No matter what kind of organization you're in charge of, it's important that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. Effective communication is a vital part of any business, and with the ubiquity of email clients and tools like Slack and Pumble, chin-wagging with colleagues has never been easier.
However, if you're mainly relying on text-based communication to chit-chat with your workforce, we've got bad news: you're doing it wrong! In this blog, we'll take a deep dive into the benefits of video communication, and how you can leverage it to create better engagement with your team members.
We'll also share some practical tips on how to make the most out of your video calls, and we'll even showcase some intriguing ways that you can use video communication beyond the typical video conference. Ready to learn more? Let's jump in.
Why use video for internal communication?
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past decade, you're likely already familiar with the vast array of benefits that video technology brings to the world of business communication.
That said, we think it's worth recapping some of these key advantages. So if you're wondering why it's worth using video for internal communication purposes, just take a glance at the rundown below.
- Improved engagement. Video communication can help to make communication more engaging and exciting, as employees are able to see and hear their colleagues or managers, rather than simply reading text on a screen. This can lead to better participation and higher levels of engagement, which can improve employee morale and productivity.
- Clearer message delivery. Video communication allows for clearer message delivery, as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language can be easily conveyed. This can help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that the intended message is received and understood by all employees.
- Increased understanding of complex topics. Some topics can be difficult to understand, particularly when presented through text-based communication. Video communication can help to simplify complex topics, making them easier to understand and absorb.
- Better retention of information. Video communication can be a more effective way to convey information than other forms of communication, as it can help to improve the retention of information. Studies have shown that people are more likely to remember information that they have seen and heard, rather than just read.
- Time-saving benefits. Video communication can be a more efficient way to communicate, particularly for remote teams. Instead of scheduling and attending in-person meetings, team members can simply join a video call from wherever they are located. This can save time and increase productivity.
Tips for effective video conferencing
Before we jump into some of the more creative ways you can use video in the workplace, let's brush up on the basics… Below, you'll find some top tips to help you get the most out of every video meeting.
- Choose the right platform. The first step to effective video communication is choosing the right platform. Whether it's Zoom, Skype, or any other video conferencing software, make sure it has the features and capabilities you need. Ensure all participants have access to it and are comfortable using it.
- Test your equipment. Before the video call, test your equipment, including your camera, microphone, and internet connection. Make sure that everything is working properly to avoid technical difficulties during the call.
- Prepare an agenda. Prepare an agenda for the call, outlining the topics that will be covered and the goals of the meeting. This will help to keep the conversation focused and ensure that all necessary information is covered.
- Use visual aids. Visual aids, such as slides or screen sharing, can help to convey information more effectively and keep participants engaged. Use visual aids sparingly and make sure they are relevant to the topic at hand.
- Be aware of body language. Body language can convey a lot of information during video calls. Make sure that you are aware of your body language, and be attentive to the body language of others. This can help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
It's all simple stuff, but if 2020 taught us one thing, it's that Murphy's Law most definitely applies to video calls. If something can go wrong, it probably will, so it's always a good idea to prepare yourself.
Using video to onboard your staff
The first few weeks in a new role can be nerve-wracking. You're surrounded by new faces, you've got a list of names you're desperately trying to commit to memory, and on top of all that, you've got a job to do.
To succeed in your new role, you've got to fully absorb and retain all the new information that's being thrown your way, and this is where video comes in. Research shows that 83% of human learning takes place visually, making it one of the most potent tools for imparting valuable information to your employees.
Using video to onboard new hires negates the need for your other employees to take time out of their busy schedules. Your new starters won't have to take notes or rely on their memory this way, either. If they're confused by a concept or need a refresher, they can simply refer back to the training clips they received in their first week.
If you're taking on a large group of recruits at once, having a pre-recorded training video at the ready will mean all of your recruits can learn the ropes on the same day. And in larger companies where individual 1-2-1 introductions are logistically impossible, you could even encourage your new hires to film a short video of their own. It's a great way to break the ice and foster a sense of community — as long as it's optional, of course (not everyone loves being in front of the camera, after all).
Using video to share company news
If you're looking to share an exciting company announcement or celebrate a big milestone, video is the perfect medium to convey your message. Superior in almost every way to a traditional, email-based company newsletter, a video announcement is far more likely to grab your employees' attention and make your message more memorable and engaging.
Gone are the days when creating a video to share company updates was reserved for big-budget productions. In the past, video production was a costly and time-consuming process, making it impractical for most businesses. However, thanks to modern video editing software, creating professional-quality videos has never been easier.
Nowadays, anyone can create a polished and engaging video in the same time it would take to write a lengthy email. With the help of tools like PlayPlay, which offers a library of pre-made templates, creating a video can be as simple as dragging and dropping content into the editing platform.
Not only is video production more accessible than ever before, but it's also more cost-effective. Instead of hiring a professional production team, many businesses now rely on their in-house teams to create high-quality videos using simple equipment like smartphones and webcams.
Don't wait until a communication breakdown occurs to take action. Start incorporating video communication into your workplace now.
For more on this topic, head over to our blog about the biggest communication challenges faced by new businesses, or our guide to the 7 signs you need to invest more effort into your internal communication campaigns.