Explore every episode of the podcast The Visual Lounge
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Design Strategies: Simplicity, Iteration, & Inspiration | 11 Sep 2024 | 00:23:12 | |
Let’s get those creative muscles working! The secret to great learning content is just as much about creativity in your messaging as the content itself. How you deliver your content is key to that information being absorbed and remembered, so don’t be afraid to get a little creative. In this episode, host Matt Pierce sits down with Tim Slade, Founder of The eLearning Designer’s Academy and renowned expert in visual communications. His top tip for creators using images or videos? Tap into your creativity. Remember when you were a kid and could dream up just about anything? Don’t lose sight of that! As adults, many of us lose the natural creativity and imagination we explored as kids, but Tim explains that we can tap into that again by trying something a bit different (and being okay if it doesn’t work out). Tim shares how he uses modern tools to bring his imagination to life and how he gets inspiration from just about anywhere he looks, from TV commercials to ads at airport kiosks. He explains why he approaches animation design like a theater production, seeing each little element as its own character telling a story. Tim offers some great insights into his processes, why he values simplicity, and how he gauges whether his work will be effective. We also talk about the elephant in the room… AI and its impact on learning design. Tim cautions us against over-reliance on AI and explains that human creativity is what will really set your design apart. Learning points from the episode include:
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| Why Images Are NOT Optional for Business | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:32:18 | |
Did you know that humans process visual information 30 times faster than blinking? And that we’re far more likely to remember things we see than things we hear or read? In other words, there’s a good reason that marketing and educational content have become so visual-centric. Visual content is the very best way to get your audience to consume, understand, and retain your message. But how do we make sure we’re using visuals effectively? Joining this episode of The Visual Lounge is Nicky Pasquier, a marketer, YouTuber, and certified Canva whizz. She explores how to tie your visual content closely to your business and branding aims, and explains what brands often get wrong about visual content. We also hear about her process of using Canva and TechSmith tools to create consistently great imagery for her brand. Learning points from the episode include:
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| Workplace Communication Is Boring & How to Fix It | 03 Jul 2024 | 00:34:30 | |
What comes to mind when you think of workplace communication? Do your eyes glaze over when someone fires up the latest PowerPoint presentation? Sadly, boring workplace comms is pretty common, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt has a great conversation with Grant Crowell from Design Laboratory Inc, a Senior Training Specialist at Microsoft, and author of the book, GRANTASMS: Creative twisted words for cool people! Grant explains his approach to making workplace communication more fun and engaging – and why that results in better information absorption. He explores why storytelling is so important as well as the use of visuals, video, and what he calls “playful mindfulness.” We also hear his thoughts on using AI and acronym-speak in the corporate world, plus why he prefers to come up with his own fun names for corporate terms. Learning points from the episode include:
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| 6 Video Mistakes I Still Make | 06 Jul 2022 | 00:42:49 | |
Mistakes – everyone makes them, but most of the time we try to hide them. What should we be doing instead? Acknowledging that we’re not perfect while looking for ways ‘level up’ in every single video we make. That’s why in this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce, Learning & Video Ambassador, explores the six top mistakes he still makes in his videos. Matt doesn’t just point out the blunders, he also gives clear and precise steps on how to tackle them. So, if you find yourself making the same mistakes over and over in your videos, you’re in pretty good company. In Matt’s view, perfection is a tough goal to meet, but taking a proactive approach to get better at video creation is the way forward. Learning points from the episode include:
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| Choosing the Right Images and Videos | 29 Jun 2022 | 00:57:52 | |
Getting started with video creation? Then one of the most basic things you need to master is how to choose the right types of videos and images to get your message across. With that in mind, Matt Pierce, Learning and Video Ambassador at TechSmith, talks about the ABCs of making videos in this episode of The Visual Lounge. As he tells us, video creation isn’t as hard as some people make it out to be. But there are some key decisions that can either make or break the final product. Learn the secret formula for a great video structure, as well as what kind of videos or images to use in different scenarios in the full episode. Learning points from the episode include:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. | |||
| What You Can Do With Camtasia 2022 | 22 Jun 2022 | 00:59:17 | |
Camtasia 2022 unlocks even more great features and capabilities than ever before. Joe Dearman, User Experience, and Brooks Andrus, Product Technical Manager at TechSmith, hopped on to this episode of The Visual Lounge to share their favorite features, what to expect from Camtasia 2022, how its “epic cursors” work, and much more. Joe and Brooks take us behind the scenes of Camtasia’s development and how this new iteration aims to help video creators level up their content. Find out what new features to expect and see some sneak peek demos in the full episode. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. | |||
| Time to Make a Video, Part 1 | 15 Jun 2022 | 00:58:41 | |
