10 Best How-To Video Examples & How to Create One (Full Guide)

How-to videos can have an amazing impact, using digital technology to teach audiences new knowledge and skills in engaging ways. So, if you want to create a tutorial video, how should you get started?

The best how-to videos have a few things in common, combining clear sound quality with high-definition video and well-structured informational content. No matter your area of expertise, you can create an instructional video to support audiences who want to learn what you know.

Producing an explainer video can be a challenge, but there are so many benefits to consider! Great tutorial videos can help you share your skills to help others. They can also help with everything from marketing a service or product to earning you a passive income.

With a good idea, a great script, and an amazing production strategy, you can create tutorials that make an impact for your industry. Thanks to software tools like Riverside, recording and sharing video content has never been so easy!

If you've ever considered making a how-to video, this blog post is for you! Here are some of the best how-to video examples and the skills you need to make your own.

What is a how-to video?

A how-to video is a video designed to educate viewers on a particular topic or skillset.

How-to videos can be created in a few different formats, with each style offering its own unique benefits.

Some videos use an informative style to explain new ideas or concepts. These are often called explainer videos and are usually short, helping to simplify complex topics.

Other videos demonstrate step-by-step processes in real time or offer follow-along instructions. These are commonly referred to as tutorials or instructional videos.

There are a few other common types of how-to videos.

Microvideos are short, focusing on a single relatively simple topic. Training videos aim to support professional development, and screencasts are quick and informal, consisting of screen recordings. Longer how-to videos may also include lectures or presentations!

What are the benefits of how-to videos for your brand?

In terms of branding and marketing, how-to videos can have many important benefits. 

By creating a how-to video related to your industry or company, you can establish a new marketing channel while also improving your professionalism and reputation. In many cases, how-to videos can help you target new customers, build professional credibility, and support viewers to learn skills that help them engage more meaningfully with your brand.

Benefits to how to videos include:

Improving brand awareness:

When audiences are engaging with your video content, they are discovering more, not only about your industry, but about your brand itself. Along with instructions and informational content, you can provide details about your business and the value it offers.

Increasing engagement: 

Videos foster engagement with your content. By communicating directly with your customers and other viewers, you can offer valuable learning content and actionable content that matters to your audience. When you add calls to action to your videos, you can drive even higher engagement rates, all while responding to the needs and interests of consumers.

Boosting conversion rates: 

How-to videos may help you turn traffic into sales. When you produce video content, you can access a range of new marketing opportunities for your brand. Using videos, you can direct customers to visit your website or take action at your business, even making an online purchase!

Providing value for viewers: 

Videos are a great way to provide audiences with value, which is the key to building strong customer relationships. By providing information to educate viewers or solve a common problem, you can make a difference in the lives of people who watch your content. This helps your customers while proving your brand’s purpose and commitment to serve. 

Building credibility: 

Sharing what you know can improve perceived professionalism. As viewers watch your how-to videos, they can learn from you and appreciate your expertise. This helps to boost brand credibility. For more professional results, high-quality video content can demonstrate great attention to detail and overall business quality! 

10 best how-to video examples & what to learn

When it comes to producing great how-to videos, sometimes, the best option is to learn from others! Here are some examples of great how-to video content and what you can learn from them.

1. How to Make the Best Birthday Cake

By: Tasty (Buzzfeed)

How to Make the Best Birthday Cake is a great example of an effective cooking how-to video, having reached over half a million views on YouTube alone.

This video isn't just a general recipe clip. Rather, it breaks down complex cooking skills into step-by-step instructions, giving the viewer time to follow along and develop their own baking skills.

By featuring clear narration, using fast-paced production, and adjusting the pace of the cooking demonstration, this video delivers information clearly and succinctly. It's easy to follow, fun to watch, and educational for viewers!

What to learn: Instructional videos should be easy to follow and clear about what they're trying to communicate.

2. How to Use Grammarly - Beginner's Guide

By: Howfinity

How to Use Grammarly - Beginner's Guide offers an excellent example of how screencasts can be used to effectively communicate information, especially when working in digital landscapes.

This how-to video provides a comprehensive overview of Grammarly's features and tools, using demo screen recordings to provide visuals that help viewers comprehend information with ease.

Using clear voiceover and a step-by-step walkthrough style, this video is able to communicate efficiently, providing a detailed overview of the Grammarly system in just a few minutes, allowing it to retain audience interest and engagement.

What to learn: Screencast videos can provide great visual support to your audio content, especially if the topic you're covering occurs mostly online.

