Creating Effective Onboarding Videos for New Employees
TL;DR:
- Set SMART goals to define clear learning objectives for each video
- Choose tools with straightforward editing and distribution features
- Structure content with hooks, main points, and clear summaries
- Keep videos under 10 minutes and add interactive elements
- Test with current employees before rolling out company-wide
Creating onboarding videos that actually help new employees takes more than pointing a camera and hitting record. Here's how to make videos that inform, engage, and genuinely prepare people for their new roles.
Setting Clear Learning Goals
Start by defining what each video should achieve using SMART criteria:
Specific: What exactly should the viewer learn? Instead of "company policies," aim for "how to request annual leave using our system."
Measurable: How will you know they understand? Build in checkpoints or follow-up questions.
Achievable: Can someone absorb this information in one sitting? Break complex topics into separate videos.
Relevant: Does this directly relate to their role? Skip the nice-to-know content and focus on need-to-know.
Time-bound: When should they complete this learning? Set clear expectations about timing.
This framework keeps your content focused and prevents the common trap of cramming too much into one video.
Choosing Your Tools
Pick video production platforms that match your technical comfort level and budget. Look for these key features:
- Simple editing tools that don't require extensive training
- Easy distribution options (whether that's your company intranet or a platform like Vimeo)
- Basic analytics to track who's watched what
- Integration with your existing systems where possible
You don't need Hollywood-level production software. Often, simpler tools produce better results because you'll actually use them consistently.
Structuring Your Content
Plan each video's flow before you start recording:
Hook (30 seconds): Start with something that grabs attention. This might be a quick preview of what they'll learn or a relatable scenario they'll face in their role.
Overview (1 minute): Outline what you'll cover. This helps viewers mentally prepare and know what's coming.
Core Content (6-8 minutes): Deliver the main information. Break this into 2-3 key points maximum.
Interactive Elements: Include moments where viewers need to pause and think, answer a question, or try something themselves.
Recap (1 minute): Summarise the main points. Repetition helps retention.
Use visual cues like on-screen text or graphics to reinforce important points. People process visual and audio information differently, so hitting both channels helps.
Keeping Videos Engaging
Ten minutes should be your maximum length. Most people's attention drops significantly after this point, especially when they're already processing lots of new information as a new employee.
Add interactive elements throughout:
- Pause points with questions to consider
- Links to relevant documents or systems
- Quick knowledge checks
- Short tasks they can complete immediately
These breaks prevent passive watching and encourage active learning.
Testing Before Launch
Run your videos past current employees before new hires see them. Ask specific questions:
- Where did you lose focus?
- What felt unclear or confusing?
- What important information is missing?
- How was the pacing?
Current employees spot gaps you might miss because they remember their own onboarding experience. They'll also notice when you're using internal jargon that new people won't understand yet.
Make adjustments based on this feedback. Even small tweaks can significantly improve how well your videos work.
FAQs
What are the best tools for creating onboarding videos?
Start with what you have. Many computers come with basic video editing software that's perfectly adequate. Loom is excellent for screen recordings, while Canva offers simple video creation tools. Focus on content quality over fancy production values.
How can I make my onboarding videos more interactive?
Add pause points with questions, include clickable links to relevant documents, create short quizzes using forms, or give viewers small tasks to complete before continuing. The key is breaking up passive viewing with moments that require engagement.
What is the ideal length for onboarding videos?
Aim for 5-8 minutes per video, with 10 minutes as your absolute maximum. If you have more content, break it into multiple videos. People retain information better from shorter, focused videos than from long comprehensive ones.
Jargon Buster
SMART criteria: A framework for setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound
Hook: The opening section of a video designed to capture and hold the viewer's attention
Interactive elements: Features that require viewer participation, such as clickable links, pause-and-think moments, or embedded questions
Screen recording: Video capture of what's happening on a computer screen, useful for showing how to use software or systems
Wrap-up
Good onboarding videos reduce the time it takes new employees to become productive and confident in their roles. They also free up your team from repeatedly explaining the same basic information.
The most effective videos feel conversational rather than corporate. They acknowledge that starting a new job can be overwhelming and genuinely try to help rather than just tick boxes.
Start with one or two videos covering your most essential topics. Get feedback, refine your approach, then gradually build your library. This beats trying to create everything at once and burning out before you finish.
Ready to level up your video production skills? Join Pixelhaze Academy for detailed tutorials and hands-on guidance.