Introducing video content to your arsenal is not an easy task. It’s a gradual procedure, and mistakes will certainly be made along the way. But that’s OK. In this episode, master virtual trainer Kassy LaBorie joins Matt Pierce on The Visual Lounge for a step-by-step tutorial on how to create her first video for her business. From the early planning stages to nailing your script (or deciding whether you need one), Matt and Kassy discuss how to navigate the basics when stepping into the world of video. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. | |||
| How I Improved My Videos | 08 Jun 2022 | 00:53:33 | |
Video creation skills aren’t “built in a day.” Like everything else worth learning, it's a gradual process that you’ve got to embrace every step of the way. To share the story behind his stellar video creation skills, Jeff Batt, Learning & Development Specialist and Founder of Learning Dojo, joins The Visual Lounge. He takes us back in time to where it all started to talk about his humble beginnings in video creation. Jeff also explains his production process and shares some insightful advice for anyone looking to up their video-making skills. Jeff has a wealth of experience ranging 10+ years in the digital learning and media industry. He also has a strong background in web development and is a regular conference speaker covering eLearning technologies such as Captivate and Camtasia. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/how-i-improved-my-videos/ | |||
| Strategies for an Effective Hybrid Workplace | 01 Jun 2022 | 00:53:44 | |
Whether you’re an L&D professional, video creator, or a software developer, your industry has probably been bitten by the hybrid work bug in one way or the other. This isn’t a challenge we can master overnight, but all it takes is the right information to get you moving in the right direction. Michelle Massey, VP of Community Outreach and Customer Operations at TechSmith, joins Matt on this episode to share some practical steps and advice that make for a more wholesome hybrid work environment. She talks about organizational culture and how it affects the hybrid work setup and also doles out a few tips on how to communicate better in a hybrid work environment. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/effective-hybrid-workplace/ | |||
| Lighting Yourself on Camera | 25 May 2022 | 00:39:12 | |
Microphones, lights, and cameras —the trifecta of good video creation. But this time, we’re focusing on lighting and all the amazing things it can do for your videos. Here’s the thing about lighting, it doesn’t just affect picture quality. It also sets the mood and tone for any video you’re creating. So, if you’re looking for pointers on how to use camera lighting to your advantage, this episode of The Visual Lounge is a good place to start. Matt Pierce, TechSmith’s Learning and Video Ambassador, delves into everything you need to know, from using natural and artificial lighting to how to get good lighting on a budget. It’s an episode packed with useful information that’ll bring you one step closer to mastering video lighting. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/lighting-yourself-on-camera | |||
| Improving Your On-Camera Presence | 18 May 2022 | 00:50:27 | |
Leveling up your videos is sometimes all about getting back to basics. When creating live training or pre-recorded learning content, there’s one question you should ask yourself - what is your on-camera presence like? In the learning industry, your on-camera presence is key to getting your message across. But what if you’re not a natural in front of the camera? Don’t worry, the truth is most people aren’t. If you want to learn how to improve your on-camera image, we’ve got just the episode of The Visual Lounge for you. Diana Howles, CEO and Co-Owner of Howles Associates, shares some tips for success and breaks down all the little details you should think about to improve your videos and give a great impression to your audience. Diana is an award-winning speaker, author, and international virtual trainer with 25 years of experience in the learning industry. She has conducted live online training for clients since 2000 and has taught virtual classes in more than a dozen countries. Diana is also the author of the book Next Level Virtual Training. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/improving-your-on-camera-presence/ | |||
| Compelling Video Content for Learning | 11 May 2022 | 00:50:36 | |
When it comes to creating learning video content, the key to success is in how engaging it is. A video can have all the right information and be clear and comprehensive, but unless it’s compelling, it can fall flat with the viewer. A compelling video keeps viewers engaged, and that means any message you want to convey is much more likely to stick. But what’s the secret to creating compelling instructional videos? Mark Lassoff, Video Instructor and Founder of Tech Learning Network, is on The Visual Lounge to share some words of wisdom on his process and advice for others. Mark breaks down the three must-have elements of any video and explains why talent and expensive cameras are overrated. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/compelling-video-content | |||
| Don’t Jump to the Media First in Remote Communication | 04 May 2022 | 00:51:07 | |
Communication is a natural part of everyday life, and yet most people don’t consider how they communicate. Whether it’s internal team communication or communication with customers and clients, it’s easy for mixed messages and confusion to crop up. The solution? Build a communication strategy. That’s Jesse Lahey’s, Co-founder and Strategic Partner at Workforce Communication, secret for communication success. Jesse joins The Visual Lounge to break down his strategies and frameworks for communicating more effectively – without relying so much on media to paint a picture. Jesse is also a consultant speaker and author with over 25 years of experience in leadership and workforce communication. Previously, he was an HR communication leader at a Fortune 500 manufacturer with nearly 20,000 employees worldwide. Since 2012, he’s also hosted the Engaging Leader podcast, which has been downloaded millions of times by leaders around the world. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/dont-jump-to-media-first | |||
