What makes a good instructional video
A good instructional video is not about production tricks or flashy visuals.
It’s about respecting the viewer’s time and attention.
It starts with structure, not filming
Before a camera is turned on, the most important step is:
deciding what actually needs to be explained
breaking it into clear steps
removing anything unnecessary
Clarity comes from structure, not editing.
A real presenter helps
Instructional videos are most effective when:
a real person explains the process
language is simple and natural
delivery is calm and confident
People trust people more than voiceovers or abstract graphics, especially when learning something new.
Show what matters, not everything
A strong instructional video:
focuses on key actions
shows close-ups where helpful
avoids visual clutter
Every shot should answer a question the viewer is likely to have.
Quality supports clarity
You don’t need “cinematic” visuals, but you do need:
clear audio
steady camera
clean lighting
If viewers are distracted by poor sound or visuals, learning breaks down.
Branding should support, not distract
Branding works best when it:
reinforces familiarity
helps orientation
stays subtle
The goal is clarity, not promotion.
The test of a good instructional video
A simple test:
Can someone follow this without asking a question afterwards?