Onboarding videos show new hires how things are done. They’re easy to create, simple to share, and help standardize training across your team.
When you’re short on time, hands-on training isn’t always realistic.
And while manuals or checklists can help, they don’t show your team what “done right” actually looks like.
That’s where onboarding videos come in.
Onboarding videos show your team exactly what to do—whether it’s how to use a piece of equipment or where to find supplies.
From clocking in to prepping a workstation, a short, focused video lets you explain a task once, then reuse it with every new hire.
It saves time, eliminates guesswork, and helps new employees hit the ground running with confidence.
Let’s get into how to create training videos your team can watch (and rewatch) anytime.
What Are Employee Onboarding Videos?
Employee onboarding videos are short, task-focused clips that show new hires how things work on the job. Instead of relying on in-person explanations or long manuals, these videos deliver clear, visual instructions your team can watch on their own—whenever and wherever it’s convenient.
The goal isn’t to flood your new employees with hours of content. It’s to give them bite-sized guidance they can understand quickly and revisit whenever they need. Whether it’s showing how to clock in, prep a workstation, or follow a safety checklist, video lets you teach once and share many times.
Every new hire gets the same message, the same demo, and the same standard—without taking up more of your time.
Why Should I Use Onboarding Videos for My Business?
Bringing someone new onto your team is exciting, but it can also be a lot of work. When you have a business to run, it can be hard to find the time to walk every new hire through every task.
That’s where onboarding videos can really help. They turn essential training into short, easy-to-follow videos. You only have to explain something once for every new employee to get the same clear message.
Videos also meet employees where they are. Since everyone learns at a different pace, video gives employees the chance to rewatch steps until they feel confident—without having to ask someone for help every time.
Another key benefit is that the sooner someone’s trained, the sooner they can actually do the job. Especially in high-turnover roles, you can’t afford to have people on the clock who don’t know what they’re doing yet. Good onboarding bridges that gap and gets people working, faster. And when employees feel confident and supported, they’re more likely to stick around longer.
This Might Interest You
If you’re looking to track training progress and keep your onboarding organized, platforms like Connecteam make it simple. Learn more by exploring our list of the 5 Best Employee Training Tracking Software Solutions of 2025.
What Makes a Good Onboarding Video?
A great onboarding video doesn’t require fancy gear or a professional setup. It should be just as easy to make as it is for your team to watch. With just your phone, you can record anything from basic safety protocols to how to greet a customer. The goal is to create short, useful clips your team can learn from instantly.
Before you hit record, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Keep it short and focused (1–3 minutes—max!)
- Film real tasks in the actual workplace
- Stick to one topic per video
- Make it easy to watch on a mobile phone
- Speak like you’re explaining to a new hire
- Keep it simple—skip the editing
Essential Onboarding Videos to Film (+Examples)
Start by focusing on the must-have videos every new hire will need from day one. These quick, task-specific clips help reduce confusion, boost confidence, and speed up time to productivity.
Welcome Message
A welcome message from the owner, manager, or team is one of the easiest and most meaningful videos you can create. It sets the tone from day one, showing new hires that they’re not just filling a role; they’re joining a team that values them. Even a quick video that says, “We’re glad you’re here,” can go a long way. It’s a small gesture that makes a big impact.
How to Clock in and Out
Showing new hires how to clock in and out is one of the first things you should film. It removes confusion, prevents time-tracking mistakes, and helps employees feel more confident on their first day. You can show them exactly where to go, what time tracking system to use, and what a successful clock-in looks like.
Where Tools and Supplies Are
Don’t leave new hires guessing. Film a short video showing exactly where tools and supplies are kept. Walk through the workplace, open drawers or cabinets, and point out anything they’ll need on the job. It’s a small step that saves you time and answers the basic questions.
What a Good Job Looks Like
New hires need to know what a good job actually looks like. Create a video that shows the process and finished product to set clear expectations from the start.
Health & Safety Musts
No matter what industry you’re in, health and safety procedures are essential to a new employee’s onboarding. These videos can show how to wear protective gear, handle chemicals, or follow hygiene protocols—just make sure the instructions are clear and easy to remember.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before you jump in, consider these common mistakes so you can keep your onboarding videos effective and engaging:
- Creating long, boring videos
- Using jargon or overly scripted lines
- Uploading videos to platforms your team won’t use
- Assuming everyone knows how to access them
- Overloading your videos with info
- Being overly formal or generic
- Ignoring accessibility (captions, language)
- Not measuring performance
Best Practices for Using Employee Onboarding Videos
Recording a video is a great start, but how you use it can make all the difference. Think about how your team will watch them, when they’ll need them, and how you’ll keep them up to date. Here are a few tips about how to make the most out of your onboarding videos.
Frame the viewing experience
How you present a video matters just as much as the employee watching the video itself. Adding an intro like, “Watch this before your first shift,” or “Here’s how to close out the day,” gives the video purpose and context. Don’t just send a link—explain in a sentence or two why it matters to the employee and what they’ll get out of it. A clear presentation makes the content feel more useful and intentional.
Make the videos easy to access
A great video doesn’t help if no one sees it. Sharing onboarding videos in the right way makes them easy to find, watch, and use. Make sure your videos are mobile-friendly so your employees can access them easily, right from their phones. Here are a few easy ways to share videos with your team:
- Send a link via text or WhatsApp.
- Post in your team app or group chat.
- Add QR codes in key areas like break rooms or supply areas.
- Group videos into playlists by topic.
- Upload to Google Drive, YouTube, or your employee app
Did You Know?
Connecteam’s Team Chat lets you send training videos directly to new hires in a dedicated, in-app work chat so they always have key info at their fingertips.
Add human touchpoints
Videos are great for consistency, but employees still need real practice. Pair your videos with peer check-ins, team intros, and hands-on walkthroughs. A video can show how a task is done, but the real learning kicks in when employees can try it out for themselves, ask questions, and get feedback.
Keep videos fresh
Things change—procedures, equipment, even your workplace layout. Review your videos regularly and update anything that’s outdated. It’s worth updating even small changes, like a new supply location or an updated safety rule, to avoid confusion and maintain compliance.
Track learning progress
Whenever possible, use tools or platforms that let you see who’s watched what. This helps ensure everyone is actually completing their onboarding and lets you follow up if someone missed a key step. Tracking also helps you understand which videos are working and where people may be struggling.
Pro Tip
Want to take it further? Connecteam lets you organize your videos into structured onboarding courses—with checklists, quizzes, and progress tracking—all in one place.
Learn more about Connecteam’s Training & Onboarding features!
Train New Employees Faster With Connecteam
If you’re looking for a smoother, smarter way to manage onboarding, Connecteam’s employee app makes it simple. Built for real teams and real jobs, Connecteam lets you organize your training videos into structured courses, deliver them straight to your employees’ phones, and track exactly who’s watched what.
You can even add quizzes, checklists, and reminders to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. It’s everything you need to turn your videos into a complete, mobile-friendly onboarding experience, all in one place.
Try Connecteam for free today and see how easy onboarding can be.