| Fast Visual Tips & Best Practices | 26 Jun 2024 | 00:34:23 | |
With over two decades of experience at the crossroads of education and technology, Instructional Designer Ephraim Ross provides invaluable insights on the significance of craftsmanship in your work during his appearance on The Visual Lounge. Hosted by Matt Pierce, this episode dives deep into tips and best practices for creators, focusing on visual efficiency, the innovative use of AI tools, and enhancing video and audio quality. Ephraim emphasizes the need for continuous learning and making time to hone your craft despite busy schedules. From the benefits of teleprompter technology and camera streaming apps to advanced features in Snagit and Camtasia, this episode is packed with practical advice for L&D professionals and marketers alike. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
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| Mic Check! Upgrade Your Microphone for Better Audio | 27 Apr 2022 | 00:55:13 | |
Are you ready to upgrade your microphone but aren’t sure where to start in the complex world of audio equipment and microphones? You’re in luck. This episode of The Visual Lounge is all about audio – how to pick the best equipment, how to use it correctly, mistakes to watch out for, and much more. Host Matt Pierce has some helpful need-to-know tips and even tests some of the most popular microphones on the market. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/upgrade-your-microphone | |||
| The Art of the Demo | 20 Apr 2022 | 00:50:52 | |
Are demos a necessary tool in L&D? Well, according to Troy Stein, TechSmith’s VP of Customer Advocacy, they’re super vital. He joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to explain why and share some tips on how to do demos the right way. The way Troy sees it, demos are to instructional videos what trailers are to movies. They don’t just give a sneak peek into what’s coming, they also pique the viewer's interest and make them want to know more. But there are key elements that need to be on point before a demo is considered successful. In this episode, Troy discusses everything from demo length to the importance of context, and he even shares a few demos he’s worked on himself. He also shares a bonus tip for video creators: Do everything at 1080p. Before becoming the VP of Customer Advocacy at TechSmith, Troy held a range of roles with the company spanning a decade. He also played a pivotal role in making Camtasia the popular software it is today. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions: Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/the-art-of-the-demo | |||
| Make Helpful Images Not Just Beautiful Ones | 13 Apr 2022 | 00:56:52 | |
How do you balance aesthetics and helpfulness when creating videos? Diane Elkins, the Co-owner of Artisan E-Learning and E-Learning Uncovered, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to discuss. Diane is a national e-learning expert. She’s in the business of helping people create courses they can be proud of —and visual aids happen to play a big part. It’s not simply about creating visuals that look great. They also have to be purposeful, offer value, and complement the rest of your content. For the yes’s, maybes, and absolutely-nots of creating visual content that gets the message across, tune in to this episode of The Visual Lounge. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/make-helpful-images | |||
| Out of the Box with Camtasia | 06 Apr 2022 | 00:57:58 | |
Want to take your video editing skill to the next level (we’re talking ‘coloring outside the line' levels)? Then this episode has your name on it. Cristi Cotovan joins The Visual Lounge to take us through some of the ‘out of the box’ work he’s been doing on Camtasia. Cristi is a video editor, educational content creator, developer, and Founder of Design Catchup and Graphicious. One of his superpowers is having a “visual brain,” and that certainly comes in handy in his line of work. One of Cristi’s core focuses is Camtasia, which he uses to produce some advanced-level material that can only be described as “out of the box.” Whether you’re just getting started in video creation or you’re further down the line, there’s something to be learned from Cristi’s approach to video making. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy . To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/out-of-the-box-camtasia | |||
| Stop Reinventing the Wheel for Faster Video Creation | 30 Mar 2022 | 00:57:26 | |
Creating videos can be a work-intensive process – especially when you’re doing everything from scratch. But it doesn’t have to take eons to come up with a well-rounded video, and that’s what Andy Owen, the Social Engagement and Video Manager at TechSmith, discusses in this episode of The Visual Lounge. As Andy explains, recreating every element of your video from scratch is just not practical as your career progresses, it’s important for content creators to embrace the efficiency that comes with templatizing in order to make the most of their time. Andy also discusses various ways to tap into your creativity while staying consistent with templates. As a bonus, he shares a few templates that he uses in Camtasia. Tune in to this episode of The Visual Lounge to hear more about how you can cut down your content creation time using templates. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/faster-video-creation | |||
| Powerful Stories and Your Message | 23 Mar 2022 | 00:53:37 | |
Storytelling can be a powerful tool in the L&D community. But, as it is with most tools, you need to know how to use it to get the desired end result. That’s what Hadiya Nuriddin, Learning Strategist, speaker, and CEO of Duets Learning, explores on this episode of The Visual Lounge. Hadiya doesn’t just have a wealth of experience developing and delivering both technical and professional development courses, she’s an advocate for storytelling. She believes that the right stories can deliver context, spur empathy, and inspire people to take “expected” actions. As Hadiya explains, there’s always a story. It’s up to us to figure out how and when to use it. Listen to this episode of The Visual Lounge to learn how to leverage the power of storytelling for everything from compliance training to customer service training. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/powerful-stories-and-your-message/ | |||
