How can I use video to improve internal comms?

Video for external marketing is widely accepted as being the most effective media to grab engagement and convey messages. We’d expect to see it on most content strategies out there. How about internal communications, though? At a guess it’s probably not featuring on half as many horizons. Video is often overlooked when it comes to internal comms, but when you look at the reasons that it’s such an effective messaging tool this really doesn’t make sense. In all likelihood, the barrier is to do with application and how to go about using video. So we’re here to guide and inspire you in practical ways that you can use video to improve your internal comms. 

Why video works 

Essentially, video works well for internal communications for exactly the same reasons that it works for marketing and outreach. People are more likely to engage with and retain information presented in video format. That holds true whether we’re looking at consumers or employees. According to Forbes, employees are 75% more likely to watch a video than read text. When you take a step back and consider that internal comms are only useful when the information is processed, that’s a really important statistic.  

Employee engagement

When a workforce feels connected and informed, they are more motivated and productive. Videos can create a sense of community and shared purpose, which is vital for employee engagement. Newsletters and update emails which are routinely ignored by staff tend to eventually become a source of resentment in themselves. So imagine turning those monthly updates into dynamic video newsletters. You could include team achievements, upcoming projects, and even personal shout outs. These videos can make employees feel valued, boosting morale and productivity.

Personalised messages

By using video, you can tailor your messages to different departments, roles, or even individuals. This sense of direction and personalisation is incredibly powerful for showing how valued teams are, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty. From a practical perspective, this connection makes people sit up and pay attention to the message – which means results for the business. 

Simplifying information

Some topics are too nuanced for text based communication. Videos allow you to break down intricate subjects into digestible chunks. For example, if you’re rolling out a new software tool, a step-by-step video tutorial can be far more effective than a written manual. Employees can follow along at their own pace, rewinding and pausing as needed.

Training and onboarding

Traditional training methods can be dull and ineffective. Video based training, on the other hand, can be engaging and interactive. Not to mention accessible. A great use of video is in creating a series of onboarding videos for new hires. These videos can introduce staff to company culture, outline key procedures, and provide necessary training. This can help new employees feel more prepared and integrated from day one. It’s especially useful for remote workers who may easily feel disconnected otherwise.

Company culture

Company culture is more than just words on a page; it’s the atmosphere and values that make your organisation unique. Videos can bring your company culture to life. As well as supporting cultural messages across your organisation, these videos are great for your employer brand. This reputation is what makes talented individuals more likely to seek employment with you. Create videos that showcase company events, employee testimonials, and reportage depictions of daily operations. This can help reinforce your company’s values and make employees feel proud to be part of the team.

Measuring engagement

One of the advantages of video content is the ability to track engagement. Analytics tools can provide insights into how employees are interacting with your videos. So you can see how many people watched a video, how long they watched, and even pinpoint where they lost interest. This data can help you refine your video strategy for maximum impact moving forwards.

Boosting connectivity

With remote work still high, maintaining strong communication channels is more important than ever. Video can bridge the gap between remote teams, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration. Use video calls for team meetings, create video updates for remote workers, and encourage video check-ins. These efforts can help remote employees feel more connected and engaged. Ultimately, this helps to reduce rates of staff turnover and all of the associated costs of recruitment.

Saving time and resources

You may worry that creating video content might be time consuming, but it can actually save time in the long run. Videos can streamline communication, reducing the need for lengthy emails and repetitive meetings. Plus, once a video is created, it can be reused, re-edited and repurposed, providing ongoing value. Investing in video can ultimately lead to more efficient and effective communication.

What to remember

To ensure your videos are effective, keep these best practices in mind:

• Keep it concise: Aim for short, focused videos that get to the point. Be clear about how long a video will be so that staff have accurate expectations on their time. 
• Be authentic: Authenticity builds trust. Be genuine in your communications. This goes for culture and brand consistency, too.
• Quality matters: Poor quality can be both distracting and demoralising. It can make your video lose engagement rather than improve it. Invest in good equipment, or work with a professional production company.
• Calls to action: Always guide your viewers on what to do next. Internal comms videos should be productive and dynamic.

Professional Quality

If you want to include video in your internal comms strategy, quality is crucial. Both cultural and training videos which can be an ongoing resource to things like quarterly updates which are more single use are equally important. This is why it’s a prudent investment to source a professional production company with whom you can partner. This ongoing relationship will ensure continuity of tone, brand and message across all of your internal comms videos. 

At Ally & Mo we produce authentic, high quality, engaging videos across a number of business sectors. We can advise on your planning, strategy, and the creative process itself. We want to help your internal comms become the envy of your competitors! To learn more, just get in touch.