You won’t need to video simple tasks like how to open the school or how to order nunchaku for a seminar. These are simple tasks that can be learned from a step by step list that the Process Builder creates for you. However, tasks or processes that require memorization and repetition to gain competence are best delivered live in a training session and then supplemented with video.

When you shoot a “How To” video for your staff, keep these tips in mind:

a. Make the there is plenty of light and that most of the light is behind the camera shining on you rather than having light behind you.

a. If possible, have someone controlling the video so they can zoom in and out. Do a walk through in advance and tell them when you want them to zoom in and for how long. If you have to use a tripod, make sure you know where your boundaries are so you don’t move off camera.

d. Keep a list of cut aways. A cut away is a shot that is edited into the video. For instance, you hold up an ad tracking sheet in the shot. Because it’s small and hard to see in a full shot of you and the sheet, you shoot
it close up and then edit the close up into the video at that point. With today’s video editing software, this is easy to do. It’s rarely necessary but good to know just the same.

d. Use a microphone rather than the camera’s built-in mic. Not all cameras have an audio input, but you can get a fairly inexpensive wireless or even wire mic so that your voice is recorded clearly and goes directly into the camera rather than through the air where it picks up ambient sounds.

2. A screen capture video to record actions off of the computer screen.

A screen capture software is perfect for recording How To videos for entering a student into your software, logging into your billing company, updating a student, recording stats, making changes to the website offer, printing flyers etc...

When shooting a screen capture, here are some other tips.
a. Do a walk through first so you know what you are going to do and when

to do it.
b. Keep this under five minutes if possible c. Use a mic

d. Test the recording to make sure you and / or your staff member can watch it. Download any necessary software, such as Flash and have your staff do the same.

The Why vs The How

When you are creating your systems, keep the information on focused on “How” things are done rather than why they are done. As you get better at outsourcing, you’ll find the “Why” can often get in the way of the “How” execution. You don’t care if the person understands why you do something. You just want them to do it.

Once you master this skill of systemization, it will make your role as owner a lot more profitable and a lot easier. It will give you a the chance to focus on the things that will have the biggest impact on your school and it will give you more time in your day. Most importantly, it frees you up to give better service to your students and better direction to your staff.

Spending the 30-minutes or so creating a system with a video will save you countless hours over the year.