• Cameron Hayden posted an update 2 months, 3 weeks ago

    More and more businesses today rely on various software, tools, and services to operate efficiently. While consumer-focused apps and platforms often have intuitive user interfaces and helpful tutorials, business-to-business (B2B) services are often more complex. Many companies struggle to fully utilize the various capabilities of B2B platforms due to inadequate onboarding, training, and ongoing education.

    B2B service providers that focus on developing comprehensive tutorials can greatly enhance customer success and retention. Investing in how-to guides, videos, webinars, and other educational materials tailored to customers’ skill levels pays major dividends. Rather than rely solely on generic documentation, interactive tutorials allow users to learn at their own pace.

    Step-by-Step Written Tutorials

    Detailed written tutorials remain one of the most effective ways to teach complex B2B services. By providing numbered, B2B Service Tutorials of actions supported by screenshots, companies enable customers to become self-sufficient. Based on usage data, providers can target tutorials to address common pain points and integration challenges.

    Tutorials must strike a balance between comprehensiveness and clarity. Breaking procedures down into modular steps makes assimilating information easier, especially for novices. Tutorials should also link to prerequisite concepts so users can fill in knowledge gaps.

    Interactive Video Tutorials

    Nothing beats video when demonstrating software workflows visually. Interactive elements such as slide-over instructions, expandable tables of contents with hyperlinks, and choice-driven navigation give viewers control. Integrated quizzes also help reinforce learning.

    Videos excel at both an overview level and by tackling narrow tutorials on specific functions. Companies like Drift and SalesLoft produce fantastic video content to engage users across customer lifecycle stages, while Zendesk takes a micro-learning approach with their Help Center video library.

    Webinars and Online Courses

    For particularly complex services, self-paced online courses provide customers structured learning pathways. Custom course creators like Podia, Teachable, and Thinkific help turn static tutorials into hosted academies. Companies use gamification elements like points and badges to motivate engagement.

    Live webinars also facilitate rich interactive learning fueled by audience questions. Platforms like GoToWebinar, ClickMeeting, and Demio enable presentation delivery, polls, surveys and lead generation capabilities. Investing in dynamic media strengthens customer competency.

    The Best Tutorial Content Strategies

    When designing B2B tutorials, the old adage “show, don’t just tell” is critical. The most effective tutorials feature annotated screenshots and gifs demonstrating real examples instead of merely explaining concepts.

    Understandably, producing tutorials requires significant upfront effort. But they strongly reinforce product stickiness while reducing customer support calls. Dialogue with clients reveals recurring pain points best addressed through guides. Even as platforms evolve, evergreen tutorials only require periodic updating.

    For optimal flexibility, support a multi-channel content approach. Maintain easily discoverable repositories hosting everything from 1-minute video tips to multi-hour course modules. Investing in customer education via B2B service tutorials fuels loyalty and success.