12 Types of Videos for Businesses

Written by
Elly Henriksen
Published on
July 2, 2024
Table of contents

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Given the choice, would you prefer to read an article or watch a 2-minute video to learn about a product?

Don't worry; you can be honest with us; we promise we won't take offense. Frankly, we'd probably lean toward the video option as well.

We mean, who doesn't love a good video?

Unlike other communication tools, videos are easy to share and excellent for reaching a broader audience, conveying any message, resonating with your viewers, and building trust.

That is why incorporating video content into your marketing strategy is a must. However, to do so, you must know what kind of marketing videos are best to share your company message. 

For that, we have gathered a list of 12 must-have video types for businesses.

But before we start, let's learn why video content is so cool.

Why is video important for your business?

Regardless of your company's message or target audience, video is a compelling way to communicate your message.

Using video can increase your brand visibility, increase customer engagement, improve employee training, reach a wider audience and dramatically increase sales.

But why are videos such a powerful tool?

Here are some real statistics that show why videos are important for your business:

  • Social video generates 1200% more shares than text and image content combined.
  •  86% of marketers report that video marketing has augmented their website traffic.
  •  KISSmetrics found that videos containing calls-to-action produce 380% more clicks than other CTA methods.
  •  A recent study shows that 91% of consumers want to see more online video content from brands. 

Different types of videos for your businesses

Okay, now that you better understand why videos are a must for any business, it's time to learn the different types of videos so you can start creating your own. 

  1. Company culture videos
  2. Promotional videos
  3. FAQ videos
  4. Tutorial videos
  5. Onboarding videos
  6. Presentation videos
  7. Testimonial videos
  8. Screencast videos
  9. Live-stream videos
  10. Explainer videos
  11. Social media videos
  12. Podcast videos

1. Company culture video

Your company's culture and core values are what make it different and truly unique from others. 

That's why company culture and values videos are so important, as they help you portray your organization's ethics, work environment, and the principles that govern your business operations.

In other words, these brand videos provide a close-up of your company culture, helping potential employees, customers, and stakeholders understand what sets your business apart. 

Check out this great example of a culture and values video made with AI 👇

(Template/Example) Company Culture and Values

Company culture videos are best for

  • Recruit the best talent.
  • Differentiating yourself from the competition.
  • Building trust and loyalty with customers and employees.
  • Strengthening your brand identity and investor relations.

➡️ Click here to use this video as a template.

2. Promotional videos

Promotional videos, also known as promo videos, are a favorite among marketers; why?

Because they are made to capture the viewer's attention, tell them about what is being shown, and encourage them to buy a product or sign up for an event.

These product videos usually provide a brief but detailed overview of your message.

An excellent promotional video will make your brand stand out, create buzz and connect with the viewer on another level, everything you need to "call to action." 

For this and much more, this type of video should never be missing in your marketing strategy.

Here's a promo video example for a meal delivery company:

Magic Meal: Healthy Meals Delivered to Your Home

Promotional videos are best for

  • Promoting your company, event, or product.
  • Getting new customers.
  • Encouraging customers to take action.
  • Launching new products.
  • Driving sales.
  • Increasing social shares.
  • Driving website traffic with teaser videos.

➡️ Click here to use this video as a template.

3. FAQ Videos

If there is one thing we are sure of, it is that no matter how many times you have explained your business or your product, there will always be room for more questions.

That's why we believe FAQ videos are so helpful and essential. 

FAQ videos are an engaging and entertaining way to answer your audience's most common questions about your product, service, or company. These videos can dispel doubts, clarify important aspects of your offering and build trust between your company and your audience.

By answering questions before they are asked, FAQ videos can save your team time and effort and make your customers happier.

Take a look at the following example of an FAQ video.

What is an FAQ video?

FAQ videos are best for

  • Giving a better understanding of your company and product.
  • Addressing common concerns.
  • Enhancing customer journey.
  • Reducing support rickets or contacting customer support.
  • Onboarding & training.

4. Tutorial videos /How-to videos

How-to/ tutorial videos are perfect if you need to upskill your employees or want your clients to learn how to use your product.

