If your company is producing promotional videos, your employees aren’t just “extras.” They’re your brand ambassadors - and yes, they deserve recognition (and maybe even a bonus) for it.
I remember quietly wandering the halls of a previous company, scanning every room like an iRobot on a mission to recruit unsuspecting participants. I tried all the tricks: persuasion, pleading, emotional nudges - anything to create content.
(Pic Desc: stock photo happiness: capturing authenticity without paying for it)
But here’s the thing: nothing beats the authenticity of real employees genuinely living the brand.
That’s a win-win scenario:
Marketing saves on hiring actors
Finance skips opening a vendor account
Employees get a taste of stardom
Employer branding gets a boost
Low-cost video that actually generates leads
So how do you do it right? Go beyond a company-wide “thank you” email. Reward your participants with a day off, a gift card, or better yet…a cash bonus.
Filming can be demanding: staying late, traveling to a location, dressing to spec, memorizing lines, and yes - facing the camera-induced cringe. But your employees are your most authentic storytellers. They know your product, your culture, and often, they can deliver the message more convincingly than a hired actor.
Giving them proper recognition - whether it’s a bonus, a gift card, or time off - is a clear, tangible signal that the company values their effort and their time.
After all, happy employees make for authentic, engaging content. And authentic content works.