The Step-by-Step Process of Creating Effective Training Videos
Creating a training video isn't just about hitting record. To be effective, videos need planning, strategy, and professional production. A sloppy, poorly structured video can confuse employees and waste valuable time — whether you're training teams in Naperville, Chicago, or across multiple locations throughout the region.
That's why following a clear training video production process is essential. Companies throughout Oak Brook, Schaumburg, Aurora, and surrounding business communities are discovering that structured production workflows create training content that actually drives results rather than frustrating learners.
In this guide, we'll break down the step-by-step approach to creating training videos that actually work — from initial concept to final delivery — and explain how businesses across the Chicago metropolitan area can implement this process effectively.
WARNING: It’s a lot! If you’re looking for help to produce your corporate training video please feel free to call us if you get overwhelmed!
FAQs- Quick Answers
Q1: What are the steps in training video production?
A: The process includes defining objectives, scriptwriting, storyboarding, pre-production planning, filming, editing, reviewing, and distribution — typically taking 2-6 weeks depending on complexity.
Q2: Do I need professional help to create training videos?
A: While DIY is possible, professional production ensures higher quality, better engagement, and long-term cost savings. Most Chicago-area businesses find the ROI justifies the investment.
Q3: How do you measure the success of a training video?
A: By tracking completion rates, employee feedback, knowledge retention assessments, and performance improvements after training.
Q4: How long does the training video production process take?
A: Simple videos can be completed in 2-3 weeks, while complex productions with animations, multiple locations, or extensive content may take 4-6 weeks or longer.
Q5: Can training videos be updated after they're created?
A: Yes. Professional production companies can efficiently update existing videos when policies change or new information needs to be incorporated.
Step 1: Define Learning Objectives
Before production starts, clarify what you want employees to learn. Is it compliance training for your Carol Stream facility? Onboarding content for new hires across your Naperville and Elgin offices? Customer service skills for retail teams throughout the western suburbs? Clear objectives ensure the training video has focus and measurable outcomes.
Why defining objectives matters:
Without clear learning objectives, training videos become unfocused information dumps that fail to achieve specific outcomes. Strong objectives guide every decision in the production process — from script content to visual choices to assessment methods.
How to define effective learning objectives:
Use the SMART framework to create objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound:
Specific: "Employees will learn proper safety procedures for forklift operation" rather than "Employees will learn about safety"
Measurable: "Employees will correctly identify all five steps in the customer complaint resolution process"
Achievable: Objectives should be realistic for the video length and format
Relevant: Connected to actual job performance and business needs
Time-bound: "By the end of this training module, employees will be able to..."
Questions to answer during this phase:
What specific knowledge or skills should employees gain?
What behaviors should change after watching the video?
How will you measure whether learning occurred?
Who is the target audience (new hires, managers, specific departments)?
What prerequisite knowledge do viewers already have?
What are common misconceptions or mistakes this training should address?
For companies with multiple locations across Aurora, Plainfield, and other communities, clearly defined objectives ensure training remains consistent and effective regardless of where employees view the content.
Step 2: Scriptwriting and Storyboarding
A strong script is the foundation of an effective training video. Storyboarding helps visualize scenes, ensuring the video is engaging and flows logically from concept to concept. This is where learning objectives transform into actual content.
The scriptwriting process:
Professional scriptwriting for training videos differs from other video content. The goal isn't entertainment — it's learning. Your script should prioritize clarity, retention, and application over creativity for its own sake.
Scriptwriting best practices:
Keep language simple and conversational: Write how people actually speak, not how policy manuals read. Avoid jargon unless it's essential terminology the audience needs to learn.
Break down complex ideas into digestible chunks: Cognitive load theory shows people can only process limited information at once. Divide complex topics into 3-5 minute segments focused on one concept each.
Use visuals to reinforce learning: Don't just describe concepts — show them. If teaching a software process, show the screen. If explaining safety procedures, demonstrate them.
Include real-world examples: Connect abstract concepts to situations employees actually encounter in Oak Brook offices, Schaumburg warehouses, or wherever your teams work.
Build in repetition strategically: Key concepts should appear multiple times in different contexts to reinforce learning.
End with clear takeaways: Each section should conclude with a summary of what was covered and why it matters.
