If you’re a tutor, then you’re ready to make your first online video, tonight.

Any tutor will tell you that tutoring requires people skills, unending patience, and an assertive, friendly nature. Tutors must be well-spoken and able to capture a student’s attention for long periods of time. They must explain a single subject matter multiple times without getting boring or themselves bored. The best tutors always end their lessons with take-home actionable tasks which result in a student’s improvement.

I believe the qualities that tutors have accrued in their line of work has the power to make them incredible artisans of video. Some of the best videos online are from people who are in the education field because they are naturally comfortable with the subject matter they are talking about. Since they’ve had plenty of time to learn how to speak to others in a way that makes people comfortable and at-ease to learn, it should be easy to just flip on that camera and expand their audience.

That’s why I challenge each and every tutor reading this blog to sit down and create their first video tonight. Don’t let digital darwisim make your tutoring business obsolete!

To nervous tutors, I say this: It’s understandable to be scared about making and posting your first video, but remember what you tell your students who are having trouble in math, science or literature. If you’ve ever uttered practice makes perfect, you’re ready to start practicing online video.

If you’re unfamiliar with what goes into creating online video, I recommend watching “How to Integrate Video into your Social Media Marketing” by Social Media Examiner’s Mari Smith. In it you’ll learn the basic types of content, tools, equipment and tips that make a strong, social-media savvy video.

Important Takeaways:

  • There are several types of video content you can create: tips, news items, a tv series, screencasts, narrating slides.
  • To capture and record your computer screen, Mari recommends Screenflow for Mac users, Camtasia Studio for PC users, and Jing Project (a free version of Camtasia)
  • If you’d like to do virtual interviews on camera, Mari Smith recommends using Skype, Oovoo or TinyChat.
  • Try to keep your tips & tricks videos to about 60 to 90 seconds, since that’s about how long the modern viewer’s attention can be help. However, if you do create longer content (such as a how-to or a TV show) it’s important to try to “snag” your viewer in the first 3-to-5 seconds because that’s about how long it takes for a viewer to decide whether to watch your video or not.
  • High energy personas with eye contact coupled with strong calls to action can be very persuasive. Tell your viewers what you want them to do after the video is complete. Do you want them to retweet the video? Like your Facebook page? Rate the Video on YouTube? Let them know!
  • Work with a bulleted outline. Don’t read your content from a script. This will keep you personal and help you connect with your viewers.
  • Good audio is essential.
  • If you’re just getting started, use simple editing tools such as iMovie (Mac) or Windows Movie Maker. These should come installed with most newer computers.
  • The distribution of your video is important. Get started by creating a branded YouTube channel.

featured image by Dia

Are you a tutor who has yet to use video? What questions or worries do you have about video that prevents you from getting started making it today?

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