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5 Ways to Modernize Your Company Training Videos
Communication is a vital part of businesses everywhere. From giant corporations to start-ups in an incubator, every company relies on effective internal communication to maintain long-term goals, foster the right culture and atmosphere, and continue to grow. Today, video is one of the most popular forms of widespread communication, with no sign of slowing down. Therefore, it’s no surprise that companies should utilize video more and more, especially internally in the form of training videos.
Corporate training videos certainly aren’t new, and they’re probably not the first thing that comes to mind with modern communication and innovation. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be powerful or beneficial with a little ingenuity. Many corporate training videos suffer from a dated model, but the right approaches to modernize them can help push your internal communications to the next level.
1. Lose the Talking Head
Think about the first time you watched a corporate training video. Or better yet, think about a cliche portrayal of a corporate training video in popular culture. Maybe it’s a dusty old VHS tape showcasing a long, boring instructional presentation. It’s single shot in an interview-style and doesn’t change much or engage the audience. Just because we have a certain frame of reference for what corporate training videos are, doesn’t mean the format can’t be adjusted or improved upon.
For instance, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with the straightforward speaker. Testimonials and voiceovers that speak directly to the audience are great when used properly, and definitely have a prominent place in training videos. But no one will want to pay attention to a long, drawn out lecture. Try to keep single shots with a solo speaker to a minimum, or spread them throughout the video to ensure audience retention. Any variance or nuance is extremely important.
2. Use Relevant, Engaging Visuals
Granted, there definitely should be a speaker addressing the audience. But if you’re not going to take advantage of all of the opportunities modern video production provides, then you might as well throw out the idea of an effective training video in favor of live presentations. Like any other video production, shot variation and engaging visuals will help keep your viewers invested.
Now that doesn’t mean adding fluff or unnecessary content. Everything should be relevant to your message, just presented in a more creative, exciting way. For instance, approach the interview-style with multiple cameras to change angles. Great b-roll demonstrating a specific task or scenario can add much-needed context. The addition of graphics showing up-to-date facts and figures (where appropriate) allow you to hammer home necessary points, without overdoing it from the speaker. Savvy editing and post production will help make your training video more modern. And your employees will take it more seriously.
3. Be Authentic
With the average person consuming an unprecedented amount of content on a daily basis, most viewers have grown wise to certain marketing and communications approaches. And that’s a good thing; you’re not (or shouldn’t be) out to trick your audience. Especially given that a training video is geared towards current or on-boarding employees.
A great corporate training video is not only an efficient way to teach a task or explain a procedure. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase your company’s culture. Take advantage of this chance to reinforce core values. Since this is your company video specifically targeted towards your employees, the final product should reflect that.
If possible, avoid using paid actors or speakers. Opt instead for real employees to boost the authenticity. Shoot on site at your company if applicable. Even if there are multiple locations or branches within a company, that common ground will drive an emotional connection to the viewer. Also, the presence of a recognizable leader, like a founder or CEO, can do wonders for internal brand-building.
4. Presentation is Everything
When approaching the planning of your training video in pre-production, think about how your viewers will be receiving the message. In other words, how will the final product be delivered or shown? For instance, if you’re planning to host this video exclusively on your company website or under an employee resources tab, then you can count on the video being viewed on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. Screen optimization may affect how you approach production. If you go this route, video length will also be a concern. Since viewers won’t be in a controlled environment, there’s no guarantee they’ll watch the entire video independently.
On the other hand, if this is a video shown on premises during a workday, that may change your approach as well. Is this video being shown at the end of or during a long day of orientation? If so, it may need to bring more energy than a new training video shown to a group of committed, longterm employees. The point is, your audience, along with the context in which they’re viewing this video, matters. Keep that in mind throughout pre-planning, filming, and especially during post production.
5. Think Outside the Box
As mentioned earlier, just because corporate training videos are typically perceived as a dry, boring necessity, doesn’t mean you should fall into that cliche! Don’t be afraid to subvert the stereotype and approach this project in a new, unique way. Maybe instead of using live action, think about trying animation. Nothing would turn heads more than a creative, even artistic turn for corporate communications.
Take a cue from current video production trends, no matter what the final product is. Make a compelling narrative to keep viewers invested. Humor, if done correctly, will always play well and hold viewers’ attention. VR and AR approaches can bring a more hands-on experience to viewers. And as that particular technology grows, it may prove to be extremely useful in simulating specific tasks.
Do the research and base your decision on what works best for your company and the way you want new or current employees to perceive your final product. Additionally, having a “modern” video means that it’s relevant for the present and always looking towards the future. That might mean committing to updates every few years to keep things fresh. Think of it as just another crucial component to your yearly communications plan.
Whatever direction you decide to go in, Crews Control has you covered with the best production team. No matter where you’re located or what kind of project you have in mind, let us connect you with the right video production crew for the job. Reach out today for your free quote.
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