Employee onboarding videos are no longer a “nice to have” — they’re essential tools for helping new hires connect, learn and succeed faster. When done right, these videos can improve retention, speed up time-to-productivity and build the skills that drive real business results.

In this guide, you’ll learn why onboarding videos matter, how to create them and get real examples to inspire your next project.

Why Onboarding Videos Boost Employee Engagement

Onboarding videos are effective because they create an emotional and memorable connection from the start. Video brings your company’s mission, values and culture to life in a way that words on a page simply can’t. Even a short welcome message from leadership can build instant trust and excitement.

Beyond emotional impact, videos make information easier to absorb. Visual storytelling simplifies complex topics, helping new hires retain knowledge and build skills faster. Just as important, video provides a consistent experience — ensuring every employee, regardless of location, receives the same clear, engaging message. To keep attention high and learning effective, aim to keep each video under five minutes.

What are Employee Onboarding Videos?

Onboarding videos introduce new hires to your organization — not just the “what,” but the “why” and “how.” They go beyond policies and procedures to foster connection, share expectations and support early success.

Common types of onboarding videos include company history highlights, job expectations and how-to guides for essential tools. These videos can extend beyond traditional employee orientation and can consist of safety training or more role-specific content.

Practical Tip: Balance emotional connection (e.g., mission, leadership messages) with functional information (e.g., tools, policies) across your video series.

How to Create an Onboarding Video

Creating a great onboarding video starts by identifying your learning goals. Think about the knowledge, skills or mindsets you want the new hire to develop. Clear goals will shape your video content and keep your video focused on what truly matters.

Once your goals are set, script each video around a single key idea. This keeps the content sharp and easier for employees to follow. Avoid overloading your videos with too much information. Short, targeted videos are much more effective for building engagement and knowledge retention.

After scripting, it’s time to storyboard. Sketch out the visuals and dialogue for each scene, even if it’s rough. Storyboarding helps you plan the flow of your video and can save you hours in production. This is where you also choose the right video style — whether that’s live-action footage of your team, animated explainers to visualize concepts or software tutorial recordings to demonstrate tools and systems.

With your plan ready, move into production. Record your live-action scenes with good lighting and sound, animate key concepts for clarity and use screen recording tools for step-by-step software tutorials. Mixing these different formats keeps your onboarding content dynamic and engaging for modern learners.

Finally, test your videos with a small pilot group before rolling them out across the company. Gather honest feedback about clarity, pacing and relevance. A few small adjustments after testing can make a big difference in the success of your onboarding program.

Practical Tip: Always include captions and optimize for mobile viewing to maximize accessibility.

10 Inspiring Onboarding Video Ideas

Help new hires feel informed, confident and connected from the start. Here are 10 onboarding video ideas to get started:

1. Welcome Message: A short, genuine video from your CEO or HR leader can set the tone for the entire onboarding journey and build emotional connection from day one.
2. Company Culture and Values: Instead of listing your values on a PowerPoint slide, show your company values in action through animated or real-life stories.
3. First-Day Essentials: Answer common questions like “How do I log in?” or “Where do I go for help?”
4. Company History Highlights: Share quick, fun videos that highlight the company’s history or key milestones to help employees feel part of the story.
5. How We Work: Provide clarity on tools, processes and expectations in a simple way.
6. Benefits Overview: Walk through perks, policies and wellness resources.
7. Role-Specific Training: Share specific skills and processes new hires need to know.
8. Team Introductions: Make cross-functional teams feel more approachable by sharing video bios of the team.
9. Compliance and Safety: Deliver important information in a clear, consistent way.
10. Microlearning Modules: Break content into small chunks, sharing skill-focused videos that are accessible at the time of need.

Real-World Examples From Ninja Tropic

Here are two successful onboarding projects that show these principles in action:

• The Wonderful Company: A blended microlearning approach using quick videos, short quizzes and reflections to build confidence and embed company culture from day one.
• Trupanion: Interactive onboarding videos crafted to welcome new hires with clarity and confidence. By blending real-life scenarios, guided instruction, and quizzes, We created a memorable training experience that boosts retention and fosters a strong workplace culture from day one.

To see real-world examples across industries, check out additional employee onboarding videos here.

Final Tips for Creating Engaging Onboarding Videos

Want onboarding videos that actually work? Start with these practical tips. Keep each video focused on a single idea — short, clear messages stick better and show respect for your learners’ time. Use visual storytelling instead of relying on talking heads. Mix animation, b-roll and graphics helps keep viewers engaged.

Make it human. Whenever possible, include real employees sharing real stories. Script for the ear: Write the way you speak, not the way you write. Keep the tone conversational and approachable. Design with microlearning in mind — aim for videos under five minutes, with the option to dive deeper if needed.

We believe that combining microlearning principles with a focus on building real skills leads to onboarding experiences that improve both engagement and performance.

Practical Tip: Start with three key videos that every new hire should see, then expand your library based on employee feedback and needs.

Download a Free Onboarding Video Template

Onboarding videos are more than educational tools — they’re relationship builders, skill accelerators and drivers of business success. When designed with intention, they set your employees and your business up for success from day one.

Ready to get started?

Download a free onboarding video template to streamline your process and create content that truly makes an impact.