Content Authoring: Best Tools, Process & Practices to Use

U.S. businesses spend around $200 billion annually on corporate training. Yet, one estimate suggests that barely 10% of that amount delivers any concrete results.

The problem is often a lack of alignment between training content and business goals.

Unfortunately, most businesses are so caught up in limited budgets and the pressure to upskill employees quickly that they fail to give their training content the attention it deserves.

A solid content authoring process can help you overcome this challenge.

Content authoring is about developing engaging, relevant training content that successfully teaches employees the skills they need to perform their jobs.

In this guide, we’ll break down the content authoring process into detailed steps. You’ll also find handy tools, tips and templates to help you create compelling training materials.

Table of Contents

• What Is Content Authoring?
• Content Authoring Tools
  • What Is a Content Authoring Tool?
  • Types of Content Authoring Tools
  • 5 Best Content Authoring Tools
• The Content Authoring Process for Employee Training
  • Training Needs & Planning
  • Designing Training Content for Employees
  • Authoring Content for Training
  • Delivering Your Training Content
  • Evaluating Training Content
• Content Authoring FAQs

 

*Disclaimer: The comparisons and competitor ratings presented in this article are based on features available as of August 30, 2024. We conduct thorough research and draw on both first-hand experience and reputable sources to provide reliable insights. However, as tools and technologies evolve, we recommend readers verify details and consider additional research to ensure the information meets their specific needs.

 

 

What Is Content Authoring?

Content authoring is the process of crafting digestible, engaging training content that aligns with business goals. This often requires multiple team members to collaborate and co-create content, including managers, instructors, subject matter experts, HR managers and writers.

Content authoring is not just about dumping information—you’re strategically designing experiences that translate to real-world skills. Beyond just writing content, this involves creating infographics, presentations, activities and micro-learning training modules.

This means you can’t just rely on standard word processors or PowerPoint. You need specialized content authoring tools.

Let’s explore these tools in more detail below.

 

Content Authoring Tools

Content authoring tools allow you to develop text, visuals and interactive elements for your training materials. Before we get into the different types of tools you can use, let’s define what exactly a content authoring tool is.

 

What Is a Content Authoring Tool?

A content authoring tool is a software designed specifically for creating educational content. These tools enable trainers, instructional designers and L&D professionals to develop engaging and interactive learning materials without the need for coding.

Content authoring tools range from simple, template-based programs to complex platforms with LMS integration, SCORM and xAPI compatibility and advanced customization features. The right tool depends on your specific needs, budget and the technical skills of your team.

 

Types of Content Authoring Tools

There are various types of eLearning authoring tools out there. Here are some categories you might want to consider for your corporate training needs:

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• Cloud-based authoring tools: These web-based platforms let you author training content easily anywhere with internet access. They often offer real-time collaboration features, online storage and automatic backups, which makes them ideal for teams working remotely or across different locations.
• Desktop authoring tools: These are typically installed directly on a computer and can work offline. Desktop tools often provide more robust features, advanced customization options and faster performance for complex projects. However, they may require more technical expertise to use effectively.
• Mobile authoring tools: These apps are designed for creating content on mobile phones or tablets, which makes them ideal for on-the-go course authoring. They're particularly useful for trainers who need to update content while away from their desks.
• LMS-integrated authoring tools: These tools are built directly into Learning Management Systems (LMS) to streamline the process of authoring and delivering training content. They often integrate seamlessly with course and learner data, which makes it easier to track progress and adapt content accordingly.
• Video-based tools: These are specialized tools for creating and editing video content, which are often an essential part of your training programs. They typically include advanced features like screen recording, video editing and interactive elements to help you create standout, engaging videos.
• PowerPoint add-ons: These tools extend PowerPoint's capabilities to turn familiar slide decks into interactive training modules. They're particularly useful for organizations looking to repurpose existing presentations into more engaging training content without learning new software.
• Virtual Reality (VR) authoring tools: These tools allow you to create immersive, 3D learning experiences. They're particularly valuable for simulation-based training in fields like healthcare, manufacturing or emergency response, where realistic practice scenarios can significantly enhance learning outcomes.

 

5 Best Content Authoring Tools

In this section, we’ll look at some of the most popular content authoring tools out there for employee training.

Visme

Visme is an AI-powered content authoring tool that can help you build all kinds of courses, activities and interactive training materials in minutes. It’s easy to use and offers features like a huge template library, built-in design elements and advanced collaboration tools.

