Engaging Video Training Content on a Budget 

by Sean Gordon

A young, tech-based workforce has pushed the demand for online training and eLearning courses to unprecedented heights. Perhaps the biggest driver of this workplace demand is video content. Video training is such an effective means to facilitate learning, appealing to multiple brain functions at once and drastically improving retention. For a staff gearing more toward a millennial edge, courses embedded in video functionality take advantage of the primary means through which young people now absorb information. 

The great news is, making video content does not need a Hollywood-style set, but can be created on any budget. 

Time to Gear Up

This is the first and perhaps most daunting step to take – but it is the part of the process where businesses can save the most money. 

Thanks to some rather amazing technological advancements, the camera in most new phones is now remarkably powerful, focused and fully capable for most video capturing endeavors. In fact, as of 2017 the Apple iPhone 8 can shoot video in 4K. The same level of quality advancement goes for the built-in camera that is a frequent feature of many current laptops and desktops.

In most cases, using the video capture from a phone or computer will be the most economical solution. For those who have some play in their budget, though, splurging on a microphone may be advisable. A number of professional-quality microphones can be had for around $100-$200, many podcast-style desktop microphones with USB outputs for easy connectivity. A stand for the phone camera can be purchased for under $50. So, a couple hundred dollars can really go a long way. 

A Cost-Effective Way of Capturing, Editing and Streaming Content 

The hardware is covered, but what about the software and the process? How to curate the content? Subtitles? Overdubs on sound? What about storage? The average minute of 4K video captured at 60fps is 400MB on an iPhone 8. How will the employees access content? Interact with content?

This is where an all-in-one video content management system can prove to be the most budget-friendly, organized and advanced way to cover every facet of the video training content. A quality content management system can provide cloud storage for captured video, edited files and content library, saving a great deal on additional storage and servers. 

The system allows editing of content in-house with relative ease; most systems are designed with the inexperienced user in mind, so no need to engage with the IT department or hire a marketing professional with video background. The depth of editing varies by product, but most will let the user include transitions, dub over video with new audio and music, add graphics, and even edit the frame with different filters and zoom capabilities. 

The strong point of a video content management system is specifically regarding video content. These platforms allow users to upload libraries of content and let managers assign specific videos to employees based on areas they would like for them to grow in. Employees can scan through the greater library; search by department, or even by keyword within the video itself to quickly find the info they need. Users can leave feedback at various points in the video, or chat about content within the system to gain a better-rounded approach and build team camaraderie.   

Sean Gordon is CEO of HIRENAMI, which offers a suite of solutions on its video content management platform; Gordon took his 20 years’ experience recruiting, hiring, training and unlocking the talent of people to found the company initially to address recruiting challenges for employees and employers.

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