How Video Can Make Training and Onboarding…Fun?

Most employees likely aren’t thrilled about company training. With the track record of employee training videos, it isn’t hard to see why. 

Think back to 1989, when Wendy’s came out with its infamous “Grill Skills” training video. Complete with rap music, stilted dialogue, and neon lights, it’s hard not to cringe at these outdated and awkward videos — some of which are still used today. 

While we’ve moved on from VHS, training videos shouldn’t be left in the past. New technologies make it easier than ever to create top-quality, visually engaging videos that can leave a real impact. 

Successful onboarding videos can pay off for your workforce. A captivating onboarding video not only prepares your new hires for what’s to come but it can also excite them for their new role. Now that remote and hybrid work models are becoming the norm, video has become a foundational part of internal communication and non-product advertising for many forward-thinking brands. It gives employees all the tools they need, no matter where they are in the world.  

Learn More: Social Media Video Ad Specs & Placements Guide

The Value of Engaging Video Onboarding

If you had a choice between reading a 50-page text-heavy instruction manual or watching a video that breaks down all the key points, which would you choose? Most people would turn to video. Engaging visuals and audio explanations can make learning about the job interesting.

This format also makes it easier to comprehend and retain important information. Through video, viewers retain 95% of a message, compared to only 10% through text alone. 

By using a captivating medium like video, you can strategically break down each stage of the onboarding process. New hires will feel better prepared and more excited about their future with your company. And when new employees feel settled into their roles, they’re more likely to stay. This can save your company money and resources, as it costs  33% of an employee’s annual salary to hire a replacement.

So how can you maximize your video onboarding strategy to prepare and impress your new hires? Let’s dive in. 

1. Show Off Your Company Culture

Training videos are a chance to show new hires what you’re all about. An engaging welcome video should offer an overview of your company’s mission and the purpose of its work. This reminds new hires why their position is valuable and the impact they can have at your company. 

It’s also a chance to show some personality and dig into your company culture. Include some personalized clips from team members or show a more human side of the office. This helps build a deeper emotional connection that keeps new employees engaged and invested. 

2. Shoot For a Polished Production

The days of bad acting, stilted dialogue, and grainy camera quality are long behind us. Training videos should and can be as polished as your favorite binge-worthy TV shows. 

This doesn’t mean you need to have the budget of a Hollywood movie set, but you should keep quality in mind at all times. This could mean budgeting for a good camera, microphone, and professional editing software. This could also mean setting up a solid color backdrop with good lighting for your shoot. Even an iPhone on a tripod can offer clean video quality. 

To go further, you could invest in creative professionals, including on-screen talent, scriptwriters, production assistance, and post-production editors. 

3. Use Video to Bolster Your Existing Training 

Training videos can be used as an extension of the training you already provide, whether virtual or in-person. 

These videos can help lift the burden from your onboarding team. Instead of guiding every employee through a high-level overview of a new position (and slogging through HR power points), they can use videos. That frees up your onboarding team to address more important concerns, like answering questions and providing more advanced guidance. 

4. Step Into the “Metaverse” 

As we enter the future of video marketing, there are always new opportunities. Some companies have implemented immersive learning through virtual reality (VR). 

This upgrade can yield significant results. It offers personalized 1:1 training without the resources of typical in-person training. Trainees can get instant feedback and practice scenarios in real-time, preparing them for real-world situations. 

Video Onboarding: Setting Up Your Employees For Success

Onboarding can be a complex and delicate process, and you can’t afford to lose new hires because of inefficient training. To keep employees motivated and help them build a connection to the company and team, you need something engaging.  

Training videos can be a powerful tool for onboarding. But when you think about traditional video production, you might have some concerns: too slow, not scalable, high video production cost, etc.

But video production doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. QuickFrame’s corporate video production solution can help you create cost-effective videos to maximize your onboarding efforts and set your employees on the path towards success. To learn more about how we can help you, take a look at our success stories or contact us for more information on our services.