Simple Uses for Screenshare Walkthroughs
Quick Summary: Virtual Walkthroughs can be used as an accessibility tool for all sorts of learners. Providing a video of a step by step process can eliminate repetitive questions and also be a fun alternative to a mundane explanation. Watch the video below to see an example.
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Walkthroughs
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One of my favorite and most useful accessibility tools that most people are familiar with, but often forget about, is Virtual Walkthroughs.
A virtual walkthrough is exactly what it sounds like. You walk your client or customer step by step through a process, on video. Everything is done virtually so that they are not left reading instructions or emails only, they are able to see each step as you go through it. This works wonders for visual learners and can be an easily implemented tool.
Loom is one of my favorite ways to create a virtual walkthrough and is very cost-effective too. Loom offers a free version and you are able to use it live with your clients. Another thing I like about Loom is that video viewers can leave comments so you are able to conduct back-and-forth conversations right under the video that can be referenced later and it won’t be erased once the video has ended.
A feature you’ll definitely want to check out is the screen share option. By sharing your screen, you’ll be able to show step-by-step navigation to find files and folders, resulting in fewer questions or confusion. For example, if your agency has created a few files on a shared drive, you can create an instructional walkthrough, screen share during the video, and show how to navigate to the appropriate folders. You can even personalize the videos with your voice, face, and personality.
Another benefit of creating walkthroughs is that you become familiar with your own process again. Just because we DO the same steps each day, doesn’t mean we are aware of them enough to improve them. Because you are answering questions and showing how something works in your walkthrough, you are able to see things from the client's or student’s perspective. This allows you to critique your process, find errors, or create efficient ways of navigating through your business.
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Welcome New or Potential Clients
Think of sending a short video to a new client just to say ‘Hey’ or ‘I’d love to work with you’. Or you send a quick behind-the-scenes video of how you work, and how efficient your process is, and right off the bat they're getting an idea of how supportive you will be to them, and have an idea of who you are before diving in.
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Record Contract Walkthroughs
An innovative way to utilize walkthroughs in your business is during the contract signing process. I have a walkthrough pretty much everywhere in my process. I have one specifically for my contracts because I know that contracts can be pretty confusing. Contracts can contain legal or business-specific jargon and a walkthrough can alleviate some of the misunderstandings common with contracts. If your video clearly explains each part of the contract, your client will understand their rights as well as yours. They will know if you allow makeup meetings, how many rounds of edits they are entitled to, etc. Also, if there is anything that's unique to your business, this virtual walkthrough would be a great place to explain that uniqueness clearly and concisely.
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Speaking Engagement Preparation
Walkthroughs are great for supporting presenters and speakers for your online events. You may want to relay information specifically related to their speaking engagement like how to log into the conference, how to share slides, as well as all the different functions of your video platform and how to ensure that their microphone and speakers are working so they can interact with others in a meaningful way. Providing a virtual walkthrough allows everyone to share more freely regardless of their technical background.
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Virtual Walkthroughs of Real Places
You can also show your visitors and new hires where their parking area is or even offer a virtual tour of the building to help on the first day so they can get a feel for the space before they even get there.
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Here Are Some Steps to a Great Virtual Walkthrough
Remember to greet your client personally, if possible.
Explain the purpose of the video. I find that a lot of people really appreciate knowing what the premise of the video is, before diving in.
Have all the files, slides, tools, and props you may need set up beforehand. Avoid pauses and choppiness in your videos, as much as possible. But don’t worry, no one is expecting perfection!
Be your true self and get creative.
Super Quick Walkthroughs
If you want to do a shorter walkthrough that shows where something is in just a few steps, I recommend a tool called GIFox. You can add it to your desktop and you can quickly record a mini video whenever necessary. You screenshot the steps you want the client to take and GIFox will create a cool animated GIF that will replay for them.
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Non-Video Option
Another idea is having a PDF where each page is a step in the process and adding pictures on each of those pages to show where things are and what things look like and what they're titled. This would be a visual aid that could be used along with a Virtual Walkthrough or used alone as a lookbook.
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Using virtual walkthroughs will allow others to understand your process better and will save you time answering questions by phone or email. If you are interested in creating a walk-through and want to see one live and in action, scroll to the top of this page and enjoy! Ultimately, taking the time to create a video now, could save you tons of time later, avoiding repetitive questions and miscommunications.
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Was that helpful? Let me know what stood out to you and what visual aid you'd like to learn about next!
Have questions about this article? Leave a comment below or email me at laura@illustrative.us
AUTHOR | LAURA MATTESON
Laura is a neurodivergent artist, mother, wife, founder of Illustrative with fancy drawing skills and a huge bucket-full of hope and love for humanity.
