How to Build an Affordable, Scalable Onboarding Program with AI Video

Traditional employee onboarding often feels like drinking from a firehose—overwhelming information dumps that leave new hires confused rather than confident. I've seen firsthand how AI video onboarding changes this dynamic completely, transforming complex training materials into engaging, digestible content that new employees actually remember.

With our AI video onboarding solution at Synthesia, you can create, update, and translate professional training content in minutes instead of months, all while cutting your production budget by 70% or more.

Create Your AI Onboarding Videos

Step 1: Define Your Onboarding Content (15-30 minutes)

1. Map your onboarding journey from pre-boarding through the first 90 days
2. Break content into key categories:
3. Company Culture: Mission, values, history
4. Compliance: Legal training, safety procedures
5. Technical Skills: Systems and tools
6. Social Integration: Team introductions
7. Tip for Success: I recommend creating "micro modules" of 2-4 minutes each instead of long videos for better retention

Step 2: Prepare Your Scripts (30-60 minutes)

1. Gather existing materials (handbooks, slide decks, training manuals)
2. Transform formal documentation into conversational scripts:
3. Before: "Employees must complete compliance training within 30 days."
4. After: "Welcome! You'll need to finish your compliance training within your first 30 days with us."
5. Common Mistake to Avoid: Using technical jargon or overly formal language that sounds unnatural when spoken
6. Use our AI Video Assistant to help draft conversational scripts faster

Step 3: Create Your Videos (10-15 minutes per video)

1. Log in to Synthesia and choose a template or start with a blank canvas
2. Select an AI avatar that represents your company culture from our 230+ options
3. Paste your script and watch as the AI avatar brings it to life
4. Add supporting visuals like screenshots or diagrams to reinforce key points
5. Validation Checkpoint: I always recommend previewing your video to ensure the avatar's delivery sounds natural

Step 4: Localize and Personalize (5-10 minutes per language)

1. Use our AI to instantly translate videos into any required language
2. Select diverse avatars that represent your workforce
3. Add personalized touches:
4. Welcome messages from team leaders
5. Custom greetings with the new hire's name
6. Location-specific information
7. Alternative Approach: For highly specialized content, I suggest creating custom avatars that look like your CEO or HR director

Step 5: Review and Publish (15-30 minutes)

1. Preview videos to ensure content flows naturally
2. Share drafts with stakeholders from different departments
3. Have a recent hire review for clarity and comprehension
4. Export in your preferred format or use our sharing options:
5. LMS integration
6. Direct link sharing
7. Upload to communication platforms
8. Troubleshooting Tip: If stakeholders request changes, you can edit just the affected sections without recreating the entire video

What Is AI Video Onboarding?

AI video onboarding uses text-to-video technology to create professional training videos with AI avatars and synthetic voices. Our technology transforms scripts into engaging videos using AI-generated presenters who can speak in over 140 languages, making video creation as simple as writing an email.

Why AI Video Onboarding Is Affordable And Scalable

Reduced Production Costs

Our AI video creation cuts production costs by over 70% compared to traditional video. With AI video, you're primarily paying for the platform subscription and time spent writing scripts, eliminating camera equipment, studio rental, and editing expertise.

Faster Updates

When policies change, I've found you can simply edit the text and regenerate the video in minutes rather than scheduling new filming sessions and extensive re-editing.

Consistent Quality Worldwide

Create content once and instantly translate it into over 140 languages with the same AI avatars speaking fluently in each language, ensuring every employee receives the same high-quality experience.

Maintain & Update Your Content

I recommend creating a quarterly review schedule for rapidly changing information and annual reviews for stable content. When updates are needed:

1. Edit the script in Synthesia
2. Regenerate the video (takes minutes)
3. Replace the outdated version in your systems

Common update triggers include policy changes, product updates, team changes, and process improvements.

Best Practices For Success

• Start Small: Begin with 2-3 core modules before expanding
• Keep Videos Short: I strongly advise aiming for under 5 minutes per video for better retention
• Leverage Templates: Use our onboarding templates for professional quality
• Batch Approvals: Have legal, HR, and communications teams review scripts together
• Measure Effectiveness: Track completion rates and gather feedback from new hires

Real-World Impact

Companies using our AI video onboarding report creating content up to 90% faster while reducing production budgets by 70% or more. I've seen organizations typically cut overall onboarding time by 50% while improving knowledge retention through consistent messaging, engaging visuals, and bite-sized content.

FAQs About AI Video Onboarding

How secure is AI video onboarding?We maintain enterprise-grade security with SOC 2 compliance and do not train our AI on your content.

What technical skills are needed?If you can create a PowerPoint presentation, you can create AI videos using our intuitive interface.

Can AI video completely replace in-person training?In my experience, AI video works best as part of a blended approach, handling consistent information delivery while in-person sessions focus on relationship-building.

How do employees respond to AI avatars?Research shows 92% of employees find AI avatars engaging and effective for learning.

Ready to transform your onboarding? Create your first AI onboarding video for free and experience how our technology can revolutionize how you welcome new team members.