Here are some of our favorite Visme features for content authoring:

• User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality
• Multimedia support for adding images, audio and video to content
• Interactive elements for creating quizzes, assessments or activities
• Pre-designed course layouts and templates
• Collaboration features that allow multiple team members to work together
• Various export formats that include SCORM, xAPI, PDF and HTML5

For a quick dive into these and more features that make Visme the perfect candidate for your content authoring needs, check out this quick 5-minute video:

 

Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate is a powerful content authoring tool specifically designed to create engaging eLearning experiences. The platform offers an extensive template library, responsive design capabilities and seamless integration with other Adobe products.

Captivate also makes it easy to create interactive simulations, software demos and virtual reality (VR) projects for more complex, immersive training content.

If you’re interested in learning more about Captivate’s features and limitations, check out this article on Adobe Captivate alternatives.

 

Articulate Storyline 360

Articulate Storyline 360 is known for its easy-to-use interface and advanced features like a packed library of slide templates, team collaboration and multi-device previews.

It allows content authors to develop highly interactive and engaging courses in minutes with branching scenarios, drag-and-drop interactions and custom assessments.

Find out more about Articulate’s features and limitations in this article on Articulate alternatives.

 

iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite is a robust content authoring tool that seamlessly integrates with Microsoft PowerPoint. It comes with an ​​AI assistant, translation and localization support.

The platform also offers a rich template library and interactivity tools to help you create quizzes, dialogue simulations and screencasts.

 

Elucidat

Elucidat’s content authoring platform is popular with enterprises for its ability to produce training content at scale. It offers several customizable themes, multiple export options, powerful analytics and other tools to help you design captivating learning experiences.

Elucidat also offers features like brand management and advanced collaboration tools to make it easier for enterprises and remote companies to author content together.

 

The Content Authoring Process for Employee Training

Great content lies at the heart of any successful employee training program. And to create content that drives real results, you need to follow a systematic process.

In this section, we’ll break down each step of the content authoring process so you can develop training materials that move the needle on employee performance.

Training Needs & Planning

Before you start ‘authoring’ content, you need to be clear on why you’re creating it, who you’re creating it for, and how exactly you’re going to create, deliver and evaluate it.

This might sound like too much, so we’ll break down the planning stage into three steps:

• Training needs assessment
• Training needs analysis
• Training planning

Training Needs Assessment

A training needs assessment (TNA) is the process of identifying the specific skills and knowledge your employees currently have and comparing them to what they need to meet your company’s goals and performance requirements.

Think of it as a roadmap for your training content. It shows you exactly where your team needs to improve so you can plan training that really makes a difference. For example, during the assessment, you might find out your sales team needs training on a new software to boost their performance.

Here’s how to conduct a training needs assessment in your organization:

1. Define organizational goals and performance targets
2. Collect data on current workforce capabilities
3. Identify general skill and knowledge gaps across the organization
4. Determine potential areas for training intervention
5. Outline preliminary learning needs for further analysis

Training Needs Analysis

A training needs analysis is the deep dive that follows your training needs assessment. You’ve identified any skill or knowledge gaps that might exist. Now, you’ll explore why those gaps exist and determine exactly how to close those gaps.

For example, your training needs analysis might reveal an interactive demo and a follow-up quiz is the best way to train your employees on a new software.

So, why is a training needs analysis important? Isn’t an assessment enough? Not really. Without precise knowledge of the root cause of the problem and how to fix it, companies can waste thousands of dollars on training content that is well-intentioned but fails to deliver results.

Follow the steps below to conduct a training needs analysis:

1. Review training needs assessment results
2. Conduct an in-depth analysis of identified skill gaps
3. Determine root causes of performance issues
4. Prioritize training needs based on organizational impact
5. Develop specific training recommendations and action plans

Training Planning

Finally, when you’re 100% sure about what skills or knowledge gaps exist in your organization and what’s required to bridge those gaps, it’s time to plan your training.

A training plan lays out all the meaty details of your training program, which typically include the following:

• Training goals: These are the specific objectives you want to achieve with your training program. Your training goals should be SMART and align with your organization's overall strategy. They provide direction and help define what success means to you.

• Training methods/materials: Here, you’ll outline the various approaches and resources you’ll use to deliver the training. This could be a mix of in-person workshops, online courses, hands-on practice sessions, mentoring programs and self-paced learning modules. The materials could range from videos to presentations to handouts to case studies and beyond.

