To teach someone a piece of software, explain how a company system works, or make an online course, screen recording is the most direct method. No camera, no face on screen, but there are a few things to get right for it to be easy to follow.
What to record with
- Windows: the built-in Game Bar, opened with Windows key plus G, records the current window. To record the whole desktop or for more settings, OBS Studio is free.
- Mac: Shift, Command and 5 lets you record the whole screen or a part of it. QuickTime works too.
- Phone: iPhone and Android both have built-in screen recording in the control centre or quick settings.
Six things to do before recording
- Silence notifications: turn on do-not-disturb. A message popping up halfway means re-recording the section.
- Tidy the screen: close unrelated windows and tabs, clear the desktop, hide any private bookmarks.
- Make everything bigger: many viewers watch on phones. Set the app font or browser zoom to 125% or 150%, and enlarge the mouse cursor in system settings.
- Record at 1920 × 1080: very large screens (4K or ultrawide) produce tiny text; set the resolution to 1080p first.
- Write the steps first: not a word-for-word script, just a list of the steps beside you. Follow it and you won't forget anything or wander.
- Do a dry run: go through the process once before recording, so every button is where you expect.
Recording the narration
You can talk while operating, or record the screen first and add narration later. Talking as you go is more natural but easier to slip up; recording separately is cleaner but needs syncing. Our suggestion: talk as you go, and when you misspeak, pause and repeat that sentence; it's cut in the edit. Keep the mic close and the room quiet; see how to record clear audio without a microphone.
What the edit does
- Cuts the waiting: loading, typing, hunting for files all go; a tutorial needs a tight pace.
- Zooms on the key spot: when a button is mentioned, that area is enlarged so phone viewers can see it.
- Adds markers: arrows, boxes, step numbers, so people know where to look.
- Adds subtitles and chapters: many watch on mute, so subtitles are essential; long tutorials get chapters for easy reference.
- Opens with what the video teaches: ten seconds, so viewers know whether to keep watching.
Frequently asked questions
The screen recording's audio and picture drift out of sync.
Screen recordings often use variable frame rate and drift during editing. See why the audio is out of sync with the video.
Do I need to appear on camera?
Not necessarily. Pure operation tutorials are fine without; for courses or brand content, appearing at the start and end adds warmth, with screen footage in between.
I've recorded the screen. Can I commission just the editing?
Yes. Put the recording, the narration (or the step text) and your logo in a cloud folder and send it to us. See also is AI video suitable for training and education.