| Increasing Impact of Videos through Lessons from Marketing | 16 Mar 2022 | 00:45:30 | |
What can learning and development professionals learn from marketing experts? That’s the question we tackle in this episode of The Visual Lounge featuring Danielle Wallace, Chief Learning Strategist from Beyond the Sky. Danielle specializes in coming up with innovative ways to infuse marketing into training to create learning content that sticks. Believe it or not, we can learn so much from marketing teams, especially when it comes to identifying learner (or consumer) personas, defining the content’s objectives, and creating materials and resources that our target audience wants and needs. So, where should we begin when it comes to bridging the gap between marketing and training? Tune in to this amazing episode of The Visual Lounge to find out and get ready to take your training to a new level. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-lessons-from-marketing | |||
| The Power of Producers for Live Training and Digital Events | 09 Mar 2022 | 00:55:34 | |
With the world shifting more into virtual spaces, live events are becoming the order of the day. If you’re in the L&D community, it’s probably time to think about ways to manage your time, space, tech and everything in between. To speak more on how to own your virtual training space, Kassy LaBorie, the Founder of Kassy LaBorie Consulting, LLC and virtual classroom master trainer, joined The Visual Lounge. Kassy is the “Original Virtual Training Hero" and is in the business of helping people give their best in virtual training sessions. She covers everything from live virtual training events to webinars and ways to connect better with your audience. In this episode, Kassy reveals the various ways she connects with her audience, how her producers help her streamline her messages, and the ins and outs of becoming a virtual training hero. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/the-power-of-producers | |||
| Graphics That Just Don’t Work | 02 Mar 2022 | 00:49:00 | |
What makes graphics click with your audience? Is it your skill level, the finer details like color or shape, or could it be something else altogether? While those things definitely contribute to the success of your graphics, you could still end up producing graphics that just don’t work even if you have the skills to show for it. Mike Parkinson, author and Founder of Billion Dollar Graphics, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to explain what it takes to make graphics that work. He explains why graphic designers need to appeal to their target audience on two different levels — emotionally and intellectually. Besides being the founder of Billion Dollar Graphics, Mike is a world-renowned communication and presentation expert, best-selling author, and professional trainer. He’s also a partner at 24 Hour Company, which is a premier creative services firm. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy . To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/graphics-that-dont-work | |||
| Making Impactful Videos Using Stories | 23 Feb 2022 | 00:48:41 | |
Using stories to make more impactful videos is not a new idea. But it’s an overlooked part of video creation, especially when it comes to tutorials or corporate videos. But storytelling isn’t just for the fun, creative videos out there. Even if you’re creating a video tutorial about car insurance, injecting a little storytelling can go a long way in hitting your primary video goal – connecting with your audience. Andrew Kan, filmmaker, storyteller, and YouTube creator, joined The Visual Lounge to talk all about story, and how it can help you level up your video skills. Andrew helps people overcome the hurdles stopping people from achieving their creative goals. He’s an experienced film director and has produced award-winning documentaries for film festivals. Andrew is skilled in storytelling, YouTube search engine optimization, camera operation, and all things filmmaking. You may know him from his time as Director of Video Production at TubeBuddy, where he used his skills to grow TubeBuddy’s YouTube channel from 6,000 to 525,000 subscribers. This episode has plenty of nuggets of wisdom from Andrew that can benefit all sorts of content creators. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/impactful-story-videos | |||
| Video Is a Skill and Shrinking Attention Span Is a Lie | 19 Jun 2024 | 00:20:16 | |
How can we create videos that people pay attention to? With many in the content world claiming that attention spans are shrinking, The Visual Lounge host, Matthew Pierce, has a different take… In this episode, Matt explains why he believes that attention spans aren’t the problem. It’s just that there’s so much content battling for our attention (never mind our busy daily lives!) Matt explores why you need to know the fundamentals of what makes a good video and how to tell a story with your content to keep people watching. He explains why it’s often the first five seconds of a video that determines whether someone will stick around and why you may need to make the effort to re-engage viewers for longer videos. AI is a big topic in the content creation world. But while AI spells opportunity for video creators, it doesn’t mean we can get away with not knowing the basics. You need to know how to tell a story and what your audience is looking for to maintain viewer interest. Learning points from the episode include:
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| Video Editing Workflow | 16 Feb 2022 | 00:45:42 | |
What’s the secret to the perfect video editing workflow? Same as for many great questions we hear, the true answer is that it depends. But it all depends on you. Building a workflow that’s efficient, doesn’t cut corners, and saves time can take a while to figure out, especially if you’re new to it all. But once you’ve figured out what works for you, you can start to level up your videos and fine-tune your craft. The Visual Lounge host Matt Pierce breaks down a sample video editing workflow that covers the main areas of video editing, from organizing your footage to adding audio and graphics. Download our workflow example or feel free to mix and match each element to find out what works for you. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-editing-workflow | |||
