If you’re tired of sales training that’s mostly slide decks and snooze-worthy videos, you’re not alone. Interactive modules get reps to actually pay attention—and remember what matters. This guide is for sales enablement pros, trainers, and anyone who wants to build hands-on, practical learning in Brainshark. No hand-waving, no theory. Just clear steps and a few honest tips on what’s worth your time.
Step 1: Get Your Content and Objectives Straight
Don’t jump into Brainshark until you’ve got a real plan. Most training falls flat because it’s crammed with content nobody cares about.
Start with: - What’s the main thing reps should be able to do after this module? - What’s actually tripping people up on calls or demos? - How will you know if the training worked?
Pro tip:
If you can’t write your objective in a single sentence, you’re not ready. Example: “Reps can confidently handle price objection questions.”
Skip:
Trying to cover everything at once. One focused module beats a bloated mess every time.
Step 2: Organize Your Material Into Bite-Sized Chunks
Interactive modules work best when broken into short, logical sections. People tune out after a few minutes—so keep each chunk focused.
How to do it: - List out your main topics or scenarios. - For each, pick the key point, skill, or question you want to cover. - Keep sections to 3-5 minutes max.
What to avoid:
Don’t just upload a recording of last week’s sales call or a 30-slide PowerPoint and call it a day. No one will remember slide 27.
Step 3: Set Up Your Brainshark Presentation
Now you can log in to Brainshark and actually get moving.
Start a new presentation: - Click “Create” > “Presentation.” - Give your module a clear, rep-friendly name. “How to Crush Objection Handling” beats “Q2 Sales Enablement Module 4.”
Upload your base material: - Upload PowerPoint slides, PDFs, or even video. - Rearrange slides in the order you want—drag and drop makes this easy.
Pro tip:
Don’t worry about making slides pretty at first. Focus on flow and clarity. You can clean up visuals later.
Step 4: Add Voice Narration (The Right Way)
Brainshark lets you add audio to each slide. This is where you can actually talk to your reps—not just throw text at them.
Best practices: - Record short, conversational audio for each slide (1-2 minutes tops). - Don’t read the slide word-for-word. Add stories, examples, or quick tips. - If you’re not a great speaker, get someone who is. Or at least don’t sound bored.
How to record: - Click on a slide, then “Add Audio.” - Record directly in Brainshark, or upload a pre-recorded MP3.
What doesn’t work:
Long, monotone voiceovers. If you drone, your reps will tune out. Keep it lively and real.
Step 5: Build in Interactivity—Don’t Skip This
This is where Brainshark can actually stand out from your average LMS. You can add questions, clickable links, even branching scenarios.
Key options: - Quiz slides: Multiple choice, true/false, or short answer. Use these every few slides to make sure reps are following. - Polls: Good for quick pulse checks (“Which objection do you hate most?”). - Attachments: Drop in supporting docs, call scripts, or cheat sheets. - Hyperlinks: Link out to product pages, demos, or real-life call recordings.
How to add a quiz: 1. Click “Add Question Slide.” 2. Choose question type. 3. Enter question and answer choices. 4. Set correct answer(s) and feedback.
Pro tip:
Don’t make quizzes feel like a test. Use questions to reinforce key points (“What’s the first thing you say when you hear ‘That’s too expensive’?”).
What to ignore:
Overly fancy branching logic—unless you have time to build out real scenarios. Most teams never finish these, and they break easily when you update content.
Step 6: Make It Visual (But Don’t Overdo It)
A wall of text is just as bad in Brainshark as anywhere else. Use visuals—charts, product screenshots, quick demo videos—to break things up.
Easy wins: - Use callouts or arrows to highlight parts of a screenshot. - Drop in short video clips for demos or customer stories. - Stick to one main visual per slide.
Skip:
Stock photos of people shaking hands. Nobody’s buying it.
Step 7: Test the Module Like a Rep
Before you publish, run through the entire module as if you’re a learner.
Checklist: - Are instructions clear, or do you get stuck? - Do the interactive elements work on desktop and mobile? - Is audio clear and not too loud/soft? - Are quizzes fair and useful?
Pro tip:
Ask a couple of reps to try it and give honest feedback. They’ll spot confusing sections or useless questions faster than you will.
Step 8: Assign and Track
Once it’s ready, assign the module to your team and set a realistic deadline.
In Brainshark: - Assign to groups or individuals. - Set completion requirements (e.g., must pass the quiz). - Use the reporting tools to see who’s done what—and who’s just clicking through.
What works:
Remind managers to nudge their teams. A quick “Did you finish the new objection handling module?” in a team meeting gets better results than another email.
Step 9: Improve Based on Real Feedback
Don’t treat your module as “done” after launch. The best sales training gets better with use.
What to do: - Check Brainshark analytics for drop-off points (where people quit). - Look at quiz results—are people missing the same questions? - Ask for open feedback: “What part was confusing or boring?”
Update your module: - Tweak confusing slides. - Replace dead visuals. - Add new scenarios based on real sales calls.
Skip:
Changing everything at once. Small, frequent updates work better and don’t break what’s already working.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Then Iterate
Don’t let “interactive training” become code for “overcomplicated mess.” Start with one focused skill, make it interactive, and get it in front of reps fast. You’ll learn what works by watching how people use it—not by endlessly polishing slides. In Brainshark, simple, direct, and useful always beats flashy but confusing.
The best sales training modules are the ones that actually get used—and help people sell better. That’s it. Now go build something your team will remember.