• Topics and learning items: This is a detailed breakdown of the specific subject matter you’ll cover in your training content. Clearly define each topic, the skills or knowledge areas it aims to tackle, and break it down into smaller parts or subtopics.

• Trainers and instructors: Identify the individuals who will be responsible for delivering the training. This could include internal subject matter experts, external consultants or professional trainers. Consider their qualifications, expertise and teaching abilities before you decide to have them lead the training.

• Timelines and schedule: Map out the exact timeline of your training program, including the start and end dates for each module or session. Be realistic about how long things take and when your team can actually focus on learning. A good schedule keeps everyone on track without overwhelming them.

• Assessment plan: How will you know if the training is working? Set up ways to check progress, like quizzes or on-the-job tasks. The assessment plan ensures employees are meeting learning objectives and also provides feedback into areas for improvement.

• Training budget: Detail the financial resources allocated for the training program. This should cover all associated costs, including materials, instructor fees, venue rentals (if applicable), technology expenses, and any travel or accommodation costs. A solid budget helps you deliver great training without breaking the bank.

Pro Tip: Use this employee training plan template from Visme to house all of this information and share it with your team so everyone is on the same page.

 

Designing Training Content for Employees

You’ve planned your training, but what about planning your content? This section specifically focuses on designing a content strategy for your training program.

Here, you’ll dive into the structure of your content, the different instructional models you’ll use, the various interactive strategies you plan to incorporate and any multimedia elements you’d include in your training modules.

Doing this homework speeds up the actual content authoring step because you know exactly what to create and how to design it. Let’s dig into the details.

Content Structuring

Content structuring is about organizing your material in a way that makes sense. Instead of throwing facts at your audience, you want to build a logical and engaging flow. A good structure will help your learners absorb and retain information more effectively.

Here are some tips to help you structure your training content:

• Share learning objectives: Clearly outline what learners will achieve by the end of each module. For example, “By the end of this session, employees will be able to process a customer return in under 5 minutes.”

• Break content into smaller pieces: This process is often called “chunking.” The human brain can only handle so much information at a time and you don’t want to overwhelm your employees. Instead of one long lesson on “Customer Service,” for example, break it into smaller chunks like “Active Listening” and “Handling Complaints.”

• Build a logical sequence: Arrange content in a way that makes sense and enhances learning. For instance, you could start with the basics and build up to more complex topics. You could also follow a chronological timeline of events or processes or use a problem-based sequence where you tackle one issue at a time.

• Integrate knowledge checks: Incorporate brief quizzes or exercises throughout the material to reinforce learning and track progress. For example, after explaining the company's new expense reporting process, you could add a quick exercise where employees categorize sample expenses correctly in the system.

• Revisit key concepts: Circle back to important ideas in different contexts. In a marketing course, for instance, you could revisit the concept of target audience when discussing product development, pricing strategies and ad campaign creation.

• Prepare a resource bank: Plan for additional or supplementary materials for deeper exploration. For a project management course, for example, you could include links to relevant tutorials, websites, articles and recommended books.

Use a consistent structure across all your modules to develop familiarity. Here’s a sample structure you could follow for your content:

1. Learning objectives
2. Interactive presentation or video
3. Case study or activity
4. Summary and key takeaways
5. Quiz or assessment

Remember to stay flexible. Good structure isn't about rigidity—it's about creating a clear path for learners while allowing for exploration and personalization where appropriate.

For example, you could offer advanced learners the option to skip a module or course if they’re able to pass the quiz. You could also create personalized learning paths so employees with different roles or preferences can choose a content structure that works best for them.

 

Instructional Design Models

You’ve got your content structure planned out. But how do you plan to impart that knowledge? Instructional design models exist for that very purpose. They’re frameworks that guide how you develop and deliver your training content.

These models provide a systematic approach to creating effective learning experiences.

Choosing the right one(s) for your content can boost learner engagement and help you maximize the outcomes of your training program.

Let’s look at some popular instructional design models for employee training:

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The ADDIE Model

ADDIE stands for Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation. It's a systematic, step-by-step framework for creating training programs.

Here’s how it works:

• Analysis: Identify training needs and learner characteristics.
• Design: Outline learning objectives and choose instructional strategies.
• Development: Create and assemble content.
• Implementation: Deliver the training to learners.
• Evaluation: Assess the effectiveness of the training.

