How to make a GREAT Tutorial

There's more tutorials now than ever before. But most could be improved. Here's what I've learned after 8 years of making tutorials for this channel.

Microphones:

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Follow me:

[blenderguru]

I didn't include this in the tutorial, but here's some more technical advice for those wanting specifics:

-Use OBS to record your screen. It's open source and it rocks. Lightweight video files that can be edited in common video editors.
-Download and enable the Screencast Keys tool in Blender. It displays the keys you press, which viewers LOVE.
-Don't use any theme other than the default. That's a sure fire way to confuse the viewer into thinking you've got a different version of Blender to them.
-Increase the Display Scale (File>User Prefs>Interface) to around 1.3-1.5. This will make the buttons and text bigger and easier to see from a youtube (which most people watch in non-full screen)
-Please NO MUSIC!

[rahulsham]

Dude this video is ahead of its time.
You didn't provide step by steps instructions, you told a story. I have probably watched this vid 5 times in the space of 2 months.

[yansculpts]

Watched it from 0:00 to 14:36, which i rarely do! Very solid points Andrew. Keep 'em coming.

[michaeltsouris]

wow. knocked it out of the park with this one. this is a great example of how being really good at something isn't ALL that's needed to be good at TEACHING it. Teaching / Presenting is it's own skill. This video brought up several things I had never thought of. I like the 'Make Mistakes' tip.

[KhOrganization]

The FYI acronym is the truest thing I’ve heard in my life.

[onjofilms]

As for 12:50, I used to teach kids film making. And I would say, "How many video players can you buy that don't have sound, and how many audio players can you buy that don't have video?". That's the importance of sound.

[r.k.]

Andrew Price, the Bob Ross of Blender tutorials, has gone meta.

Seriously though, AP's tutorials are usually some of the easiest on the eyes, ears, and brain. As a Blender hobbyist, I usually have a lot of fun following along, and I always learn something.

[KhOrganization]

I just realized your tutorials are actually the best I’ve ever seen. You actually keep my attention all the time.

[MatthewCassinelli]

The section on practice (4:50) is incredibly useful — I think most people wing it on their first try, then have a much harder time editing. And people don't do multiple "takes" because it's exhausting, but I think they really want to capture the original feeling of take 1. But going through 6 practice versions I can see how you both fully nail it, and have the, well, practice to perform even better than the feeling of take 1.

Btw I asked ChatGPT to summarize that section and here is the list it gave me:

1. Experiment and problem solve, trying to figure out the tutorial
2. Analyze the first recording and fix any mistakes
3. Simplify or remove any unnecessary steps
4. Perfect the process and commit each step to memory
5. Rehearse how to explain the tutorial in the final recording
6. Hit record with confidence and knowing what to say

[Michaentus]

But how do i make a tutorial about how to make tutorials about making tutorials.

[Zaarin]

Andrew Price is an invaluable resource - not for his blender tutorials (which are very good and useful training), but for his analyses of the emerging blender community to help us stop and think about what's important. Having someone review the tutorial process we all use to get started with blender is something I didn't know I needed until I saw this. Equally having someone how to explain what makes art more appealing, the critique videos - these are the truly helpful aspects. Thanks a lot!

[bobthedj]

I accidentally clicked on this video but you convinced me to stay in the first minute and that's amazing.

[eatthecarrot]

This. People need to watch this before they record tutorials. Most of the blender tutorials are just videos of people speeding through everything without explaining some very important tips. God bless you for making your blender tutorials Blender Guru. I have learned most from you! Have a nice day.

[techstacker]

9:20 so true, you can't avoid making mistakes, and people will forgive you if your content is otherwise good.

[KhOrganization]

It’s also a fact that sound is the most important thing in media. You can understand what’s going on in a movie or get the gist of it with sound only. But with visuals only, a lot of the immersion is gone.

[mikeburke]

Dude, you are probably one of the first persons to do a Video on this topic, to this level and info. There are people that have made videos about how they make their Tutorials, but do not explain what you explained. The extent of what the Youtube audience is searching for. Bravo, sir.

[Piano_Albert]

I used to watch the blender tutorials, now I make tutorials about piano playing. This guy.. great stuff!

[mikeburke]

That idea of the FYI intro is probably the single biggest mistake all Youtube Tutorials have.

[hegelundgamer]

I’m 13, and I’m not doing tutorials. Instead, I’m actually doing an in-person course with about six kids. I was wondering where I could find some advice, but when I was randomly browsing your channel for some tutorials to improve my skills, I bumped into this video and it really gave me some good advice for my course. Thanks Andrew!

[ChrisLerouxDesign]

As someone who's made a few tutorials (and stopped), this is really inspiring. I primarily stopped for three reasons: 1. Not knowing what to cover 2. My MacGyvered solutions always ended up with a hole or two 3. People watching the videos cared less about learning and more about getting the finished product. When I offered download files, they just grabbed those, and it discouraged me a lot.