Ever found yourself engaged in one of Netflix’s interactive specials, such as the hit Black Mirror: Bandersnatch or You vs. Wild? Or maybe you’ve been part of a live stream where your comments or votes influence what happens next? All around us, interactive entertainment has found its way into our lives, making us active participants in the content we enjoy.
Now, imagine bringing that level of engagement to the marketing world. It’s more than just a trend; it’s a response to the evolving preferences of today’s consumers. As our attention spans shrink and the demand for immersive experiences grows, Interactive Videos have become an effective tool for breaking through the noise.
In this post, we’re covering the different ways you can incorporate Interactive Videos into your marketing strategy. But first, let’s take a closer look at why using advanced Interactive Video matters. Let’s get started.
The Impact of Interactive Videos
Interactive marketing videos are a fusion of visual storytelling and user participation, offering viewers a chance to actively engage with the content. Unlike traditional videos where the audience plays a passive role, Interactive Videos empower viewers to make choices, provide input and shape the narrative according to their preferences.
There are many different types of Interactive Videos, ranging from videos with clickable hotspots and quizzes to branched “choose-your-own-adventure” storylines. This makes them an incredibly versatile tool, capable of elevating the user experience throughout the customer journey.
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For consumers, one of the biggest advantages of Interactive Video is that it puts the power back in their hands, giving them the ability to decide what information they want to view and when. It makes sense, then, that a majority of all consumers (79%) are interested in receiving Interactive Video from brands, with interest even greater among Gen Z and millennials (88%).
The nature of Interactive Videos makes them an ideal tool for keeping audiences involved and invested in the content. Whether it’s a video where your choices determine the narrative or one where you can input your information for a customized video, you can’t help but pay attention. This heightened engagement, in turn, leads to an array of meaningful results, from more shares on social media to greater conversion rates.
6 Use Cases for Interactive Marketing Videos
From handy shoppable videos to immersive employee training sessions, Interactive Videos have the power to transform the way companies connect with their customers. Let’s dive into some of the exciting possibilities that this format offers.
1. Brand Awareness
Brand awareness is a top goal for many video marketing campaigns, and when it comes to making a splash in the market, there’s not much bigger than a brand launch or rebrand. Sure, you can go the traditional route with a formal news announcement or an informative email blast. But if you’re looking to really boost brand awareness and get your audience, you need to find a way to get them involved.
With Interactive Video, you make your customers a part of your story. Use it to show, rather than tell, how you add value to their lives. EE, a major telecommunications company, did this brilliantly with its “new EE” campaign.
Created for the launch of its reimagined brand, this Interactive Video powered by Idomoo showcases how EE helps to “elevate the everyday in Home, Learn, Work and Game.” Presented with various scenarios that involved EE’s offerings, viewers were empowered to pick the choice that resonated most. As a result, the experience was tailored to each viewer, deepening the audience’s connection to the brand’s exciting new chapter.
2. Shoppable Videos
Imagine watching a video showcasing the latest fashion trends and, with a simple click, you can purchase the outfit being featured. Shoppable videos seamlessly integrate the shopping experience into the video content, letting viewers become customers in just a few clicks.
Major brands like Ikea have embraced this trend by creating Interactive Videos that allow users to learn more about an item as soon as it appears in a dynamic video. This is done by adding interactive elements to the video, such as hotspots that allow users to click on a product to learn more about it or to add it to their cart.
Check out how the retailer elevates the exciting ad below by making it easy for viewers to click and purchase its featured kitchen products. The video is below on YouTube, but you can play with the interactive version here.
Their idea was to streamline the journey between being a viewer and a shopper. By making the overall experience more enjoyable and convenient, businesses can increase the likelihood of conversion.
3. Sales Quotes and Proposals
Interactive Videos can also be used to add a personal touch to the sales process without straining your sales team. For example, you could have viewers input key information, such as their name, contact information, location and desired product or service right into the player. This information could then be used to generate a personalized quote or proposal in the form of an engaging video with scenes and information tailored to each viewer.
This is a great way to show prospects that you’re truly interested in their individual needs and that you’re willing to go the extra mile to provide them with a personalized solution. It can also help to build trust and rapport, which are essential for closing deals.
Pro tip: Be sure to add a clickable call-to-action at the end of the video, so viewers can easily take the next step following the quote or proposal. Keep the CTA clear and concise.
