Making videos to help with staff training, development or just for communicating new information is a valuable tool for a growing business. Meetings are often tricky to schedule and take up time unnecessarily, whilst emails are often misread or even left unopened. The great thing about video is that you can communicate your message clearly, without interruption at a time that’s convenient to you and your employees. Read on for a few tips on creating effective internal videos…
Remember your aim
Making videos can actually be an enjoyable, creative process for you and your team. It is however, important that you remember the aim of your video to get the end product just right. If you’re trying to encourage employees to sign up for your management training programme, then a speech from the CEO probably isn’t going to win them over. We suggest face to face interviews with real managers talking about the benefits of the scheme, along with footage of what their day to day tasks involve. On the other hand, a member of the HR team is far more qualified to explain more complicated subjects such as company policies and procedures than a manager or team member. Work with the most relevant people to deliver your message.
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Don’t scrimp on production value
We’re not suggesting you opt for an elaborate and expensive video for your staff (actually, we totally are), but bear in mind that your brand values should still be reflected in any information you give them, in the same way you would create content for a customer. Although videos are for staff only, you should still be happy for the video to be viewed by a customer, should that ever happen by accident or otherwise. After all, your staff are a valuable part of your company. Keep it clean, professional and insist on good lighting, composition and clearly audible sound. Avoid cheap looking graphics or cheesy music and keep your idea simple and to the point to ensure your brand remains intact by the time the end credits start rolling.
Make it entertaining
The thought of sitting down to watch a company video will probably bore your staff before they’ve even seen it, so if you want them to pay attention and retain any information then we recommend you make it vaguely entertaining. This is easier said than done of course. Slapstick comedy might seem funny in the office but it doesn’t necessarily translate well on what’s supposed to be a professional video. We’ve got several experienced writers who will be able to help you come up with a video that will inform as well as hold people’s attention utilising interesting dialogue, visual media and familiar faces from within the company.
A strong call to action
If you are putting out some internal content to promote action from your staff, then be sure to make that clear and easy to follow. Put a call to action at the end of the video, whether that be to visit a certain website, sign up for a new training class, or try out a new system. Make it as easy as possible for people to achieve what you are hoping to prompt with your video.
