Use Video Demos to Help Your Clients
Jan 12, 2020
From time to time, working virtually has its challenges. One of those is explaining how to do something on the computer that your client needs to understand and perform without you.
The answer? Video demonstrations.
For tasks that are performed just a few times each year, it’s nearly impossible to commit them to memory. But if they are fairly involved, it can be hard to describe them in writing.
The solution is a video demo, something you can do quickly, easily, and step-by-step for your clients.
There are several software solutions you can use for this (many are free), including, for example, Loom and Screencastomatic.
Here are some tips for making great how-to client videos.
- Skip the small talk. Start the video by saying “this video will explain how to do x, y and z using such and such software.” This is not a time to say hello or catch them up on the details of your work together. They are probably going to watch this video many times and that information won’t be relevant.
- Start at the top. Keep in mind that the reason you’re making this video for your client is because they don’t know or can’t remember how to do the task. So make the video as complete as possible. Start with logging in to the application and show them, step-by-step, how to perform the task through to completion. Don’t assume they know how to do any of it.
- Be detailed in your instructions. Instead of saying “click the blue button,” say “click the blue button at the top of your screen on the right side that says ‘Save.’” This will keep the confusion down and your client will be more confident that they’re able to follow along.
- Give the video a descriptive name. Often, when using an application like Loom to record your screen, it will automatically assign a name like “Desktop recording, December 15, 2019, 5 minutes. That will be meaningless to your client and make it difficult for them to find it on their computer. Plus, over time you might send more than one video. Use names like “Adding new subscribers to MailChimp.”
My clients LOVE the videos that I send them and appreciate the care and detail I put into them. Make sure you keep your copies of these valuable videos organized, too, in case you need to send it to them again in the future.
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