When it comes to learning something new, there are many ways to get the information you need. You can read a manual, scroll through a blog post, or watch a how-to video.
While written guides have long been the go-to for instructional content, how-to videos have become increasingly popular—and for good reason.
Here’s why videos often outperform written guides and why they’re the preferred learning method for most users.
Let’s face it—reading through a lengthy manual or tutorial can be pretty dull. Written content requires your full attention, and it’s easy to skim through or get distracted. With how-to videos, the visuals, narration, and even music keep you engaged throughout the entire process.
In a how-to video, you’re not just reading instructions; you’re seeing the process unfold in real-time. Whether it's a screen recording showing how to use a software feature or a step-by-step demonstration, video content naturally grabs your attention and makes the learning experience more immersive.
Following a written guide can sometimes feel like you're piecing together a puzzle. You might have to flip back and forth between different sections, re-read sentences, or try to visualize what the instructions are describing. This can lead to confusion, especially if the steps aren’t clearly outlined.
In contrast, how-to videos walk you through each step, and you can see exactly what needs to be done in real-time. If you're confused at any point, you can pause the video, rewind, or fast-forward, giving you full control over your learning pace. This level of flexibility is often missing in written guides, which can feel linear and rigid.
If you’re not sure about a specific step in a written guide, it can be difficult to get the immediate clarification you need. You might end up Googling additional tutorials or reaching out to support for help. How-to videos, however, provide instant feedback. If you’re stuck on a particular step, you can pause, rewind, or even re-watch the video until it clicks.
With clear visual and verbal instructions in a video, there's less room for misunderstanding. The presenter can quickly clarify tricky parts, and since everything is shown step-by-step, there's less guesswork involved.
For businesses and products with a global audience, how-to videos can be a game-changer. Videos can be easily adapted into multiple languages with AI-powered tools, making them accessible to non-native speakers.
With video, you can also add subtitles or captions for users who prefer to read along or have hearing impairments. This makes how-to videos a versatile option for businesses that want to cater to diverse audiences and ensure their content is as accessible as possible.
How-to videos are easy to share, whether it’s sending a quick link to a colleague or sharing it on social media. Videos can also be watched on any device, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, which makes them incredibly convenient for users who prefer mobile learning.
In comparison, written guides are often longer and may not be as user-friendly on mobile devices. With videos, users can watch a tutorial while on the go or use it as a reference when they’re working with the product directly. The flexibility and accessibility of videos make them an ideal solution for modern, on-the-go learners.
Software updates, new features, and product changes happen all the time. With written guides, updating content to reflect those changes can be time-consuming and prone to errors. It’s easy to forget to update a step or overlook a new feature in a long document.
On the other hand, how-to videos can be updated quickly and efficiently with an automated video generator like Videate. With platforms like Videate, videos can be re-recorded or automatically updated based on product changes, saving time and resources. This ensures that your customers always have access to the most up-to-date information.
While written guides have their place, how-to videos offer a more dynamic, engaging, and accessible way to teach and learn. By combining visuals, audio, and real-time demonstrations, videos simplify complex tasks and help users learn more effectively. Whether it’s for onboarding, product training, or customer support, how-to videos offer a superior learning experience that written instructions simply can’t match.
Looking to make your how-to videos even more effective? Videate’s AI-powered platform can help you create and update professional-quality how-to videos in a fraction of the time.
Let Videate automate the video creation process so you can focus on helping your customers succeed. Book a demo today to see how we can help!