How to Create Video Tutorials Online: A Complete Guide

The world has changed drastically over the past centuries, but one thing remains the same: people’s hunger for knowledge. Whether it's for fun, personal growth, or picking up useful skills for a job or hobby, people are always looking to improve themselves and understand the world around them – and they usually take to the internet to show them how it’s done. 
 

And here’s where video tutorials come in: your secret weapon to connecting with the audience and sharing knowledge and wisdom. With so many different types of video tutorials out there—from delicious cooking demos to handy home improvement tips—you can tailor your content to be as brief or detailed as you like. 

Are you ready to learn how to make video tutorials for YouTube that will boost your engagement and attract a whole new crowd of viewers? Stick around and keep reading to see how you can make it happen!

What is a video tutorial? 

First things first: let’s define what a video tutorial is. A video tutorial is a type of content that guides viewers through a specific process, task, or tool. Whether you’re outlining the steps for a DIY home renovation project or showing a new crafting technique, these videos break down large topics or actions into bite-sized chunks, easy to follow and replicate by anyone who is watching.

Beyond guiding viewers through practical tasks or processes, video tutorials are also great for explaining and exemplifying complex concepts in a way that is easy to digest. 

A well-structured tutorial coupled with visual elements like motion titles and animations allows viewers to understand and remember the information much more effectively than by just reading about it. 
 

A key thing to remember is that tutorial videos should not be sales pitches. They should be all about sharing knowledge, not promoting products or services. Even if your ultimate goal is to attract more viewers and generate leads and sales, your tutorials should still focus on sharing tips and helpful guidance, not showcasing your brand’s offerings.   

If you’ve ever sat through a webinar that turned out to be nothing more than a sales pitch, you know exactly why many people are wary of creators or brands that disguise their promotional content as educational videos. This kind of approach can quickly lead to distrust and disengagement, making viewers tune out before they even get to the good stuff.

Why make video tutorials? 

Did you know more than 80% of U.S. viewers say they often turn to YouTube to learn new things? Video tutorials are hugely popular all over the world, and they are a preferred learning method for most age groups. 

In general, people prefer to learn at their own pace in a comfortable private space versus a group setting (classroom, workshop, etc). Tutorial videos offer a safe way to explore new subjects and develop skills without the pressure of an audience. Plus, they come with the added benefit of allowing viewers to pause, rewind, and really absorb the material at their own pace.

So why should you start making video tutorials? 

By delivering valuable information, you –  as a creator or brand, if you’re sharing videos on behalf of a brand – can easily establish yourself as a go-to source for learning. 

This sets the stage for building long-lasting, meaningful connections with your audience and makes it much more likely for viewers to come back for more and engage with your brand authentically. In time, your audience can turn into a community that truly values your expertise and insights.

By sharing tutorial videos, you also:

• Boost your video engagement naturally - Tutorials tend to be interactive, often sparking meaningful conversations in the comments section, where viewers engage with your content and share their thoughts
• Create evergreen content - Tutorials can become a cornerstone of your content strategy and serve as a valuable resource for years to come. 
• Increase brand awareness – No matter their type or size, tutorial videos are easily shareable on social media, helping you gain visibility, reach new audiences, and introduce you to potential new followers.

Types of tutorial videos you can create 

Depending on your channel’s focus, there are various types of tutorial videos you can share. Here are some of the most popular formats to consider:

By visual style

• Screencast tutorials  – Great for showing processes or guiding viewers through software installations or navigation. They usually involve a screen recording with a voiceover playing in the background. Sometimes, they also include webcam footage of the instructor (you).

• Animated tutorials – Ideal for explaining complex topics or processes in a visual way. Usually include animations and illustrations. They don’t usually show the instructor’s face, as that would disrupt the learning experience.

• Talking head tutorials – Typically feature the creator talking directly to the camera, combined with supporting visuals. This type of tutorial is a great fit for motivating content and personal development, as it creates a more personal connection with viewers.