3. You Can Draw This CALM SUNRISE LANDSCAPE in PROCREATE

By: Art With Flo

You Can Draw This CALM SUNRISE LANDSCAPE in PROCREATE is an effective tutorial video, demonstrating how users can replicate digital art techniques using step-by-step narration.

By breaking content down and explaining each instruction clearly, this video allows viewers to follow along easily, promoting direct interaction with content. The video maintains a steady pace to keep viewers interested without rushing the process.

Including process information and helpful tips, this video invites users to take action, following steps exactly as they appear to produce similar artistic results. This helps to improve overall engagement.

What to learn: Slowing down step-by-step process videos allows for clear communication and actionable content.

4. HOW to SEW by HAND for BEGINNERS - Learn BASIC SEWING skills

By: Naztazia

HOW to SEW by HAND for BEGINNERS - Learn BASIC SEWING skills is an excellent example of a clear tutorial video, communicating effectively with its audience.

This video delivers information that users need to know without offering too much information that could become overwhelming. This makes its steps easy to follow, even for beginners.

Using clear audio and video footage, this video recording allows viewers to understand exactly what steps they need to take to learn and improve their sewing skills. Viewers have all the information they need without having to research extra details.

What to learn: By keeping the level of instruction in line with audience skillsets, it's possible to prevent overwhelm and disengagement.

5. How to Use Dash, Rev's Captioning Editor

By: Revver HQ

How to Use Dash, Rev's Captioning Editor provides a good example of an effective training video, providing clear information for professional purposes.

This video is designed to communicate with Rev staff. It offers specific software information to help employees develop important skills relevant to their next workplace task. The video is short and simple, allowing those watching to follow with ease. 

By using screencast technology to display a demo screen, this how-to video provides viewers with clear information that can be referred back to for learning purposes. The content is relevant to the Rev business software.

What to learn: When creating video tutorials for business purposes, short, simple communication and specific details can help you explain new ideas efficiently, as well as saving time in new employee onboarding.

6. How to Manage Your Time Better

By: watchwellcast

How to Manage Your Time Better is a highly effective animated how-to video, using illustrations and animations to provide visual context to information.

This video clearly demonstrates time management skills in easy-to-interpret ways. It remains short and succinct, using visual details and voiceover narration to produce content that is fun and engaging for viewers.

By avoiding long-winded explanations and overly complex ideas, this tutorial gives an introduction to the audience without overwhelming users. This video provides basic ideas that audiences can expand on with future searches.

What to learn: Short and succinct structures coupled with animated visuals make for effective and engaging tutorials.

7. Plann 101: How to Use Plann - A Complete Walkthrough

By: Plann App

Plann 101: How to Use Plann - A Complete Walkthrough is a good example of how to produce an effective tutorial related to a specific program or software application.

This video uses clear branding, engaging voiceover, and screencast demos to provide a comprehensive introduction to the Plann app and its various settings and features. It's easy to follow, prioritizing clear communication.

Plann's social media tools are highlighted in this video, helping it to serve a marketing purpose as well as performing an educational role. Great visuals enhance the quality and make this video stand out from the crowd.

What to learn: Comprehensive explanations allow video tutorials to support audiences with actionable tips and instructions.

8. How Do I Create a GIF in Photoshop - Animate Your Art | Adobe Photoshop

By: Adobe Creative Cloud

How Do I Create a GIF in Photoshop - Animate Your Art | Adobe Photoshop is a great company tutorial video, supporting its audience to develop a specific skill.

This video is designed to show viewers exactly what steps they need to take to produce great digital art results. By using visual narrative techniques, the video is able to communicate complex information in simple, easy-to-understand ways.

This tutorial encourages the viewer to follow along while watching. The task of creating a Photoshop GIF is simplified for educational purposes, with skills provided in a way that allows them to be applied in broader contexts.

What to learn: Even complex skills and ideas can be communicated simply, reducing confusion and cutting down on video time.

9. Beginners Eye Makeup Tutorial | Parts of the Eye | How to Apply Eyeshadow

By: The Makeup Chair

Beginners Eye Makeup Tutorial is a good example of a camera-facing tutorial video with step-by-step instructions.

This how-to video is designed to introduce basic eye makeup skills for beginners by providing clear information at all points in the process. The tutorial demonstrates each step clearly for its audience.

By clearly narrating, explaining, and demonstrating all steps, this video offers a comprehensive overview for viewers. Text and close-up shots help to provide additional clarity to content. The video is easy to understand and provides a strong foundation for further learning.

