Stop Boring Onboarding: A Video Guide for HR Directors
TL;DR: Onboarding videos are often dull and ineffective, leading to disengaged new hires. Learn how to create engaging employee onboarding videos that boost retention and productivity, and consider professional video services if time is a constraint.
Let's face it: most onboarding videos are about as exciting as watching paint dry. You know, the kind that drones on about company policies with all the charisma of a stapler. And the stats back it up: 20% of employees quit within the first 45 days (SHRM, 2023). A killer first impression is key, and engaging employee onboarding videos are a great way to achieve it.
But here's the deal: a poorly executed onboarding video is worse than no video at all. You risk turning off your new hires before they even get started. So, how do you avoid the "boring onboarding" trap and create videos that actually engage and inspire? This guide will walk you through the process.
What Makes Onboarding Videos Boring?
Before we dive into solutions, let's diagnose the problem. What are the common culprits behind yawn-inducing onboarding videos?
- Information Overload: Bombarding new hires with endless policies and procedures in one sitting. No one can retain that much information.
- Lack of Personality: Generic scripts and monotone delivery make the company seem impersonal and unapproachable.
- Poor Production Quality: Grainy footage, bad audio, and amateur editing scream "unprofessional" and devalue the message.
- Irrelevant Content: Focusing on outdated information or topics that don't resonate with new hires' day-to-day tasks.
- No Clear Call to Action: Leaving viewers unsure of what to do next or how to apply the information they've learned.
How to Create Engaging Employee Onboarding Videos: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here's a practical guide to creating onboarding videos that captivate new hires and set them up for success.
Step 1: Define Your Goals
What do you want your new hires to know, feel, and do after watching your onboarding video? Be specific. For example:
- Know: Understand the company's mission, values, and core products/services.
- Feel: Excited to be part of the team and confident in their ability to contribute.
- Do: Complete their initial paperwork, set up their workspace, and schedule a meeting with their mentor.
Step 2: Segment Your Content
Don't cram everything into one massive video. Break down your onboarding content into smaller, digestible chunks. Consider creating separate videos for:
- Company culture and history
- Team introductions
- Job-specific training
- HR policies and benefits
- IT setup and security
This makes the information easier to process and allows new hires to focus on what's most relevant to them at each stage of the onboarding process.
Step 3: Write a Compelling Script
Ditch the corporate jargon and write in a clear, conversational tone. Imagine you're explaining things to a friend.
- Start with a Hook: Grab their attention in the first few seconds with an interesting fact, a relatable story, or a thought-provoking question.
- Tell a Story: Use anecdotes and real-life examples to illustrate key points and make the content more engaging.
- Keep it Concise: Get to the point quickly and avoid unnecessary details.
Step 4: Focus on Video Production Tips
Even with a great script, poor production quality can ruin your video. Here are some onboarding video best practices to keep in mind:
- Invest in Good Equipment: A decent microphone, camera, and editing software can make a huge difference.
- Pay Attention to Lighting: Good lighting makes your video look more professional and helps viewers stay focused.
- Use Visuals: Incorporate graphics, animations, and screen recordings to break up the monotony and illustrate key concepts.
- Add Music and Sound Effects: Choose music that complements the tone of your video and use sound effects sparingly to add emphasis.
- Keep it Short: According to "Employee Experience 2025" (Qualtrics, 2024), younger employees want feedback more than once a year. Aim for videos that are 3-5 minutes long for maximum engagement.
Step 5: Showcase Successful Onboarding Video Examples
Looking for inspiration? Here are a few ideas for creating effective onboarding videos:
- "Day in the Life" Videos: Show new hires what a typical day looks like in their role.
- Team Introduction Videos: Feature team members sharing their roles, responsibilities, and personalities.
- CEO Welcome Message: Have the CEO welcome new hires and share their vision for the company.
- Interactive Quizzes: Test new hires' knowledge and provide immediate feedback.
Step 6: Address Common Onboarding Video Mistakes
Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your onboarding videos are a success:
- Not Testing Your Videos: Always test your videos with a small group of new hires before rolling them out to the entire company.
- Ignoring Feedback: Actively solicit feedback from new hires and use it to improve your videos. Nearly half (48%) of employees surveyed are being asked for feedback more frequently than once a year, up from only 35% last year (Qualtrics, 2024).
- Failing to Update Your Videos: Regularly review your videos and update them to reflect changes in company policies, procedures, and culture.
Step 7: Provide an Employee Onboarding Video Template
To get you started, here's a simple employee onboarding video template:
- Introduction (30 seconds): Welcome new hires and introduce the purpose of the video.
- Company Overview (1 minute): Share the company's mission, values, and history.
- Team Introductions (1 minute): Feature team members sharing their roles and responsibilities.
- Job-Specific Training (2 minutes): Provide an overview of the new hire's role and responsibilities.
- Call to Action (30 seconds): Tell new hires what to do next and provide resources for further learning.
Want ready-made video scripts? Download our 50+ Video Hooks PDF. These hooks will help you grab attention fast.
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Real Examples: Turning Onboarding into an Engaging Experience
Let's say you're onboarding a new sales representative. Instead of a dry policy manual, consider these approaches:
- Scenario 1: The "Sales Simulation" Video: Create a short skit showing a seasoned sales rep handling a challenging client call. Highlight key techniques and provide commentary.
- Scenario 2: "Meet the Team" Montage: Film each team member answering a quick, fun question ("What's your favorite thing about working here?"). This adds personality and helps new hires connect with their colleagues.
If You Don't Want to Do This Yourself
Creating professional videos from scratch takes significant time when you factor in filming, editing, and revisions. If you'd rather spend that time on high-value tasks, professional video services like BudemAI handle the entire production process—you send photos, they deliver a finished video.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long should my onboarding videos be? Aim for 3-5 minutes per video for maximum engagement.
- What equipment do I need to create professional-looking videos? A decent microphone, camera, and editing software are essential.
- How often should I update my onboarding videos? Regularly review your videos and update them to reflect changes in company policies, procedures, and culture.
- What are some examples of successful onboarding videos? "Day in the Life" videos, team introduction videos, and CEO welcome messages are all great options.
Your Next Step
Immediate action: This afternoon, film a 30-second introduction video of yourself welcoming a hypothetical new hire. Post it to your LinkedIn with the caption "Excited to welcome new talent! #onboarding #HR"
Get 50+ ready-to-use video hooks: Download our free PDF with proven hooks for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube, and property tours.
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