Let’s get this straight: how often do you sit at your computer and listen to a video on the internet and follow along? You, for the most part, have little chance.
So welcome interactive videos — the future of digital entertainment, and perhaps the magic pill for our attention deficits.
Well, before you roll your eyes at another “tech trend” post, listen to me. This is not merely about animation or cute little features. With polls, quizzes, and other interactive content embedded into the videos, brands are reinventing their relationship with their customers. And believe me, it’s a lot more fun than it sounds.
Let’s dive in and discover why everyone from marketers to educators are loving this interactive revolution.
Why It’s More Important Than Ever To Connect In Real Life.
Why Interaction Matters More Than Ever
We live in a world of distractions. Social media, push notifications, feeds full of content – all competing for our attention. static pages, such as videos, are hard to distinguish.
That’s where interactive videos come in.
Key Benefits of Interactive Content:
- Better Engagement: People actively interact, making the experience memorable.
- Increased Retention: As you engage with the material, you remember it better.
- Deeper Insights:Polls and quizzes give creators important insights into the people they are targeting.
- Personalized Experiences:Customizable content engages audiences.
- Who Should Use It?
Who Should Use It?
Anyone that wants to engage their viewers. These range from marketers to trainers, writers and even HR departments for training on-site.
If you want people to participate instead of watching you, then you are in the right place.
Polls – Giving Your Audience a Voice
Suppose you’re watching a cooking show, and halfway through the tutorial you see a question: Do you prefer sweet or savory foods? Suddenly, you feel seen. That tiny interaction is what gets you more involved in the video.
Why Polls Work:
- Instant Feedback:Customers provide brands with an instant insight into their opinions.
- Boosts Connection:Viewers know they are heard.
- Encourages Sharing: People like to talk about what they like, and this leads to more sharing and discussions.
Examples of Effective Polls:
- E-commerce:”You like the color of this product best?”
- Entertainment: “Who’s your favourite character so far?”
- Education: “What do we want to discuss next?”
Recommendation:
Use polls sparingly but strategically. You can use them to get an idea of how people like something or to initiate a discussion. Suitable for brands who want to foster community and loyalty.
Quizzes – Learning Meets Entertainment
Quizzes are no longer a BuzzFeed or trivia-night exclusive. And they’re increasingly being used in animated videos to educate and amuse.
Why Quizzes Are a Hit:
- Tests Knowledge: Perfect for tutorial or learning materials.
- Adds Fun: Who doesn’t like to figure out “What Kind of Coffee is Your Type?”
- Drives Engagement: They stay longer to complete the quiz.
Successful Quiz Applications:
- Education: Measure knowledge of something, such as mathematics or history.
- Marketing: Let consumers find what is right for them.
- Entertainment:Video-related personality tests.
Recommendation:
Quizzes are ideal for areas such as education, lifestyle, even medicine. All you need to do is make sure that the questions are meaningful and valuable to the viewer.
Branching Scenarios – Choose Your Own Adventure
Remember those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? That idea is now embodied through online videos. When watching branching scenarios, the viewer makes decisions that impact the plot or outcomes.
Why They’re So Effective:
- Immersive Experience:Audiences enjoy having a say in the story.
- Highly Memorable: Individualized excursions become unforgettable.
- Practical Applications:Perfect for games, practice, and animation.
Use Cases:
- Training: Show employees how to handle different customer situations.
- Storytelling:Let the audience decide how a story develops.
- E-commerce:Identify the perfect product for consumers based on their selections.
Recommendation:
Branching examples are ideally suited for training, games, and entertainment. They’re harder to create but give you unmatched action.
Data Collection – The Hidden Gem of Interactivity
Polls and quizzes aren’t just for fun; they’re data hogs. With every click, selection and response, makers get a better understanding of their target.
Key Benefits:
- Understand Preferences:Know what interests your viewers.
- Refine Strategies: Learn from the data to optimize for the future.
- Targeted Marketing: Personalize offers based on user engagement.
Real-World Example:
Suppose that a fitness brand takes a quiz to understand a user’s workout preference. The findings might help guide their next video, or even personal product recommendations.
Recommendation:
If you’re a marketer or a brand, don’t make interactive videos for hours on end. Take the data and tweak your approach and strengthen relationships.
Tools to Create Interactive Videos
This sounds daunting, but a couple of platforms make it really straightforward to create interactive videos:
Popular Tools:
- Vidyard: For selling/marketing videos.
- Interlude (now Eko): For narrative and branching cases.
- Kaltura: Perfect for school and workplace training.
- H5P: Open-source and beginner-friendly.
- Rapt Media: Experts in immersive content.
Recommendation:
Pick a tool that suits your requirement and budget. Many have free trials, so give them a try.
The Future of Interactive Videos
Interactive videos are only getting better as the technology develops.
Consider AI-assisted personalization, real-time reporting and cross-platform integration. These videos will soon not only entertain us but predict what we want.
Trends to Watch:
- AI Integration: Personalize content based on user actions.
- Augmented Reality (AR): Blend AR with interactivity to deliver an interactive experience.
- Live Interactivity: Polls and quizzes in real time during live streams.
Final Thoughts
Interactive videos are not a dying art form, they’re the next big thing in content consumption. Polls and quizzes bring passive spectators to life, building connections and improving outcomes.
So, whether you’re a marketer looking to increase sales, a teacher wanting to attract students, or a brand looking to be unique, you’ll want to consider interactive videos.
What do you think? Have you ever attempted to create or consume interactive videos? Tell us about your experience and thoughts below. Let’s keep the conversation going!