# Screen Recording Checklist for Tutorials — free download from DollarWise (dollarwise.xyz)

Prepare more than you think you need to — every minute of setup saves five minutes of editing.

## Phase 1 — Set up before you record

1. Choose your recorder (OBS Studio is free and does almost everything) and learn its hotkeys.
2. Set the recording canvas to 1920x1080 so text stays readable after upload compression.
3. Record system audio and microphone on separate tracks for independent editing.
4. Test your microphone and set levels so your voice peaks around -12 to -6 dB.
5. Close unnecessary apps and browser tabs — hide bookmarks bars, personal files, and notifications.
6. Turn on Do Not Disturb and silence your phone before recording.
7. Increase your cursor size or enable cursor highlighting so viewers can follow your mouse.
8. Zoom your browser or app UI to 125-150% so text is readable on small screens.
9. Write a bullet outline of the steps you will demonstrate — not a full script.
10. Do one full dry run of the demo to catch broken links, logins, and slow loading.

## Phase 2 — Record with good technique

11. Record 5 seconds of silence at the start for a clean noise profile in editing.
12. Narrate what you are doing AND why — viewers learn the reasoning, not just the clicks.
13. Move the mouse deliberately and pause briefly before clicking so viewers can follow.
14. Speak slightly slower than feels natural; nervous presenters always rush.
15. When you make a mistake, pause, clap or snap, then redo the step — the marker makes editing easy.
16. Never say "um" your way through loading screens — pause the recording or cut the wait later.
17. Keep segments short: record in 3-5 minute chunks rather than one long take.
18. End with a clear summary of what the viewer can now do, plus the next video to watch.

## Phase 3 — Edit for clarity

19. Cut every mistake, long pause, and loading screen — respect the viewer's time.
20. Remove background noise and normalize your voice to consistent loudness.
21. Add zoom-ins on small UI elements, settings panels, and code the viewer must read.
22. Overlay text callouts for keyboard shortcuts, URLs, and settings values.
23. Add chapter markers at each major step for easy navigation.
24. Watch the full edit once at normal speed before exporting — fresh eyes catch pacing problems.
25. Export at 1080p or higher with the platform's recommended bitrate settings.

## Phase 4 — Publish and promote

26. Write a title that names the outcome: "How to [X]" beats clever wordplay.
27. Design a thumbnail with 3 or fewer words and one clear focal point.
28. Paste your chapters into the description as timestamps.
29. Link any files, tools, or resources mentioned in the video below the chapters.
30. Pin a comment with the key resource link and reply to early questions within 24 hours.