How can you use video to effectively communicate with stakeholders?

1 Know your purpose

Before you create or share a video, you need to define your purpose and your audience. What do you want to achieve with your video? What information do you want to convey? Who are your stakeholders and what are their needs and expectations? Knowing your purpose will help you choose the right format, tone, and content for your video. For example, if you want to update your stakeholders on the progress of a project, you might use a short and concise video report. If you want to persuade them to support a change initiative, you might use a longer and more emotional video story.

3 Choose your platform

Another important aspect of video communication is choosing the right platform to deliver your video. There are many options available, such as live streaming, webinars, video calls, or recorded videos. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your purpose and audience. For example, live streaming can create a sense of urgency and interaction, but it also requires more preparation and technical skills. Webinars can allow you to share more information and resources, but they also need more engagement and feedback. Video calls can foster personal relationships and collaboration, but they also depend on the quality of the connection and the equipment. Recorded videos can give you more control and flexibility, but they also need more editing and distribution.

4 Practice your delivery

One of the key factors that can make or break your video communication is your delivery. You want to be confident, professional, and authentic. You can practice your delivery by rehearsing your script, using a teleprompter or notes, and recording yourself. You can also ask for feedback from a colleague or a friend, and make adjustments as needed. You should also pay attention to your voice, body language, and eye contact. You want to speak clearly, modulate your tone and pace, and avoid filler words or jargon. You want to use gestures, facial expressions, and posture to convey your emotions and enthusiasm. And you want to look at the camera, not the screen, to create a connection with your audience.

5 Engage your audience

Finally, you want to engage your audience and make your video communication interactive and memorable. You can do this by asking questions, inviting comments, soliciting feedback, or providing polls or quizzes. You can also use stories, anecdotes, or examples to illustrate your points and make your video more relatable. You can also use humor, emotion, or surprise to capture your audience's attention and interest. And you can end your video with a clear call to action, a summary, or a thank you note. You want to leave your audience with a positive impression and a clear understanding of your message.

Video communication can be a great way to communicate with stakeholders, if you use it wisely and effectively. By following these tips, you can create and share videos that will help you achieve your goals, build trust, and engage your audience.