How to Convert Your Training Materials into Engaging Videos

Training manuals matter, but most are 30-page PDFs employees skim and forget. When people tune out, ramp-up slows, errors repeat, and performance suffers.

So here’s the fix: turn those docs into short training videos. They’re easier to follow, quicker to update, and scalable across teams.

With Synthesia, you can do this quickly and without any filming, editing, or voiceover work, and you can convert your training materials directly to video from PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoint slides, URLs/webpages, and video scripts.

I’ll show you how I convert manuals to video in minutes using Synthesia, with practical tips, examples, and metrics you can track.

Why training manuals don't work

Even if the content is good, I think we all agree that most text-based training materials are difficult to engage with.

Common issues include:

• Low engagement and retention: Dense text gets skimmed or ignored entirely
• Hard to update: Keeping PDFs or printed docs current takes time
• No visibility: You don't know who read it or understood it

Why training videos work better

Videos are easier to follow and more effective for learning. They allow you to:

• Present information in a visual and auditory format
• Reach more people with translated or localized versions
• Standardize delivery across teams and regions
• Track who watched the content and what they retained

Research backs this up.

According to a comprehensive review in CBE—Life Sciences Education, technology-enhanced instruction including video can improve learning outcomes by up to 10% compared to traditional text-based methods.

The same study found that videos under 6 minutes maintain significantly higher engagement rates than longer formats—which aligns perfectly with what I've seen in my own training programs.

What makes an effective training video

From both research and experience, I've learned that the most effective training videos manage cognitive load carefully. This means presenting information in digestible chunks, using clear visuals that support (rather than distract from) the message, and building in moments for learners to process what they've just seen.

I like embedding quick knowledge checks or reflection prompts during the video—not just at the end—I've found it significantly improves retention.

I don't think you need a high-budget production. What matters is clarity and structure:

• Break content into small segments
• Use a friendly, conversational tone
• Include visuals to support the message
• Keep each video under three minutes when possible
• Build in active moments like "pause and try this now" prompts
• Design for accessibility with captions, high contrast, and clear audio

How to convert training materials into a video using Synthesia

Here are the steps I've been using to turn my existing training manuals into a video series.

1. Divide your training content into sections

I divide my content into sections. Each section can be its own short video.

2. Copy and paste your text or script into Synthesia

I copy and paste my text, script, or document into Synthesia. There's no need to start from scratch — I just edit for tone and flow.

If my training materials are in a document or a webpage, I just paste the link or upload the document directly.

I aim for about 120–140 words per minute of spoken narration and use short sentences in present tense. Instead of writing “The user should click,” I write “Click the blue button.”

3. Select an AI avatar and voice

I select an AI avatar and voice. Synthesia offers a wide range of avatars, languages, and accents.

4. Add supporting visuals

I also like to add supporting visuals. I typically use screen recordings or stock images/videos to clarify key points. For software tutorials, I use the talking head + screen format — avatar on one side, screen recording on the other.

For compliance or policy training, I go with voiceover over full-screen content. For customer service scenarios, I use two avatars with captions to show realistic conversations.

B-roll helps break up talking-head scenes and keeps your videos visually interesting. In Synthesia, you can easily add B-roll clips between sections or layer them behind your avatar or voiceover.

I like to use B-roll to illustrate real-world examples, show people performing tasks, or highlight key visuals that support what’s being said.

You can generate B-roll with a variety of AI video models such as Sora and Google Veo, upload your own footage, or choose from Synthesia’s built-in stock library. A few well-placed clips can make your training video feel more polished and professional.

5. Add interactivity

I love adding interactive elements like quizzes, branching scenarios, clickable buttons, and quizzes to make my training videos more engaging. This helps viewers stay active instead of just watching passively.

For example, I like to include short knowledge checks after each section or give viewers options to explore different scenarios based on their role.

6. Preview and edit your video

I preview and edit my video. I suggest adjusting pacing and tweaking the content before generating the final video.

7. Publish and share your video

The final step is to publish and share my video. Typically, I distribute the video through my LMS, company intranet, or internal comms channels.

Synthesia lets you export your video as an MP4 file, or you can publish it directly with Synthesia and embed the video wherever you like.

Example:

Here's an example of how I used Synthesia to convert some slides into an AI training video.

Before: A 33-slide PowerPoint deck that no one reads

After: A 2 minute long engaging training video that people will actually watch. I used Synthesia's powerpoint to video feature to bring in the slides, then broke them into focused segments. The AI avatar walks through each safety protocol while screen recordings show exactly what to do, and then I finish each section with a knowledge check. The total production time was about 45 minutes, including script edits.

Need to update your video when procedures change? That's where Synthesia really shines. I can edit the script directly, swap out a screen recording, and regenerate the video in minutes without re-recording everything. I typically keep a simple changelog so I know which videos need quarterly reviews.

Tips to make your training videos more effective

It's best to add subtitles and captions so your videos are accessible to everyone, including people watching without sound or those with hearing impairments. Synthesia generates these automatically, which saves a lot of time.

I recommend using your company’s branding throughout your video. Consistent colors, logos, and fonts make your training content feel professional and on-brand.

I like ending my video with a short recap or quick quiz to reinforce key points and keep viewers engaged.

Finally, I'll localize my content for global teams. Synthesia’s 1-click translation makes it easy to create versions in 140+ languages without re-recording. I'll try to keep on-screen text minimal so it’s simple to swap for each language.

Final thoughts

Training materials only work if people pay attention. Video makes it easier for teams to learn, retain, and apply information. With Synthesia, turning your manuals into video takes only a few minutes.