Creating videos can be a lengthy process with many tools and people involved. But when the pandemic hit, TorranceLearning had to adapt fast and figure out a way to make high-quality videos without having a team in the studio all at once.

In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we sit down with Megan Torrance, CEO of TorranceLearning, to explore how she's revolutionized video production for her small business. Megan shares her journey of adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic, transforming her video setup into a one-person operation that's both efficient and versatile.

Megan dives into the nitty-gritty of her streamlined process, from using shot lists to expedite editing to leveraging review tools for collaborative work. She explains how this newfound efficiency has dramatically improved their turnaround time, allowing them to update course content, respond to client needs, and create marketing materials in record time. But it's not all business - Megan also emphasizes the importance of injecting fun and authenticity into their videos, keeping things engaging for their audience.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 00:52 Introduction
• 00:52 - 02:18 How the pandemic forced TorranceLearning to change how it produces videos
• 02:18 - 03:12 The benefits of streamlining the production process
• 03:12 - 04:54 Why it pays to inject a little fun into your videos
• 04:54 - 05:50 How TorranceLearning saves time with its new process
• 05:50 - 08:40 How her new process has enhanced her business
• 08:40 - 08:52 How to connect with Megan and TorranceLearning
• 08:52 - 09:09 Outro

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megantorrance/
• TorranceLearning: https://www.torrancelearning.com/

Do you edit videos with your eyes or your ears? It may sound like an odd question, but hear us out!

Many video editors focus on visuals first, which are definitely important. But audio is just as (if not more) important to your videos. In fact, the number one reason why people stop watching a video is poor audio.

Joining this episode of The Visual Lounge is Sam Rogers, President & Principal Consultant of Snap Synapse, a content production company that specializes in learning and development. He’s also a musician, so it’s safe to say that audio is a big part of his life.

In this episode, Sam explains why video editors need to take an ear-first approach to editing videos. His approach isn’t just about audio quality. It’s also about whether that audio is helping your video tell a story, get a message across, and make your audience feel what you want them to feel. He shares some tips for leading with audio in this episode, whether that be voice, music, or sound effects, to help you make the most impactful videos.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 01:32 Introduction to Sam
• 01:32 - 02:55 Why Sam takes an ear-first approach and what it means
• 02:55 - 04:31 The role of things beyond voice in videos
• 04:31 - 06:32 The role of music in supporting a story
• 06:32 - 07:34 Tips for leading with the ear when editing
• 07:34 - 08:08 Outro

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samrogers/
• Snap Synapse: https://snapsynapse.com/

What comes to mind when you think of workplace communication? Do your eyes glaze over when someone fires up the latest PowerPoint presentation? Sadly, boring workplace comms is pretty common, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt has a great conversation with Grant Crowell from Design Laboratory Inc, a Senior Training Specialist at Microsoft, and author of the book, GRANTASMS: Creative twisted words for cool people!

Grant explains his approach to making workplace communication more fun and engaging – and why that results in better information absorption. He explores why storytelling is so important as well as the use of visuals, video, and what he calls “playful mindfulness.” We also hear his thoughts on using AI and acronym-speak in the corporate world, plus why he prefers to come up with his own fun names for corporate terms.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 01:51 Introduction
• 01:51 - 03:21 Grant’s top tip for making images or video better
• 03:21 - 05:11 The importance of story in communication
• 05:11 - 11:53 Why workplace communication is often boring
• 11:53 - 17:12 Practical steps for transforming your communication style
• 17:12 - 20:42 How to help people overcome resistance and hesitancy to make communication more fun
• 20:42 - 24:59 The role of video in avoiding boring content
• 24:59 - 32:44 Speed round
• 32:44 - 33:21 Grant’s final take
• 33:21 - 34:29 Outro

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Grant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantcrowell/
• Subscribe to Grant’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/grantcrowell/
• Grant’s book, GRANTASMS: Creative twisted words for cool people!: https://www.amazon.com/GRANTASMS-Creative-twisted-words-people/dp/0578523469/

With over two decades of experience at the crossroads of education and technology, Instructional Designer Ephraim Ross provides invaluable insights on the significance of craftsmanship in your work during his appearance on The Visual Lounge.

Hosted by Matt Pierce, this episode dives deep into tips and best practices for creators, focusing on visual efficiency, the innovative use of AI tools, and enhancing video and audio quality. Ephraim emphasizes the need for continuous learning and making time to hone your craft despite busy schedules. From the benefits of teleprompter technology and camera streaming apps to advanced features in Snagit and Camtasia, this episode is packed with practical advice for L&D professionals and marketers alike.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 02:15 Introduction
• 02:15 - 05:02 First tip: make time to take time
• 05:02 - 05:42 Tools, tips and temperaments
• 05:42 - 14:41 Camera streaming apps and AI tools
• 14:41 - 17:44 Snagit tips and tricks
• 17:44 - 22:13 Camtasia tips and tricks
• 22:13 - 28:52 Speed round questions
• 28:52 - 32:46 Final take and conclusion

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Ephraim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ephraimross/
• Email The Visual Lounge on: thevisuallounge@techsmith.com

How can we create videos that people pay attention to? With many in the content world claiming that attention spans are shrinking, The Visual Lounge host, Matthew Pierce, has a different take…

In this episode, Matt explains why he believes that attention spans aren’t the problem. It’s just that there’s so much content battling for our attention (never mind our busy daily lives!)

