In today’s business landscape, internal communication is essential to ensuring smooth operations, aligning teams with organizational goals, and fostering a positive company culture. As technology advances, the way companies communicate with their employees has evolved. While emails, newsletters, and face-to-face meetings remain effective, one of the most powerful tools in modern internal communications is video.
Video content has transformed how businesses engage with their employees, delivering clear, concise, and visually compelling messages. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of using video for internal communications, the benefits it brings, and how it can help improve your company’s internal communication strategy.
What Is the Purpose of Video in Communication?
The purpose of video in communication is multifaceted. At its core, video is a tool that combines audio, visuals, and text to convey messages effectively. Whether it’s a simple update or an intricate explanation, video helps make information more engaging and easier to comprehend.
In internal communications, the purpose of the video is to:
- Simplify Complex Information: Video allows businesses to break down complex topics and processes in a more digestible and engaging format. For example, rather than writing a long email with step-by-step instructions, companies can create a video that demonstrates the process visually.
- Engage Employees: Videos naturally capture attention more than text-based content. The combination of visuals, narration, and music makes it easier for employees to stay engaged with the message being communicated.
- Enhance Message Retention: Research shows that people retain up to 95% of a message when delivered through video compared to only 10% when reading it in text. This makes video a more effective communication tool, especially when delivering important or detailed information.
- Increase Accessibility: Video can be consumed at any time, making it a more flexible option for communicating with remote or dispersed teams. Whether employees are in the office, working from home, or travelling, they can watch videos whenever it suits them.
Why Is Video the Best Form of Communication?
Video has become the preferred medium of communication for businesses, and for good reason. It is considered the best form of communication for several key reasons:
1. Multisensory Engagement
Video engages multiple senses—sight, sound, and sometimes even touch. When compared to written text or audio alone, videos are far more engaging and memorable. Employees are not only listening to the message but also visually absorbing the content, which leads to higher engagement and better retention.
2. Storytelling Power
Video is a storytelling medium, which is especially important in internal communications. Through video, you can tell a compelling story that engages employees emotionally, making them more likely to connect with the message. This is particularly useful when sharing company values, celebrating achievements, or communicating significant changes.
3. Clarity and Precision
In business, clear communication is key. Video helps clarify complex ideas by visually illustrating concepts, demonstrating processes, and showing real-life examples. Instead of relying on written descriptions, a video can visually show how something works, making it easier for employees to grasp.
4. Universal Reach
Video can break down barriers, such as language and literacy issues, that might otherwise hinder communication. With the use of subtitles, voiceovers, and animations, video can effectively communicate a message to a diverse workforce.
5. Scalability
Videos can be distributed to an unlimited number of employees, ensuring that everyone receives the same message in the same way. This is particularly valuable for large organizations or teams spread across different geographical locations.
Why Are Videos Considered Effective in Conveying Information?
Videos are incredibly effective at conveying information for several reasons:
1. Better Retention Rates
Studies have shown that people retain more information when it’s delivered through video compared to other forms of communication. This is because video combines both auditory and visual elements, which enhances memory retention. This is particularly important in a corporate setting where key information needs to be understood and remembered.
2. Time-Efficient Communication
In today’s fast-paced work environment, employees have limited time to process information. Videos allow businesses to communicate messages in a concise, engaging way. A 2-minute video can deliver the same amount of information as a lengthy email, saving time for both the creator and the viewer.
3. Appealing to Different Learning Styles
Employees have different learning preferences. Some people learn best through reading, others through listening, and some prefer hands-on experiences. Video caters to all these learning styles by combining visual, auditory, and sometimes interactive elements.
4. Easier to Understand Complex Ideas
For complicated concepts or technical training, video is a great tool to simplify and clarify. Visual demonstrations, infographics, animations, and step-by-step breakdowns help employees understand concepts that may be difficult to explain through text alone.
5. Increased Engagement and Interaction
Employees are more likely to engage with video content than text-based communication. The engaging nature of videos helps keep employees interested, which is crucial for keeping them informed and aligned with company goals.
What Is the Main Purpose of Internal Communication?
The main purpose of internal communication is to ensure that employees are informed, aligned with company objectives, and engaged in the organizational culture. Effective internal communication helps build trust, promote transparency, and create a positive work environment.
Key objectives of internal communication include:
- Aligning Teams with Company Goals: Clear and consistent communication helps ensure that all employees understand the company’s goals, vision, and objectives. This alignment helps teams work together towards a common purpose.
- Promoting Transparency: Open and honest communication fosters trust between employees and leadership. Transparency in communication can improve morale, reduce confusion, and help employees feel valued.
- Enhancing Collaboration: Communication is essential for collaboration. When employees have access to the right information at the right time, they can collaborate more effectively and make better decisions.
- Fostering a Positive Company Culture: Internal communication helps build and reinforce the company culture. It allows leadership to share the company’s values, celebrate achievements, and keep employees motivated.
- Supporting Employee Development: Internal communication plays a key role in employee training and development. Regular communication ensures employees have the resources and information they need to grow and succeed in their roles.
What Are Internal Communication Videos?
