Effective internal communication is the key to success in today's fast-paced corporate landscape. Traditional methods of internal communication, like newsletters and printed memos, need to be revised to engage and inform the modern workforce. Evolving communication preferences, information overload, and the need for more inclusive and interactive channels have made digital approaches, like audiovisual corporate magazines, increasingly essential for effective internal communication. In this blog post, we briefly highlight what an audiovisual corporate magazine entails and why you should consider investing in it.
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What is an audiovisual corporate magazine?
An audiovisual corporate magazine is a magazine that consists of video content of 12 minutes or longer and is distributed every two or three months. And it is designed to inform, connect, and engage with your employees compellingly.
The magazine could handle the latest company news, explain new employee benefits, tell stories of teams and colleagues, show a video report of an internal event, and much more. The magazine can be distributed to employees through various channels, such as intranet, email, or dedicated video-sharing platforms.
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Why you should consider investing in an audiovisual corporate magazine
Here are nine compelling reasons to convince you to take the leap: ;-)
1. More engaging and inspiring medium.
Traditional internal memos and emails can often fall flat. Video adds a dynamic and visually appealing element to your messages, making it a highly engaging and inspiring medium that captures and maintains viewers' attention better than text-based communication.
Research from TechSmith confirms these statements: 48 % of employees consider video the most engaging form of communication, 37 % feel images with text the most engaging, and just 15% consider plain-text email the most engaging.
2. Processed more quickly and retained more effectively.
Visual content is processed more quickly and retained more effectively by the human brain than text. Research shows that 55 % of people pay closer attention to videos than different types of written content (Hubspot). To be more specific, 95 % of a message is retained when communicated via video, compared to 10 % when through text (Forbes). This means that employees are more likely to remember and act upon information presented in a video format.
3. Broader reach: bridging the gap.
Video magazines can reach a broader and more diverse audience within your organization.
First, they transcend geographical boundaries and time zones, making connecting with remote, dispersed or async teams easier. By sending regular updates via video, members feel more connected to your company, colleagues abroad, and the business. Mainly, when working remotely, employees must stay in touch with each other and feel that they are working towards common goals as a team. As a result, they perform better and have a higher morale, and employees will feel like they are on the same team.
4. More inclusive way of communicating.
Research shows that 74 % of employees feel they're missing out on company news because of poor internal communication (Gallup).
By only using written communication, your message could be missing some groups in the company:
- Research by TechSmith has also shown that younger workers are twice as likely as older employees to use video and to want more visual communication at work.
- Also, people who are visual thinkers, have reading challenges, or are visually impaired are more included when company news is communicated visually and audibly.
Adding clear subtitles to the video also ensures that people who prefer text or have hearing difficulties are included. This way, your internal communication is inclusive across your entire workforce. This fosters a sense of belonging and equity among employees.
5. A more personal and authentic connection with employees.
Video allows for a more personal and authentic connection, as employees can see and hear their leaders or colleagues - which is an extra benefit when working remotely or async. Personalization also helps employees feel valued and appreciated, improving morale and loyalty.
Audiovisual corporate magazines can feature stories about employees, achievements, and personal journeys. You build a deeper connection with your workforce by showcasing the organization's human side.
6. More involvement and feedback.
One of the key strengths of a video magazine is its ability to incorporate interactive elements. Surveys, polls, and Q&A sessions can be included to encourage employee involvement. This also provides valuable feedback that can drive improvements and innovation.
Also, sharing updates on the company's successes makes your employees feel part of the success and appreciated, increasing their morale.
7. Simplify complex topics or make difficult messages easier to digest.
Video can simplify complex topics or messages and make it easier to express emotions and tone than written communication. Video can transmit information in a simple, clear, appealing and digestible way. According to research by Tech Smith, two-thirds (67%) of people understand information better when communicated visually.
Video can be used to discuss company changes and to show that they won't harm the employees and the business. With video, you can control what message is being sent out concerning matters that might be subject to gossip, cutting down on speculation and addressing common concerns.
8. Consistent and transparent communication that builds trust.
An audiovisual corporate magazine can be a regular and consistent communication tool with a predictable schedule. This helps employees anticipate updates, making staying informed and aligned with the organization's goals more accessible.
Employees also are more likely to trust and support a company that keeps them informed and involved in its mission and vision.
9. Builds a more robust company culture, higher employee satisfaction, and retention.
Video can foster a more robust company culture by showcasing employee achievements, celebrating milestones, keeping everyone informed and creating a sense of belonging.
When employees feel connected, informed, and valued, their job satisfaction typically increases, leading to improved retention rates and reducing the cost and disruption associated with turnover.
10. Increase of productivity.
Video messages reduce the need for lengthy meetings or extensive written documentation. And also, the fact that people better retain and grasp your message through communicating via video saves both time and resources.
Research by Tech Smith shows that, on average, each employee could gain 6 minutes and 43 seconds of productivity back each day — more than 33 minutes per week and 25 hours of recovered productivity per year. They also state that companies could recover 1.124 EUR or more in productivity per employee per year by using more visuals in internal communications.
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Conclusion
Investing in an audiovisual corporate magazine is a strategic move that can transform your internal communication from mundane to inspiring and yield significant benefits. It leverages the power of visual storytelling, fosters inclusion, builds connections, encourages employee involvement, and establishes trust within your organization. Doing so can enhance employee engagement and satisfaction, ultimately contributing to your company's success.