• Live action demos – Great for DIY, cooking, makeup, or product assembly videos. They usually include a real-time recording of someone performing a task, with close-up shots highlighting important steps and detailed narration to explain it all. 

By content type 

• Explainer videos – Usually animated or illustrated, these are meant to simplify and explain complex topics or products. 
   
• Step-by-step how-to videos – Typically feature a sequence of steps that viewers need to follow in order to complete a task. Used in many situations, including software installation, cooking videos, and crafting techniques.
   
• Product demos – These show a product in action, explaining its features, benefits, and how it works. Perfect for tech gadgets, software, and e-commerce products. 
   
• Problem-solution videos – Present a specific problem and offer a solution with a step-by-step approach. Ideal for customer support queries, troubleshooting, or repair guides. 

How to create video tutorials in 5 easy steps 

Sharing your wisdom or expertise through tutorial videos can actually be quite fun. It’s all about having an analytical mindset, organizing the information in the most efficient way possible, and, of course, having the right video editing tools at your disposal. 

Here’s how you can do it in 5 easy steps: 

#1 Brainstorming

Any successful tutorial video starts with a strong brainstorming session. Whether you’re brain dumping, brainstorming with team members or friends, or asking your AI assistant for some help – be sure you make a list of ideas that fall under your area of expertise and would really resonate with your audience.

#2 Mapping out your video 

Once you have a decent collection of ideas in your pocket, it’s time to pick a topic and commit to it. Based on your chosen topic, target audience, and the depth of your tutorial, it can be helpful to create a storyboard to map out your video, outlining all the chapters and steps that will be covered in the tutorial. 

#3 Recording and/or importing your media

This part might look different depending on what type of tutorial video you’re making. If your tutorial involves screen or webcam recording, you can capture this part directly within Flixier.

Need to pull some footage from your phone, camera, or cloud storage instead? Simply click on the Import/Record button to upload it to Flixier, where you can start working on some serious editing magic.
 

Editing your tutorial video

The best part about using Flixier to make how-to videos is that you don’t need a tutorial for it. But here’s a quick overview of how you can edit a tutorial video. 

Once you have your video loaded onto the timeline –  whether it’s a fresh recording or an imported video – you can start by cutting all unnecessary footage. You know, the awkward pauses, misspoken lines, or accidental sneezes.  

For a video tutorial to be highly informative and engaging, it usually needs some text. So, your next step is to add text to the video. With Flixier, you can get really creative with your on-screen text by tapping into a large set of text customization options, from color to size and lots of style presets. 

And if you’re wondering how to make animated tutorial videos, animating your on-screen text is a great start.

Want to break your tutorial into easy-to-follow chapters? Add some motion titles – it’s a simple way to keep things organized and your viewers engaged. 

Speaking of text and keeping viewers tuned in from start to finish, consider adding subtitles to video to make your audience follow along and really understand every step presented in your video. This is also a great way to improve accessibility, making it easy for hearing-impaired viewers to consume your content and learn new things. 
 

Want to zero in on an important step or detail in your tutorial? Try adding a Zoom transition to get a close-up viewer and draw your viewers’ attention. 
 

Your tutorial video is slowly but surely coming together, but you need some finishing touches to make it stand out? You can count on Flixier’s video enhancer to improve video quality –  and the AI audio enhancer to make it sound as good as it looks! 

Publishing your video 

Once you’re happy with the final result, you can click on Export to download your video. Or you can simply skip a step and jump straight into publishing. You can easily share your video tutorials on social media and other online platforms from the Export screen. 

How to monetize your tutorial videos 

Your video tutorial is now live – congrats! But can you get any reward out of publishing it besides the thrill of sharing your expertise with a community of enthusiastic learners? Sure you can!

Sure you can! Check out our guide on monetizing YouTube videos to learn how to make money with tutorial videos, see if your video qualifies for monetization, and get more tips on how to grow your YouTube channel and increase your revenue.