Did you know that 54% of consumers are interested in seeing more video content from the brands they support? If you’re looking for a surefire way to get your audience’s attention using videos, you can’t go wrong with creating a screencast presentation. But what is a screencast video? And how can create one?

Screencast videos will do more than help you market your products. They’ll help you teach your employees new skills to enhance their productivity.

If you have considered screencasting lately, you might have searched the web for “what is a screencast & how to create one”. Worry no more!

Our guide will tell you everything you need to know about screencasts, from what they are to how to make your own. So read on and start your journey to becoming a pro at creating a killer presentation.

What is a Screencast?
What Are the Common Uses?
How to Create One
Our Guide: How to Create a Screencast

What Is a Screencast?

A screencast is a digital recording of your computer screen or mobile device that captures both audio and visual elements.

Think of it as a how-to video or an educational tutorial. It’s an effective way to show how something works on your computer without using a lot of expensive equipment.

It captures the movements you make on your screen while allowing you to use voice-overs for explanations. You can also enhance your video recording by adding captions and music. It’s the perfect tool if you need to explain a complex concept or a step-by-step process.

The best part is that you don’t need to be a tech expert to create a screencast. With the right tools and a little bit of practice, anyone can create a high-quality screencasting presentation.

What Are the Common Uses of a Screencast?

There are many reasons why you might ask, What Is a screencast and what do I need to create a screencast? The most common uses include:

Employee Training and On-boarding

One of the best ways to use a screencast is for employee training. It’s an efficient and cost-effective way to train your employees to use new software or complete specific tasks.

You can create a screencast presentation that walks them through the process step-by-step. This way, they can refer back to the video anytime they need a refresher.

Product Demonstrations

Are you launching a new product or service? Use a screencast to give your customers a tour of the product and how it works. Product demo videos are a great way to generate interest and excitement for your product launch.

It’s also an effective way to show your customers how to use your product. You can highlight the features and benefits of your product in a screencast video.

Classroom Teaching

Teachers use them to engage their students. You can use screencasting to supplement your lesson plans. You can use them to create instructional videos to provide additional information or examples to help your students understand the material.

You can also create them as extra credit assignments. This is a great way to encourage your students to take an active role in their learning objectives.

Tutorials and How-To Guides

If your company creates software, you can create a presentation to help users understand how to use its various features. The video will also be vital if you make new software updates. Using a screencast to create video tutorials will be a great way to share your knowledge with others and help them solve problems.

Creating a video is also an effective way to create how-to guides. For example, you can use a screencast video to show your customers how to troubleshoot common problems.

Customer Support

Do you want to provide better customer support? Use screencasting to create video FAQs for your customers. The video is a great way to answer common questions and help your customers resolve problems on their own.

You can also use it to provide step-by-step instructions for complex tasks. This is a great way to reduce the number of customer support calls you receive.

How to Create a Screencast

Now that you know what a screencast is and how you can use it, it’s time to learn how to create one. Follow these steps to create a high-quality screencast:

Make a Plan for Your Video

The first step is to figure out what you want your screencast to achieve. Do you want to create a product demonstration or how-to guide? What information do you want to include in the video?

Answering these questions will help you determine your screencast’s length, content, and overall tone. During the planning phase, you should consider your target audience.

If you’re doing a product demo, ask yourself whether the audience is already familiar with the particular product. Also, ask yourself whether people will understand any jargon you might be planning to use.

Your plan should be clear on the features or the information that the video will capture. The choice here will depend on the importance of different product features and whether it’s easy for the audience to understand them.

You should also plan for the overall video length and video effects. If you’re making a product demo video, determine the amount of time you’ll allocate to different product features. Allocate more time to the more important features or the ones that can help your product sell.

Write a Script

After you’ve planned your screencast, it’s time to start writing a script. A good script will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you don’t forget any vital information. There is also user-friendly screenwriting software, such as Final Draft or WriterDuet, just to name a few.

Your script should include an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should be brief and capture the attention of your viewers. It should tell viewers what they can expect from the video.

The body of your script will be the longest and most detailed part of the script. It should be well-organized and include all the information you want to cover in the screencast. Divide it into sections that are easy to follow.

The conclusion should summarize the main points of your screencast and tell viewers what action they can take after watching the video.

