---
title: "How to Create Video Tutorials – A Five Step Process"
date: 2012-09-27
description: "$( document ).ready(function() { // Handler for .ready() called. $("
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/09/27/how-to-create-video-tutorials-a-five-step-process/
---
# How to Create Video Tutorials – A Five Step Process
> I've been asked to create a set of video tutorials for work. However, it has been difficult since I keep having to start over and re-record things whenever I make a mistake.
> In my search to improve the process, I came across your article "[How I create Video Tutorials](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/11/how-i-create-video-tutorials/)." I understand that it has been a while since you wrote the post, but I was hoping you could give me some help based on your experience.
> In the comments section, you mentioned that you were trying out recording the video first then adding the audio later.
> Does this mean that you tape the whole audio portion in one whole take and just replace the video's audio with it? Or is it possible to record pieces of audio and then like 'copy/paste' them onto the specific portions in the video? In this way you can have several takes and then splice them together.
> I'm lost here, I hope you can help me. I don't really have a budget here so I hope it is possible to use free or open source tools. So far I'm using audacity and camstudio, and a plug in mic.
> Thanks in advance.

I was actually writing a post about the very topic of creating video tutorials when I received your question. The process you follow in creating a video tutorial depends on your audience and purpose. For simple how-to videos that you send to colleagues or friends, I recommend using [Jing](http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html). For corporate videos that require a higher standard and more scripted delivery, I use [Camtasia for Mac](http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html) and follow these five steps.

## 1. Write a Script

Pick a short task or concept that you can describe in about 100 to 300 words. You usually speak about 100 words a minute, and videos are ideally three minutes or less (sometimes up to five minutes long, but really no longer). Write the script as conversationally as possible, and read it out loud several times as you walk through each of the steps.

I keep my scripts in a Word document and highlight in green the places in the script requiring action. Ideally, make sure you have two monitors or one large monitor so that when it comes time to record, you can open your script on one monitor while recording on another.

## 2. Prepare the Simulation

By simulation, I mean recording the screen actions. You need fake data and a stable test environment to set up your simulations. If you don't have fake data, you can cover it up or photoshop it out later, but it will be tedious to do so. The fake data setup can be difficult, so this step may require quite a bit of preparation.

Run through the tasks and set up any kind of information, events, or other sample data you want to show. Make sure the simulation works and is something you can demonstrate in a simple way. You may want to practice it several times to make sure your script matches all the actions you will take.

## 3. Record the Simulation and Narration

Resize the viewport on your browser to 1280 x 720. With Chrome, you can add an extension called [Window Resizer](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/kkelicaakdanhinjdeammmilcgefonfh) to resize your browser. Open your recording software and drag the recording window to your viewport (the 1280x720 pixels size) – these dimensions will allow your video to display as HD. If your dimensions are less than this, you won't have enough pixel data to render your video in HD. This may not matter to you, though, so if you decide to record with smaller dimensions, I recommend recording at the same dimensions that you plan to publish the video. Resizing it smaller usually results in a fuzzy video.

Put your script on one monitor and record the simulation on another monitor (or another computer, so you can use two mice -- one to scroll your script, and one for the simulation).