The way we communicate is changing. No longer are tedious company memos and newsletters getting the job done when it comes to communicating, educating, and engaging employees. Instead, to reach and connect with workers – especially millennials and Gen Z – you need to start thinking outside the box. And that is where captivating video and storytelling come in.

Video opens up a world of possibilities for internal communications – engaging employees and building your team and brand. In fact, video is one of the most effective internal communications tools available today. And with video recording tools like ScreenPal in your arsenal, it’s never been easier to create high-quality internal communications that’ll really resonate with your team. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

• What are internal communications videos?
• Why use video in your internal communications strategy?
• 10 Internal communications video ideas
• 5 Tips for creating great internal communications videos

What are internal communications videos? 

Internal communications videos are, quite simply, videos that are created for and distributed to employees. The goal of an internal communications video is to educate, engage employees and build your team and brand.

Using video for internal communications can help you express anything necessary, from company culture and values to changes in policy or procedure. For instance, some organizations use video to reach staff in different locations, share messages from the company leadership team, or train employees on new procedures. 

Below are some common types of internal communications videos:

• Company culture videos
• Employee training videos
• Leadership messages
• Changes in policy or procedure
• A day in the life
• Product announcements
• Customer stories/testimonials
• Onboarding videos
• Brand awareness campaigns

Those are just a few examples, which we’ll get into more detail later. But, for now, it’s clear that there are many different ways you can use internal communications videos to engage employees, build your team, and enhance your brand.

Why use video in your internal communications strategy?

If we haven’t already sold you on the idea of using video in your internal communications, here are a few more reasons to consider this powerful medium:

• Video is engaging: A well-made internal communications video will engage employees and leave a lasting impression. It’s the perfect way to get employees excited about your company and its values.

• Video is easy to share: With the click of a button, you can share your internal communications video with employees across the globe. Video is a great way to reach employees who are remote or in different time zones.

• Video builds bonds: When used correctly, video can help to build strong team bonds and foster a sense of community among employees. It opens up a world of possibilities for team building and employee engagement.

• Video is an incredibly versatile medium: You can use it to communicate just about anything. From changes in policy to company culture, video is a great way to get your message across.

Hemmingway once said, “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” The same can be said of internal communications videos. The best ones are authentic, honest, and true to your brand.

10 internal communications video ideas 

Now that we’ve talked about what internal communications videos are and why you should use them, it’s time to give you some ideas. Internal corporate video ideas can range from the very simple to more complex concepts, but we think there’s something here for everyone.

Here are ten internal communications video ideas to get you started!

1. A day in the life 

A day in the life videos are a great way to give employees a behind-the-scenes look at your company. These videos offer an inside look at what it’s like to work at your company and can help new employees get acclimated to company culture.

Tips for creating a day in the life video:

• Focus on one employee or team and follow them around for a day.
• Include interviews with employees to get their thoughts on what it’s like to work at your company.
• Make sure the video is engaging, authentic, and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look.
• Don’t leave out the good stuff! Be sure to include the fun parts of working within your brand.

Once you have the footage, use the free ScreenPal video editor to edit it down to the most exciting and engaging parts. Add a title, some music, and voila! You’ve got a day in the life video.

Behind the scenes video example: Google

2. Explainer videos

If you want to communicate changes or demonstrate how your company works, explainer videos are the way to go. These videos can educate employees on a variety of topics, from the history of your company to changes in the employee benefits program.

To make an explainer video, start by outlining the key points you want to communicate. From there, you can create a script and storyboard for your video. Once you have those elements in place, it’s time to start recording!

Tips for recording an explainer video:

• Keep it short and to the point – you want to be able to get your message across in a minute or less.
• Make sure the video is engaging and uses visuals to help explain the concept. You can use ScreenPal’s drawing tools to create simple visuals that help explain the concept.
• You should mention your fundamental message and value proposition within the first 30 seconds to keep your audience interested.

3. Training videos

Looking to train employees on a new procedure or process? Training videos are an effective and efficient way to ensure that employees are up-to-date on the latest information and are a crucial part of any internal communications strategy.

Tips for making a training video:

• Scripts can be helpful when making training videos, as they ensure that you cover all of the key points.
• A trending theme in training videos is micro-learning, or creating short, bite-sized videos that employees can watch in a few minutes. This approach can be helpful when you need to provide employees with information in a way that is easy to digest.
• When filming, be sure to use clear visuals and instructions so that employees can follow along easily.
• Audio is important in training videos, as you want employees to be able to hear the instructions clearly. If you’re filming in a noisy environment, consider using a good microphone to ensure that your audio is clear.

Corporate policy video example: Apple

4. Product announcements 

Whether you’re launching a new product or simply updating an existing one, a product announcement video is a great way to get the word out to employees. Use them to provide an overview of the product, as well as any changes that have been made. 

They’re also beneficial when introducing new employees to your product or reminding existing employees of its features and benefits.

Tips for making a product announcement video:

• Be sure to include an overview of the product, as well as any changes that have been made.
• If you’re introducing a new product, ensure you explain how it works and what employees can expect.
• Include a call to action at the end of the video so that employees know what to do next.

5. Customer stories or testimonials 

A great way to build your team and your brand is to feature customer stories or testimonials in your internal communications videos. These videos can be used to show employees the impact that your product or service has on customers and can help to build a sense of pride and ownership in the work that they do.

When filming customer stories or testimonials, be sure to get formal permission from the customer beforehand. You’ll want to ensure that you have a release form signed so that you can use the footage in your video.

