By now, you surely know the power of SHOW and TELL when it comes to explaining something that you see on your computer screen.

Whether it’s because you have something to demonstrate, or you want to learn something by watching and listening, you’ve probably enjoyed screensharing videos for at least the last few years since they became so accessible and inexpensive (or free).

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is surely worth at least one million?

I use Loom videos to support my students by being able to answer a question with an on-screen demonstration in 2-5 minutes, vs an email that might take me 10-20 minutes to compose and proof. The connection and rapport that’s built when you can hear and see someone on screen is not something you can achieve via email.

I also create Loom videos to send to tech support when I have a question for any one of the applications that I use. Even if I believe myself to be tech savvy enough to explain myself fully, there’s nothing that can replace being able to “look over the shoulder” of the person asking for your help.

If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon of creating your own videos, I’m here to show you JUST how easy it is, using the Loom Chrome Extension.

  1. Sign up for Loom
  2. Install the Loom Chrome Extension
  3. Click the Loom logo in the top right of Chrome
  4. Set the sharing settings for your video, and click Start Recording
    > if you have more than one monitor, you’ll have to select the one you want to share and click Share
    > the free plan gives you 5 minutes of recording time
  5. When you are done recording your video, end the recording by clicking the checkmark in the lower left of your screen
  6. The video will be available almost instantly, and the link to your video is available on your clipboard for you to paste and send far and wide

Here’s a behind-the-scenes of how Loom works, features and setup:

 

Advanced Loom features and tactics… (some of which are only available on paid accounts)

  • Your video title is automatically the page title of the page you started recording on. Just like file-naming, it’s valuable to name the video in a way that will help you search for (and find it) in the future. I often add the name of the person I’ve recorded it for, and/or a descriptive title.
  • You can trim your video with Loom’s simple video editor
  • You can hide certain features from the recipient of your video link: analytics, video file download, transcript, emoji reactions
  • Viewers can comment on your video in writing or by return Loom video
  • You can choose which thumbnail you want (paid plan)
  • You can add a (branded) call-to-action (paid plan)
  • You can share videos you create with specific people without copying and pasting the link
  • You can insert a video thumbnail and link into your Gmail emails with two clicks
  • You can change the privacy settings
  • You can file your videos in folders (you can have up to 25 videos on file with the free Loom account)
  • You can create three video libraries: Personal, Shared and Team
  • Pro tip: if you upgrade to one of their paid tiers, go for the annual fee and save 20%
  • Integrates with all kinds of apps, like Slack, Notion, Gmail, Intercom, and more.

Since the moment that Loom hit the scene, I have been shouting the virtues of their application far and wide and I know you will love to use Loom, too.

 

I am a proud affiliate for Loom if you choose to upgrade to any of their paid products. However, I have been promoting and recommending them for years with no expectation of compensation, so please know that this post and my recommendation have nothing to do with affiliate commission.