Onboarding is a crucial process in any organisation, especially in professional services firms. It is the key opportunity to introduce new hires to the company’s values and culture, provide essential information about the job responsibilities, and establish the foundation for a successful and productive career.

Induction videos have become an increasingly popular onboarding tool. This blog post compares the effectiveness of induction videos with traditional onboarding methods in the professional services industry, delves into the pros and cons of each approach, and provides practical implementation insights.

Overview of Traditional and Video Induction Methods

Traditional onboarding involves a personalised approach, where new hires physically interact with their colleagues, supervisors, and other key stakeholders. This approach includes live presentations, handbooks, one-on-one meetings, and group discussions.

On the other hand, induction videos use multimedia technology tools such as videos, audio recordings, animations, and interactive quizzes. These videos are either pre-recorded or live-streamed, and can be watched at the pace of the new hires.

Onboarding’s Role in Professional Services

The Professional Services industry thrives on its human capital, where client experiences solely rest upon the quality of the workforce. Onboarding is, therefore, a critical step in ensuring a skilled workforce and fostering employee retention, as well as improving client service delivery. The importance of creating a welcoming and engaging environment through the onboarding process cannot be overemphasised.

Accessibility and Time Flexibility

One significant advantage of induction videos is accessibility. Remote onboarding through videos enables new employees to complete the process without being physically present, allowing them to work from anywhere.

The time flexibility of induction videos also ensures that new hires can complete the process at their own pace in more convenient timeframes. This approach also saves on travel, logistics, and accommodation costs.

Consistent Information Delivery

A major advantage of induction videos is the ability to deliver consistent information that is not affected by human biases or emotions, thus promoting standardisation of specific tasks or job roles. Induction videos ensure that all new hires get the same information and same training, regardless of time zones, geographic locations, or organisational structures.

Reduced Personal Interaction

Perhaps the most significant drawback of induction videos is the lack of personal interaction, which is crucial in establishing positive relationships with colleagues, management, and other stakeholders. Human interaction enables new hires to ask questions and seek clarifications, and to feel a sense of belonging to the team. Induction videos limit this opportunity. Furthermore, in terms of compliance and regulations, it may become difficult to ensure that each new employee has completed and understood all the necessary policies and procedures.

Conclusion

Overall, onboarding is crucial in the Professional Services industry, and the effectiveness of induction videos vs. traditional onboarding methods has become a critical consideration for organisations.

A hybrid onboarding model that combines the best of traditional and video-based methods offers significant potential for improving employee satisfaction and retention, and client service delivery.

By blending technology with personal touch, onboarding can be custom-made to meet the specific needs of each employee, promoting a sense of ownership and belonging. Organisations must consider the pros and cons of both methods, leverage technology, and tailor their onboarding processes to their specific requirements. Doing so assures an engaged and productive workforce from day one.

If you’d like to explore how induction videos could compliment your existing onboarding process, book a strategy call or get in touch on 01225 970242.

Explainer videos are an effective way to communicate ideas and promote services and products. They are visually engaging, informative, and persuasive, making them a necessary tool for businesses in the professional services industry.

However, creating an effective explainer video is not an easy task. It requires careful planning, creative scriptwriting, strategic distribution and promotion, and the use of visuals and animations that capture the audience’s attention.

In this blog post, we will discuss the challenges in creating effective explainer videos for the professional services industry and how to overcome them.

Align Script Writing with Goals

To create an effective explainer video, the first step is to align script writing with goals. It is essential to clearly define the video’s purpose to ensure that the script and content are focused on achieving those goals.

The script should include a clear and concise message that highlights the benefits of the service or product. It is essential to incorporate challenges and solutions in the script to engage the audience and maintain their interest.

Engage Viewers with a Relatable Structure

When structuring an explainer video, it is crucial to create a relatable beginning, middle, and end.