Matt explores why you need to know the fundamentals of what makes a good video and how to tell a story with your content to keep people watching. He explains why it’s often the first five seconds of a video that determines whether someone will stick around and why you may need to make the effort to re-engage viewers for longer videos.

AI is a big topic in the content creation world. But while AI spells opportunity for video creators, it doesn’t mean we can get away with not knowing the basics. You need to know how to tell a story and what your audience is looking for to maintain viewer interest.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 01:21 Introduction
• 01:21 - 02:50 Reflecting on past guests and the lessons they’ve shared
• 02:50 - 04:11 The fundamentals of video creation
• 04:11 - 07:51 Why attention spans aren’t shrinking
• 07:51 - 08:58 How to keep audiences engaged past the first five seconds
• 08:58 - 13:26 Why you need to know your audience
• 13:26 - 16:51 Why video creation is a learnable skill
• 16:51 - 19:03 AI may help but you still need to know the fundamentals
• 19:03 - 20:16 Outro and final thoughts

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrpierce/

Today’s global businesses want to make sure their messages are heard far and wide. But sometimes, that means crossing a language barrier. Whether it’s marketing content or training content, getting your message across quickly and effectively is critical.

Poorly translated materials could put a spanner in the works of what you’re trying to achieve. But even if the translation is word-for-word perfect, without intentional efforts to localize that content, it’s easy for your message to get lost in translation.

In this episode, we sit down with Roberto Aiello, the Senior Learning Experience Designer at Personio, about realities, challenges, and his tips for localizing content effectively. He explains why localization is about much more than just translation. For the message of your content to be translated and absorbed by your audience, it needs to feel native to that person.

Roberto talks about the common difficulties that can come up while localizing content including cultural references and phrases that don’t translate well into other languages. He shares some examples he’s come across as a native Italian speaker now living in Dublin. Roberto has some great advice for anyone involved in localizing content, and explores what to watch out for and why you need to know your audience well.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 01:56 Introduction
• 01:56 - 02:55 Roberto’s tip for using images and video
• 02:55 - 04:30 Roberto’s background as a non-native English speaker
• 04:30 - 08:36 What it means to localize content and why it’s more than just translation
• 08:36 - 11:29 How you can begin translating and localizing content
• 11:29 - 13:19 Common issues that cause translation difficulties
• 13:19 - 17:20 How to find balance in a localization project
• 17:20 - 19:39 Things to be aware of when localizing
• 19:39 - 23:26 Why you need to understand your audience well
• 23:26 - 27:28 Speed round questions
• 27:28 - 28:00 Roberto’s final take
• 28:00 - 29:08 Outro

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Roberto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertoaiello/

On this podcast, we talk about creating video. We talk about editing video. But then there's the art of distributing your video and getting it out there so people can find it.

And having your audience find it is a critical piece of the puzzle!

Of course, we’re referring to search engine optimization (SEO). In this episode, we welcome SEO coach and entrepreneur Samantha North. She talks about the importance of SEO in video distribution, the interplay between written content and video for better SEO, and how to start and succeed in SEO. Samantha shares insights from her extensive background in digital marketing and her journey toward mastering video SEO.

She also provides practical tips on keyword research, video optimization, and leveraging AI tools. The episode rounds out with Samantha’s advice on building a diverse online presence to enrich your brand and safeguard against algorithm changes.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 01:14 Introduction
• 01:14 - 04:40 Tips for using video to enhance your SEO
• 04:40 - 07:10 The basics and the importance of understanding SEO
• 07:10 - 10:14 Practical steps and tools for starting with SEO
• 10:14 - 17:00 Creating SEO-optimized content
• 17:00 - 21:47 The power of video in SEO and content strategy
• 21:47 - 24:26 Building an online brand universe
• 24:26 - 29:27 Speed round questions
• 29:27 - 30:55 Final thoughts and takeaways

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Samantha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/northsamantha/
• Connect with Samantha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjnrth/
• Visit Samantha’s Website: https://samanthanorth.com/
• Find Samantha on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaOtpoJyMj18q31bdHqP-Ug/

Is AI really coming for your job… or will it enhance it?

In this episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce discusses the importance and practical uses of AI with Brian Sykes, the founder of AdJourney, plus a seasoned branding and marketing strategist and expert in generative AI.

They cover ways to integrate AI into everyday tasks, explore various AI tools, and address common concerns about AI, such as job displacement and copyright issues. Brian emphasizes the significance of AI as an amplifier for human capabilities and shares advice for leveraging AI effectively. The conversation also touches on the rapid advancements in AI technology and its potential positive impact on various industries.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 01:39: Introduction
• 01:39 - 02:48 Brian’s advice for creatives using images or video
• 02:48 - 03:46 Brian’s journey with AI
• 03:46 - 07:29 What AI is best at doing right now
• 07:29 - 12:08 The questions people should be asking AI now to get it to do the best job
• 13:20 - 22:41 Some of the concerns with AI around copyright, creativity, and the future of work
• 22:41 - 27:28 Speed round Q&A
• 27:28 - 28:17 How to connect with Brian
• 28:17 - 29:00 Brian’s final take
• 29:00 - 29:49 Outro

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwsykes/
• Follow Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theBrianSykes
• AI Explore’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AI.Explore
• Visit Brian’s Website: https://thebriansykes.com/
• A.I. Explore: https://www.aiexplore.co/
• A.I. Lab: the-AI-Lab.com