Tips and Best Practices for Creating Sierra Academy Videos
Use these tips to plan, record, and submit high-quality training videos for Sierra Academy.
Why This Feature Matters
Great video content improves learning and engagement. These best practices help ensure:
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Your videos are clear, concise, and professional
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Content aligns with Sierra Academy standards
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Recording and submission are smooth and stress-free
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Outline Your Video
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Define your objective and key points
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Organize content in a logical flow
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Use the outline to keep your recording on track
2. Write a Script
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Convert your outline into a full script
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Consider using a storyboard format with two columns: visuals on one side and script on the other
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This reduces mistakes and improves pacing
3. Choose the Right Recording Software
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For webcam and screen recording, consider Open Broadcast Software (OBS) — a free, popular tool
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Use a mouse halo or pointer highlight to emphasize on-screen elements
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Use high-resolution video (1280x720 or 1920x1080)
4. Use Quality Audio Equipment
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Avoid built-in laptop microphones
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Use an external mic or a headset with a decent mic
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Place mic ~6 inches from your mouth
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Record in a quiet space; turn off notifications
5. Practice Before Recording
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Rehearse your script using a “radio voice”
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Do a dry run to find rough spots
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Refine your delivery before hitting record
6. Recording Tips
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Use recommended dimensions: 1280x720 or 1920x1080
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Consider recording visuals and voice separately, then combine in editing
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Speak clearly and confidently
7. Produce & Submit the Final Video
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Export video as .MP4
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Upload to YouTube or Vimeo
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Make it public, or private with embed enabled
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Submit to SierraAcademySupport@sierrainteractive.com for inclusion
Sierra Academy Guidelines & Recommendations
Required Guidelines:
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Maximum video length: 5 minutes
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No self-promotion or real estate advice
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Clear visuals and high-quality audio
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No profanity or inappropriate content
Recommended Steps:
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Provide a script to SierraAcademySupport@sierrainteractive.com for feedback
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Use a script and prepare supporting visuals
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Practice and refine delivery
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Use helpful visuals to reinforce concepts
Turnaround Time:
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Submissions are typically reviewed within 3–5 business days, depending on course size
Best Practices
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Keep it short and focused (under 5 minutes)
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Use visuals to support your message
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Edit for clarity and flow
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Watch your video before submitting
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: Poor audio quality
Fix: Use a headset mic or USB microphone and record in a quiet space
Issue: Video looks blurry or low resolution
Fix: Use 720p or 1080p resolution when recording and exporting
FAQs
What file format should I use?
Submit videos as .MP4 files.
Where should I host the video?
Upload to YouTube or Vimeo. The video must be public or embeddable.
Can I include my branding?
No. Videos for Sierra Academy must avoid overt branding or business promotion.