The video should incorporate challenges, benefits, and a clear call to action. The structure should be engaging and maintain the audience’s interest throughout the video. A well-structured explainer video increases the chances of the audience taking action, such as purchasing a service or product.

Overcome Uncertainty in Distribution and Promotion

Even with a compelling explainer video, distribution and promotion can be challenging.

You might be uncertain about which platforms to target and what audience to reach.

This is why developing a detailed plan for distribution and promotion is crucial to overcome this challenge. The plan should include an analysis of the target audience, appropriate distribution platforms, and methods for tracking engagement and success.

Avoid Overusing Jargon and Technical Terms

In the professional services industry, technical terms and jargon are common.

However, using them excessively in an explainer video can be confusing for the audience, leading to disinterest or click-away.

A solution to this challenge is to limit the script to five key points and use simple, clear language. The use of analogies and relatable examples can also help the audience understand complex concepts.

Enhance the Use of Animations and Graphics

Animations and graphics are essential components of explainer videos. They visually communicate messages that are difficult to express with words.

However, matching the style to the message and budget is crucial. An assessment of quality with pre-production samples is also essential. Poor animation and graphic quality can negatively impact the audience’s perception of the service or product.

Focus on the Audience’s Perspective

Creating an explainer video that solely focuses on the service or product can be counterproductive. It is essential to focus on the audience’s perspective by tailoring the content to their interests and needs.

Avoiding industry jargon and technical terms, providing clear benefits, and addressing the audience’s pain points and needs is essential. This can increase the audience’s engagement and interest in the service or product.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating an effective explainer video in the professional services industry requires careful planning, creative scriptwriting, strategic distribution and promotion, and visually-engaging animations and graphics.

Aligning script writing with goals, structuring videos with a relatable beginning, middle, and end, overcoming uncertainty in video distribution and promotion, avoiding overusing jargon and technical terms, focusing on the audience’s perspective, and incorporating a clear call to action are essential to creating a successful explainer video.

With these strategies, businesses can create effective explainer videos that promote services or products and increase engagement and interest among potential customers.

To explore your next explainer video project, book a strategy call or get in touch on 01225 970242.

Educational videos are becoming a popular medium for professional services firms to deliver informative and engaging content to their clients.

In order to create videos that both educate and captivate your audience, you need to follow a number of key steps.

This blog post will explore some of the best practices for creating effective educational videos specific to the professional services industry.

Choose Relevant Topics

The first step in creating successful educational videos is to choose topics that are relevant to your clients’ needs and align with current industry trends. This ensures that your videos will resonate with your audience and provide them with valuable insights and information.

Additionally, it can help position your firm as a thought leader in your field.

Use Storytelling

Telling a story is a powerful way to make complex topics relatable and memorable. Instead of simply presenting facts and figures, use real-world examples to demonstrate how your ideas can be practically applied.

For example, if you are creating an educational video about cybersecurity, use a hypothetical scenario to show how a hacker can infiltrate a company’s network and the steps that can be taken to prevent it.

Incorporate High-Quality Graphics and Animations

Using high-quality graphics and animations can help illustrate key points and keep viewers engaged.

However, it’s important to strike a balance between visuals and content. Avoid using too many graphics or animations that distract from the message you’re trying to convey.

Include Interviews and Case Studies

Including interviews with industry experts or real-world case studies can add credibility to your educational videos.

These can provide additional perspectives on a particular topic or demonstrate how your firm has helped other clients in similar situations.

Consider Adding Quizzes or Interactive Segments

Interactive elements such as quizzes or polls can help maintain viewer engagement and make your educational videos more interactive. These can be used to reinforce key concepts, test understanding, or gather feedback from viewers.

Conclusion

Creating effective educational videos can be challenging, but following these best practices can help ensure that your videos are both informative and engaging.

By choosing relevant topics, using storytelling, incorporating high-quality graphics, including interviews and case studies, and adding interactive elements, you can create compelling educational videos that help your firm stand out in the professional services industry.