| Learning Myths vs Science/ Approaches to Creating Effective Learning | 09 Feb 2022 | 00:50:14 | |
How do people really learn? As an instructional designer or learning and development professional, understanding how people learn helps you deliver training that hits the nail on the head. It’s more complicated than learning styles or picking video over written instructions. In fact, there’s a whole science behind it. Clark Quinn, Executive Director of Quinnovation, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to impart some words of wisdom and share his knowledge on the science of learning. He takes us through what the research shows and busts some common myths we could all do with putting to bed. Clark provides learning experience design strategies for corporations, higher education, government, and not-for-profit organizations. He’s an award-winning consultant, an internationally known speaker, and author of six books. He integrates a deep understanding of thinking and learning with technology to improve organizational execution, innovation, and ultimately performance. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/creating-effective-learning | |||
| Types of Cuts for Video You Should Know | 02 Feb 2022 | 00:56:08 | |
It may be considered the most basic part of editing, but there’s nothing basic about a cut. Cuts can be powerful tools in the hands of anyone who knows how to wield them. They don’t just make videos look way cooler, they bring an extra dash of clarity, brevity, and seamlessness to the table. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce takes us through some handy cutting techniques as well as how to use them on Camtasia or any other video editing tool. This is a great episode to sink your teeth into if you’re looking to grasp the ABCs of video editing. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions: Learn more about the TechSmith Academy https://academy.techsmith.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=visuallounge&utm_content= video-cuts-you-should-know To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-cuts-you-should-know | |||
| Your Year for Video! Getting Started, Leveling Up, and Making Better Videos | 26 Jan 2022 | 00:48:53 | |
Are you ready to level up your video creation skills this year? Whether you’ve been creating videos for the past month or several years, there’s always room for improvement to make your content the best it can possibly be. Matt Pierce, host of The Visual Lounge, breaks down some ways to hone your skills, improve your videos, and level up for 2022. If you want to make 2022 your year for video, start by tuning in to this episode. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/making-better-videos | |||
| Snagit 2022 Revealed | 12 Jan 2022 | 00:58:39 | |
Snagit 2022 is here! And it comes packed with brand new and updated features to help instructional designers, L&D professionals, and anyone who wants to create video level up their content. To explain more about what’s new on Snagit and why, TechSmith’s Chris Larson, Technical Product Manager and Daniel Foster, Strategy Manager, joined The Visual Lounge to give us a breakdown. Chris currently works remotely with an amazing development team dedicated to Snagit. He’s a graduate of Michigan State University and joined TechSmith 14 years ago with a background in user experience design. Daniel heads up the marketing and product strategy side for Snagit. He has 16 years of software industry experience in marketing, communications, content creation, and social media. Daniel has previously spoken at STC Summit, LavaCon, tcworld, and other conferences. Whether you’ve been a long-standing Snagit fan from the very beginning or are looking to get started, this episode is full of new updates and tips on what you can get out of the tool. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/snagit-2022-revealed | |||
| What Viewers Want: 2021 Video Viewer Study Deep Dive | 05 Jan 2022 | 01:00:10 | |
What’s new in the world of instructional and informational video? If you’re in the business of creating videos, having the latest research and stats at hand is always important. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. We’ve just released our 2021 Video Viewer Study – a collaboration between TechSmith and Dr. Jane Bozarth, Director of Research at The Learning Guild. We publish this study every year, but this time, we invited Jane to help us out as an unbiased third party. Jane joined this special episode of The Visual Lounge to discuss the most interesting findings and what they mean for video creators going forwards. Jane is a veteran classroom trainer who transitioned to the world of eLearning in the late 90s and hasn’t looked back since. Jane now specializes in finding low-cost ways to provide online training solutions. She’s the author of several books, including E-Learning Solutions on a Shoestring, Social Media for Trainers, and Show Your Work: The Payoffs and How-To's of Working Out Loud. Take a look at our updated findings on video viewer habits and trends in the link below, or tune in to the episode to hear more from Jane. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/what-viewers-want-2021 | |||
| What Did You Learn in 2021? | 20 Dec 2021 | 00:04:11 | |
Thank You for Listening Just a quick end-of-the-year episode to say thank you and to share with you some of the things we have learned. I asked a few of my TechSmith friends and colleagues to share so of their takeaways about visuals and images this year. We'll be back with full episodes in 2022 and look forward to continuing the conversations in The Visual Lounge. Share What You've LearnedWe'd love to hear from you! What have you learned from The Visual Lounge this year? Who was your favorite guest? What was something we got you to think about that you hadn't previously? You can always share with us on social media - tag @techsmith, or #thevisuallougne, or email us at: thevisuallounge@techsmith.com We wish you the best for the rest of the year, and an amazing 2022 filled with growth and opportunities, and of course lots and lots of images and videos! Best, Matt | |||
