. Most effective training videos stay between two and five minutes per topic. This length helps learners stay engaged and absorb the material without feeling overwhelmed. If the subject is complex, break it into smaller video tutorials that each cover one key step or concept clearly.

3. Can I make instructional videos without being on camera?

Yes, you can create instructional videos without appearing on camera. Using screen recording for tutorials combined with voiceover for instructional videos lets you explain steps clearly while showing the process on your screen. Tools like Trupeer allow you to generate professional voiceovers and use AI avatars, so you don’t have to record your own audio if you prefer to stay off-camera.

4. What should I include in an instructional video?

Your instructional video should include a clear goal, a step-by-step walkthrough, and visuals that match each step. Use screen recordings to show exactly what you’re explaining. Adding voiceover for instructional videos helps guide learners and keeps them engaged. It’s also helpful to keep the content simple, focus on one concept at a time, and end with a quick summary or call to action.

5. Can Trupeer create both videos and documents from the same tutorial?

Yes. Trupeer stands out because it can automatically generate written step-by-step guides from your video tutorials. This means you get training videos and supporting documents from the same recording session. It saves time, keeps your content consistent, and provides different formats to support varied learning preferences.