So, you invested in a technology only to find you don't necessarily know how to use it. Where do you turn?

Our friends at Atomic Training are busy putting together an arsenal of trainings and how-tos to maximize your use of the technology you purchase.

Here are some tips on how to effect change in your organization and beyond with video. These 5 tips from Atomic Training can help you get on your way to producing effective videos.

And don't forget to use that effective video to enter the TechSoup's 2013 Digital Storytelling Challenge by April 30 to win prizes, including a great prize by Atomic Training! Atomic training is a proud sponsor of TechSoup's 2013 Digital Storytelling Challenge.

1) Plan ahead:
Coming up with an engaging video from being to end might be a bit overwhelming - planning ahead can save you a lot of time in the end. Start with drawing up a simple storyboard. It doesn't have to be fancy, just start scribbling some ideas of how your story will get from start to finish. Your storyboard can help you come up with a list of scenes, camera shots, and props you will need. By working through this in advanced, you and your team will have a clear picture of what you want your video to look like and a blueprint to work from rather than making things up as you go along.

2) Don't talk above their head:
One way to lose the attention of your audience is to speak over their head. For example, don't assume everyone knows the acronym for your library or organization. Make sure to clearly spell it out first, and only after that use the acronym. This way your viewers stay engaged in your story and don't feel lost.

3) Keep it short and to the point:
You want to make sure your video has only the vital information it needs to get your story across. If your video gets too long, your audience will lose interest.

4) Make it visually interesting:
Try using multiple scenes and/or different camera angles to make your video more visually interesting. Animations and transitions can also be a great way to add visual interest, but don’t go overboard and get too flashy - that's distracting. If you are using a voice to narrate you story, keep in mind that the video should be the part telling your story, not your narrator. 

5) Utilize your video making software:
Whether you are using Windows Movie Maker or iMovie, or you're into the more advanced tools such as Premier Pro or Final Cut Pro, make sure to get the most out what your software can offer. Video production tools have a lot to offer in terms of animations, transitions, audio settings and much more. Atomic Training can help you understand the ins and outs of your video production software. This way you can make the most of your videos and your viewers can make the most of your story.

Atomic Training is proud to be a part of this year's Digital Storytelling Challenge. Learn more about how to gain access to our training on video production software applications or training on other popular software applications. This post was authored by Clara Navin from Atomic Training.