Training videos are a simple guide that takes your viewers or employees step-by-step through using a product or service or performing a specific task.

These educational videos for businesses are usually simple, short, and straightforward, as their main goal is to help viewers understand and learn more easily. 

In addition, how-to videos can help customers get the most out of your products or services, as they can help solve everyday problems or answer questions. 

How-to videos provide clear, visual instructions that allow viewers to perform tasks confidently and correctly.

Did you know? 🤔

70% of customers say understanding how to use products and services is very important to winning their business.

Watch this next how-to video and learn to navigate through Gmail.

Gmail Tutorial for Beginners | 2023

Tutorial videos are best for

  • Software tutorials.
  • Learning and gaining teaching skills.
  • Internal training videos.
  • Providing instructions, regardless of the topic.
  • Teaching safety procedures.

5. Onboarding videos

Onboarding videos are short clips designed to introduce new hires to the company's culture, values, operations, etc.

Moreover, these videos educate new employees about critical topics like cybersecurity, anti-harassment, and diversity – essentially covering everything they need to ensure a positive workplace experience.

Such videos are a handy tool for helping individuals settle quickly. They offer an efficient and engaging method to welcome newcomers and seamlessly integrate new talent.

According to an HR study, employees are 69% more likely to stay with a company for three years if they experience a great onboarding process. Therefore, creating onboarding videos can significantly enhance this vital initial experience.

Below is an example of an onboarding video:

Use this employee orientation video template to impress new hires

Onboarding videos are best for

  • Gaining talent, attention, and interest in your business.
  • Helping your new hires to settle into the business.
  • Promoting a healthy work environment. 
  • Training your employees into topics like cybersecurity and diversity, to mention some. 

➡️ Click here to use this video as a template.

6. Presentation videos

This type of video for business is a dynamic, engaging, and beautiful way to convey information, ideas, or any message to an audience.

Generally, presentation videos merge visuals, storytelling, and sometimes interactive elements to craft a compelling viewing experience.

Unlike a traditional live presentation or the usual PowerPoint, these videos can be paused, rewound, and rewatched, allowing your viewers to absorb the content at their own pace and from wherever they are.

By turning your presentations into videos and sharing them, you can spread your message to a broader audience and provide valuable content to more people.

Need an example? This next TED Talk video is an excellent example of a presentation video:

The single biggest reason why start-ups succeed | Bill Gross

Presentation videos are best for  

  • Engaging audiences.
  • Online seminars, webinars, and lectures.
  • Sales pitches.
  • Training & workshops.
  • Product launches.

7. Employee and customer testimonial videos

A testimonial video is a short clip in which customers or employees talk about their experience with the product/service or their experience working for the company.

Testimonial videos capture real emotions, thoughts, tone, and body language, making them powerful marketing tools. They provide potential customers/employees with genuine feedback and evidence of the value of a product, service, and workplace experiences. 

While making testimonial videos with a written script is possible, remember that these videos aim to let people tell their stories.

Using real-life experiences, testimonial videos build trust and credibility in the company or product. 

Want to see an example? Check out the following employee testimonial video.

We Are FabFitFun: Employee Testimonial Video

Testimonial videos are best for

  • Addressing common concerns or misconceptions.
  • Humanizing your brand.
  • Highlighting different use cases.
  • Content marketing.
  • Building trust.
  • Showcasing success stories.
  • Increasing credibility in your company and product.

8. Screencast videos

Have you ever seen a video where all you see is another screen and hear a narrator's voice?

Well, if so, we want to tell you that this is precisely what screencast videos are, but let's talk a little more about this type of video, shall we?

We can say that screencast videos are recordings of a computer screen display, often accompanied by voiceover narration. These videos often demonstrate software, provide tutorials on a digital process, or guide viewers through a series of steps in a computer interface. 

Screencast videos provide a clear visual way to teach or explain digital tasks, making it easy for the audience to follow and understand specific actions or functions on a screen. 

Whether showing how the new software works or explaining a website's function, screencast videos make digital instructions simple and engaging.

Ready to see an example? Check out the video below.

