How to Create an Onboarding Video [Complete Guide 2024]

Discover how to create effective onboarding videos with real employees, professional presenters or animations. Learn the advantages, disadvantages and how to choose the ideal format for your onboarding.

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The videos of integration, onboarding and training are powerful tools for welcoming new employees to a company. They provide essential information in an engaging and efficient way, helping to familiarize new employees with the company culture, policies, and procedures.

Choosing the right format for these videos can be challenging, depending on the purpose of the video, the budget available, and the preferences of the organization. This guide explores three main formats: live footage, presenter video, and animated videos, discussing their advantages, disadvantages, and implications in terms of cost and durability.

Additionally, we'll compare the effectiveness of videos to traditional PPT presentations and discuss the best approach for long-form content.

Format 1: Recording with collaborator

Videos featuring real employees bring a unique authenticity and help new employees identify with the company’s culture and values.

These videos are particularly effective at creating an emotional connection and engaging audiences. However, a common challenge is what to do if the employee who recorded the video leaves the company. While this can be addressed with image releases, many companies prefer not to go this route to completely disassociate the former employee’s image.

Advantages:

  • Authenticity and emotional connection
  • High engagement

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost and production time
  • Continuity issues in the event of an employee leaving

Format 2: Recording with presenter (actress/actor)

Choosing a video with a professional presenter (actor or actress) offers a high level of professionalism and clarity in the transmission of information. An experienced presenter can ensure that the message is conveyed in a coherent and engaging way.

This format can be more expensive due to the cost of hiring a professional presenter, but it offers consistency and quality in the delivery of content. Additionally, updating these videos can be complicated and costly, as it requires rehiring the actor/actress and possibly producing a new video from scratch.

Advantages:

  • Professionalism and clarity
  • Consistency in presentation

Disadvantages:

  • High cost due to hiring actors/actresses
  • More expensive update as it requires the production of a new video

Format 3: Animated Video Production

Animated videos are incredibly flexible and can simplify complex concepts in a visually appealing way. They’re also easy to update, which extends their lifespan and relevance.

While the initial cost of creating high-quality animations can be high, updating content is less expensive than re-shooting footage of real people. However, the lack of a human touch can be a downside, as these videos can feel less personal.

Advantages:

  • Flexibility and ease of upgrade
  • Visually appealing

Disadvantages:

  • High initial cost
  • Lack of human touch

Which to choose: Video or PPT?

Videos offer a number of advantages over PPT presentations. They are more dynamic and can hold the viewer's attention for longer periods. Additionally, the ability to include interactive and narrative elements improves information retention.

However, videos require more resources to produce and update. Unlike slides, which are easily editable, updating a video can be a more complex and costly process.

What is the ideal duration?

For onboarding videos, keeping the length short and focused is crucial to ensure new employees don’t lose interest. If there’s a lot of content to cover, an effective solution is to break the material down into smaller, more focused modules.

Using an LMS (Learning Management System) platform can organize content in a structured way, allowing new employees to learn at their own pace.

How much does it cost and how long does it last?

Each format has different implications in terms of cost and durability. Videos featuring real people tend to be more expensive due to production costs and can be more difficult to update.

Presenter videos are expensive, especially if they involve professional actors/actresses, but they offer good value for money in terms of professionalism and clarity.

Animated videos, despite the high initial cost, offer excellent durability and flexibility for updates.

Conclusion

Choosing the right format for onboarding videos depends on your company’s specific needs and the type of content you want to convey. Considering breaking down your content into smaller modules and using an LMS platform can maximize the effectiveness of your onboarding.

At Silvertake, we have the experience and tools to create integration videos personalized and effective. Get in touch with us to develop the ideal video that will transform your onboarding process, ensuring that your new employees feel welcome and informed from day one.

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