HR video can support recruitment, training and company culture building. When carefully planned and well-designed, these videos can be something employees actually look forward to. Which would you rather do, read a dry handbook, or watch an engaging video? Most people would rather watch.
Your employees are no different. If you want them to understand and remember something, don’t just write it down, show them a video.
Why Your HR department needs video
Communicating with team members can be a challenge. You have essential information they need, but getting them to listen isn’t always easy. Distributed teams and hybrid work models make things even more complicated.
Sure you could send an email or hold a conference call and hope people will pay attention. But people tend to skim text-only emails and Zoom fatigue is real. An HR video can make your message engaging, interesting, and dare we say, even entertaining. That means employees will actually want to watch.
Creating videos for HR isn’t exactly a new idea. As far back as 2011, one survey found that 93% of internal communication professionals thought video was essential.
Why are we focused on it, now? Because the structure of work is changing. More hybrid and remote work might mean less face-to-face time with employees. Video is one way your HR team can fill that gap.
What is HR Video Used For?
There’s a type of video to help you meet almost every human resource goal. These could include:
- recruiting and hiring
- onboarding and training
- evangelization and change management
- recognition and employee appreciation
Here are some video ideas for different types of human resources videos might want to consider.
Recruiting and Hiring
Many companies use video for recruiting and hiring. Recruitment videos need to accomplish a lot in a short time. They should give prospective employees a sense of what your company is about and why they might want to work there.
This video we made for gTeam does both.
Career Development
Encouraging employee growth is good for your employees and great for your company. Employees who feel like they have a path to growth are more engaged and more likely to stay for the long haul.
As William Gadea, Creative Director at IdeaRocket, explains, “obviously a big part of employee satisfaction and engagement is believing that their workplace is a place where they can grow.”
Career development videos are intended to encourage employees to take their career into their own hands by proactively seeking out training and career advancement opportunities.
Employee Training
Unlike in-person training, videos are consistent. They don’t rely on the mood or energy level of the trainer. You can deliver them anytime anywhere, even on a mobile device.
When it comes to policies and procedures, video turns what would be a dry document buried in your employee handbook into an opportunity to engage.
Policy training helps you meet standards for compliance. It also strengthens company culture. It shows employees where the company stands on important issues.
The example below is one we created for Imperial Oil.
Evangelization and Change Management
Imagine you’ve spent money and resources on new technology to help track environmental health and safety incidents. You know the software is perfect for your company, but your employees might not be so sure.
That’s exactly the challenge Tenneco faced when they introduced their new EHS system. We helped them make an internal video that would explain why the new software was so important.
And it worked. Employees embraced the new system.
It captured employee imaginations. Instead of a dry list of features, they got a character-based narrative that entertained while it informed.
Recognition and employee appreciation
At a time when hiring and retaining talent is notoriously difficult, you want to keep employees happy. As many leadership experts will tell you, sincere recognition goes a long way. Video can help you spread the word about the good work your teams are doing.
Consider recording a thank you from the CEO or a highlight reel introducing people to their remote coworkers.
Tips for creating Your HR Video
Video is an investment. You don’t want to just jump in and see what happens. Before you make any HR videos, do these three things.
1. Set a Goal
Before you come up with clever characters or write one word of the script, you need to get clear on your goal. Ask yourself:
- What effect do we want this video to have?
- How do we want minds to change?
- How do we want behavior to change?
Your goal for this video is just one piece of the puzzle. Think about how it fits into your internal communication strategy. Does it align with your company mission?
2. Choose Your Voice
We all know that brand voice is important in marketing communications. But your internal communications have a voice too. It could be the same or different from the one you use with customers.
Too often HR videos default to formal “corporate speak.” They leave employees bored and disconnected from the message. It’s okay to be playful, creative, or fun, like this whiteboard animation we made for Electronic Arts.
3. Plan For Distribution
Distributing your video might be the last thing on your mind right now. But planning for distribution sets you up for success. Think about when, where and how employees will watch. Adjust length and tone to fit.
Also keep in mind that your employees are used to watching video on their phones. So if you want to make an HR video your employees will actually watch, make it mobile friendly. That probably means making it vertical.
Start making your HR video
Relying on video templates and DIY video tools might seem like the inexpensive option, but it can cost you in the long run. Sure, you save on video editing and production. You might also miss the chance to really engage employees.
If they get used to seeing the same old format they tune out. A video without a story is unlikely to hold attention.
People identify with strong characters. A narrative arc holds their attention. And they remember complex concepts that are presented visually.
Finally, don’t be afraid to inject a little humor and creativity into your internal videos. Your employees will thank you.
To start making human resources videos for your team, contact the video experts at IdeaRocket.
Top photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash.