4. Employee Training
Employee training is another area where Interactive Videos are making a significant impact. Traditional training methods, such as lectures or slide presentations, can be unengaging. This can lead to employees losing interest and not retaining the information they need to know.
Interactive Videos, on the other hand, encourage employees to be active participants, helping them learn more effectively. Here are just a few examples of interactive elements that can be used to enhance the training process:
- Video quizzes. Have employees test their knowledge of the material as they watch the video.
- Clickable hotspots. Hotspots allow employees to click on specific objects in the video to learn more about them.
- Branching scenarios. Let employees experience common work scenarios and see how their choices affect the outcome.
For an example of how branching can be used, let’s look at major beauty brand Lancôme. We worked with them to create an interactive training video that asks employees to pick what they believe is the right response or reaction to various scenarios. Depending on their choice, the video either provides feedback and explanations for incorrect choices and congratulates employees for correct responses.
See it in action below.
By incorporating interactive elements into their training video, Lancôme ensures that its employees not only absorb information but also actively participate in the learning process.
5. Customer Onboarding
First impressions matter, especially when welcoming new customers. Interactive Videos can be an excellent way to streamline the onboarding process. You could have clickable tutorials that allow users to click on specific elements of the interface to learn more about them or interactive explainer videos that provide users with a visual overview of key features and how to use them.
For example, if you’re onboarding a new user of your graphic design platform, you could create a video that walks them through the process of creating a new design, adding various elements and downloading the design file. The video could include clickable buttons that allow users to jump to specific sections of the video or to learn more about a particular feature.
Overall, Interactive Videos are great for customer onboarding, easily engaging new users and helping them learn how to use your product or service. They can also effectively reduce the amount of time it takes for new users to get up and running, leading to increased customer satisfaction and retention.
6. Product Recommendations
Ever wished your buying experience could be like having a personal shopper or a friend guiding you through the best picks? Make that wish a reality for your customers with Interactive Video quizzes that analyze viewers’ preferences and suggest products that match their tastes.
Jewelry brand Pandora nailed this strategy with its interactive holiday campaign. Instead of showcasing products in a typical linear video, the brand spiced things up with an Interactive Video experience. Users were invited to explore influencer Jenny Cipoletti’s holiday picks through a dynamic quiz. The result? Tailored product recommendations that felt like they were handpicked just for them.
This approach not only enhances user engagement but also simplifies the discovery process, making it enjoyable for viewers to explore curated picks and enjoy a shopping experience that’s both entertaining and productive.
In addition to the examples mentioned above, there are plenty of other use cases to explore. You could shake up how you collect customer feedback by using interactive surveys. Or flip the traditional video ad experience on its head with Interactive Video ads that are so engaging your viewers forget all about the skip button. The possibilities are pretty much endless, giving you loads of creative ways to connect with your target audience and make your content stand out.
Pro tip: Working with an influencer for your video marketing content? Make sure they cross-promote your partnership as Jenny did with her Instagram post below.
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The Role of Interactive Video Platforms
One key aspect that can make or break your Interactive Video marketing strategy is the platform you choose to bring your creative vision to life. As the demand for interactive content has gone up, several platforms have emerged to make creating and distributing Interactive Video easy.
Each platform comes with its unique set of strengths and features and it’s important to explore these to find the best fit for your needs. For instance, one platform’s animation capabilities may be perfect for storytelling while another’s personalization tools might be just what you need to forge stronger connections.
Consider the technical aspects as well. Does the platform seamlessly integrate with your existing systems? Is it compatible with the distribution channels that your audiences are on? Take the time to explore and choose the Interactive Video platform that aligns seamlessly with your business. It’s the first step towards creating an unforgettable interactive experience for your audience.
Bring Video Marketing to Life With Interactivity
Here at Idomoo, we’ve seen firsthand how Interactive Videos redefine digital marketing engagement, securing results like 4x higher click-through rate and 11x more conversions for our clients.
With our user-friendly Next Generation Video Platform, you’re just a few days away from creating engaging video experiences. Whether you’re hands-on or prefer a guided experience, we can make it happen. Ready to turn your interactions into meaningful results? Let’s chat! We’ll walk you through what Interactive Video can do for you.