Lightroom CC - Enhancing Isolated Areas of an Image with the Adjustment Brush

Screencast videos are best for

  • Tutorials and how-to videos. 
  • Software demonstrations.
  • Webinars and online classes.
  • Technical support and troubleshooting.
  • Product reviews and comparisons.
  • Feedback and collaboration

9. Live stream videos

We live in the age of live streaming, but do you know what exactly stream videos are?

Live streaming videos are real-time broadcasts shared across the Internet on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram, and Twitch, allowing viewers to witness events as they unfold.

Unlike any other type of business video, live streaming stands out for its interactive nature, allowing viewers to connect with you and others in real time. In addition, live video is a cost-effective way to communicate with large audiences.

If your viewers were unable to watch the live video, most platforms also offer the option to save the live content so that those who were unable to tune in can watch it later; here's an example of that:

Using Live Streams to get Monetized on YouTube

Live-stream videos are best for

  • Creating a video that will connect with all your viewers.
  • Promoting audience engagement.
  • Gaming demonstrations or tutorials.
  • Breaking news reports.
  • Interactive webinars and workshops.
  • Behind-the-scenes video content.
  • Q&A sessions in real-time.

10. Explainer videos

The next type of video every company should incorporate into its marketing program is an explainer video

An explainer video is a short video whose primary purpose is to explain a product, service, or concept in the simplest and most engaging way possible.

That's why most explainer videos use a lot of animated visuals accompanied by a voiceover, as this combination simplifies the narrative and keeps the viewer engaged. 

Thanks to the idea of "the simpler, the better" that characterizes explainer videos, they are perfect for explaining complex and abstract concepts.

The following video is an example of an explainer video:

Card Perks: SureSecure Travel Insurance

Explainer videos are best for 

  • Introducing new products/services.
  • Breaking down complex topics.
  • Boosting engagement.
  • Strengthening your brand identity.
  • Training or onboarding.
  • Reinforcing marketing campaigns.

➡️ Click here to use this video as a template.

11. Social media videos

If you have a business in the 21st century, it's impossible not to think about making social media videos.

Social media videos are clips created for sharing on various online platforms. They are designed to elicit interactions, such as "likes" and "shares," and are often tailored to each platform's style.

These videos come in various formats, from short snippets on platforms such as TikTok to longer content videos on YouTube. 

Whether promoting a brand, showcasing a tutorial, or jumping into a trending challenge, they should conclude with a call to action. 

Still not clear about these videos? We found the following social media video to give you an example.

duolingo🦉🟩single handedly being the funniest owl on tiktok for 3:30 mins straight

Social media videos are best for

  • Increasing brand awareness.
  • Engaging with audiences
  • Driving sales and share promotions.
  • Educating and informing.
  • Telling stories that help build loyalty.
  • Humanizing your brand.
  • Jumping on trends that can help you gain visibility.
  • Shearing important announcements and updates.

12.  Podcast video

A video podcast production, or "vodcast," is a video created alongside traditional audio podcasting

The video podcast provides a more immersive experience for viewers, as it helps them connect with the speakers and they can see who they are. In addition, adding video can clarify some topics, effectively showcase products and display visual cues or answers that, with audio alone, might go unnoticed.

This type of video format ranges from podcast hosts engaging in conversation to animations, interviews, or on-site filming, and the following video is an excellent example of this:

VLL #15 - Making Training Videos in the Era of Gen AI /w Josh Cavalier

Podcast video productions are best for

  • Engaging with a wider audience. 
  • Showcasing physical products.
  • Incorporating demonstrations if needed.
  • Building a stronger community.
  • Diversifying your content.
  • Enhancing your storytelling.

Empower your business through engaging videos

In today's digital era, creating engaging videos for your business is not a luxury but a necessity. 

Whether you're diving into video podcasts, training new employees, or creating brand videos to share your unique company story with the world, the right tools can make all the difference because it's not about how many types of videos you create for your company, it's about the quality of the video.

And believe us when we tell you choosing the right tool matters when creating your videos. 

Want to improve your video marketing strategy? Explore the future of video creation with Synthesia's Business Video Maker, and experience the simplicity of creating powerful videos today.

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