You want to create your own learning videos quickly and with your smartphone – but you don't know how to tackle the subject? That's exactly why there is the blink.it-rocketday! How our workshop on video shooting runs and how you become a video pro in just 6 hours, you will find out in the article – with many photos and expert tips!

One tip that we trainers, coaches, and consultants always give regarding video shooting is: “Just start and gather practical experience: learning by doing!” – And it's all about practical experience at the rocketday! As a participant, you will learn to

• create your own concepts for videos.

• record learning videos with your own smartphone.

• professionally edit and cut videos.

• effectively use your videos in your own online courses.

Reading tip: In this article, we have already explained the concept of the rocketday workshop

In theory, this sounds incredibly complex, technical, and time-consuming. Therefore, I was curious: Does it really all work in one day? To answer this question, I accompanied workshop leader Dennis Tröger and three participants for a day in August 2019. I was astonished at how well the simple yet brilliant rocketday concept works!

“Videos fit every type of training”

Often we hear the objection regarding video shooting: “Videos do not fit my topic.” However, the diversity of learning videos and how many different topics they can be used for becomes apparent at the rocketday, already shown by the participants.

The goals for their videos were very different:

• Martin Wagner (BwConsulting): Continuing education projects and soft skill training at the Bundeswehr

• Dr. Jörg Wittenberg (Wegberater): Personal customer communication for coaching on professional challenges

• David Old Brand (Kaledonia): Support for English courses with videos on grammar topics

Three completely different topics and video formats. Do they fit together? Yes! Workshop leader Dennis promises: “By this evening, each of you will have a completed video in your pocket!” – I am curious.

An important aspect of the rocketday: getting to know and exchanging ideas with colleagues. This is how new ideas emerge together. (l: Martin Wagner. r: Dr. Jörg Wittenberg)

“The first 8 seconds must convince!”

Regardless of the topic, a central rule always remains the focus: “In the first eight seconds, you must convince your viewers that it is worth listening to you!”

PROFESSIONAL TIP NO. 1: Before each video shoot, you should think about the answers to the three most important questions and be able to answer them in the first eight seconds of the video:

• What is the biggest problem of my participant?

• What solution do I offer for this specific problem?

• What benefit does my participant gain from the video?

Rough concepts have already been brought by all participants: Because that was the “homework” from the online preparation course. At the rocketday, workshop leader Dennis now provides individual tips and improvement suggestions for each concept.

Workshop leader Dennis gives important tips for the start. (l: David Old Brand, r: Workshop leader Dennis)

“Allow small mistakes!”

Speaking in front of people is, of course, no problem for trainers and coaches – but speaking in front of the camera is a completely different matter. Anyone who has ever recorded and watched a video of themselves knows exactly what that means. Workshop leader Dennis stands in front of the camera a lot and knows why perfectionism is the biggest problem when shooting videos. His tip to the participants:

PROFESSIONAL TIP NO. 2: “Allow small mistakes and keep authenticity high: I would rather believe a person who makes small mistakes and is simply human than someone who is TOO perfect!”

The participants implement this tip immediately: Tripod – microphone – set up smartphone – position – camera rolling! Videos should be a maximum of three minutes long to maintain the attention of viewers while still having a high information density.

A tripod and a small microphone from the blink.it kit, along with the correct settings on a smartphone, and the first own video shoot can begin. (l: Martin Wagner, r: Workshop leader Dennis)

Videos do not have to be perfect: appearing authentic and friendly encourages much more viewing. (Dr. Jörg Wittenberg)

After two to three attempts, all recordings are captured, or in the smartphone. By now, 80% of the work is actually done. The remaining 20% are reserved for what usually intimidates most video newcomers the most: Editing on the laptop.

"When editing, less is more”

Video editing and effects can be terribly complicated – but they don't have to be! We at blink.it recommend the program Camtasia for Windows and Mac. The free version is absolutely sufficient for the needs of most trainers. In addition, the operation is easy and quick to learn, even for software beginners.

Video editing with Camtasia is not difficult and gives your recordings a professional look.

PROFESSIONAL TIP NO. 3: There are also a few simple rules for video editing that can help you achieve a big impact:

• Do not use too many cuts to avoid restlessness in the video.

• Show graphics, lists, or important keywords as overlays.

• Let overlays be visible long enough to be read and understood.

Everything is in line with the motto: Less is more! Keep the focus in the video on yourself and the important information you want to convey. With these tips, the participants at the rocketday also crafted individual videos with a professional look from their first raw footage. This way, the remaining 20% succeed with fun and successful experiences!

At the end of the day, all three participants achieved the goal of the day: Each takes home a finished recorded and edited video – and the substantial knowledge gained from an intensive rocketday, with which the next learning videos will succeed at home!

Video: “What is your most important learning?”

For us at blink.it, it is not important to pack as much knowledge as possible into one day. Our focus is on anchoring important learning effects long-term and providing you with the tools to quickly become a video pro.

That's why I asked all three participants at the end of the rocketday: “What is the most important thing you learned here today?” – Of course, I captured their answers on video (and edited them with Camtasia 🙂):