The average office worker receives over 100 emails a day. Of those, a significant number go unread, skimmed, or actioned too late. For internal communications teams trying to land important messages — a change in leadership, a company restructure, a new policy rollout — this is a serious problem.

Email was the default for internal communications for decades. It's still useful. But it's no longer enough on its own — especially for messages that need to land clearly, be understood fully, and reach every person in the organisation.

Why video works where email doesn't

There are a few reasons why video consistently outperforms written communication for internal audiences.

Video commands attention. A written update requires the reader to actively engage with the words. A video does the work for them — it controls the pace, the tone, and the emphasis. The message lands as intended, not as filtered through a skim-read.

Video is faster to consume. A two-minute video communicates more than a 600-word email, and does it in less time. For time-poor employees — and particularly senior leaders who receive the most messages — this matters.

Video conveys tone and personality. One of the biggest limitations of written internal communication is that tone is easily misread. A CEO update delivered by video creates a direct, human connection that a written memo simply can't replicate.

Video travels better. An internal video can be shared on your intranet, embedded in Slack, sent via email, displayed in a breakroom — it meets your people where they are, rather than requiring them to seek it out.

The types of internal communications video that work

Not every internal message needs a video treatment. But the following formats consistently perform well for Irish organisations:

Leadership updates — CEO and senior leader messages that need to be seen and heard, not just read. These work particularly well for quarterly updates, significant announcements, and cultural communications.

Onboarding and induction videos — A consistent, professional introduction to your organisation, your values, and how things work. Saves HR time and gives new starters a better experience from day one.

Training and e-learning content — Video-based training modules are more engaging than written documentation and easier to update than printed materials. They're also available on demand, which suits flexible and remote workforces.

Town hall recordings — Live all-hands events reach the people who attend. A well-produced recording reaches everyone else, including those in different time zones or on shift patterns.

Change communications — When something significant is happening — a merger, a rebranding, a change in direction — video gives leaders the opportunity to address their people directly, face-to-face (or as close as possible).

What good internal video looks like

There's a tendency to set a lower bar for internal communications video than for external-facing content. That's a mistake. Your employees notice the difference between something professional and something thrown together — and the production quality of your internal communications says something about how you value your people.

Good internal video doesn't mean expensive. It means:

Clear, well-lit framing with a professional background
Clean, clear audio — not recorded on a laptop mic in an open-plan office
A script or structure that's been thought through in advance
Editing that respects the viewer's time

Working with a video production company on internal comms

The most effective internal communications video projects start with a clear brief. What's the message? Who's the audience? Where will it be published? What do you want people to do, think, or feel after watching?

A good production company will help you work through these questions — and push back where needed. An internal comms video that's too long, too corporate, or too vague won't work regardless of how well it's filmed.

If your organisation is still relying primarily on email for internal communications, it may be time to add video to the mix.

Talk to VideoBase about your internal communications needs.