How To Overcome Low Feature Adoption with Better Training Content

Low feature adoption is the stealthy villain in SaaS products. After months of hard work, your product team launches shiny new features, only to watch as users ignore them in favor of their familiar tools. Why? They’re either confused by the changes, overwhelmed by constant updates, or simply don’t understand the new features’ value. 

The result? Wasted resources, disengaged users, and valuable features left to collect digital dust.

Training content is the secret weapon here — it’s the bridge between your shiny new features and active users actually using them. The right approach to onboarding helps guide users, making feature adoption smoother, faster, and more successful. 

Read on to discover how to create interactive instructional video content that sparks user engagement and accelerates feature adoption rates.

Why feature adoption lags and how poor training contributes

Even the slickest features can flop if users don’t get them during the onboarding process. It’s not enough to design something brilliant — you’ve got to help people see why its functionality matters and how it fits their use cases. Poor training is often the bottleneck, turning potential game-changers into ignored add-ons. 

Without effective tutorials, new users are left floundering and unable to connect the dots. Here are the biggest reasons why product adoption stalls and how to address these adoption challenges.

Users don’t see the value of the new feature

If users can’t instantly spot how a specific feature makes their life easier, they’re out. They’re not here to play detective, they want quick wins, like a smoother workflow or a solved user experience headache. Weak training drops the ball by burying the “why” in jargon or skipping it entirely. 

Without that lightbulb moment, users tune out and move on. Good training flips this. Screen recordings show the feature in action, while voice-over guided audio or webcam clips hammer home the payoff, making the value crystal clear. Highlighting key metrics like time to value can further reinforce why it’s worth the switch.

Traditional documentation isn’t engaging enough

Nobody’s jazzed to slog through a 50-page manual or outdated FAQs. Text-heavy docs can be overwhelming, dense, and about as fun as watching paint dry. People today want to learn quickly and efficiently, and long-winded manuals simply don’t cut it anymore. 

When faced with pages of text, users are more likely to churn and click away than learn anything. Interactive training content (like video tutorials, screenshots, and tooltips) allows users to grasp complex concepts quickly without feeling overwhelmed. 

Instead of combing through paragraphs, product managers can make a product demo or product tour for them to watch, enhancing usability and making the onboarding experience more dynamic.

Users rely on familiar workflows instead of learning new features

Humans are creatures of habit. They often stick to what they know, avoiding new features unless they’re confident in using them. This hesitation (amplified by user needs not being met) can be a major roadblock to activation. A recent study by Whatfix in 2023 found that 78% of software users lack the expertise to use the digital tools necessary for their jobs, which only amplifies this hesitation. 

But with effective training, this resistance can be overcome.

Training can demonstrate real-world use cases of new features and show how these tools seamlessly fit into existing workflows. When users visualize how a particular feature solves their pain points or streamlines their dashboards, they’re much more likely to try it, boosting stickiness.

How video tutorials simplify feature adoption and improve engagement

Video tutorials are the secret weapon to making feature adoption easier and more engaging. They provide an intuitive, faster way for users to learn, improving retention rates and reducing the need for repetitive support requests. 

With the rise of short-form content, users can get up to speed in minutes rather than hours — perfect for SaaS product rollouts. Here’s how video training works its magic to drive feature adoption.

Video walkthroughs show, rather than tell

Reading “click here, then there” isn’t very engaging. Step-by-step educational videos put the specific feature front and center, showing users exactly how it works in real time. 

• Screen recordings provide a visual guide, allowing users to follow along with each step and see the feature in action. 
• Annotations highlight important details, making it easier to understand exactly what’s happening at every stage. 

Unlike static text, which can be confusing or easy to misinterpret, video tutorials paired with in-app messaging provide clearer, more dynamic instructions. This ensures users know exactly what to do and how to do it — perfect for customer success. 

Short, focused videos increase engagement

People are busy: Many of them don’t have time for a 60-minute webinar or a novel-length guide. Bite-sized videos, two to five minutes long, hit the sweet spot and are 2.5X more engaging. They tackle one pain point or feature at a time, keeping users hooked without overwhelming them. Short, sharp, and to the point, these clips swap boredom for “oh, I can use that!” engagement. 

The best thing about these quick tutorials is that they zero in on a specific task, making it easy for users to digest and apply the information right away. Plus, shorter videos are more likely to be watched in full, increasing the chance users will engage with the content and adopt the new feature faster. 