Internal communication videos are short, informative videos created to communicate important messages within an organization. These videos can cover a wide range of topics, including company updates, training, product launches, and employee engagement initiatives.
Internal communication videos are highly versatile and can be used to:
- Introduce new policies or procedures
- Explain new tools or technologies
- Share company news or announcements
- Provide training or educational content
- Foster team collaboration and culture
These videos are typically shared through internal channels such as the company intranet, email newsletters, or social media platforms.
What Is the Role of Video Content in Internal Communications?
The role of video content in internal communications is to enhance the effectiveness of communication efforts within the organization. Video content helps deliver key messages in an engaging, easy-to-understand format, ensuring employees are informed, motivated, and aligned with the company’s goals.
Video content plays the following roles in internal communications:
- Delivering Key Messages Effectively: Videos are great for delivering critical information such as policy updates, company announcements, and leadership messages clearly and engagingly.
- Engaging Employees: Video is an engaging medium that captures employees’ attention and encourages them to take action. Whether it’s watching a training video or viewing a company update, video content keeps employees engaged and motivated.
- Supporting Employee Training and Development: Videos are ideal for training and educational purposes. From onboarding new hires to providing ongoing professional development, video content can enhance the learning experience.
- Building Company Culture: Videos are a powerful tool for reinforcing company culture. By showcasing employee stories, celebrating achievements, and sharing the company’s values, videos help create a sense of community and belonging.
- Facilitating Collaboration: Video content can foster collaboration between teams by providing a platform for sharing ideas, discussing projects, and showcasing team accomplishments.
What Can Internal Communication Videos Be Used For?
Internal communication videos are incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. Here are some examples:
Company Culture Videos
Company culture videos help reinforce the organization’s values, mission, and vision. These videos can feature employee testimonials, behind-the-scenes footage, and highlights from company events. Company culture videos promote a positive work environment and help employees feel more connected to the organization.
Onboarding Videos
Onboarding videos are essential for welcoming new employees and helping them understand the company’s culture, values, and policies. These videos can include introductions to the leadership team, overviews of company benefits, and detailed explanations of workplace procedures. Onboarding videos make the onboarding process more efficient and engaging.
Project Recap Videos
Project recap videos provide an overview of a project’s progress, milestones, and outcomes. These videos can highlight key achievements, challenges faced, and lessons learned. Sharing project recap videos with the entire organization ensures everyone is on the same page and celebrates the team’s success.
Announcement Videos
Announcement videos are used to communicate important company news, such as product launches, policy changes, or leadership updates. These videos can be delivered by senior leaders and can help ensure that all employees are informed of significant developments within the company.
Explainer videos are short, animated or live-action videos that explain complex concepts or processes in a simple, engaging way. Explainer videos are often used for training, product demonstrations, and policy updates, making them an invaluable tool in internal communications.
Training Videos
Training videos provide employees with the knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs effectively. These videos can cover everything from software tutorials to customer service best practices, and they allow employees to learn at their own pace.
5 Benefits of Using Video for Internal Communications
- Improved Engagement: Video content grabs attention and keeps employees engaged. It encourages employees to watch, listen, and act on the information being shared.
- Better Understanding and Retention: Video helps clarify complex ideas and enhances retention, ensuring that employees remember key messages.
- Time Efficiency: Video allows for quick communication of information, saving time for both the creator and the viewer.
- Flexibility: Videos can be watched at any time, making them a flexible option for remote or hybrid teams.
- Strengthened Company Culture: Video helps reinforce company values, build community, and celebrate achievements, all of which contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Is This the Right Time to Add Video Content to Your Company’s Internal Communications Strategy?
Absolutely. The demand for video content is at an all-time high, and businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of incorporating video into their internal communications strategies. With more companies adopting remote and hybrid work models, video is a powerful tool to keep employees connected, informed, and engaged. If you haven’t already added video content to your internal communications, now is the time to do so.
How to Create Effective Internal Communications Videos
Creating effective internal communications videos requires thoughtful planning and execution. Here are some tips for creating high-quality videos:
- Define Your Objective: Before creating a video, clearly define the purpose and message you want to communicate.
- Keep It Short and Focused: Employees are busy, so keep videos concise and to the point.
- Use Engaging Visuals: Use visuals, animations, and graphics to make the video more engaging and easy to understand.
- Make It Accessible: Add captions and subtitles to ensure that your videos are accessible to all employees, including those with hearing impairments.
- Measure Success: Track video performance metrics such as viewership, engagement, and feedback to measure the success of your videos.
Why Should You Consider Animated Internal Communication Videos?
Animated videos are an excellent choice for internal communications because they are visually engaging, flexible, and effective in simplifying complex concepts. Whether you’re explaining a new process, highlighting company achievements, or sharing employee stories, animation can add a creative and entertaining element to your videos.
Work with an Animation Studio to Take Your Internal Communications Videos to the Next Level!
To create high-quality, impactful internal communications videos, consider partnering with an animation studio. An animation studio can help bring your ideas to life with professional-grade animations, compelling storytelling, and expert design. By working with an animation studio, you can take your internal communications videos to the next level and ensure they have the desired impact.
