Camtasia Studio Recording Tips

For more information, see http://www.personnex.com/camtasia.html

VIDEO TIPS

1. It is best to keep training modules 5 to 7 minutes in length. Adult learners are unable to focus fully for longer periods.
2. If a subject needs more than 7 minutes, break the material up as appropriate for the organization (see next point).
3. Organize your material in outline format. If your topics are more than 7 minutes, break them into sub-topics.
4. Slow down your speech and screen movements from what you would normally use. This will allow better comprehension by the viewer. NOTE: Keep in mind this is likely the first time your viewers are seeing this and they need time to catch up with your visual and audible clues.
5. Move the mouse and cursor with deliberation and avoid quick jumps. When reproduced in the video, they become a blur. Rely on post-production editing and highlighting to draw the viewers’ attention, as appropriate. HINT: Avoid circling the cursor around the field you are pointing out. I had one client who believed the faster he whizzed the cursor around on the screen, the more likely it was to be noticed. At 10 frames per second, this frantic movement is worthless.
6. Do pause the cursor near fields or screen elements you want to refer to. The arrow cursor should be pointed at the element and can rest there as you describe it.
7. If you make an error in a spoken phrase, simply stop and pause for a couple of seconds, then say the whole phrase over again. You can see these pauses on the timeline and eliminate the pause and error.
8. When you make an error, pause not only your speech, but also hold the cursor where you made the error. This will eliminate a distracting jump when the gaps are edited out.

AUDIO TIPS

1. MOST IMPORTANT: Do not skimp when buying a microphone or mic/headphone set. There are vast differences in quality. Expect to pay about US$50. One such is Logitech ClearChat Pro USB™.
2. On reviewing your recording, if you hear plosives (loud pops when you say “P” or “T”), try repositioning the microphone slightly to avoid a direct angle. For example, drop the mike down about 1 inch from your lower lip, or change the angle so it is not directly in front of your mouth.
3. If possible, make your recordings in a quiet room without fan or road noise.