Best for: Large-scale training initiatives or when you're creating a new program from scratch. The ADDIE model works well when you have the luxury of time and resources to thoroughly plan and execute each phase.

 

The Successive Approximations Model (SAM)

The SAM model is an agile, iterative approach to instructional design created by Dr. Michael Allen. Here, the emphasis is on rapid prototyping and frequent feedback instead of following a systematic, step-by-step process.

Here’s how it works:

• Preparation: Gather information and brainstorm ideas.
• Iterative Design: Create a prototype, review and revise in quick cycles.
• Iterative Development: Build out the full training while continuing to test and refine.

Best for: Teams that need to develop training quickly or in rapidly changing environments. SAM shines when you need to get a working version out fast and improve it over time. This makes it great for tech companies, startups or any organization that values flexibility and speed.

 

Cathy Moore’s Action Mapping

Action Mapping is a performance-focused model that asks, "What do we want employees to DO differently?" Instead of drowning employees in information, you'll focus on specific actions that improve job performance. It's great for cutting through the fluff and delivering training that has real impact on your bottom line.

Here’s how it works:

• Identify the measurable business goal.
• Specify the on-the-job actions that will achieve that goal.
• Identify the knowledge and skills needed to perform those actions.
• Design training activities that replicate on-the-job decision-making.
• Provide targeted information necessary to support those activities.

Best for: Organizations focused on improving specific performance metrics or changing particular behaviors. Action Mapping is excellent for sales training, customer service improvement or any situation where you need to see a clear training ROI.

 

Merrill’s Principles of Instruction (MPI)

MPI is a problem-centered approach based on five principles: Problem, Activation, Demonstration, Application and Integration. The goal of this model is to make sure employees can actually apply the skills and knowledge they’ve learned in real life.

Here’s how it works:

• Present learners with a real-world problem or task.
• Activate their existing knowledge related to the problem.
• Demonstrate the new knowledge or skill.
• Allow learners to apply the new knowledge or skill.
• Encourage integration of the new knowledge into their daily work.

Best for: Skill-based training where learners need to apply knowledge to real-world situations. It's particularly effective for technical training, professional development or any scenario where you want to ensure employees can transfer learning to their job.

 

Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction

Gagne’s instructional design model is a nine-step process designed to make learning more engaging.

Here’s how it works:

• Gain attention
• Inform learners of objectives
• Stimulate recall of prior learning
• Present the content
• Provide learning guidance
• Elicit performance (practice)
• Provide feedback
• Assess performance
• Enhance retention and transfer

Best for: Structuring individual training sessions or modules. It's particularly useful for complex topics or when you need to ensure a thorough, engaging learning experience.

 

Bloom’s Taxonomy

This model is essentially a hierarchical ordering of cognitive skills that can help trainers teach and assess at appropriate levels.

Bloom’s taxonomy categorizes learning objectives into six levels of increasing complexity:

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create

Best for: Designing curriculum and assessments that build skills progressively. It's excellent for creating a training program that develops employees from basic understanding to advanced application and innovation.

So, how do you know which model is right for you?

First, go back to your training goals and learner preferences. Some models work better for self-directed adult learners, while others are more suited to structured, instructor-led training. Similarly, if your company values agility, a model like SAM might be a better fit than ADDIE.

While each model offers a unique approach to training, don't feel confined to a single one. You can always combine elements that work best for your specific needs.

 

Interactive & Engagement Strategies

Regardless of how you structure your content or which instructional model you choose, you want learners to stay engaged and even actively participate during training sessions.

To make that happen, you need to incorporate interactive and engagement strategies into various areas of your training content.

We’ve covered these extensively in our guide to creating interactive training courses.

But here’s a quick breakdown of some of the top strategies:

• Interactive content: This type of training content requires active participation from learners, which boosts engagement and retention. For example, instead of simply reading about workplace safety, employees could click through an interactive infographic that reveals potential hazards and safety protocols in different areas of the office.

• Storytelling: Stories can make information relatable and memorable, which helps employees connect emotionally with the training material. For instance, you could start a sales training session with an anecdote about a challenging client who turned into a loyal customer to set the stage for discussing key sales techniques.
• Polls and surveys: These are great tools for collecting feedback and opinions from your team, which you can use to tailor your training. For example, you could kick off a leadership seminar with a quick poll about management challenges. It will keep people engaged and help you focus on what they really need to learn.
• Gamified learning: Incorporating game elements like points and badges into training taps into your employees’ natural desire for competition and achievement, which helps boost motivation and engagement. For example, employees could earn points for completing modules and passing quizzes.

