Video types
Tutorial video
A tutorial is judged by how many people finish the task, not the video.
A tutorial video teaches one task from start to finish. Name the end state at the beginning, show every step without skipping, keep to a realistic pace, and confirm what success looks like at the end.
The detail, in plain English
Skipping a step because it is obvious to you is the single biggest cause of abandoned tutorials. Obvious to the author is not obvious to the learner.
Say the end state first. Learners who know where they are going tolerate a longer middle.
Real pace beats fast pace. Someone is following along with their hands on a keyboard.
What to do, step by step
- 1Name the end state'By the end of this you'll have a published report.'
- 2Show every stepIncluding the ones you consider trivial.
- 3Confirm successShow what the finished state looks like so they can check themselves.
The short version in a table
| Task | Steps | Sensible length |
|---|---|---|
| Change a setting | 1-3 | 45 seconds |
| Complete a form | 4-8 | 2 minutes |
| Set up an integration | 8-15 | 4 minutes, or split in two |
| Full onboarding | 15+ | A series, not one video |
A worked example
Worked example (illustration). A charity's volunteer team replaces a 12-page rota guide with four tutorials, each ending with a screenshot of the correct final state so volunteers can self-check.
What to watch out for
- Do not speed up the screen recording; learners are following in real time.
- Update the tutorial the week the interface changes.
- Avoid 'simply' and 'just' — they make stuck learners feel stupid.
How AutoPersonify does it
AutoPersonify gives you 143 real presenters, scripts in 42 languages and a free tier with no card, so you can make a finished video before you decide on a plan. Paid plans are Starter £49, Growth £149 and Scale £499 a month, all measured in finished video minutes.
Questions people ask
Do I need any video experience?
No. The skill is completeness, not production. Write the steps down first and check a colleague can follow them without you.
How much does it cost?
Longer tutorials use more minutes, so a library usually needs Growth at £149 a month rather than Starter at £49.
Can I edit it afterwards?
Yes, and tutorials need it most. When one step changes, adjust that section's script and re-record only that part of the screen.
Next step
Read the AI presenter video hub for the full picture, or start free and make one. Last updated 14 September 2026.
Start free, no card required
Pick one of 143 presenters, paste a short script, and make a real video before you pay anything.
Also useful: plans and prices and the agency revenue hub. Last updated 14 September 2026.