Top 5 Video Styles to Elevate Your Online Course Content

In the world of online education and courses, video is one of the most effective tools for engaging your students and delivering high-quality content. But with so many different video styles out there, how do you know which one is the best fit for your course? 

This blog post will walk you through the most popular types of course videos, including their pros, cons, and tips for success.

Your Complete Resources Guide to Creating Engaging Course Videos 

While this blog post gives you a good foundation, it’s just a glimpse of what you’ll find in Your Complete Resources Guide to Creating Engaging Course Videos. For deeper insights, tips, and examples, make sure to download the full guide for free!

Talking Head Videos

Talking head videos are a fantastic way to connect with your audience on a personal level. Imagine sitting down and having a conversation with someone, sharing your knowledge and insights directly with them. This format is not only straightforward to produce, but it also allows you to convey information clearly and effectively. 

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment, just a camera and your passion for the subject. By speaking directly to the camera, you create a sense of intimacy and trust, making it easier for your audience to engage with the content. 

Plus, you can enhance your videos with visual aids like slides or graphics to keep things interesting and help illustrate your key points. Talking head videos are a powerful tool to share your expertise and connect with your viewers.

If your course is focused on sharing expertise, telling stories, or offering step-by-step instructions, talking head videos are an excellent option. They work well for lesson introductions, summaries, and motivational segments.

Pros of Talking Head Videos:

• Easy to set up and record with minimal equipment.
• Creates a direct and personal connection with the audience, which can build trust and engagement.
• Allows the instructor to deliver content clearly and concisely without distractions.
• Super flexible and can be used for various content types.

Cons of Talking Head Videos:

• Can become monotonous if not executed well, leading to a loss of viewer interest.
• It relies heavily on the instructor’s ability to be engaging and charismatic.
• Offers fewer opportunities for visual engagement compared to other styles.

Tips for Success:

• Maintain eye contact with the camera to create a sense of connection.
• Incorporate props like overlays or slides to add visual interest and break up the monotony.
• Plan your content to ensure a smooth flow of information.
• Consider using talking head videos for brief segments, for example module introductions. Then transitioning to more dynamic styles like slideshows or screencasts for variety.

Whiteboard Videos

Whiteboard videos are a dynamic way to present information, featuring an instructor drawing or writing on a whiteboard, either physically or digitally. This format is particularly effective for explaining complex ideas as it offers a visual and interactive method to illustrate concepts clearly. 

By breaking down intricate information into easily digestible pieces, whiteboard videos make learning more accessible and enjoyable. They are especially popular for educational content, as the combination of visual aids and step-by-step explanations helps viewers grasp difficult topics more easily. Anything that is about teaching concepts, diagrams, flowcharts, or anything that benefits from being written out visually as you explain it.

Pros of Whiteboard Videos:

• The visual nature of whiteboard videos allows you  to deconstruct and clarify intricate ideas, making them easier to understand.
• The process of drawing or writing on the whiteboard keeps viewers visually engaged and helps in maintaining their interest throughout the explanation.
• Whiteboard videos can be produced with minimal equipment. For physical whiteboards, all you need is a camera, a whiteboard, and markers. Digital whiteboards only require screen recording software and a stylus or drawing tool.

Cons of Whiteboard Videos:

• Creating whiteboard videos involves careful planning to ensure the content flows logically. The process of drawing or writing can also be time-consuming, especially if multiple takes are needed.
• To create a polished whiteboard video, you have to practice to ensure that writing and drawing are smooth and legible. This can take some time and skill to perfect!

Tips for success:

• Develop a clear outline or storyboard before you start recording. This will ensure that your information flows logically and prevents awkward pauses or interruptions.
• Use legible handwriting or drawing techniques to ensure that all information is easily readable. If using a digital whiteboard, choose a clear, consistent style for your graphics and text.
• Actively interact with the whiteboard during the video by highlighting key points, circling important details, or making annotations. This helps to draw attention to critical information and keeps viewers engaged.
• Incorporate color coding, diagrams, and animations where possible to make your explanations more dynamic and visually appealing. This can help to emphasize important concepts and make the video more engaging.