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• Branching scenarios: These let employees practice making decisions in a safe environment. You could use branching scenarios for customer service training, for example, where learners could try different approaches to handling complaints and see how they play out.

• Quizzes and assessments: Quick quizzes after each section of training can reinforce key points, highlight areas that need focus, and help you measure understanding and retention levels.

• Collaborative brainstorming: This is when employees work together to generate ideas and solve problems. It’s a great way to encourage creative thinking and hear diverse perspectives. For instance, you could have teams brainstorm strategies for driving sales and come up with innovative solutions you can use in your business.

• Role-playing scenarios: Role-playing exercises allow employees to practice interpersonal skills in different scenarios. For example, in conflict resolution training, you could have employees act out common workplace disagreements in pairs, with observers providing constructive feedback.

 

Multimedia Elements

A big part of designing your training content is figuring out which multimedia elements you want to add and ensuring you have the means to create and incorporate them.

Multimedia elements could range from simple visuals to videos to interactive 3D models. They’re excellent tools for enriching your training content as they can make complex concepts more accessible, enhance comprehension and boost the overall learning experience.

Let’s look at the different types of multimedia you can add to your training content:

• Images and photos: Use them to illustrate concepts, provide context or simply enhance the visual appeal of your content. For example, you could add product or company images, stock photos, illustrations, 3D characters, backgrounds and even screenshots for software tutorials.
• Icons and shapes: These simple graphics can represent ideas, categories or actions. Vector shapes and icons are incredibly versatile and can be used to improve navigation, highlight key points and make your content look more engaging.
• Data visualizations: Instead of sharing statistics or percentages as plain, boring numbers, consider creating visualizations like widgets, charts, graphs, maps, infographics, flowcharts, diagrams and timelines. These are more engaging and you can even make them interactive so learners can click, hover, zoom and explore.

• Videos and GIFs: Videos are one of the most superior content formats for grabbing attention, explaining processes and boosting retention. Use them in various areas of your training, embed them within materials or use them as standalone modules.

• Animation: Moving visuals or text can bring dull concepts to life. They can also illustrate changes over time, such as with an animated graph. Animations can range from simple transitions to motion graphics to elaborate sequences.
• Audio: Embed sound to enhance your training content and learner experience. For example, you could add voiceovers and narrations, audio-only lessons, podcasts and interviews for expert insights, and even music and sound effects to create a vibe or emphasize key points.
• 3D Models: Digital models that learners can manipulate and explore are particularly useful for teaching about physical objects, spatial relationships or complex structures in fields like engineering, architecture or biology.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): Extended reality technologies can create simulated or enhanced environments for learning. VR provides fully immersive experiences for scenarios or skill practice, while AR overlays digital information onto the real world, which is useful for blending physical and digital learning.
• Screen recordings: Screencasts are often used in training content to demonstrate software processes or digital workflows. You can include cursor movements, clicks and annotations in your recordings to guide learners through specific tasks or tutorials.

 

Authoring Content for Training

Now, on to the main part of the authoring process—crafting the actual training content. At this stage, you know what you want to create. You just need the right tool to create it.

Enter: Visme.

Visme is a powerful content authoring tool that can help you create interactive courses, presentations, infographics, videos, case studies and all kinds of training materials.

It’s incredibly easy to use with a drag-and-drop interface and comes packed with features like AI-powered tools, ready-made templates, built-in graphics and more.

Let’s dive into all the ways you can author amazing training content using Visme:

 

Use pre-built templates

Visme offers an extensive library of pre-built templates to help you create professional-looking training materials in minutes. With thousands of designs across 50+ categories, you’ll find the perfect starting point for any training content you need to develop.

For example, you can access templates for:

• Presentation courses
• Employee handbooks
• Training manuals
• Charts, maps and infographics

If you're looking to create supplementary materials, Visme also offers templates for eBooks, case studies and explainer videos. These are perfect for providing in-depth information or real-world examples.

For more interactive sessions, check out the worksheet and handout templates. These are ideal for exercises, activities and take-home materials.

Visme also offers dozens of whiteboard templates your employees can use during collaborative brainstorming sessions and group discussions. They’re excellent for both remote and in-person training sessions and support a range of tools like drawing, stickers and note-taking.

