Why Just Watching a Loom Is Not an SOP

Yea, so we’ve all done it. You’re onboarding a new team member or documenting a process, and instead of writing it down, you hit “record” on Loom and walk through your screen. Easy, right?

Well, it’s a time saver that’s for sure. Another item checked off of the list.

While this approach is fast and informal, it’s often used as a substitute for a proper Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and that’s a big problem.

Let’s dig into the why.

At some point, every fast-moving team falls into the same trap: you need to document a process, you’re short on time, and instead of writing it down, you just record a quick Loom. It feels like documentation but it’s not.

Loom is easy. That’s the problem.

Loom is awesome. I use it myself (sometimes). You click a button, talk through your process, share your screen, and send it off. No editing, no formatting, no fuss.

It’s perfect for:

• Quick explanations
• Async team updates
• “Showing” instead of telling

But somewhere along the way, Loom videos started replacing real documentation. And boy oh boy that’s where things fall apart.

What even is an SOP?

An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is:

• A clear, step-by-step guide for doing something
• Written so that anyone on the team can follow it
• Structured, searchable, and maintainable
• Used to standardize repeatable tasks

A good SOP doesn’t just explain what to do, it removes ambiguity. It’s not about recording what you do, it’s about making it repeatable for anyone else.

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TL;DR: SOPs aren’t for you. They’re for your future teammates.

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Looms are communication. SOPs are documentation.

And that’s the fundamental difference. A Loom video is a one-time explanation.

An SOP is a long-term reference. Alright, let’s make it super clear 👇

10 reasons Loom ≠ SOP

Here’s why relying on Loom videos alone can hurt your ops:

1. You can’t skim a Loom

Need step 5? Tough. You’re scrubbing through a 7-minute video. With a written SOP, you scan and go.

2. You can’t control for accuracy

People ad-lib. Misspeak. Forget steps. Looms are casual. SOPs are exact.

3. Updating a video is painful

Process changed? Time to re-record, re-upload, re-share. With docs, you just tweak a sentence.

4. They’re not always current

Old Looms stick around like ghosts. Someone finds the 2022 version and follows it… wrong.

5. There’s no owner

Nobody “owns” a Loom. Good SOPs have clear responsibility and review cycles.

6. You can’t quickly translate them

Working across languages or time zones? Translating video is a nightmare. Text wins.

7. They don’t enforce standards

People pick up quirks from videos. Real SOPs define how everyone should do it.

8. They’re not inclusive

Not everyone processes video well, especially neurodiverse or non-native speakers.

9. They’re hard to integrate

You can’t embed a Loom inside a task or checklist step. Docs fit anywhere.

10. They create dependency

Instead of learning a system, people keep “just asking” or rewatching videos.

But Loom can be useful (if used right)

Don’t get me wrong, Loom is still great. It just shouldn’t carry the weight of your documentation system.

Here’s how to use it well:

✅ Use Loom for:

• Showing nuance that’s hard to explain in text
• Walking someone through a UI-heavy task
• Personalizing onboarding
• Adding a human voice to otherwise dry content

🚫 Don’t use Loom as:

• Your primary documentation source
• A replacement for written instructions
• The “only” place someone can learn a process

Best practice? Embed your Loom inside your SOP. Use it as a visual aid, not a crutch.

So what does a good SOP look like?

Glad you asked. Here’s what you want in a solid SOP:

• ✅ Clear title (What is this process?)
• ✅ Purpose (Why does this exist?)
• ✅ Owner + last updated date
• ✅ Tools needed (links, logins, etc.)
• ✅ Step-by-step guide (numbered, clear, skimmable)
• ✅ Screenshots or Looms (optional but helpful)
• ✅ Tips + common mistakes to avoid
• ✅ Related links (to other SOPs, resources, templates)

Example:

Title: How to Upload a Blog Post to WordPress
Owner: Syed Asad
Last updated: August 1, 2025

Steps:
1. Log into WordPress using your credentials
2. Navigate to "Posts" → "Add New"
3. Paste in the blog title and content
4. Add a featured image (use 1200x628px)
5. Set category and tags
6. Schedule the post or publish immediately

Embed Loom: [Video walkthrough link]

Checklist:
☐ Spelling checked
☐ Internal links added
☐ Meta description filled

Want to scale? Use systems, not shortcuts.

If you want your team to:

• Onboard quickly
• Make fewer mistakes
• Work more autonomously
• Improve over time

then you need real documentation.

Loom is a great supplement, not a system.

If your team’s process “documentation” is just a library of Loom videos, here’s your sign: it’s time to level up.

✅ Keep using Loom
✅ Start writing real SOPs
✅ Combine both into a scalable knowledge base

Because your future hires, your future self, and your business will thank you.