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This episode is brought to you by “Easy Video for Courses“. Did you know that online courses that include video are 83% more effective in helping students remember the information better?
But most people struggle with complicated equipment or software, the cost of buying equipment, or they don’t feel confident in front of the camera. That’s why I created Easy Video for Courses. I’ve taken all the confusion out of the process so you can make effective course videos in half the time, even if you don’t like being on camera.
Go to EasyVideoForCourses.com to learn more and get the course.
10 simple ways to make your online course videos less boring
1. Smile
You will come across more friendly and approachable by simply smiling. The more you smile, the most upbeat and fun the online course videos will appear. So put a big smile on your face 🙂
2. Laugh right before you start each take
While it might feel strange to do this, it helps loosen you up and make you relax a bit before you start teaching your online course.
3. Tell some funny stories
This can be hard to do when you are looking at a video camera and talking to your students, it’s important to bring levity and humor into your online course videos. Think of funny jokes, stories and other ways to bring humor into your course videos. This will lighten the mood and make you seem less boring.
4. Do a demonstration or experiment
The goal with any online course is to hep the student learn the material and demonstrating the material is more effective than lecturing about the material. Think about ways to show what you’re teaching. That might mean bringing your video camera on a “field trip” or having props. Look at Will It Blend and how they create engaging video demonstrations with their product videos.
5. Include some funny videos from youtube
Do you want to bring in something funny or even a complex demonstration? Find other videos and add them into your content. You should do this to supplement your course, not create the entire course out of these videos. But they will serve as a way to bring in other voices or experts to your content.
6. Use graphics, cutaways, b-roll or other things to showcase what you’re talking about
By using other images, videos, or graphics you’ll not only have a more effective online course video, but you’ll also make your course look more professional. I give several resources in my free 3-part video series at EasyVideoForCourses.com. You can use these resources or hire a graphic designer to create custom graphics for your course videos.
7. Talk with your hands and don’t be too stiff
Most people put their hands to their sides for the entire course video, but I don’t recommend that. Show some excitement and let your hands move as you teach your course lesson.
8. If you think you’re being too goofy/silly with your smile and expressions, you’re probably just about at the start of actually looking friendly on camera
You think you’re being more pleasant than you are. Just go back and watch yourself on camera. Do you seem friendly, kind and upbeat? Usually, people think they are being more upbeat than they really are. So don’t be afraid to loosen up and act a little more silly than you usually would.
9. Go on a brisk walk before you record yourself. Studies show this will give you a positive attitude, make you more upbeat and it will loosen you up
According to The Magic of Thinking Big, walking faster can improve your outlook on life and help you become a more positive person. So go on a walk, do jumping jacks or do your morning workout before you begin recording the videos for your online courses. You will feel more energetic and probably look more excited on camera.
10. Have someone sit behind the camera so you can feel like you’re talking to someone (or have your cat or dog sit there)
Feel like you’re talking to the wall (or a camera)? Have someone sit in the room with you. Or better yet, imagine your ideal student and talk directly to them.
This episode is brought to you by “Easy Video for Courses“. Did you know that online courses that include video are 83% more effective in helping students remember the information better?
But most people struggle with complicated equipment or software, the cost of buying equipment, or they don’t feel confident in front of the camera. That’s why I created Easy Video for Courses. I’ve taken all the confusion out of the process so you can make effective course videos in half the time, even if you don’t like being on camera.
Go to EasyVideoForCourses.com to learn more and get the course.