Benefits Of Video For Internal Communications

I’ve said this many times before both personally and professionally. Content is King, especially Video.

Video can simply take complex messages, record key moments and deliver training in your workforce. The possibilities are endless. This makes the benefit of video a must for internal communications.

Clear Communication

Give an employee a lengthy company handbook; they will most likely they will opt out. However, a short interactive video and that cuts through the fat and delivers a concise message. I think you’ll have yourself a winner right there. 

Most employees have been brought up on YouTube, Netflix and Skype, it’s how we all consume information outside of work. It seems fitting that we have this at work too.

Video has transformed internal communication into a place to share and participate in ideas no matter where in the corporate structure they reside. The entire process can humanise communication, making it fun and interactive to share and collaborate.

Share Your Video

Let’s not forget that Video can be easily distributed on all platforms of technology. As boundaries of business expand, there becomes a growing need to address a global market. Video can break down communication barriers that have plagued previous generations, so they can address international team members more efficiently, using platforms like Microsoft teams and Skype For Business.

Get The Metrics

Companies are always looking for effective ways to measure the effectiveness of internal communications. What medium does your company use for internal communication? Is it effective for you? Does it meet the need for you to easily consume and understand?

Video provides feedback to the company and can report back metrics, such as view per video, drop off rates and at which points. This can enable you to target your video for departments/employees and tailor their needs to yours.

The employee can comment on the video, provide constructive feedback and collaborate with managers to allow them to enhance the content.

Provide Training

You can discuss overtly complex ideas via video using visual cues and graphics across the business to train employees and distribute them on all platforms and mobile devices, this means less interruption and more productivity. Video can also be used to revisit and refresh at any time and any place.

Video online webinars and web conferencing allow for better communication. Video puts a human touch to your day-to-day business operations and allows employees to put a face to what was previously seen as an intangible business asset.

When communication changes to your entire team, a video will increase the odds that your employees will absorb and are more likely retain the information over any other form of communication.

Time For Production

If you decide that video is going to benefit your and your company here are some tips for producing your in-house video.

Take the example of a bad YouTube video. We have all watched one. You’ve probably turned it off or found something on the same topic by another presenter. Why? Probably bad audio or bad communications skills, or they simply do get to the point fast enough - Videos should always be engaging.

Videos should always be relevant, and if budget and time permit considering producing different versions of content as needed, tweak the call to actions if needed.

Video always works best when its driven by stories. Be it personal or professional. Messages are kept to a minimum. When you are telling your corporate stories, consider how even the driest of subjects can be told through a more interesting narrative – there is always a way.

If you cram too much information into a video, it could become drawn out and feel boring. You can run the risk of losing employees attention. A video is supposed to be visually exciting and emotionally engaging.

Audio is almost as important as Video.

You can capture the best 4k video, however, without decent audio the video is useless. Simply putting a mic in the room and expecting it to capture all is completely bananas. Your audio quality must be clear, within 1 metre of the presenter.

Where Should You Host Your Video?

Your video can be hosted on many different platforms such as YouTube, Wistia and Microsoft Stream (Part of the Microsoft 365 Business Premium). Microsoft Stream acts as your own internal YouTube, you can create channels and give access to departments that need them.

Microsoft Stream also integrates with collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams.

Wistia is a private video platform which is subscription base. YouTube is a great free option, however unless it is configured your videos will be public.

On a final note,

If you are going to produce video for your company and its employees, please make it fun and entertaining. – Have fun with it and enjoy what you are creating.