To start your video journey, book a strategy call or get in touch on 01225 970242.

​In today’s digital age, video content has become a vital marketing tool for businesses across various sectors, including professional services.

From product demos, vlogs, and brand films to client testimonials, video content is an effective way to engage with your audience.

Creating quality video content, however, requires the right equipment. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the essential equipment required for filming in the professional services sector.

Camera

A high-quality camera is essential for capturing clear and visually appealing video content. Professional video cameras like the Canon C300 or Sony FS7 offer a range of advanced features like 4K resolution, interchangeable lenses, and image stabilisation to deliver high-quality footage.

However, a DSLR camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or mirrorless cameras like the Panasonic GH5 can also produce stunning video content.

As a marketing and communications manager, investing in a quality camera is critical for producing professional-grade video content that stands out.

Tripod

A tripod is an invaluable tool for providing stability and creating steady shots. It eliminates camera shake and ensures consistency in framing.

There are different types of tripods available, from heavy-duty tripods for larger cameras to lightweight and portable tripods for smaller cameras.

Brands like Manfrotto, Sachtler, and Gitzo offer a range of tripods that are durable, lightweight, and easy to use. Investing in a good quality tripod will help you achieve clean, professional-looking shots.

Lighting Kit

Proper lighting is essential for creating visually appealing video content. A lighting kit enables you to control the lighting environment and create different moods.

For example, a three-point lighting kit that includes a key light, a fill light, and a back light is ideal for creating a well-lit scene. Brands like Arri, Litepanels, and Kino Flo offer lighting kits that cater to different needs.

A lighting kit is crucial for producing professional-grade video content.

Backdrop

A backdrop is an excellent tool for creating a controlled and consistent visual setting for your video content. It eliminates distractions and provides a clean and professional-looking background.

Backdrops come in different materials like paper, muslin, and vinyl, and in a range of colours and patterns — you can even get a branded backdrop.

Investing in a high-quality backdrop will help you achieve a consistent look across all of your video content.

External Recorder and Microphones

An external recorder enhances the audio quality significantly. It allows you to capture uncompressed audio, giving you better control over the sound quality in post-production.

Brands like Zoom, Tascam, and Sound Devices offer a range of external recorders that are easy to use and provide professional-grade sound quality.

Lapel Microphone

A lapel microphone is ideal for clear voice recording, especially in outdoor settings. It is small, discreet and attaches to the speaker’s clothing, ensuring a consistent audio level even when the speaker moves.

Brands like Rode and Sennheiser offer lapel microphones that produce clear and crisp audio.

Shotgun Microphone

A shotgun microphone captures directional sound effectively which is useful in noisy environments. Shotgun microphones are ideal for interviews and capturing ambient sound. Rode, Sennheiser, and Audio-Technica offer shotgun microphones that are durable, easy to use, and produce high-quality sound. Investing in a shotgun microphone is critical for ensuring that you capture clear and directional audio in any environment.

Conclusion

In summary, producing high-quality video content requires specific equipment, from cameras and tripods to lighting kits and microphones.

However, purchasing this equipment can be expensive. An affordable alternative to purchasing the equipment is to work with a video production company. A production company will have access to the latest equipment and skilled professionals who can produce the quality video content your business needs.

Whether you choose to invest in your own equipment or work with a production company, the right equipment can help you to produce high-quality video content that engages and connects with your audience, elevating your brand and delivering the results you need.

To start your video journey, book a strategy call or get in touch on 01225 970242.

Increasingly, customers want their information fast and visually engaging. One type of content that has caught on with businesses of all sizes is explainer videos.

These marketing tools are gaining popularity among professional services firms, such as accounting, legal, and consulting firms, as they seek to differentiate themselves with creative and compelling content. But what exactly are explainer videos, and why are they so important today?

In this article, we will provide an overview of explainer videos, discuss their role in marketing strategy, compare animated and live-action explainer videos, showcase successful case studies, outline the basic steps in creating explainer videos, and examine emerging trends in video production.

