This final action step involves creating the final assets you may need when publishing your video lesson in its final location.
Some of these assets will be generated from your slide deck, others from the saved video.
Note: All of these steps are optional. You do not have to complete these steps before I will give you some feedback on your video.
1) Save your slide deck as a PDF
If you want to provide your slide deck as a handy download for your students then you’ll need to export it as a PDF from your slide creation software.
Google Slides
Here’s how to export your slides as PDF using Google Slides:
- File > Download > PDF document (.pdf)
Adding a copyright message
Since making your slides downloadable means that they could be distributed outside of your course platform, you may wish to add a copyright message before exporting them.
Google Slides
Here’s how to add a copyright message using Google Slides:
- Add a text box at the very top or bottom of any slide in your deck
- Enter your copyright message making sure not to obscure content
- Right click the box and select “Add to theme”
2) Save a thumbnail image
Many video hosts and course platforms allow you to upload a “thumbnail” image for each of your videos. This is the image shown on the front of the video player before people press “Play”.
Providing a thumbnail gives a crisper image and ensures the platform doesn’t choose a random frame from the middle of the video.
To create a thumbnail you’ll need to export your title slide as a PNG or JPG file.
Google Slides
- File > Download > JPEG image (current slide, .jpg)
- File > Download > PNG image (current slide, .png)
3) Generate the captions and transcript
Adding captions and/or a transcript for each of your videos makes them more convenient for certain students.
Some tools such as Loom and ScreenPal will generate captions and/or transcripts as part of the recording process.
Alternatively you can try one of the following online services:
Adding captions to your video
Adding captions means uploading the .SRT file generated by one of the above tools to your course platform or video host.
Adding a transcript to your video
Adding a transcript simply means taking the transcription text generated and either making it available as a separate download such as a PDF, or embedding it directly on your lesson page inside your course platform.
4) Compress the video
Most editing tools save video files that are considerably bigger than you need for your course platform.
I recommend using the free Handbrake app to dramatically reduce the size of your video file.
Relevant tutorial:
- 3.6: Tutorials and Resources (Handbrake video)
5) Extract the audio
If you want to provide a separate audio download for those people who’d like to listen to your lesson “on the go” you’ll need to extract an audio track from your video.
It’s best to do this after you’ve compressed the video so that you’re dealing with smaller files.
Here is a site where you can upload an MP4 and download the audio as an MP3.
And… You’re Done!
That’s the last of your action steps. Well done for getting this far.