What are internal videos and why are they valuable?
Internal videos are audiovisual content created specifically for employees and internal stakeholders rather than external audiences. They serve as powerful communication tools within an organization, delivering important information in an engaging and accessible format.
The most common uses for internal videos include:
- Employee onboarding
- Training and skill development
- Executive communications
- Knowledge sharing
- Team building and culture development
The value of internal videos lies in their ability to create consistent messaging across teams and locations. Unlike text-based communications that can be interpreted differently, videos provide both visual and audio context that ensures everyone receives the same information in the same way.
| Communication Aspect | Video Format | Text Format |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement Level | Higher engagement rates | Generally lower engagement |
| Emotional Connection | Conveys emotion and personality | Limited emotional connection |
| Information Retention | Better retention through visual/audio learning | Variable retention rates |
| Culture Building | Puts faces to names, creates shared experiences | Less effective for distributed teams |
For companies with distributed teams, internal videos are particularly valuable for fostering company culture. They put faces to names, convey emotion and personality, and create shared experiences that bring teams together despite physical distance.
How are internal videos used for employee onboarding and training?
Internal videos streamline the onboarding process by providing new employees with consistent, on-demand information about company policies, procedures, and culture. This ensures everyone receives the same foundational knowledge, regardless of when they join or who conducts their orientation.
For training purposes, video is exceptionally effective at transferring knowledge and skills. Visual demonstrations of processes and procedures are more easily understood and remembered than written instructions. Subject matter experts can record demonstrations while professional editors transform that raw footage into polished, effective training materials.
Video-based training also offers significant time and resource savings. Rather than pulling team members away from their work to conduct repetitive training sessions, videos allow employees to learn at their own pace while referring back to the content as needed.
Organizations can use a library of internal training videos to create self-guided learning paths for different roles and departments, ensuring consistent knowledge transfer across the organization.
What makes internal videos effective for executive communications?
Video humanizes leadership by allowing executives to speak directly to employees with their authentic voice, facial expressions, and body language. This creates transparency and builds trust in ways that written communications simply cannot match.
When delivering important company updates, strategy shifts, or organizational changes, video allows leaders to convey nuance and emotion that helps employees understand not just what is changing, but why it matters. This context is crucial for gaining buy-in during periods of transition.
Regular video updates from leadership also increase accessibility. Instead of executives only interacting with senior management, video communications create a direct connection with employees at all levels of the organization.
With a co-creation model, busy executives can record brief updates whenever they have a few minutes available, and editors handle the rest—adding professional touches like graphics, music, and branding elements that elevate the final product.
How can internal videos enhance knowledge sharing?
Internal videos excel at facilitating knowledge transfer between departments and teams by making expertise more accessible throughout the organization. When subject matter experts record their insights, that valuable information becomes available to everyone who needs it.
Popular types of knowledge sharing videos include:
- Documentation videos
- Best practices tutorials
- Process walkthroughs
- System and tool demonstrations
- Brief “how-to” guides
These videos improve operational efficiency by preserving institutional knowledge. This becomes particularly important when experienced employees leave or change roles, as their expertise doesn’t leave with them.
Organizations often use brief “how-to” videos to explain internal systems, tools, and workflows. These videos typically receive high engagement because they provide immediate value—solving specific problems employees encounter in their daily work.
The co-creation approach is ideal for knowledge sharing videos because it allows the people with the expertise to record content quickly, without needing to master video production techniques. They focus on sharing what they know, while editors handle the editing to make the information clear and engaging.
What are the best practices for creating internal videos?
- Start with a clear purpose – Define exactly what you want employees to know, feel, or do after watching. This clarity will guide all your decisions about content, length, and style.
- Keep videos concise – Aim for 2-5 minutes for informational content and no more than 10-15 minutes for training. Break longer topics into shorter, focused episodes that employees can digest more easily.
- Use appropriate equipment – You don’t need expensive gear. Modern smartphones with good lighting and a simple external microphone will produce professional-quality footage.
- Structure your content – Begin with a brief overview of what you’ll cover, deliver the key information in logical chunks, and end with a clear call to action or summary of main points.
- Make videos accessible – Add captions, which benefit not only those with hearing impairments but also employees watching in noisy environments or without sound.
Key takeaways: Making the most of your internal video strategy
- Start small and build momentum – Begin with one or two high-impact video types and expand as you see success.
- Embrace co-creation methodology – Let employees record the content and professionals handle the editing for the best of both worlds: authentic content with professional production values.
- Establish a consistent release schedule – Regular content builds viewing habits and increases engagement over time.
- Create a centralized, searchable video library – Help employees easily find relevant content when they need it, maximizing the long-term value of your video investment.
- Gather feedback and refine approach – Use feedback to improve your videos and refine your approach over time.
With the right approach, internal videos become more than just another communication channel—they become a valuable asset that improves information flow, builds culture, and enhances learning across your organization.
If you’re interested in learning more, contact our team today.