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We asked individuals how long is the longest video they’d watch. The responses were all over the map, with each person having their own unique limit on video length. What about you? What’s the longest instructional video you could sit through? #camtasia #videoeditor #training

♬ original sound – Camtasia

On-demand access allows users to learn at their own pace

The beauty of video tutorials is that they let users hit play when they’re ready, pause to soak it in, or rewind until it clicks. No more cramming into live sessions, repeated support requests, or worrying about missing important details. 

With on-demand access, users can learn at their own pace, making it easier to absorb and apply new information. Plus, a searchable video library, neatly organized into categories like “Getting Started,” “Feature Overviews,” “Troubleshooting,” and “Advanced Tips,” means they can find exactly what they need whenever they need it. 

It’s learning on their terms, minus the pressure, ensuring they never feel rushed or overwhelmed — an ideal adoption strategy.

Video tutorials reduce frustration

Do you recall that one time you struggled to use a new feature, only to give up because the documentation felt like a maze of endless text? You’re not alone. When users face difficulties, they’re more likely to abandon a feature entirely rather than sift through lengthy checklists to figure it out. Video tutorials change that by offering quick, digestible solutions. 

Step-by-step walkthroughs show users exactly what to do, making complex features feel more approachable. Users feel confident and empowered to tackle new tools, reducing frustration and improving the overall experience. 

How to use TechSmith tools to improve feature adoption

Effective training is only possible when you have the right tools to create, edit, and distribute content. TechSmith tools like Camtasia and Snagit are built for product managers and teams looking to create high-quality, engaging tutorials that make feature adoption seamless. Let’s explore how these tools boost user adoption, support onboarding flows, and meet user needs.

Use Camtasia for full walkthrough videos

When it comes to creating polished, professional walkthroughs, Camtasia is the ultimate tool. It allows you to record, edit, and enhance software demo videos with smooth annotations, dynamic effects, and seamless transitions that keep users engaged. But the magic doesn’t stop there. 

Camtasia can take your tutorials to the next level. The Audiate tool (available in the Camtasia Pro plan) can automatically transcribe your voiceover, offering a simple, text-based editing interface. This makes it easy to fine-tune your narration, ensuring your explanations are clear and to the point. 

Camtasia also makes your videos more accessible with accurate captions, so users can follow along even without sound, which is perfect for in-app learning. This helps you create the perfect mix of polished visuals and clear, concise audio. You get voiceover-guided tutorials that not only demonstrate how to use the feature but also clearly explain why it matters, leaving users with a stronger sense of confidence and understanding. 

Use Snagit for quick, annotated visual guides

While Camtasia is fantastic for creating in-depth instructional videos, sometimes users just need a quick reference — something visual and to the point. That’s where Snagit comes in.

Imagine you’ve just created a comprehensive video tutorial on a new feature, but a user is only struggling with one simple step. Instead of watching the entire video again, you can use Snagit to capture a screenshot, GIF, or a short video clip that zeroes in on that specific action. It’s the perfect solution for micro-training: bite-sized, highly targeted, and quick to digest.

Snagit’s annotation tools make it easy to add arrows, callouts, and text to guide users through exactly what they need to do. Whether it’s a screenshot of a new feature or a short GIF that shows a quick task, these visual guides can supplement your videos and offer users a quick way to reference the information they need.

Combining the depth of video walkthroughs with the simplicity of visual guides, lets you create a layered approach to training. Users can revisit key points without getting lost in long content, giving them the best of both worlds and boosting feature usage.

Combine tools for a complete training system

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to training content. That’s why the real magic happens when you combine Snagit and Camtasia for a complete, flexible training system. Using each tool for its strengths allows you to cater to different learning styles, meet user feedback, and ensure that your user base has everything they need to learn effectively.

By combining Snagit and Camtasia, you get the best of both worlds. Quick visuals for users on the go, clear and concise audio narration, and polished walkthroughs that leave nothing to chance. This duo ensures your training content is comprehensive, engaging, and effective for all types of learners.

Turn hesitant users into power users with better training content

Low feature adoption often stems from one key issue: Users don’t understand new features or see their value. But effective training content, especially video tutorials, makes it easier for users to learn, engage, and integrate new features into their workflows. 

With Camtasia and Snagit, TechSmith provides the tools to create high-impact, engaging tutorials that simplify learning. Camtasia lets you craft polished video walkthroughs with crystal clear, accessible audio, and Snagit helps you make quick visual guides. Together, these tools enable you to deliver training content that drives adoption, turning hesitant users into confident power users. 

Ready to boost new feature adoption and grow your user base? See how TechSmith’s tools can transform your training content into a powerhouse for customer success.