The Visual Lounge

Are you struggling to script engaging training videos? Or maybe viewers are getting confused, and you’re not quite sure how to hold people’s attention long enough to deliver any value.In this episode, host Matt Pierce shares his tips for writing training video scripts that keep viewers engaged. Drawing on years of scriptwriting experience, Matt breaks down the fundamentals of writing a strong hook to building an outline that reinforces the value and learning goals from start to finish.Matt touches on when and how to use AI while writing training video scripts. He explains how AI can help check your structure and flow, spot missing information, remove redundancy, or get you past the first blank page.You’ll also learn two key principles for writing and recording better training videos, how to edit your work, and the importance of creating human-centred content, even if you do use AI tools to speed up your workflow.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 – 01:34 Intro01:34 – 01:54 Using AI for writing scripts01:54 – 06:22 How to write compelling hooks for videos06:22 – 08:16 Creating a strong structure and flow08:16 – 09:01 Using AI prompts in your scripting process09:01 – 11:18 Why your videos need to be easy to follow11:18 – 13:00 Adding your outcomes to your video script13:00 – 13:44 Why it’s important to always double-check your instructions13:44 – 15:44 What’s in it for your audience and reinforcing value15:44 – 17:29 Using specific phrases for signaling17:29 – 18:20 Using the personalization principle18:20 – 19:25 Using the “Hey Mom” principle19:25 – 20:32 Checking your script for redundancy and jargon20:32 – 21:57 Be ruthless with your editing21:57 – 23:12 Adding your call-to-action23:12 – 24:36 Bringing humanity into your scripts24:36 – 25:22 Matt’s final take25:22 – 26:07 OutroImportant links and mentions:Learn more about the Human Framework for AI training videos: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/human-framework-for-ai-training-videos/

When you’re on camera, people decide how much they trust you a lot faster than you realize.In this episode, we revisit a conversation with Peter Hopwood, a speaking coach who works with presenters, sales teams, founders, and TEDx presenters on how to be more confident and credible on screen. Peter shares what helps people connect through a camera, especially when the usual in-person cues aren’t there.The conversation covers why curiosity is key to building trust, how voice and small physical movements influence engagement, and why many people misread audience reactions in virtual settings.Peter also shares practical advice on eye contact, standing versus sitting, recording yourself to improve, and avoiding common distractions that can undermine your credibility without you even noticing.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:29 Intro01:29 - 04:22 Peter’s roots in the industry04:22 - 09:23 Defining success on camera09:23 - 13:50 Peter’s one tip for being on camera13:50 -18:25 Why is trust so important on video?18:25 - 23:43 Defining the role of visual aids23:43 - 27:07 Things Peter has seen that can break trust and why setting matters27:06 - 27:51 How to connect with Peter27:51 - 29:02 Peter's final take29:02 - 29:38 OutroImportant links and mentions:Check out Peter’s website: http://www.peter-hopwood.com/Connect with Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhopwoodpublicspeakingFollow Peter on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HopwoodMediaFollow Peter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterhopwood/Listen to Peter’s first appearance on The Visual Lounge: https://the-visual-lounge.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-break-your-viewers-trust

Should AI avatars replace human presenters?In part two of this research series on The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce is joined again by TechSmith Senior Market Researcher Stephanie Warnoff to discuss the latest findings from TechSmith's research on AI avatars in instructional video.Building on episode 275 about AI voices, this conversation explores how different on-screen presenter styles affect viewer perception and information retention.The study compares multiple formats, including human presenters, AI avatars, and alternative visual approaches. You’ll learn about common misconceptions teams have about avatars, why viewer reactions often differ from stated preferences, and where avatars may help or hurt depending on context.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 – 01:40 Intro01:40 – 03:45 What surprised Stephanie most in her findings on AI avatars03:45 – 05:20 The five video snippets used during the study05:20 – 08:27 How are perspectives around AI changing?08:27 – 11:25 When to use avatars, and when not to use avatars11:25 – 13:35 The impact of avatars on learning13:35 – 15:17 Stephanie’s advice on implementing AI avatars into work15:17 – 17:03 Stephanie's tips to people who are reluctant to use AI avatars17:03 – 18:29 Questions that Stephanie would like to answer in future research18:29 – 19:42 Matt's take on the research19:42 – 21:14 Stephanie's advice for people interested and how to get involved with TechSmith research21:14 – 21:59 Stephanie's final take21:59 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Stephanie: [email protected] more about the study in this blog post: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/ai-voices-avatars-in-training-videos/Check out part one of this research series, episode 275, on AI voices: https://the-visual-lounge.captivate.fm/episode/275-ai-voices-impact-on-learning/

How much does audio really affect learning? And does it matter whether that voice is human or AI?In this episode, Matt sits down with Stephanie Warnoff, Senior Market Researcher at TechSmith, to walk through new research that looks at how audio quality and AI narration influence learning outcomes, perceived professionalism, and retention in instructional video.The study, conducted by TechSmith, was built around a simple experiment. Participants watched the same 45-second how-to video, with the visuals kept the same each time. The only variable was the audio. Viewers heard one of four versions: high-quality human narration, low-quality human narration, high-quality AI narration, and low-quality AI narration. What the team found was...surprising.Throughout the conversation, Matt and Stephanie explore what the results mean for teams creating training and instructional content, especially as AI tools become easier to access.This episode is part 1 of a two-part research series. Stay tuned for episode 2, where Matt and Stephanie take a closer look at the second half of the study, focusing on AI avatars, and how different avatar styles compare with human presenters in real learning contexts.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:19 Intro01:19 - 02:53 Stephanie's background02:53 - 04:59 TechSmith’s research on AI voices04:59 - 06:14 The four audio versions used during the study and how the experiment was structured06:14 - 07:47 What surprised Stephanie about the AI voices07:47 - 10:58 Is there a need for disclosure with AI?10:58 - 15:37 Signals for high quality voices15:37 - 18:04 Why poor audio quality performed better than high audio quality18:04 - 20:34 Other considerations for effectiveness of learning through AI20:34 - 23:08 Future research23:08 - 26:22 Closing thoughts26:22 - 27:01 Stephanie's final take27:01 - 28:00 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Stephanie: [email protected] more about the study in this blog post: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/ai-voices-avatars-in-training-videos/

Have you ever struggled to get the information you need from a subject matter expert? Or maybe you're the expert (SME), and you're not quite sure what the instructional designer actually wants from you?In this episode, host Matt Pierce explores what subject matter experts actually need from instructional designers (IDs) to do their best work. Drawing from his experience on both sides of the dynamic, Matt breaks down seven key principles for building a strong SME-ID partnership that leads to better learning outcomes.From being specific with requests and setting clear boundaries, to giving early feedback and closing the loop on how information gets used, Matt offers practical guidance for creating a smoother, more productive working relationship.Matt also explores how video can strengthen communication between SMEs and IDs, whether that's recording verbal feedback, providing quick status updates, or simply adding a personal touch that helps you stand out in a busy SME's inbox.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:26 Introduction and the SME-ID dynamic01:26 - 03:25 Respecting SME time and being specific with requests03:25 - 05:57 Setting clear guardrails and context before asking for content05:57 - 08:11 Helping SMEs remember what it's like to be a beginner08:11 - 09:57 The importance of early, actionable feedback09:57 - 12:18 Pushing back when expertise doesn't serve the learner12:18 - 14:06 Giving SMEs something to react to rather than starting from nothing14:06 - 18:22 Closing the loop and using video to strengthen communication18:22 - 21:01 Matt’s final take and outroImportant links and mentions:Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/Audiate: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/audiate/