Finally, Visme's survey and feedback form templates make it easy to collect valuable insights from your learners. Sync responses with your favorite tool to analyze patterns and track form analytics right inside Visme to see views, submissions, completion time and other metrics.

 

Go beyond plain text

Let's face it: walls of text won't cut it anymore. It’s a visual world and you’ll need to add a good mix of multimedia to engage employees and create memorable learning experiences.

Luckily, Visme gives you a range of built-in tools to create eye-catching, visual content learners will actually enjoy. Here are some assets you can drag and drop on to your materials:

• Stock photos and videos
• Customizable illustrations
• Vector icons and shapes
• 3D animated characters

For example, you could add custom characters that serve as virtual instructors or guides throughout your training. Or they could simply add a friendly face to your content.

Don’t want to use Visme’s built-in graphics? No problem. If you have your own branded materials or specific visuals, you can easily upload them to use in your training content.

Visualize statistical data

In many training scenarios, you might find yourself working with numbers. Presenting this data effectively can have a significant impact on your learners’ understanding.

Visme makes this task easy with powerful data visualization tools. Instead of sharing statistics as plain, boring numbers, you can transform them into beautiful charts and graphs.

For example, you could use a bar chart to compare quarterly sales figures across different regions to help trainees quickly identify top-performing areas. You can also illustrate market share with a pie chart or use a line graph to show trends in customer satisfaction over time.

Here are some types of visualizations you can build in Visme:

• Bar graphs
• Area charts
• Line graphs
• Pie charts
• Scatter plots
• Histograms
• Radar charts
• Gauge charts

Visme also offers other types of chart templates like Mekko charts, funnel charts, cone charts, pyramid charts, polar area charts, bubble charts, dual charts and pictograms.

Our data visualizations are fully customizable to match your brand’s visual style. You can also make your charts interactive so learners can hover, click and explore on their own.

You can also create stunning, interactive maps in Visme to visualize geographical data. Color-code them to highlight trends and patterns at a glance.

Working with bite-size facts and figures? Use our data widgets to bring those to life as well. For example, you can visualize percentages using radials, thermometers and progress bars.

Pro Tip: Working with a large data set? You don’t need to upload everything manually. Save time and import data with one click from a Google Sheet or Excel file and visualize it using Visme’s interactive charts and graphs.

Add animation and interactivity

Interactive training courses can engage learners and improve retention far more effectively than traditional, lecture-based courses. With Visme, you can make your training content interactive using a range of built-in interactivity tools and elements.

Here are the top interactivity features you can use in your content authoring process:

Animation

Visme lets you animate individual elements on a slide or page and offers several preset options. For example, you can make objects fade in, fly in or follow a custom path.

You can also time the animations to coincide with narration or set them to trigger when employees interact with the content.

Another cool feature is to drag and drop animated icons, illustrations and gestures from Visme’s built-in library. You can even create custom animated characters that wave, celebrate or clap to add a personal touch to your training material.

Hover effects

Hover effects provide visual feedback when a user moves their cursor over an element. For example, use them to change the color of a button or display a tooltip with more details.

This feature is especially useful for creating interactive infographics, presentations or instructional diagrams. Learners can explore training content on their own, stay engaged and discover information by hovering over different sections.

Hotspots

Hotspots are similar to hover effects, except they work when a user clicks on an element instead of simply moving their cursor over it. These clickable areas can trigger specific actions when interacted with, like showing a pop-up with additional information.

You can create highly interactive training modules easily with Visme’s hotspots. For example, a product training course might include a diagram of a machine with hotspots that reveal detailed descriptions of each part and its function.

Or, employees might click on icons to reveal explanations, saving design space and helping them explore the material at their own pace.

Hyperlinks

Link out to external websites, videos and documents, or even different slides in the same presentation. In Visme, you can add hyperlinks to text, images or buttons to provide quick access to supplementary materials or related content.

This is great for integrating multiple sources of information into your training content without cluttering it up. It also allows trainees to dive deeper into specific topics as needed.

Embedded content

Other than uploading media directly, Visme also lets you embed external content into your training materials. For example, you can embed interactive videos, audio, PDFs, surveys and quizzes directly into your content to enrich the overall learning experience.

 

For example, when talking about customer service in a training module, you could embed a relevant YouTube video that showcases one of the best practices in action.

Flipbook effects

Sharing a PDF or ebook as part of your training course? Give employees the experience of flipping through an actual book or magazine—digitally!

