Video has proven itself as a powerful communications tool, and part of that success lies in its ability to teach. There are many reasons for this, and it perhaps comes as no surprise.

In order to really make use of the teaching power of video, there are a few considerations you should keep in mind.

1. Will a Video Actually Improve Instruction?

Though it may surprise you, the answer to this question is sometimes NO. For example, if the material you want to teach is so dense that it requires the viewer to pause or rewind the video, then your audience may prefer to read it.

Video may have a reputation for being “easier than reading”, but there are cases where the reverse is true. Sometimes, it’s better to give your audience the power to revisit or re-read at their discretion without making them scrub through a video.

2. How You Can Use Visuals to Your Advantage

Every classroom has a chalkboard, and a good teacher knows how and when to use it. Simply put, visual elements should supplement or support the narration. If done properly, this can have enormous instructional benefits. In this case of video, this is achieved with skillful scriptwriting.

To demonstrate this, we created our own instructional video.

3. How Invested Your Audience Is

If your target audience is already invested in learning about your content, then you’re in good shape – if you deliver the instructional goods, you should have no problem retaining your audience and giving them value. However, if you’re thinking about using an educational or instructional video to create awareness, then you might want to re-think your video strategy and ask yourself a few important questions first.

The main takeaway is that, like all good videos, educational or instructional videos must be rooted in some sense of purpose. Think carefully about the specific value you are hoping to offer your audience, and then give due respect to the creative process needed to get you there.