Content That Connects: Elevating the Onboarding Experience

In the latest episode of the CA3 Cup of Tea Podcast, host Sarah Wardle sat down with Seenit Founder & CEO Emily Forbes to unpack the growing importance of authentic video storytelling, especially when it comes to onboarding and employee engagement.

With smaller teams, tighter budgets, and the rise of AI-generated content, Emily made one thing clear: authentic human voices are now non-negotiable.

👉 Listen to the full episode here

The Trust Crisis in Content

In a world where audiences can spot “polished corporate” a mile away, trust and transparency are what cut through the noise.

• Authenticity builds connection: Job seekers want to see real people and real stories, not scripted soundbites.

• Storytelling gives meaning: A narrative turns information into something relatable and memorable.

• Overly polished hurts more than helps: Leaders reading from a script often lose the very trust they’re trying to build.

Beating the “Honeymoon Hangover” in Onboarding

The onboarding phase is a golden moment to sustain excitement and build confidence.

• Content must connect: Keep it human, celebratory, and bite-sized.

• Drip, don’t dump: Deliver content gradually at key moments in the new hire journey.

• Personalise it: Tailor content by role, level, and location to make new joiners feel seen.

• Celebrate the small stuff: Everyday team moments matter more than polished brand videos.

Leadership Visibility & Employee Advocacy

Authenticity starts at the top.

• Leaders must be visible: Silent leadership equals zero impact.
  Find their comfort zone: Whether it’s written notes, candid videos, or voice messages, find what feels natural.

• Empower new joiners: Onboarding is the perfect time to spark employee advocacy by inviting them to share their stories early.

Turning Authenticity into Action

Choose the right format for each platform and audience:

Emily even shared how one global organisation used “10 words or less” role videos to boost hiring. It led to 21 good fit qualified applications for one particular highly skilled tech role and a 200% increase in Instagram views. Proof that simplicity and humanity directly impact engagement. 

Measuring What Matters

Success isn’t just about views. Key metrics include:

• View-Through Rates: Are people watching to the end?

• Click-Through Rates: Does it drive the next action?

• Employee Resharing: Are people proud enough to share it?

• Engagement Scores (e.g., via Eli Insights): Are new hires consuming what they need, when they need it?

Final Thought

In a world overflowing with AI-made noise, the most powerful content is still human.When employees and especially new hires see themselves represented in the story, connection, trust, and belonging naturally follow. Bringing these human stories into the preboarding and onboarding experience means new hires get to connect with your organisation and feel a sense of belonging before day one - meaning higher productivity, reduced reneges and attrition, and, ultimately, happier and more engaged employees.