Co-created videos increase authenticity by bringing real employees, genuine environments, and natural interactions to your corporate communication
Unlike traditional productions with actors and staged settings, co-creation allows your team members to tell their stories in their own words, creating an instant connection with viewers. When you film and we edit, the result combines the credibility of real people with professional production quality. This approach generates content that audiences trust more readily, engages them more deeply, and ultimately delivers your message more effectively than overly polished alternatives.
Why is authenticity so important in corporate videos?
Authenticity in corporate videos is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s essential for creating content that actually gets watched and believed. Today’s audiences have developed a sophisticated “authenticity radar” that can detect overly scripted, corporate-speak from a mile away.
When your videos feel genuine, viewers are more likely to trust your message. Trust is the foundation of every business relationship, and authentic videos help establish this critical connection from the very first viewing. Authentic content consistently outperforms polished, overly produced alternatives in engagement.
Modern viewers crave realness. They want to see the actual people behind your brand, not actors pretending to be employees. They want to hear natural language rather than corporate jargon. Most importantly, they can easily identify when something feels staged versus when it’s genuine.
Key Benefits of Authentic Videos
- Builds immediate trust with your audience
- Humanizes your brand through real team members
- Creates stronger emotional connections with viewers
- Improves engagement compared to polished alternatives
- Differentiates your content in a crowded media landscape
How do co-created videos naturally boost authenticity?
Co-created videos immediately feel more authentic because they feature the real experts—your own team members—sharing information in their natural environment. This built-in authenticity is one of the most valuable benefits of video co-creation.
When employees film content themselves, they bring invaluable insider knowledge that no external film crew could replicate. They understand the nuances of your products, culture, and audience. This genuine expertise comes through in how they explain concepts, the examples they choose, and their natural enthusiasm for subjects they care about.
There’s also a psychological element at play. Viewers connect more easily with people they perceive as “real” rather than professional presenters. When they see someone who looks and sounds like a genuine employee (because they are!), trust forms more naturally. Colleagues also tend to speak in more conversational, accessible language than external professionals might use.
The familiar workplace settings visible in co-created videos further enhance this authenticity. Rather than generic studio backgrounds, viewers get glimpses of your actual offices, facilities, or work environments, creating a more transparent and trustworthy impression.
What makes employee-filmed content more relatable than professional shoots?
Employee-Filmed Content | Professional Studio Production |
---|---|
Real team members with genuine expertise | Hired actors following scripts |
Natural industry language and terminology | Carefully scripted corporate messages |
Authentic reactions and expressions | Rehearsed performances and directed emotions |
Actual workplace environments | Generic or artificial studio settings |
Relatable imperfections that create connection | Polished perfection that can feel distant |
Even minor imperfections in employee-filmed content can actually enhance relatability. Small hesitations, natural speech patterns, and authentic enthusiasm create a human connection that overly polished content lacks. Viewers trust content that feels real, even if it’s not perfectly executed.
How can you maintain quality while preserving authenticity in co-created videos?
The magic of co-creation lies in combining authentic employee-filmed content with professional editing—getting the best of both worlds. We make this balance easy to achieve by handling the post-production elements while preserving the genuine quality of your footage.
Professional editing actually enhances authenticity rather than diminishing it. Our editors know how to polish your footage while maintaining its natural feel, removing distractions without sacrificing genuine moments. We focus on bringing your message to the forefront while preserving the authentic voice and presence of your team.
This approach provides substantial advantages over fully DIY or fully outsourced options:
- Your branding remains consistent across all videos
- Technical elements like sound quality, pacing, and visual clarity are optimized
- The authentic content your team creates remains the star of the show
- The final product feels both professional and genuine
Our editor feedback also helps your team improve with each project, creating a virtuous cycle where authenticity and quality continuously increase together.
What are the best practices for filming authentic co-created videos?
Creating authentic videos doesn’t mean simply pointing a camera and hoping for the best. These practical tips will help your team capture genuine moments that connect with viewers while ensuring the footage can be transformed into professional content:
- Be yourself on camera. This sounds simple but is surprisingly challenging for many people. Remind team members to speak naturally as if they’re explaining something to a colleague, not performing. The most authentic footage comes when people forget they’re being recorded.
- Use real environments that add context. Film in actual work settings rather than sterile backgrounds. A product demonstration in your workshop or a team update from a real office feels more genuine than a perfect studio setup.
- Capture genuine interactions whenever possible. Conversations, interviews, and demonstrations often feel more authentic than single-person presentations. These dynamic exchanges create natural energy that viewers respond to positively.
- Prepare without over-rehearsing. Have clear points to cover, but avoid memorizing scripts word-for-word. Slight variations in delivery keep the content feeling fresh and genuine rather than rehearsed.
- Embrace (appropriate) imperfections. Perfect isn’t always better. Small hesitations or natural speech patterns often enhance authenticity rather than detract from it.
Key takeaways: Bringing authentic co-created videos into your communication strategy
Incorporating authentic co-created videos into your communication approach delivers multiple benefits while avoiding the high costs and artificial feel of traditional production. This approach places real employees at the center of your video strategy, creating content that genuinely resonates with viewers.
Implementation Steps:
- Identify communication needs where authenticity would be particularly valuable (employee stories, product demonstrations, internal updates)
- Provide simple training to prepare your team to capture quality footage
- Let your team film in their natural environment using our guidelines
- Our professional editors transform the raw footage while preserving authenticity
- Distribute the finished videos through your communication channels
The co-creation model offers a practical solution to the authenticity challenge many organizations face. By having your team film while we handle the editing, you maintain complete control over your message while ensuring professional results. This combination of authentic content and professional polish creates videos that achieve their communication goals more effectively than either DIY efforts or outsourced productions.
Remember that authenticity in corporate communication isn’t just about appearance—it reflects a deeper commitment to transparent, human-centered engagement with your audience. When you embrace co-created videos, you’re making a statement about your organization’s values while also creating more effective content.
If you’re interested in learning more, contact our team today