Storyboarding for training videos:
Storyboards are visual scripts that map out each shot, showing what viewers will see while hearing your script. For training videos, storyboards typically include:
Shot descriptions (close-up, wide shot, screen capture, etc.)
Visual elements (graphics, text overlays, animations)
On-screen text or callouts
Timing for each scene
Transitions between segments
Where assessments or interactive elements appear
Even simple hand-drawn storyboards dramatically improve the final product by helping everyone visualize the finished video before expensive production begins.
Step 3: Pre-Production Planning
This stage covers logistics like filming locations, presenters, props, equipment needs, and scheduling. Pre-production ensures everything runs smoothly during filming, preventing costly delays and reshoots.
Critical pre-production elements:
Location scouting: Will you film at your Carol Stream facility? Rent a studio? Use multiple locations across your Chicago-area offices? Each location needs to be assessed for lighting, sound quality, space, and visual appeal.
Talent selection: Who will appear on camera? Subject matter experts from your Naperville headquarters? Professional presenters? Actual employees demonstrating procedures? Each choice has trade-offs between authenticity and polish.
Equipment and crew: Professional productions require cameras, lighting, audio equipment, and skilled operators. Even "simple" corporate training videos benefit from proper equipment that ensures clear visuals and audio.
Scheduling and logistics: Coordinate filming dates, secure locations, arrange for equipment, confirm talent availability, and plan for contingencies. For companies with operations across multiple suburbs, this coordination becomes especially important.
Props and materials: Gather any products, equipment, documents, or materials that will appear in the video. Better to realize you're missing something during pre-production than on filming day.
Legal considerations: Secure location releases, talent releases, and rights to any music or stock footage you plan to use. Ensure compliance with any industry-specific regulations.
Pre-production checklist for training videos:
Finalized script approved by stakeholders
Storyboard completed
Filming locations secured
On-camera talent confirmed
Equipment and crew scheduled
Props and materials prepared
Backup plans for key elements
Legal releases prepared
Shot list created
Post-production timeline established
Companies throughout Elgin, Plainfield, and surrounding areas that invest time in thorough pre-production consistently report smoother filming days and fewer unexpected costs.
Step 4: Filming and Production
Professional filming ensures clear visuals, crisp audio, and engaging delivery. This is where your planning comes to life. Depending on the training type and content, you may include various production elements:
Live-action demonstrations: Real people showing actual procedures, equipment operation, or workplace scenarios. This works especially well for hands-on skills training at manufacturing facilities in Aurora or customer service scenarios for retail teams.
Roleplay scenarios: Actors or employees demonstrating challenging situations like difficult customer interactions, conflict resolution, or applying policies in ambiguous situations. These scenarios help employees see concepts in action.
Motion graphics and animations: Visual explanations of abstract concepts, processes, or data. Particularly effective for explaining systems, workflows, or concepts that can't easily be filmed (like data security or organizational structure).
Screen recordings: Essential for software training, showing exactly what users will see and do. Include cursor highlights and zoom effects to focus attention on specific actions.
Interview segments: Subject matter experts explaining key concepts, sharing insights, or adding credibility to training content.
B-roll footage: Supplementary footage that adds visual interest and context — shots of your facilities, employees working, products being used, or community involvement.
Production quality elements that matter:
Lighting: Proper lighting makes subjects visible, creates professional appearance, and maintains viewer attention. Poor lighting looks amateur and distracts from content.
Audio quality: Clear audio is more important than visual quality. Viewers will tolerate imperfect visuals but will abandon videos with poor sound. Professional microphones and sound engineering are essential.
Camera work: Steady shots, appropriate framing, and intentional camera movement keep viewers engaged without causing distraction or motion sickness.
Pacing: Vary shot lengths, angles, and content types to maintain interest throughout the video. Static, unchanging visuals cause attention to wander.
Presenter coaching: Even experienced professionals benefit from on-camera coaching. Natural, confident delivery dramatically improves engagement and information retention.
Step 5: Editing and Post-Production
Editing is where the video comes to life. This phase transforms raw footage into polished training content that engages viewers and facilitates learning. Adding text overlays, graphics, animations, and background music enhances clarity and engagement.
Essential editing elements for training videos:
Structural editing: Arrange footage in logical sequence, remove mistakes or unnecessary content, ensure smooth flow between concepts, and maintain appropriate pacing.
