The do’s and don’ts for your company training videos

When it comes to training videos, there’s a fine line between creating something your team will genuinely learn from and producing content that has them fast-forwarding through each section (while secretly checking their phone). Sure, your videos don’t need to win an Oscar, but they do need to be engaging, informative, and — most importantly — serve their purpose.

Training videos have huge potential to turn the dreaded company training sessions into something more useful, practical, and even enjoyable. But achieving that all depends on how well you nail the essentials, from knowing your audience to delivering clear objectives. Let’s walk through the essential do’s and don’ts so your training videos don’t end up as background noise.

✅ DO Keep the Focus on Learning Goals

Training videos aren’t just about dazzling with special effects or looking fancy — they’re about getting specific information across in a way that sticks. Make sure every frame of the video is designed to teach, explain, or demonstrate something relevant to the viewer. If your video ends and the audience is left saying, “Wait, what was I supposed to learn again?” — then Houston, we have a problem.

The best training videos are like a GPS for learning: they take people from point A (clueless) to point B (confident and competent) without detours.

❌ DON’T Prioritize Visuals Over Goals

Let’s be real — sometimes it’s tempting to add a flashy intro, cool transitions, or animations that look like they belong in a Pixar film. But  cool visuals are not a substitute for a well-thought-out learning goal. The more time you spend on making things look shiny, the less you focus on making sure they’re useful.

Remember: the best training video isn’t the prettiest one — it’s the one that actually helps people learn.

✅ DO Know Your Audience

Training videos aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You need to know your audience — are they tech-savvy, new hires, seasoned pros, or somewhere in between? Tailor your video’s complexity, tone, and content to fit the people who will be watching.

For instance, if you’re explaining the basics of cybersecurity to non-IT staff, skip the tech jargon and keep it simple. Throwing around terms like “phishing” and “malware” without explaining them will only lead to confused stares and an HR inbox full of panicked emails.

❌ DON’T Overwhelm with Information

One surefire way to make sure your training video gets ignored is by packing it with too much information at once. Yes, you might have a lot of ground to cover, but throwing all that data at someone in a single sitting will leave them confused and unmotivated.

Break down content into digestible chunks. Think of it like giving someone a sandwich instead of trying to shove a whole buffet in their face.

✅ DO Use a Friendly, Relatable Tone

Tone is everything. One low-pitch word can break the mood. Using a friendly and conversational tone makes your training video more approachable and engaging. It helps to throw in a little humor too — because honestly, who doesn’t appreciate a light-hearted joke in the middle of a company training session?:) 

People learn better when they’re comfortable and entertained, so don’t be afraid to show a little personality. It’ll keep your audience awake — and hopefully smiling.

❌ DON’T Work with Unprofessional Production Teams

DIY training videos might sound like a good idea, especially if you’re looking to save a few bucks. But trust us, working with an unprofessional team can end up costing more in the long run. You’ll end up with videos that look awkward, feel clunky, and don’t inspire much confidence in the message.

Instead, invest in a team that understands how to create high-quality training content. From the script to the final cut, experienced pros know how to align your goals with a polished product that your team will actually. 

✅ DO: Inject Real-Life Scenarios

This one is super important. Your employees aren’t training to become corporate robots—they’re real people with real-world challenges. So, ditch the corporate jargon and go for relatable, real-life scenarios.

For example, if you’re training on customer service, don’t just list “best practices.” I mean, what is that?! Show a scene where a customer calls in frustrated and how the employee handles it. Even better — show both a bad and good example to drive the point home. People remember stories and experiences, not lists. 

❌ DON’T: Forget About Captions and Accessibility

Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. Don’t forget that some of your employeer might be hard of hearing or prefer to learn by reading. Always include captions for your videos and make sure the content is accessible to everyone. Plus, having captions allows employees to watch your training videos anywhere (even on mute during a crowded commute!).

Summary

When it comes to company training videos, the goal is simple: create something employees actually want to watch. Stick to shorter, focused content that addresses real-world problems, keep it light but educational, and ensure it’s interactive and accessible.

Remember: if your video feels more like a binge-worthy Netflix episode than a dry lecture, you’re doing it right!

One more thing: We can make training videos that help your employees stay engaged, interested, and acquire the right skills. Contact us – that’s all you have to do😉