What to learn: One video doesn't have to stand alone. Your first few videos can be used to provide information that will support future tutorial videos.

10. How to Create & Upload Video Podcasts to Spotify

By: Riverside.fm

How to Create & Upload Video Podcasts to Spotify demonstrates how effective communication can be used to illustrate complex concepts simply and efficiently.

This video uses a face-to-face style to speak directly to the audience, providing a clear process overview of the task at hand. The video is designed to help users develop a valuable skill.

Through calm, clear narration and a combination of visual content types, this how-to video offers insight into the Spotify system and the skills required to upload video footage. The clip makes it easy for viewers to learn skills, working step by step.

What to learn: A combination of how-to video styles and techniques can be used in a single video to create a comprehensive result.

Step-by-step: how to create easy how-to videos

Creating how-to videos is easy when you know where to begin! Here are a few basic steps you can follow to get started.

Step 1: Understand your audience

Understanding your audience is essential when creating a how-to video. By knowing who will watch your content, you can produce a video that will resonate with your target audience and their specific interests and learning styles. What do your viewers want to learn from you?

Step 2: Write a video script

The best how-to videos are planned ahead of time! Before you get in front of the camera, think about what you want to say and how best to share your ideas. Write a script or create a storyboard to map out your video's structure before you start filming. You can also use this stage to decide on your video's style or format.

Step 3: Record your video and/or voiceover narration

When you know what your video needs to include, you can start recording! Depending on what your video is about, you might choose to use a variety of styles and techniques. You may speak to the camera, use animated visuals, show screencast content, or try something new.

If your video requires narration, you can follow up this step by recording a voiceover, ensuring effective how-to communication. You can use Riverside.fm to capture studio-quality audio!

Step 4: Edit your video

Finally, it's time to move into the post-production phase. After you've captured both visual and audio content, you'll need to edit your video. This is when you can add extra features and elements, even adding background music.

Step 6: Share your how-to video

When your video is complete, it's time to share it online! Where you share your video will likely depend on your business model and goals. However, YouTube is always a good place to start. You can also share your tutorial video with your social media followers.

What should you make your video about?

Looking for how-to video ideas? There are so many topics to choose from!

If you run a business, you could make a video teaching customers how to use your product or service. This is a great option, as it allows you to produce effective content while also having a positive impact on marketing.

If you don't want to make a tutorial about a product or service your company offers, you can create videos about other topics in your industry or niche. If you're still lacking ideas for videos you can make, turn to social media to ask your audience what they want to learn!

Tips on making the best how-to videos

1. Include effective communication 

Make sure to communicate clearly and comprehensively in your videos. By speaking clearly and maintaining a logical flow of information, you can ensure an easy viewing experience for your audience. 

2. Feature a clear narrative 

Structure your video content to cover information as efficiently and logically as possible. This helps to support an effective journey from topic to topic while avoiding confusion and improving content quality.

3. Record with high video quality 

Always ensure that you record footage with high-quality video. This helps to keep your content crisp and clear. High-quality videos can improve visual impact and make your brand look more professional. 

4. Use visuals, text, and effects

To give your video extra impact, add visual and text effects! You can also add background music, intro & outros or other sound effects to spice things up.These can help to boost your content with additional information, as well as adding visual interest to your video. Text and visual effectis are a great way to make your video stand out from the crowd! 

5. Offer comprehensive and actionable approaches to learning

Make sure that your how-to videos are actionable. By providing your viewers with ways to engage with educational content, you can help them obtain more value from your content. Consider including questions or other activities to maintain audience interest. 

6. Keep SEO in mind

SEO (search engine optimization) is important for all online content, and how-to videos are no exception! To improve the likelihood that your video will show up in search results, consider SEO in your title, description, and meta-data. More traffic will lead to more views and better brand awareness!

7. Stay as simple as possible

When producing how-to videos, try to keep your content and communication as simple and straightforward as possible. This helps to avoid overwhelming audiences with complex information. It also allows you to help viewers at all skill levels. Plus, simple content can be a great tool for engagement!

Final Thoughts

After looking through some examples, and going through our step-to-step guide, you should be ready to start creating your own how-to videos. Start exploring and figuring out what works for you. At the end of the day, the best way to learn something is to actually do it.

Want to find out how you can better-quality tutorial videos for your brand's YouTube channel? Visit Riverside.fm to find out more about our video and audio tools!