Visual enhancements:
Text overlays highlighting key terms or concepts
Lower thirds identifying speakers or locations
Callout boxes emphasizing important information
Animated graphics explaining complex processes
Icons and visual metaphors reinforcing concepts
Chapter markers allowing viewers to navigate content
Audio refinement:
Removing background noise and echo
Balancing audio levels throughout
Adding music beds that support without distracting
Including sound effects where appropriate
Ensuring voice-over clarity
Accessibility features:
Closed captions for hearing-impaired viewers and sound-off viewing
Audio descriptions for visually impaired employees if needed
Clear visual contrast for readability
Multiple language options for diverse workforces across Chicago's multilingual communities
Post-production best practices:
Keep videos concise: Aim for 3-7 minutes per module. Longer topics should be broken into multiple videos rather than one lengthy piece. Attention spans are limited, and shorter videos have dramatically higher completion rates.
Include captions: Beyond accessibility requirements, captions improve retention even for hearing viewers. Many employees watch training videos in sound-sensitive environments or prefer reading along with audio.
Add interactive elements when possible: Embedded quizzes, clickable chapters, branching scenarios, or pause-for-reflection moments transform passive viewing into active learning.
Optimize for multiple devices: Employees might view training on desktop computers in Oak Brook offices, tablets in Schaumburg conference rooms, or phones during Elgin facility breaks. Videos should display properly across all devices.
Create multiple formats: Consider creating both full-length training videos and shorter "quick reference" clips that experienced employees can revisit when they need specific information.
Step 6: Review and Feedback
Pilot test the video with a small group of employees before company-wide rollout. This crucial step catches issues that creators too close to the content might miss. Gather feedback to improve clarity and ensure objectives defined in Step 1 are actually being met.
Effective pilot testing process:
Select diverse reviewers: Include people at different skill levels, from different locations (Naperville corporate, Carol Stream operations, Aurora distribution), and with varying familiarity with the subject matter.
Provide clear guidance: Tell reviewers what to focus on:
Is the content clear and easy to follow?
Are there confusing sections?
Do visuals support the narration effectively?
Is the pacing appropriate?
Does the video achieve its stated learning objectives?
Are there technical issues (audio, visual, timing)?
Assess learning outcomes: Don't just ask if people liked the video — test whether they learned. Quick quizzes before and after viewing reveal whether information is being retained.
Gather specific feedback: "What would you change?" is more valuable than "Did you like it?" Training videos serve functional purposes; effectiveness matters more than entertainment.
Make data-driven revisions: If multiple reviewers identify the same issue, address it. If one person has a unique concern, evaluate whether it represents a broader problem or an outlier perspective.
Re-test if necessary: Significant changes warrant another round of pilot testing to ensure revisions actually improved the video.
For organizations with operations spanning from Plainfield to Elgin to Schaumburg, pilot testing across multiple locations ensures training works effectively in different environments and for different employee populations.
Step 7: Distribution and Tracking
Choose the right platform to host your training videos and implement systems to track engagement, completion rates, and learning outcomes. Effective distribution ensures employees can access training when needed, while tracking demonstrates ROI and identifies improvement opportunities.
Distribution platform options:
Learning Management Systems (LMS): Platforms like TalentLMS, Cornerstone, or SAP SuccessFactors integrate training videos with assessment tools, completion tracking, and certification management. Ideal for formal training programs across multiple Chicago-area locations.
Corporate intranets: Many companies host training content on internal portals accessible to all employees. Works well for ongoing reference material and company-wide initiatives.
Secure video platforms: Services like Vimeo Business or Wistia offer hosting with privacy controls, analytics, and embedding options. Good for companies wanting professional hosting without full LMS complexity.
Hybrid approaches: Combine methods — host videos on secure platforms but embed them in your LMS or intranet for single-point access.
Key tracking metrics:
Engagement metrics:
View counts (how many people watched)
Completion rates (what percentage finished)
Re-watch frequency (indicates confusing content or useful reference material)
Drop-off points (where people stop watching)
Average view duration
Learning metrics:
Assessment scores (pre- and post-training)
Time-to-competency improvements
Error rate reductions in trained skills
Certification completion rates
Business impact metrics:
Reduced training costs compared to previous methods
Decreased safety incidents or compliance violations
Improved customer satisfaction scores
Faster new hire productivity
Reduced employee turnover
Distribution best practices:
Make access easy: Employees across Aurora, Naperville, and all your locations should know exactly where and how to find training videos. Clear communication and intuitive navigation are essential.
