Let’s be real—the words"Let’s watch our corporate video"rarely spark excitement. Most of the time, they’re met with a sigh, a glance at the clock, and a quiet hope that it’ll be over soon.

But here’s the thing: You still need a corporate video. Whether it’s for potential customers, internal culture, or investors, a corporate video can be a powerful tool—if you avoid the same tired traps that make most of them unwatchable.

In a recent video, Jake Mooney from Green Light Studio broke down exactly why most corporate videos miss the mark—and what to do instead. Watch it below.

Why So Many Corporate Videos Fall Flat

Most businesses approach their company video with the same default mindset: “Let’s show people who we are.”

The result? A checklist of clichés:

• Slow-motion handshakes
  
• Wide shots of glass buildings and people walking with purpose
  
• Voiceovers saying "innovative solutions," "cutting-edge," and "synergy"
• Employees looking at computer screens with exaggerated intensity
  

Worse still, many of these videos are made for the company itself—not for the audience. It’s an ego piece, not a helpful tool.



Let’s flip that. Here’s how.

1. Stop Making It About You

You might care deeply about your company history, your recent awards, or your new office. But your audience doesn’t—not at first.

They care about what you can do for them.

The Fix: Before writing a single line of script, ask:

• What does our audience need to hear?
  
• What are they struggling with?
  
• How do we help?
  
  

Start there. Structure the entire video around those answers.

2. Kill the Handshake

Nothing says "stock footage" like a slow-motion handshake in front of a skyline. It’s been done a thousand times—and it never says anything meaningful.

The Fix: Show real people doing real work. Not “acting productive,” but actually being useful.

Great example: The Nicholson video by Koval Digital.

• Real locations
  
• Real employees
  
• Real customer impact
  
  

No narrator talking at you—just the company’s work speaking for itself.

3. Cut the Buzzwords

"Synergy." "Next-gen solutions." "Forward-thinking tech."

These words mean nothing. They’re filler. And they make your company blend in with every other business using the same empty phrases.

The Fix:  Use plain language. Talk like a human. Better yet, let your customers talk. Their words will always sound more believable than a script written by committee.

One of the most powerful videos Jake Mooney helped create was for an NGO. They didn’t talk about their impact—they showed it through the eyes of their beneficiaries. It hit harder because it was honest.



4. No One Cares About Your Conference Room

The default location for a lot of company videos? Inside the office. Usually a sterile one.

The Fix:  Get out. Show where your work actually happens.

• If you’re in construction, film on-site.
  
• If you make products, show them being used.
  
• If you provide services, feature the people receiving them.
  
  

Your environment tells a story. Make it count.



5. If You’re Going to Be Funny, Go All In

Sometimes a video is so over-the-top it works—because it fully commits.

Case in point:This wild, ridiculous video.

It’s overproduced, dramatic, and definitely not subtle. But it works because it understands its audience and doesn’t pull punches.

The Fix:  If you’re going for humor or boldness, don’t half-step. Commit. Audiences can tell when you’re unsure.

Bonus: The Worst Corporate Video (That Somehow Still Worked)

We couldn’t resist. This one is everything wrong with corporate video:

• Rented office
  
• Rented models
  
• Rented car
  
• Epic voiceover
  
  

But here’s the thing: it understood its audience.

Yes, it was all ego. Yes, the company turned out to be a scam. But in a strange way, it highlights the one thing most real businesses forget:make your video for your audience, not yourself.

Simple Beats Scripted

If your video feels stiff, staged, or too polished—it probably is.

The best videos:

• Feel authentic
  
• Tell a simple story
  
• Show impact instead of listing accomplishments
  
  

Want to see a better way to do it? Watch Jake’s breakdown here: Why Most Corporate Videos Suck (And How to Fix Yours)

And if you're planning your own video and want it to actually connect with your audience?Grab a free marketing audit here. Let’s make sure your next video doesn’t get skipped after five seconds.