Prepare the Perfect Recording Environment

Producing low-quality videos is one of the most common mistakes companies make when creating videos. You can avoid the mistake by taking time to prepare for the screencast recording.

The first step is to find a quiet room with good lighting. You don’t want any background noise in your recording, so turn off any fans or air conditioners.

If possible, use natural light. Open the curtains or sit near a window to ensure there’s enough light on your face. You don’t want your viewers to strain their eyes trying to see you.

If you can’t use natural light, consider using a desk lamp with an adjustable arm. This will allow you to direct the light towards your face without creating any glare on the screen.

Choose the Right Recording Equipment

Choosing the right equipment will ensure that your final video is of high quality. The best equipment will ensure that the quality of your audio narration is top-notch. If you want to create a high-quality screencast, you’ll need a good microphone and a webcam.

It’ll be better to use an external microphone instead of relying on your headset’s or laptop’s in-built microphone. The external one will ensure that the audio is clearer as it’ll pick up less background noise.

There are different types of microphones available, so it’s essential to choose one that’s right for you. You can either use a USB microphone or a lavalier microphone, depending on the level of background noise.

Your webcam’s choice will depend on the resolution you need. If you’re planning to record HD video, you’ll need a webcam that supports 1080p or higher. If you want to include your entire body in the frame, you’ll need a webcam with a wide field of view.

Finally, think about how you’ll be mounting the webcam. You might need a webcam with a clip that’s compatible with your monitor.

If you don’t have the resources to invest in the right equipment, you should hire a video production company to create a screencast for you.

Install Screen Recording Software

You’ll need screencasting software before you start recording your videos. You’ll find a variety of screencast apps on the market. It’ll be your responsibility to choose the best one based on pricing, features, and capabilities.

One of the screencast software you can consider is Screencast-O-Matic. If you’re wondering how to screencast on Mac, this software will make the process a breeze.

It has unique features, such as scripted recordings. This feature will allow you to record your screen while following the script. It also has a draw and zoom tool that’ll come in handy when you want to highlight something on the screen.

Another screencasting software is Camtasia. The software is available for both Windows and Mac. It has powerful video editing features that’ll come in handy when creating your screencast videos. You can always look for free online video editors to assist you.

Find out as much as you can about how to screencast using the software before you start recording. This way, you’ll be able to create high-quality videos with ease.

Record a Screencast Video

Now that you have the perfect recording environment and the right screencasting software, it’s time to start recording your video and audio.

Follow the steps below to ensure that you record a high-quality screencast video:

Launch the screencasting software and choose the recording mode
Select the screen that you want to record
Choose the audio input source
Select the webcam that you want to use
Adjust the screen recording settings, such as frame rate and resolution
Click on the “Record” button to start recording your video
Click on the “Stop” button to end the recording when you’re done
Export the video to your preferred format

When recording the screencast, it is advisable to close all unrelated apps. Keeping the apps open may cause the screen recording to lag. They may also cause irrelevant information to pop up on the screen, distracting your viewers.

Edit the Screencast Video

The editing process will help you eliminate any mistakes that you may have made while recording the screencast. It’ll also allow you to add graphics, transitions, and animations to make the screencast more engaging.

Choose a video editor that’s compatible with your screencast software. Using Screencast-O-Matic, you can edit the video using the built-in video editor.

You can edit the video by adding captions, transitions, add text, and annotations. You can also add a professional touch to the screencast by recording a voiceover.

If you’re using Camtasia, you can either use their built-in video editor or a third-party video editor such as Adobe Premiere Pro. You can edit the video by adding callouts, transitions, and animations.

Publish and Promote the Screencast Video

You can publish the screencast video on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. You can also upload it to your website or blog.

To ensure that the video is optimized for search engines, you should include a keyword-rich title and description. You should also add tags to the video so that viewers can easily find it.

You can promote the video by sharing it on social media and emailing it to your subscribers. You can also embed the video on your website or blog.

Wondering How to Create a Screencast? Our Guide Has It All

Screencast videos are a great way to engage your audience. They’re also an effective marketing tool that can help you increase brand awareness and boost sales. By following the tips above, you’ll learn how to screencast and create high-quality videos to engage your viewers.

If you still need professional help creating a screencast for your business in Denver, consider working with Telideo Productions. We are an award-winning Denver video production company that has been helping businesses produce attention-grabbing videos.