Tips for filming customer stories or testimonials:

• Focus on the customer and their story. What are they saying about your product or service?
• Foster an emotional connection by showing the customer’s reaction to your product or service.
• Keep it short and sweet – a minute or less is ideal.
• Use real, unscripted footage so that the testimonial feels natural and authentic.
• Edit the footage so that it is clear and concise, and be sure to include a call to action at the end.

Customer story example: ScreenPal

6. Leadership messages 

Leadership messages are an important part of any internal communications strategy, as they help to build a connection between leaders and employees. These videos can be used to communicate the company’s vision and values, or to provide updates on the latest news and developments.

Tips for filming leadership messages:

• What message do you want to communicate? Be sure to have a clear purpose for the video before you start filming.
• Leadership messages should be concise – aim for a minute or less.
• Be sure to film in a professional setting, and use clear visuals and audio so that employees can easily follow along.
• Don’t bore your audience – keep the video interesting and engaging.

Employee appreciation video example: Oakland University

7. Brand awareness campaigns 

A brand awareness campaign is a great way to get employees engaged with your company’s mission and values. Whether you want to launch a new campaign or simply remind employees of your brand and what it stands for, this is a fantastic way to do it. 

Tips for filming a brand awareness campaign:

• Make sure the video is compliant with your company’s branding guidelines.
• Focus on the company’s mission and values. What makes your brand unique? Why should employees care about it?
• Help employees understand how they can get involved in the campaign.
• Why do you want employees to participate in the campaign? Be sure to include a call to action so that they know what you want them to do.

8. Company culture videos 

Ah, company culture. Your company’s personality, values, and all of the intangibles that make your business unique. Your company culture is what sets you apart from the competition and attracts top talent, so it’s no wonder that company culture videos are one of the most popular types of internal communications videos.

These videos can be used to show employees what your company culture is all about or to introduce new employees to the team. They’re also a great way to show prospective employees what it’s like to work at your company.

Tips for filming company culture videos:

• Be sure to include a mix of employees from different departments and levels.
• Showcase the different aspects of your company culture – from the physical environment to how employees interact with each other.
• Don’t forget about your company’s values. Be sure to weave them into the video so that employees can see how they play a role in your culture.
• Get creative! Company culture videos can be anything from employee testimonials to fun montages.

Company culture video example: HubSpot

9. Project recap videos

With project recaps, you can provide an overview of a project or give employees a behind-the-scenes look at what went into it. It’s a fun way to keep employees engaged and informed, and it’s also a great way to promote transparency within your organization.

Tips for filming project recap videos:

• Be sure to include the project team in the video.
• Showcase the different aspects of the project – from start to finish.
• Don’t forget about the details! Ensure you include footage of the project in action, as well as any interesting facts or figures.

10. Event promotion 

Event promotion videos are a great way to get employees excited about upcoming events. Whether it’s a company-wide meeting or a team-building activity, event promotion videos can help to generate buzz and build anticipation.

Tips for filming event promotion videos:

• Include all the relevant details about the event – date, time, location, etc.
• Showcase the different aspects of the event – what will employees be doing? What can they expect to learn?
• Don’t forget to include a call to action! Tell employees what you want them to do, whether it’s RSVPing for the event or sharing the video with their colleagues.

5 Tips for creating great internal communications videos  

You may have noticed a running theme in these internal communications video ideas and the tips that go along with them; they all require careful planning and execution, and the majority should be short and sweet.

While these are critical factors for any good video, they’re not the only things you should consider when in creator mode. Here are five general tips to keep in mind when creating your internal comms video strategy!

1. Plan, plan, and then plan some more

Careful planning is essential to the success of any video project – especially when it comes to internal communications videos. Be sure to set aside adequate time to plan for the video, including scripting, storyboarding, and scheduling. And don’t forget, the planning process doesn’t stop once the video is finished – you’ll also need to plan how you’re going to distribute the video. 

2. Tailor your content to your audience

Think about what they want (and need) to see, and film accordingly. There’s no use in creating a video that employees won’t watch – or worse, don’t understand. If you’re not sure where to start, think about the different types of videos that would be most beneficial to your employees. 

For example, if you want to increase employee engagement, you might want to create a video that showcases your company’s culture. Or, if you want to promote transparency, you might want to create a project recap video. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s something that will resonate with your employees and meet your goals and objectives.

3. Be mindful of your company’s culture

Every company has its own unique culture, and that culture should be reflected in your internal communications videos. Be sure to keep your company’s values in mind when planning and filming your video to ensure that the final product is aligned with those values.

4. Get creative

Internal communications videos provide an excellent opportunity to get creative and have some fun. After all, these videos are for your employees, so they should be enjoyable to watch! So don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats, styles, and tones. If you’re recording your videos with ScreenPal, you can use the free drawing tools to highlight, annotate, and even doodle on your video to capture and keep attention. Or get creative with stock images and videos for visual interest.

5. Hook your audience from the start

Just like any other type of video, the first few seconds of your internal communications video are crucial. You want to grab your viewers’ attention right from the start, or you risk losing them entirely. So make sure that your opening is strong and that it sets the stage for what’s to come.

The bottom line

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to internal communications videos. The best way to figure out what works for your organization is to experiment and see what resonates with your employees. And, of course, if you need any help along the way, we’re always here to lend a hand!

ScreenPal offers easy-to-use, accessible products that empower anyone to create, collaborate and communicate with video. Our new Chrome extension, ScreenPal, takes this a step further by turning any text box or comment field into a quick, authentic video message. 

Start recording videos for your internal communications with the free screen and webcam recorder, and see how easy it is to engage your team with video.