Animation-Style Videos

Animation-style videos are a creative and engaging way to convey messages using animated graphics, characters, and text. These videos are perfect for adding a unique personality to your content, making it more memorable and enjoyable for your audience. 

By leveraging the power of animation, you can explain complex concepts in a visually engaging manner, breaking down intricate ideas into easily understandable segments. Animation-style videos can vary widely, from simple, straightforward animations to elaborate, story-driven animated narratives. 

Pros of Animation-Style Videos:

• The dynamic nature of animations captures viewers’ attention and keeps them engaged. Animated visuals can make even the most abstract concepts easier to understand.
• Animations can be tailored to fit different audiences, topics, and branding needs, offering a high degree of creative freedom.
• You will stand out from the competition by offering a distinctive visual experience that can make your content memorable.

Cons of Animation-Style Videos:

• Producing high-quality animations can be expensive af and time-consuming. The process often requires skilled animators and sophisticated software.
• Creating animations typically requires specialized skills or software, which may not be readily available to all content creators.

Tips for Success:

• Provide a fresh and engaging way to present content that differentiates you from competitors.
• Effective for reaching diverse audiences, due to its visually appealing nature.
• Make intricate concepts more accessible through clear, animated visuals that break down information into digestible parts.

Adding Overlays and Small Animations/ Motion Graphics

Overlays and small animations can significantly enhance your videos by adding extra layers of information and visual interest. These elements, such as text overlays, graphics, or animated icons, serve to support and complement the main content, making it more engaging and easier to understand. 

By incorporating these visual aids, you can highlight key points, provide additional context, or simply add a touch of creativity to your videos. 

For instance, text overlays can emphasize important information, while animated icons can illustrate concepts in a fun and dynamic way. 

Pros of Overlays and Motion Graphics:

• Overlays can highlight crucial information or provide additional context, helping viewers understand and remember key concepts.
• Small animations and overlays make the video more engaging and visually appealing, preventing it from becoming static or monotonous.

Cons of Overlays and Motion Graphics:

• Overuse of overlays and animations can clutter the video and distract from the primary message. It’s important to use these elements Carefully.
• Incorporating these visual enhancements requires additional time and effort in post-production, which can extend the editing process.

Tips for Success:

• Use overlays to draw attention to significant information or provide extra context that supports the main content.
• Incorporate subtle animations to keep viewers engaged and add a dynamic element to the video.
• Ensure that overlays and animations complement, rather than detract from, the main content.

Voiceover Presentation

Voiceover presentations are an effective format that combines voiceover narration with static images, infographics, or slides. This approach is particularly suitable for content that does not require dynamic visuals but instead focuses on delivering information clearly and concisely. By pairing spoken explanations with visual aids, voiceover presentations can enhance understanding and retention of the material. 

The static visuals, such as images or infographics, help to illustrate key points and provide context, while the voiceover narration guides the audience through the content in a structured manner. This style is ideal for educational content, business presentations, and informational videos where the primary goal is to convey detailed information in an organized and accessible way. 

Pros of Voiceover Presentation:

• Simple to produce with basic tools, making it accessible for content creators with limited resources.
• Effective for conveying detailed information in a clear and organized manner.
• Allows for clear and concise delivery of content, supporting viewers’ understanding with static visuals.

Cons of Voiceover Presentation:

• Without dynamic elements or interactive features, voiceover presentations can be less engaging compared to other video styles.
• Requires high-quality visuals to support the narration and prevent the content from appearing monotonous.

Tips for Success:

• Ensure the voiceover is clear, well-paced, and engaging to effectively convey the information.
• Use high-quality images, infographics, and slides that complement the narration and enhance content delivery.
• Keep slides uncluttered and focused on key points to avoid overwhelming viewers with excessive information.