5 Effective Strategies for L&D Teams to Keep Employees Hooked on Training Videos

Does this seem familiar to you – you’re in the middle of a training session, it’s not even been 15 minutes, but you already feel employees disconnecting? 

If your answer is yes, you’re not alone. According to a study by Microsoft, the average adult attention span has shrunk to a shocking 8 seconds. 

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Disengaged employees not only have lower knowledge retention, but they’re also more likely to jump ship. This translates to wasted resources and a less skilled workforce.

The problem lies in traditional training methods that often rely on lengthy lectures and dense text-based materials. Let’s face it, if you’re still using old-school training methods in 2024, it’s a recipe for disaster.

But don’t worry, there’s a better way to make L&D training more than just a mandatory chore. Through engaging strategies that cater to different learning styles, you can keep employees hooked and actively learning.

In this blog, we’ll explore 5 effective tips to create engaging learning experiences. From bite-sized learning modules to training videos, we’ll show you how to ditch the disengagement and ignite a passion for learning within your workforce.

The Science of Engagement & The Pro Trainer Mindset

The Attention Challenge

Our brains are wired for a world of constant stimulation. The rapid rise of social media and short-form content has fundamentally changed how we consume information. 

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A productivity report found people now switch between tasks an average of 12 times per 30 minutes, highlighting the struggle for focus in today’s digital age. This presents a significant challenge for L&D professionals who rely on traditional training methods built for a different era of attention.

Active Learning & Spaced Repetition – The Keys to Engagement

Effective training relies on two key concepts: active learning and spaced repetition. 

Active learning, where participants engage with the material through discussions, activities, or problem-solving, boosts retention far more than passive lectures. 

Spaced repetition involves revisiting key concepts at increasing intervals. Think of it like strengthening a muscle through exercise.

Understanding the Learner

Effective L&D programs recognize that employees have diverse learning styles. 

Some learn best visually (videos, charts, diagrams) while others prefer auditory learning (discussions). Kinesthetic learners thrive through hands-on activities. By incorporating a multi-modal approach that caters to these variations, training becomes more engaging and resonates with a wider audience.

How to Develop a Pro Trainer Mindset?

A “pro trainer” prioritizes three key elements:

• Engagement First: Keep participants actively involved throughout the program.
• Learner Centricity: Understand the audience and tailor content to diverse learning styles.
• Measurement & Improvements: Measure the effectiveness of the training and use data to continuously refine and improve.

Alright, lesson over! Let’s dive into how you can apply this knowledge into your training practices.

5 Actionable Ways to Keep Employees Hooked From Start to Finish

1. Incorporate Microlearning through Bite-Sized Modules 

Gone are the days of information overload. 

Today’s learners crave microlearning, a powerful strategy that breaks down lengthy and difficult to grasp topics into short, focused modules (text, audio, video). These bite-sized bursts of knowledge, ideally 5-10 minutes long, are easily digestible and readily accessible, making them perfect for our attention-challenged world.

Microlearning Tip: Chunk information strategically. Don’t overwhelm learners with a giant block of text. Break down the content into clear, concise segments with headings and visuals. 

Microlearning in Action:

• Problem: New sales onboarding program is text-heavy and overwhelms trainees with technical product details.
• Microlearning Solution: Create a series of short video modules, each focusing on a specific product feature. 

2. Embrace Gamification

Add some fun and friendly competition into your training programs! 

Gamification isn’t just for teenagers glued to their consoles. By incorporating game mechanics like points, badges, and leaderboards, you can transform dry content into an engaging learning experience for your employees. 

Think about it – you’d be more motivated to learn a new software program if you could earn points for completing modules and compete with colleagues!

The Power of Play: Research from the University at Albany, published in 2022, shows that gamification can boost learner motivation by up to 40%. Healthy competition and the desire for recognition can significantly increase engagement and knowledge retention.

Gamification Beyond Video Games: The beauty of gamification lies in its versatility. You don’t need fancy video game graphics to make learning fun. Consider these ideas:

• Points for completing training modules or quizzes.
• Leaderboards to showcase top performers in a compliance course.
• Interactive video case studies where learners make choices and earn points for successful outcomes.

3. Make the Most of Video Storytelling

Humans are suckers for a good story. 

They capture our attention, stir our emotions, and make information more relatable. A well-crafted employee training video can simplify complex topics, and make them easier to understand and remember.

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The Stats Speak for Themselves: According to a 2023 report by Cisco, online videos will make up 82% of all internet traffic by 2024. People lean towards visual content, and incorporating engaging videos into your training programs is a fool-proof way to boost engagement.