Overview of Explainer Videos: Key Characteristics

Explainer videos are short, animated or live-action videos that explain a product, service, or concept in a simple and compelling way. They are usually one to two minutes long and designed to capture the viewer’s attention quickly.

The key features of a great explainer video include quality visuals, clear storytelling, instrumental or voiceover audio, and a call to action that prompts the viewer to respond.

These videos aim to simplify complex topics to maximise retention and engagement, making them an effective tool for marketing communication.

Importance in Marketing Strategy

Explainer videos have become a popular marketing tool for businesses because they allow organisations to make a lasting impression. These videos help businesses reach a wider audience, grab the viewer’s attention, and increase brand recognition.

They can also help drive website traffic, boost social media engagement, and increase conversions.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that explainer videos are popular among younger generations, making them an ideal marketing tool for businesses looking to target Millennials and Generation Z.

Animated vs. Live-Action Videos: Benefits and Contexts

Animated and live-action videos each have their own unique benefits and contexts.

Animated videos work well for abstract concepts, technical jargon, and visualising data. They are also a popular choice for humorous content and can appeal to a broader audience.

On the other hand, live-action videos are better for promoting physical products such as cars, houses, or food. They are great for showcasing existing products in action and providing product demonstrations.

Explainer Videos: Successful Stories

Numerous explainer videos have been successful in capturing audience attention and achieving marketing goals.

For example, Crazy Egg, a website optimisation tool, increased their conversion rate by 64% after adding a video explainer to their homepage.

Similarly, Dropbox, an online file-sharing platform, saw a rise in their conversion rate when they used an explainer video to communicate their product features.

These success stories illustrate why investing in explainer videos is a reasonable strategy for growing businesses.

Basic Steps in Creating an Explainer Video

Creating an explainer video involves several steps.

The first step is to define the core message of the video and establish the target audience.

Next, the video’s storyboard and script should be created. At this stage, it’s vital to keep the story simple, engaging, and relevant to the viewer’s needs. And, don’t forget to include a clear call to action!

Once the script is written, animation or live-action filming can begin.

After the video is filmed or animated, voiceover recording and background music are added.

Finally, a call-to-action that prompts the viewer to respond must be included.

Tailoring Explainer Videos to Professional Services Audiences

Professional services firms, like law firms, accounting, and consulting firms, have different requirements for their explainer videos. However, all of these professions should aim for content that is informative, concise, and straightforward.

Language and visuals should be simple and understandable, without using too many technical terms. The main topic should be communicated in a way that resonates with the intended audience.

Creating an explainer video that is tailored to these-related services, helps sway customers to choose a firm over the competition.

Emerging Trends in Explainer Videos

Interactive elements, such as quizzes, surveys and product tours, are now available in explainer videos.

This technology is expected to grow in the coming years. Interactive videos increase retention and engagement, allowing viewers to interact with content in a personalised and exciting way.

Moreover, with advances in technology such as virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), it is expected that video production will take on a more immersive experience.

Explainer Videos: Measuring Success

Businesses need to be able to evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of their explainer videos. Key performance indicators such as the number of video views, engagement time, retention rate, and conversion rate are important to consider when assessing effectiveness.

Tools such as Google Analytics or mouse tracking data can be used to assess video performance.

It’s essential to analyse what worked and what didn’t, take note of feedback, and make changes so the next video is better.

Conclusion

Explainer videos can be an excellent addition to a professional services marketing strategy. They are an effective communication tool to explain complex topics, promote products and services, and increase brand recognition.

It’s essential to follow the basic steps in creating them, tailor your content to specific services audiences, use the right metrics to measure their effectiveness, and keep up with emerging trends in their production. By doing so, professional services firms can get ahead of the competition and establish themselves as thought leaders in their field.

If you’d like help to position yourself as a thought leader in your profession, book a video strategy call or get in touch on 01225 970242.