Create organized libraries: Categorize videos by topic, department, role, or skill level so employees can quickly find relevant content.
Enable mobile access: Many employees don't have constant desk access. Mobile-friendly training accommodates field workers, retail teams, warehouse staff, and remote employees.
Set clear expectations: Communicate which training is required versus optional, completion deadlines, and what happens after training (assessments, certifications, etc.).
Gather ongoing feedback: Create channels for employees to report technical issues, suggest improvements, or request additional training topics.
Update tracking regularly: Review analytics monthly or quarterly to identify trends, address problems, and demonstrate training program value to leadership.
Why Professional Help Makes the Process Easier
Partnering with an experienced training video production company ensures every step is handled professionally — from scriptwriting to delivery. This saves time, reduces stress, and guarantees a polished end product that actually achieves your learning objectives.
The professional advantage at each stage:
Objectives definition: Experienced producers ask the right questions to uncover true learning needs and help you define measurable outcomes.
Scriptwriting: Professional writers create clear, engaging scripts optimized for learning rather than just information delivery.
Production planning: Pros handle logistics, anticipate problems, and have backup plans that prevent costly delays.
Filming: Professional equipment and experienced crews capture high-quality footage efficiently, often completing in one day what DIY efforts might take weeks to accomplish.
Editing: Skilled editors transform raw footage into polished training content with appropriate pacing, visual enhancements, and accessibility features.
Distribution support: Many production companies help with platform integration, formatting for different systems, and even provide hosting solutions.
For businesses throughout Chicago, Naperville, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, Aurora, Carol Stream, Elgin, and Plainfield, professional production partners understand local business needs and can accommodate on-site filming across multiple locations when necessary.
Cost considerations:
While professional production requires upfront investment, consider:
DIY attempts often require multiple revisions, consuming significant internal time
Poor-quality videos fail to achieve learning objectives, wasting both production and employee time
Professional videos can be reused for years with minimal updates
Higher engagement and completion rates deliver better ROI per viewer
Your team can focus on core business rather than learning video production
Creating an Effective Production Timeline
Understanding typical timeframes helps you plan training video projects realistically:
Week 1-2: Planning and development
Define objectives and target audience
Develop script and storyboard
Review and revise content
Finalize production approach
Week 2-3: Pre-production
Scout locations and secure access
Cast talent and schedule filming
Arrange equipment and crew
Prepare props and materials
Create detailed shot lists
Week 3-4: Production
Filming days (typically 1-3 days depending on complexity)
Capture all planned shots
Record voice-over if needed
Shoot backup footage
Week 4-6: Post-production
Edit footage into rough cut
Add graphics, animations, music
Create captions and accessibility features
Refine based on internal reviews
Produce final versions in required formats
Week 6-7: Review and distribution
Pilot test with employee group
Make final refinements
Upload to distribution platforms
Test across devices and systems
Launch with supporting communications
Complex projects involving multiple locations, extensive animations, or numerous subject matter expert interviews may require extended timelines.
Final thoughts
Training videos are only as good as the process behind them. By following a structured production workflow — from clearly defined objectives through strategic distribution and tracking — you can create content that is clear, engaging, and effective at teaching employees real skills they'll use every day.
Whether you're based in downtown Chicago, growing in Naperville's business community, operating facilities in Aurora or Carol Stream, or managing teams across Schaumburg, Oak Brook, Elgin, Plainfield, and beyond, a professional production process ensures your training investments deliver measurable returns.
The difference between training videos that employees ignore and training videos that genuinely improve performance lies in the process. Don't leave effective training to chance — implement structured, professional production workflows that turn learning objectives into results.
Ready to bring your training vision to life? Explore our training video production services and let's get started creating training content that makes a real difference for your organization.
It is a lot of work! If you need help feel free to call us.
Acclaim Media is a Chicago-based video production company helping brands nationwide create high-impact content—from marketing and corporate messaging to training and events. With 25+ years of experience and hundreds of successful projects, we make video production simple, strategic, and results-driven.