Storytelling in Action:

• Problem: A company needs to train employees on a new cybersecurity protocol.
• Video Solution: Create a short animated video that tells the story of a data breach, highlighting the consequences of poor security practices and showcasing the importance of the new protocol.

4. Craft a Multi-Modal Training Experience

Variety is the spice of life, and the same holds true for learning! 

Employees have different learning styles, and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t cut it. By incorporating a variety of training formats, you can cater to diverse learning preferences and keep things interesting. 

Here’s your toolkit:

Identify Your Audience: Before crafting your training, understand your learners’ demographics and preferred learning styles. Are they visual learners who thrive on videos and infographics? Do they prefer hands-on activities to solidify concepts?

Mix and Match Formats: Don’t rely solely on lectures or text-heavy modules. Offer a blend of:

• Videos: Ideal for visual learners and demonstrations.
• Case Studies: Allow learners to analyze real-world scenarios.
• Interactive Activities: Keep learners engaged with quizzes, polls, and exercises.
• Hands-on Exercises: Offer opportunities for practical application.

5. Add Playfulness to Learning

Let’s face it, a little laughter goes a long way! 

Strategic use of humor can lighten the mood, boost your training video engagement, and make even dry topics more enjoyable. Wouldn’t you rather learn about compliance regulations with a chuckle than endure a monotonous lecture?

Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

Find Your Humor Sweet Spot: Humor should complement your learning objectives and company culture. Avoid offensive or insensitive jokes, and use humor that resonates with your audience.

Integrate Humor Seamlessly: Consider incorporating humor in various ways:

• Well-placed jokes or anecdotes woven into your training content.
• Funny images or visuals that are relevant to the topic (think relatable memes or cartoons).
• Lighthearted video narration or storytelling elements that add a touch of whimsy.

Remember, humor is a powerful tool, but it should be used thoughtfully and strategically.

Putting these tips into action

Okay, let’s be real for a second. 

You’ve probably read all the similar articles – microlearning videos, gamification, storytelling – the training world throws around these buzzwords like confetti. 

But here’s the real challenge: How do I make this happen?

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When you’re an L&D pro juggling a million tasks with deadlines breathing down your neck, how do you transform those good ideas into reality?

This is where training gets seriously exciting. We’re talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its potential to take your training to the next level.

Did you know you can use AI to turn Text to Video?

As an L&D professional, you must be sitting on a treasure trove of valuable training content – scripts, articles, manuals – just waiting to be used somehow. 

We’ve already established that in 2024, traditional training methods are too boring to keep anyone engaged. So, AI text-to-video tools like Steve AI are exactly what you need to automatically create informative L&D training videos from text. No fancy film sets or animation degree needed – just you, and a couple of minutes of your time.

Why AI Text-to-Video Tools Are Your Best Option –

• Super efficient: Production headaches are a thing of the past. AI handles the heavy lifting, freeing you to focus on crafting killer training content.
• Even a rookie can do it: “Oh, but I don’t know anything about video making videos or editing”. What if we tell you that you don’t need to? Steve AI can generate videos in multiple formats and languages including English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, ensuring your training is inclusive and borders don’t become barriers.
• Doesn’t cost an arm and a leg: Hiring a video production team can be pricey. Steve AI, on the other hand, is a smart investment, delivering high-quality training materials without breaking the bank.

How to Create Captivating Training Videos (in Minutes!)

If you’re tired of the old and want in with the new, here is how easy it is making training videos with Steve AI –

Step 1: Create an account and go to the Steve AI dashboard. Choose the type of video you want to create, whetherit’s text to animation, text to video, or talking heads style.

Step 2: Upload your topic of your training video and polish the auto-generated script to match your goals.

Step 3: Pick a video template that aligns with your training content’s tone. You can also customize your video to be horizontal, vertical, or square.

Step 4: Personalize your training video by swapping visuals or backgrounds on screen (only if you need it!) Remember to make it fun like we discussed easier. Review it before launch.

Step 5: Download your finished piece in minutes and share the training videos with your employees! We offer a wide variety of video resolutions, so whether you need a mobile friendly 480p or 4K Ultra HD quality for the big screen, we got you!

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s a case study on how Steve’s Animation Videos Helped 2x Audience Engagement.

The future of L&D is here, and it’s powered by AI!

Forget stale training materials and resource constraints. 

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By leveraging Steve AI, you can transform your existing training content into captivating and informative videos, all without the need for extensive production expertise.

This isn’t about replacing your expertise. Steve AI is here to assist, giving you freedom to perfect the content without worrying about the technical aspect. 

So, ditch the boring ways and make learning fun for you and your team. 

Ready to make your first video? Click here to get started with your first training video, or get in touch with our sales team for any queries.