Here’s an example of Visme’s online flipbook maker in action:

You can add the flipbook effect to any document you create in Visme, from employee handbooks to training manuals to case studies and more.

Record with live speaker view

If you’re thinking of recording your training sessions instead of delivering in person, here’s a tip—use Visme's Presenter Studio to make your video lectures more interactive.

This handy feature lets you record your presentations with a live speaker view. That means your audience can actually see you speaking in a little corner while they watch the slides. It adds a unique personal touch and helps you connect more deeply with learners.

The best part? You don't need to be a tech whiz to use it. Visme's intuitive interface makes the recording process smooth and straightforward.

Leverage AI tools

One of the biggest benefits of using Visme for content authoring is you can use AI-powered tools to speed up the content creation process and design unique, original content.

Here are some of our favorite AI design tools for training and development:

• AI Writer: Generate text based on prompts. Save time crafting compelling headers, summarizing content into bullets or writing engaging explanations.

• AI Image Generator: Can’t find the perfect image in Visme’s library? Create one from your imagination using AI.

• AI Touchup Tool: Turn average images into high-quality visuals with our AI editing tools. Unblur, upscale and even erase and replace objects to create different scenes.

• AI Background Remover: Get rid of unwanted backgrounds from photos and images to draw focus to what matters.

• AI Document Creator: If you can’t find the right template for your needs, you can generate a custom design tailored to your requirements and brand style.

• AI Presentation Maker: Just like the AI document creator, you can build custom presentations with slides that match your brand style and content vision.

Work with your team

In Visme, you don’t have to design in isolation or share files back and forth between your team. You can all work directly in the editor to author amazing training content together.

Here are some of the top collaboration and workflow features in Visme:

• Work on projects in real-time with your team
• Leave notes, comments and feedback directly on designs
• Track version history and changes, and revert if needed
• Set user roles and permissions to control who can view, edit or approve content
• Assign tasks to delegate specific parts of a project to team members
• Track progress to see where each project stands at a glance
• Set up review and approval stages for quality control

These tools transform your content authoring process from a solo act into a well-oiled team effort. They ensure everyone's on the same page—literally!

Apply your branding

Consistent branding in your training materials makes you look professional and strengthens your company’s identity in your employees’ minds.

In Visme, creating branded designs is extremely easy. You don’t need to upload your fonts, colors and logo every time you create a new project. Simply add them to your brand kit once and then apply your branding across any project you create with one click.

Alternatively, use our AI-powered brand design tool to automatically pull brand assets from your website and apply them to your training materials. The tool will also generate a customized set of branded templates you can choose from to get started quickly.

This seamless process ensures that anyone on your team can author content without compromising on your brand style or professionalism.

Design on the go

Content authoring doesn’t mean you have to sit in front of a desktop computer or laptop all the time. Visme’s mobile app gives you the flexibility to:

• Create and edit content on your smartphone or tablet
• Access your projects anywhere, anytime
• Collaborate with your team on the move

Whether you're commuting, traveling or just prefer working from your couch, Visme's mobile app keeps you productive. It's a fully functional content authoring tool in your pocket.

 

Delivering Your Training Content

Your training content is ready, but now it’s time to deliver it to your employees. Knowing how you’re going to deliver content is important in the overall content authoring process because it affects the way you plan and create different training materials.

Primarily, you need to choose a learning management system (LMS) and consider which education style you’re going to use.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

A learning management system (LMS) is a platform that helps your organization deliver, manage and track online training programs. Some LMS also offer users the ability to author training content, making them an ideal one-stop training solution.

• Docebo: Docebo uses AI to personalize learning experiences. For example, it can recommend content and learning paths based on individual needs. The platform excels in social learning and allows employees to share knowledge easily. Its user-friendly interface and detailed reporting make it a great choice for corporate training.

• Absorb LMS: This platform offers an intuitive design and strong customization options. For instance, companies can easily brand their learning portals. It handles various content types well and can also provide mobile training to employees. Absorb's powerful admin tools and analytics help manage large-scale training programs efficiently.

• TalentLMS: TalentLMS stands out for its simplicity and quick setup. It offers easy course creation and supports many content formats. The platform also includes gamification features to boost engagement. TalentLMS integrates well with other HR systems and provides flexible pricing, which makes it a top pick for growing companies.

Discover more learning management systems (LMS) examples in this full guide.

