How to Recognize Employees Using Video
Knowing how to recognize employees effectively can make all the difference in fostering a positive, productive workplace. Employee recognition isn’t just a feel-good initiative—it’s a crucial factor in fostering productivity, engagement, and retention.
Incorporating video into your recognition strategy amplifies this impact by capturing employees’ achievements and emotions in a powerful, memorable way. Whether shared internally or publicly, these videos make employees feel valued, seen, and inspired to contribute to the company’s success.
Here’s how to make the most of video to recognize employees and strengthen your organization’s culture.
First: Interviewing Employees Is a Form of Recognition!
Before you even hit “record,” there’s a form of recognition happening. When an employee is selected to appear in a company video, it signals that their contributions are important and worth celebrating. This honor alone can be a significant boost to their morale and pride in their work.
“My interview last week was a great experience! Rarely do we get an opportunity to reflect on everything we have done, and the learnings along the way. Thank you very much for considering me for this. Really appreciate the opportunity to contribute and share my journey.”
Employee storyteller participant, Global tech company
Even if the video will be for employer branding or recruitment purposes, don’t miss the chance to use the experience as a form of recognition. Make it clear that they’re chosen because they represent the type of talent, dedication, and passion the company wants to highlight.
Amplify Employee Milestones with Employee Spotlights Videos
Employee milestones like anniversaries, promotions, awards, or project completions are perfect opportunities to celebrate your people through video. Instead of (or in addition to!) sending a traditional congratulatory email, use this inflection point to ask employees to reflect on their journey and contributions at your company. Virtual filming options allow you to do this on-demand.
Use these interviews to create employee spotlights that recognize their contributions, like this video from LexisNexis highlighting digital marketer Tykori’s impact on a Black History Month campaign:
Share Videos at Key Company Moments
For maximum impact, share these recognition videos at major company events like all-hands meetings, team retreats, or leadership summits. This transforms the act of recognition into a shared experience and reinforces a culture of appreciation and respect across the organization. When employees see their colleagues being celebrated in a public forum, it sends a message that the company genuinely values each person’s contributions.
We work with a leading gaming company to create videos for their annual core value awards ceremony. Here are real quotes from audience members after watching the videos:
- “I’d write more but I’m crying too much. Everyone is so deserving and incredible here! Congrats all!”
- “This was such a neat concept. These reveals are super endearing”
- “This is the best award ceremony ever. This is so inspiring and I’m smiling the whole way through. Huge congrats to all the wonderful winners!!!”
Sharing these videos during key moments also brings everyone into the celebration. Employees get to see their peers’ achievements, and leaders have the opportunity to emphasize the behaviors, accomplishments, and values they want to promote across the organization.
Amplify Recognition on Social Media
Social media is a powerful platform for employee recognition. By sharing employee spotlight videos on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook—and if your posting guidelines allow, tagging the featured employees—you extend the recognition beyond the company walls. Public recognition not only gives employees an extra dose of appreciation but also showcases your company culture in a genuine way to potential candidates and clients.
In this Instagram post from The Knot Worldwide, they celebrate (by name!) the work of Community Experience Coordinator Eryn Frazier.
Social media posts celebrating real employees also allows others to cheer them on. Colleagues, friends, and family members can join in, creating an uplifting and positive atmosphere around your brand. This strategy is not only good for employee morale but also strengthens your employer brand by showing the company’s commitment to its people.
How to Recognize Employees? Use Video!
Recognizing employees through video offers a unique, impactful way to show appreciation. It’s a medium that captures emotions and stories in a way that few others can, allowing you to celebrate employees meaningfully.
When employees feel recognized and appreciated, they’re more engaged, more committed, and more motivated to contribute to the company’s success. By using video to celebrate your people, you not only support a positive company culture but also create lasting moments of recognition that resonate well beyond the screen.