| Diversity and Inclusion in Video & Workplace Media | 15 Dec 2021 | 00:58:21 | |
Your video and workplace media can have a big impact on users, but is it affecting everyone in the same way? Understanding how your media choices represent people and their experiences can help you select more diverse and inclusive images and videos that impact everyone more effectively. Jess Jackson, Racial Equity Strategist, and Megan Torrance, CEO, both of TorranceLearning, join this episode of The Visual Lounge to explain how to incorporate a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) mindset into your video and workplace media decisions. They also talk about the unique position and responsibility creators, instructional designers and those in learning and development roles have for instilling DEIB approaches within organizations. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/diversity-inclusion-in-video | |||
| Video Gear Wish List | 08 Dec 2021 | 00:59:23 | |
What’s the best budget-friendly microphone to make videos? How do you set up your lighting in a home studio? Do you need a green screen? What’s a stream deck? The TechSmith team has all these answers covered and much more. On this episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce, Kara Swanson (Content Marketer), Andy Owen (Video Production), and Anton Bollen (Customer Success) share their top picks for audio, camera, lighting, and accessories. If you’re looking for some recommendations to point you in the right direction, be sure to tune in today or keep reading. For a list of all the gear mentioned in this episode, head over to Matt’s wish list. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-gear-wish-list/ | |||
| Lessons Learned about Visual Communication from Comic Books | 01 Dec 2021 | 00:59:48 | |
What can we learn from comic books that we can apply to instructional design or marketing? It may seem like an odd question, but it turns out we can learn a whole lot from comic books. Buddy Scalera, comic book writer, educator, and Founder of Comic Book School, joins The Visual Lounge to share those lessons with us. Whether you’re creating your own comic book or designing instructional videos for a corporate environment, we can all take something from comic books. In this episode, Buddy explains why comics can help contextualize your brand in a simpler and less expensive way than other mediums. He shares some of his biggest lessons about visual communication and some details about his fantastic career so far. Buddy is an award-winning creator with a focus on marketing, storytelling, and technology. For the past 25 years, he’s moonlighted as a comic book writer. Buddy has had the chance to work on Marvel favorites like Deadpool as well as many other comics. He’s won three awards, including the Content Marketing Institute Award. This interview is full of advice on achieving great visual design, storytelling, and getting your message across in a fun, clear, and interesting way. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/visual-communication-comic-books | |||
| Breaking Down the Language Barrier with Content Localization | 12 Jun 2024 | 00:29:09 | |
Today’s global businesses want to make sure their messages are heard far and wide. But sometimes, that means crossing a language barrier. Whether it’s marketing content or training content, getting your message across quickly and effectively is critical. Poorly translated materials could put a spanner in the works of what you’re trying to achieve. But even if the translation is word-for-word perfect, without intentional efforts to localize that content, it’s easy for your message to get lost in translation. In this episode, we sit down with Roberto Aiello, the Senior Learning Experience Designer at Personio, about realities, challenges, and his tips for localizing content effectively. He explains why localization is about much more than just translation. For the message of your content to be translated and absorbed by your audience, it needs to feel native to that person. Roberto talks about the common difficulties that can come up while localizing content including cultural references and phrases that don’t translate well into other languages. He shares some examples he’s come across as a native Italian speaker now living in Dublin. Roberto has some great advice for anyone involved in localizing content, and explores what to watch out for and why you need to know your audience well. Learning points from the episode include:
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| The Role of Images & Video in Workplace Productivity | Tom Solid | 24 Nov 2021 | 00:58:00 | |
The digital age has ushered in its fair share of upsides and challenges, especially when it comes to productivity. While there are so many applications and tools that promise to make it a lot easier, sometimes, they do the opposite. That’s probably why people end up getting lost in the maze of keeping up with the times, are overwhelmed while finding information, or are just plain unproductive. The critical question here is, how do you address this productivity problem? And how can videos and images play a part? With us on this episode of The Visual Lounge is Tom Solid, the founder, and CEO of The Paperless Movement and a workplace productivity guru of sorts. He’s leveraged years of working in big industries and academic institutions to solve the same productivity issues most people face in the digital age. He has worked with an array of teams in multiple industries and has helped increase their productivity by as much as 60%. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-in-workplace-productivity/ To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/video-in-workplace-productivity | |||
| Finding Your Groove with YouTube and Video Creation | Sean Cannell | 17 Nov 2021 | 01:03:31 | |