Pro Tip: Visme lets you export your content in various versions of SCORM, xAPI and HTML5 formats. This means you can seamlessly integrate training materials into your chosen LMS and easily deliver, manage and track your interactive training programs.

Blended Learning

Blended learning is one of the best ways to deliver corporate training programs. It mixes online and offline methods to create a flexible, personalized training experience.

This means your employees are getting the best of both worlds—face-to-face interaction with instructors and the convenience of learning online at their own pace.

There are various types of blended learning approaches you can adopt for your training. Choose one that best matches your needs and employee preferences.

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• Face-to-face driver model: This approach uses in-person sessions as the main method, with online resources as backup. Think hands-on skills training with in-person workshops supported by online tutorials.
• Online driver model: This approach is mostly online, with optional face-to-face sessions for extra support. For example, you might hold a couple of in-person meetings to discuss complex modules on compliance topics.
• Rotation model: In this approach, employees switch between different learning modes on a set schedule. For example, a sales training program might alternate between online modules and in-person role-playing exercises.
• Flex model: This approach offers maximum flexibility as trainees move between various online and offline methods at their own pace. For example, you might let employees choose between video tutorials, interactive simulations and in-person Q&A sessions.
• Flipped classroom model: Here, learners complete online modules before attending in-person classes focused on practical applications. An engineering firm, for instance, might have employees review technical theory online and then apply it in lab sessions.
• Enriched virtual model: This approach is mostly online with scheduled in-person sessions for specific activities. It’s great for work-from-home employees who complete courses online but occasionally meet for team-building or project reviews.

 

Evaluating Training Content

Finally, a good content authoring process is incomplete without evaluation. This step keeps you in the loop of how your content is performing, whether you need to improve it and where exactly your training programs are lacking or hitting the mark.

Here are some ways to measure and analyze the impact and quality of your training materials:

Analytics

Content analytics is the first place to start, especially if you’re sharing training materials online. For example, if you share and publish your training content directly through Visme, you can use the built-in analytics to track metrics like views, clicks, average time spent and more.

Analyzing these data points helps you identify which content resonates best with learners, which modules are easy or difficult, and where you can improve.

Feedback forms

Distribute surveys or questionnaires to participants after training sessions to gather direct input on content clarity, relevance and overall satisfaction.

Use a mix of rating scales and open-ended questions to get both quantitative and qualitative feedback. Visme’s feedback forms can help you collect this data online.

Our unique forms are interactive and engaging, fitted with animated characters you can customize. In fact, they’re proven to drive more conversions, so you’re more likely to get a higher response rate than with traditional feedback forms.

Assessments

Conduct tests before and after training to measure how much knowledge your employees gained. Compare the results between both tests to gauge how effective your training content was in conveying key information.

Use Visme’s survey results and report templates to visualize this data and share it with the rest of your team and upper management.

Performance metrics

Monitor job-related performance before and after training. Depending on your training focus, look for improvements in areas like productivity, error rates or customer satisfaction scores.

These KPIs and metrics can demonstrate how well employees are able to apply their newfound knowledge and skills in real-world situations.

Compliance audits

For training related to regulations or company policies, conduct periodic audits. Check if employees are adhering to the procedures or guidelines they learned during the training.

This helps assess whether your training content was effective in communicating compliance requirements or emphasizing the need to stick to them.

ROI analysis

Calculate the return on investment (ROI) by comparing the costs of training (e.g. development, delivery, time away from work) against tangible benefits (e.g. increased productivity, reduced errors, new sales).

This analysis can help you justify training budgets and prove the value of your content in front of key stakeholders like managers or directors.

 

Content Authoring FAQs

 

 

Visme: The Best Content Authoring Tool for Training

Content authoring is an essential part of designing effective training programs. But creating engaging and interactive training content can be difficult without the right tool.

Visme makes content authoring simple and easy for everyone—even non-designers. You can create beautiful, engaging training materials using AI-powered tools, a drag-and-drop interface, ready-made templates and built-in design assets.

Companies love using Visme for employee training. In addition to how easy it is to use, you can also access branding and collaboration tools to streamline workflows and make sure your training materials align with your brand style, every single time.

Most importantly, you can export your training materials in SCORM and xAPI formats to integrate seamlessly with your chosen LMS. Alternatively, share training content directly through Visme and track built-in analytics to see how it performs.

Learn more about Visme for training and development, or sign up for a free account and test it out for yourself.