Most businesses know they need video. The harder question is which kind. A brand film, a product video, and a recruitment video can all be called “corporate videos,” but each one does a different job for a different audience.
Choosing the wrong type is one of the most common reasons a video underperforms. A polished brand film will not explain your product to a buyer who is ready to purchase. A quick social clip will not convince a job seeker to join your company.
This guide covers eight types of corporate videos, what each one is for, and when to use it. If you are looking for corporate video ideas for the year ahead, it is a good place to start.
8 Types of Corporate Videos
Each type below includes what it is, when to use it, and one tip to make it work.
1. Brand Film
A brand film tells the story of who you are and why your company exists. It focuses on values, people, and purpose rather than specific products.
When to use it: on your homepage, About page, and in investor or partner presentations. It works best when people decide whether they trust you.
Tip: Lead with a story, not a list of services. Viewers remember how a brand film made them feel far longer than the facts it contained.
2. Commercial
A commercial is a short, persuasive video built to drive one action, such as a purchase, a sign-up, or a visit. It usually runs 15 to 60 seconds.
When to use it: for paid campaigns on TV, YouTube, and social platforms, and for product launches or seasonal promotions.
Tip: Build the whole commercial around one message. Plan shorter cutdowns from the start so the same shoot can supply ads of different lengths.
3. Product Video
A product video shows what you sell and how it works. It can be a cinematic showcase, a feature walkthrough, or a demonstration of the product in real use.
When to use it: on product pages, in online stores, in sales presentations, and at trade shows. It helps buyers who are close to making decisions.
Tip: Show the product solving a real problem. Close-up detail shots combined with real-world use are more convincing than either one alone.
4. Customer Testimonial Video
A testimonial video features real customers describing their experience with your business. It is one of the most persuasive types of corporate videos because praise comes from someone other than you.
When to use it: on landing pages, in sales follow-ups, and in social ads aimed at people already considering you.
Tip: Do not script your customers. Ask good questions and let them answer in their own words. Specific results sound far more believable than general compliments.
5. Recruitment and Culture Video
A recruitment video shows what it is like to work at your company. It features your team, your workplace, and the reasons people choose to stay.
When to use it: on your careers page, in job listings, on LinkedIn, and at hiring events.
Tip: Let employees speak for themselves. Real people describing real workdays build more trust than a polished script read by a presenter.
6. Training and Onboarding Video
Training videos teach employees or customers how to do something, from company policies to using a product. They replace repeated live sessions with content people can watch at any time.
When to use it: for onboarding new hires, explaining processes, and supporting customers after purchase.
Tip: Keep each video focused on one task. A series of short videos is easier to follow and update than one long recording.
7. Event Coverage and Live Streaming
Event videos capture conferences, product launches, galas, and sporting events. They can be streamed live, edited into a recap afterwards, or both.
When to use it: whenever your event matters to people who cannot attend in person, or when you want to reuse its best moments for marketing.
Tip: Plan the recap before the event. Knowing which moments, speakers, and sponsors to capture makes the edit faster and the result stronger.
8. Social Media Content
Social media videos are short, often vertical clips made for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube Shorts. They keep your brand visible between larger campaigns.
When to use it: on a regular schedule, to build awareness and stay in front of your audience.
Tip: Capture social content during your larger shoots. One production day can supply weeks of short clips when it is planned that way from the start.
Types of Corporate Videos briefly
Use this table to compare the eight types of side by side. Lengths are typical ranges, not fixed rules.
| Video type | Best for | Typical length | Where it runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand film | Building trust and recognition | 1-3 minutes | Homepage, About page, presentations |
| Commercial | Driving one action | 15-60 seconds | TV, YouTube, social ads |
| Product video | Helping buyers decide | 30 seconds-2 minutes | Product pages, sales calls, trade shows |
| Testimonial video | Proving results | 1-2 minutes | Landing pages, sales follow-ups |
| Recruitment video | Attracting talent | 1-2 minutes | Careers page, LinkedIn, job listings |
| Training video | Teaching a task | 2-5 minutes each | Internal platforms, help centers |
| Event coverage | Reaching remote audiences | Live, plus a 1–3-minute recap | Live stream platforms, website, social |
| Social media content | Staying visible | 15-60 seconds | Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Shorts |
How to Choose the Right Type of Corporate Video
Start with your goal, not the format. Ask three questions:
What should the viewer do after watching it?
Buy, apply, trust you, or learn something? Each answer points to a different type.
Where is the viewer on their journey?
People discovering your brand need a brand film or social content. People close to buying need product and testimonial videos.
Where will the video be seen?
A homepage, a paid ad, and an internal training portal each call for a different length and style.
Most businesses do not need all eight at once. A practical starting point is one brand film for credibility, one product or testimonial video for sales, and a steady flow of social content to stay visible.
You also do not need separate shots for each one. With a full-scale production service, a single well-planned production can supply a brand film, product shots, testimonials, and social clips together. Before you begin, a clear video production brief helps the team plan every version you need.
Find the Right Video for Your Business
The best types of corporate videos for your business depend on what you want people to do next. A brand film builds trust, commercial drives action, and testimonials prove results. Social content keeps you visible in between.
Start with one or two types that match your most important goal, measure what works, and build from there.
Not sure which type of video your business needs first? Contact us and tell us about your goals. We will help you choose the right mix and plan a production that gets the most from your budget.