Becoming a content creator is a dream that many people have these days. But it’s far from an easy road to follow. It takes a great deal of grit, determination, and a commitment to learning and growing to get your channel off the ground. On top of that, there’s also the big learning process of developing your camera and editing skills. Joining this episode of The Visual Lounge is Sean Cannell, CEO of Think Media, and host of the Think Media Podcast. If you’ve ever looked up YouTube or content creation tips or tutorials, you’ll probably have come across his content. Sean is one of today's leading online video experts and the world's most-watched YouTube strategist. He has been featured on Forbes.com, CNBC, Social Media Examiner, Entrepreneur.com, and Success.com, after growing a six-figure income as a tech YouTuber. Sean is also an international speaker, coach, and prolific content creator. His mission is to help 10,000 purpose-driven people create a full-time living while making a difference in the world with YouTube. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/finding-your-groove-with-youtube-and-video-creation-sean-cannell | |||
| Animation, Video, and the Power of Visual Explanation | Lee Lefever | 10 Nov 2021 | 00:55:56 | |
What makes a solid explainer video? The kind that gets your point across fast, without confusion, and equips the audience with all they need to know. There are many components that go into a good explainer video. Lee Lefever, Co-Founder of Common Craft, breaks them down in this episode of The Visual Lounge. Common Craft excels in creating simple animated videos to explain concepts suitable for use in online presentations, courses, classrooms, and more. With a refreshingly simple animation style, Common Craft’s videos focus totally on the audience and the content while also telling a story in a unique way. As well as being the Co-Founder of Common Craft, Lee is also the author of two books – ‘Big Enough’ and ‘The Art of Explanation.’ He’s worked with clients such as Google, Intel, Lego, Microsoft, and more. This episode covers a lot of ground on everything you need to know to craft a successful explainer video. You’ll hear why it all begins with the audience, why keeping it simple is usually best, and how to tell a great story. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. | |||
| Good Training Is All about the Audience | Kati Ryan | 03 Nov 2021 | 00:27:52 | |
What does it take to be great at learning and development? Is it down to fancy tools, qualifications, or top video creation skills? Not exactly. It’s all about your audience and focusing on what they need to know. The other stuff can come later. In her career, Kati Ryan, Founder of A Positive Adventure, has picked up so many fantastic tips for L&D professionals. She joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to share her best advice for new and experienced L&D professionals alike. She explains why we need to get back to basics, focus on the audience, and plan everything with the end goal in mind. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/good-training-kati-ryan | |||
| Accelerate Product Adoption and Improve Customer Retention | Cutler Bleecker | 27 Oct 2021 | 00:55:23 | |
Did you know that customer education can help to boost both customer adoption and retention? Education is often an overlooked part of the customer experience, but companies that prioritize it see great results. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Cutler Bleecker, Learning Experience Designer at Skilljar, joins to share his expertise on customer education and creating great training content. Cutler has a passion for both teaching and technology, with an undergraduate degree in education as well as a Master’s in Instructional Technology. As a former high school Business and Technology teacher, Cutler has taught everything from accounting and computers to graphic design and video production. He transitioned into educational technology as a product expert, then a content creator for Classworks before moving to Skilljar. This episode is packed full of advice on creating educational content and what you need to know before you get started. We hear about Cutler’s successes, the challenges he’s faced when creating content, and his best advice for others. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/improve-customer-retention | |||
| How to Succeed as a Content Creator | Nick Nimmin | 20 Oct 2021 | 01:25:15 | |
Are you ready to take the plunge and become a YouTube content creator? Before you wing it and hope for the best, you need to know the best practices. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we invited Nick Nimmin, a YouTube content creator and educator, who’s seen great success on the platform with over 800,000 subscribers and counting! Nick is passionate about the power of YouTube and online video to help people connect with an audience, expand influence, and grow their businesses. In this episode, he teaches the best ways to get ahead on YouTube, how to boost viewer retention, how to figure out the mystical algorithm, and everything else you need to know about the platform. This episode is packed full of tips and actionable advice for budding YouTubers and experienced content creators alike. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/succeed-content-creator | |||
| Audio Production Mastery Tips from a Grammy Winner | Justin David Proctor | 13 Oct 2021 | 00:55:10 | |
What does it take to record great audio? A recording studio? A degree in sound engineering? You may be surprised. Justin David Proctor, audio recording master and two-time Grammy Award winner, joined this episode of The Visual Lounge to share his expertise on creating great audio. Justin takes us through his advice on getting the right equipment, pre-production and planning, preparing the room, dealing with background noise, software, and much more. Justin has worked in professional audio and music recording since 2005, engineering in multi-room large format commercial studios and cutting albums for major label record companies. He began managing a private record recording studio with his college records production partner a few years into this work while running Delivery Room Studios. Justin has won two Grammy Awards for recording engineering and composes original music, which can be heard on television networks and streaming services in the US and overseas. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy here. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/audio-production-mastery | |||
| Creating Learning Experiences With Images and Video | Mel Milloway | 06 Oct 2021 | 00:57:59 | |
