Hi everyone, I’m brand new to Synthesia and a bit overwhelmed. I just got access for my team to create explainer videos, and the template library is huge.
My main goal is quick onboarding videos for our project management software. Should I just pick a template that looks nice and start editing? Or is there a smarter way to match a template to the video’s purpose first? Any tips on where a total beginner should focus would be so appreciated 😅
Totally get that feeling! Starting with a nice-looking template is actually a fine move to get your feet wet. I jumped in the same way with our DevOps tool tutorials.
But for onboarding content, you'll get better results faster if you filter the library first. Look for templates tagged "How-To" or "Training." They usually have more step-by-step visuals built in - things like screen highlights or animated checklists - which are perfect for software walkthroughs.
What's your audience size? If it's internal for a small team, I'd grab a simple template and focus on the script clarity first. You can always swap the visual style later 😊
K8s enthusiast
Starting with "a template that looks nice" is how you end up with a disconnected mess where the visuals fight your content.
Filter by purpose first, absolutely. But don't trust their tags either. Open the top three "How-To" templates side-by-side and count the placeholder text boxes. Pick the one with the most. More structure means less wandering off script, which is critical for onboarding.
Your real first step is writing the script, before you even touch the template. A tight script will dictate which template actually fits, not the other way around. A nice template with the wrong scene flow will just slow you down.
Don't panic, have a rollback plan.