Experts believe interactive videos are a must-have in your brand marketing toolkit in 2021.
Interactive videos let your viewers have a deeper immersive experience by giving them more control over it. No wonder why they work great for improving brand engagement, so much so that they can increase viewing time by a surprising 47 percent and purchase intent by as much as 9 times, compared to traditional video format.
If you were looking for a guide to creating interactive videos that also includes examples for your inspiration, you have come to the right page! In this post, we share with you our time-tested tips for creating interactive videos that always work, and highlight how other brands have used them in the past. But first, let’s understand what interactive videos are best used for.
An interactive video, as opposed to a traditional video, allows the viewers to directly interact with the content presented in the video. If your goal is to get the best return on your investment, interactive videos are best used for:
Step #1: Define your goals
When you are defining your goals, it’s good to be as specific as possible. Make sure you define the figures using the right metrics, along with a well-defined time frame.
Step #2: Have a clear vision for what you want to create
In order to have the best outcome, it’s important to have a clear vision of how you want your video to look and feel. Make a note of all the interactive elements you would like to incorporate in your video and how they will make your video stand out.
Step #3: Create a perfect storyline
Ask yourself what story do you want to share with the viewers. Define at which points in your storyline do you want to provide the users with interactive moments. Based on this, create an interactive flow map, which will take into account all the possible inputs received from the viewers and change the storyline depending on what option the viewer has selected.
Step #4: Prepare your script
Once you have created an outline, it’s time to write your script. Make sure it’s memorable and engaging for your audience. Keep in mind how the viewers will interact with this content and all the potential paths that the story may take. Having said this, avoid making the script too lengthy.
Step #5: Create your final storyboard
Now that you have a storyline, an interactive flow map, and a script, you are now ready to piece them together and create your storyboard. Make sure you find it easy to navigate through all the versions of your story. Decide where you would like the interactive elements to appear on the screen and whether you would want them to be static or dynamic.
Step #6: Create your video
It’s time to create your video, based on the defined storyline. Decide whether you would want your video to use recorded footage or animation, and make sure it suits your original vision.
Step #7: Add the interactive elements to your video
This is the most important part: video editing and adding the interactive elements to it one by one.
Step #8: Testing
Before you finally upload your video, test out each of the different options and click on every interactive element, just to make sure everything is working as expected.
This shoppable interactive video ad by Rituals had a great impact on their audience. It is believed to have recorded 9 times higher interaction rate and up to five times more engagement, making it 32% more memorable compared to traditional videos. The video had tactful placement of Rituals’ products in a way that it doesn’t just sell their products, but also a lifestyle!
If you’re wondering if it’s possible to make an interactive video so good that it could literally save someone’s life, this is the kind of video you were hoping to watch. It helps the viewers become better decision-makers for situations when someone around them is in a life-threatening situation and they need to offer immediate help. It’s also a great example of how to use interactive videos as an educational tool.
When Samsung had to launch their Gear VR product, they came up with this 3D interactive video that features a fascinating first-person story, narrated by Ian Walsh, a renowned professional surfer. It gives the viewers a realistic perspective of how it actually feels like to ride the waves as a surfer. With the help of this 360-degree VR experience, Samsung makes the viewers forget they are watching an advertisement and gets to sell their product without even selling it.
Considering the fact that as much as two-thirds of video views (globally) come from mobile devices, Hyundai designed this interactive video targeting mobile users. The video lets the viewers test drive the Elantra and explore its features, while grabbing their attention from the very beginning by using an upbeat, funky soundtrack, along with seamless video transitions. Impressive!
Initially, it may seem like any other 60-second explainer video, but upon looking closely you will find multiple interactive hotspots embedded in the video, placed in a subtle way to avoid the viewers from getting distracted. The video managed to achieve an amazing 50% interaction rate, with around 3.1 interactions per viewer. Another good example of how you can avoid being “in their face” and still manage to keep it interactive!
Interactive videos are incredibly versatile and proven to be more engaging than many other online media formats, which makes them well worth the investment. Most importantly, by recording viewer engagement, it becomes easier to get deeper insights into a wide range of important metrics and understand your audience better.
So, if you were planning to create a stunning interactive video to share on social media or publish on your website, get in touch with our team of video production experts today!