How do you ensure great learning design? Whether you’re working with video, PDFs, or blog posts to deliver training content, visual elements are key to delivering a clear message to your audience. Mel Milloway, Learning Experience Design Manager at Miro, joined this episode of The Visual Lounge to talk about the importance of visuals and video in learning design. Prior to working at Miro, Mel worked in learning design at Amazon and has held other learning and development roles at various organizations. She’s known for promoting and talking about UX design, crafting mock-ups, and developing learning products with a variety of technologies. She often blogs about the new tools she’s testing and shares her thoughts on the world of learning and development. In this episode, we get to hear some of her words of wisdom around learning design, getting feedback, working with data, and the benefits of video in learning. We hear some stories from her career and how she’s helped to solve problems and target audience needs effectively. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/creating-learning-experiences | |||
| Creating Better Workplace Communication | 01 Oct 2021 | 00:31:12 | |
The future of communication in the workplace is video (and no surprise, it's already here). If you haven't found a way to implement video in your your workplace communication methods yet, there's no time like the present. ju In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Kara Swanson discuss ways that video has become a part of their internal communication and why they think replacing some communication with videos will serve you and your coworkers better in the long run. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. | |||
| Secrets of Visuals for Instruction | Connie Malamed | 29 Sep 2021 | 00:52:22 | |
What’s the secret to great visual design? We asked Connie Malamed, The eLearning Coach, to share her eLearning and visual design expertise in this episode of The Visual Lounge. Connie helps people build their instructional design skills. She’s a consultant, an author, and speaker in online learning and visual communication. Connie is the author of ‘Visual Design Solutions: Principles and Creative Inspiration for Learning Professionals’ and also runs The eLearning Coach website and podcast. Connie’s interview is packed full of fantastic advice for instructional designers, experienced or otherwise. She explains how creativity comes in many forms and why you don’t need to be a top artist to be a great visual designer. She also delves into the top design principles you need to know about, how to avoid overwhelming your audience, and why style guides are so important. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy. To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/visuals-for-instruction-secrets | |||
| Why Should You Care about SEO for Video? | 05 Jun 2024 | 00:30:56 | |
On this podcast, we talk about creating video. We talk about editing video. But then there's the art of distributing your video and getting it out there so people can find it. And having your audience find it is a critical piece of the puzzle! Of course, we’re referring to search engine optimization (SEO). In this episode, we welcome SEO coach and entrepreneur Samantha North. She talks about the importance of SEO in video distribution, the interplay between written content and video for better SEO, and how to start and succeed in SEO. Samantha shares insights from her extensive background in digital marketing and her journey toward mastering video SEO. She also provides practical tips on keyword research, video optimization, and leveraging AI tools. The episode rounds out with Samantha’s advice on building a diverse online presence to enrich your brand and safeguard against algorithm changes. Learning points from the episode include:
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| Tips for Growing a Company YouTube Channel & Building a Successful Content Strategy | 24 Sep 2021 | 00:29:17 | |
If you're looking to grow your company's YouTube channel, then this video's for you. You know that there are certain strategies to make your videos grow, gain views, subscribers, and get more exposure. But how can it work for your company? In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Kara Swanson talk through our experiences with YouTube content creation and strategy and what we've learned. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. | |||
| How I Make Videos | Oz du Soleil | 22 Sep 2021 | 00:59:34 | |
What’s the best process or framework for creating videos that leave an impact? The truth is that every video creator does things differently. And you’ve got to find whatever works for you. Oz du Soleil is someone who’s found a process that works for him. He’s the host behind Excel on Fire, a YouTube channel that makes Excel tutorials both fun and interesting. As well his YouTube channel, Oz is also a Microsoft Excel MVP, lead author of Guerilla Data Analysis 2nd Ed., and has several courses on LinkedIn Learning. We sat down with Oz to hear his thoughts on video creation and get a look at his process. He takes us behind the scenes to where it all began, what he’s learned about his own preferences for making videos, and some tips you can use in your own content. Learning points from the episode include:
Important links and mentions:
Learn more about the TechSmith Academy To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/how-i-make-videos | |||
| 7 Questions to Ask That Will Help You Find (and Know) Your Audience | 17 Sep 2021 | 00:31:30 | |
The main reason that people continue to watch a video is that they’re genuinely interested in the topic. What if there were some key questions that every creator could ask that would help them figure out where their viewers are in their progress and who exactly they should be creating content for? In this episode, Matt Pierce, Andy Owen, and Kara Swanson discuss the seven questions you need to ask before you start creating videos. Do you want more tips on creating videos? You can easily watch and search past episodes here. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Want the 7 QUESTIONS so you can follow along?
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