Capturing your audience’s attention is harder than ever in today’s digital world, where information saturation is common and attention spans are getting shorter. Businesses and content creators are using a video first strategy to stand out in the competitive digital world by utilising interactive video content to engage and fascinate their viewers.

The Power of Video First Strategy

The idea behind a “Video First Strategy” is straightforward but very effective: give priority to video production above all else. This means that you use video as your main medium if you have a message to deliver or a story to tell. Why? because static text or photos are less interesting and exciting than moving images.

          Video enables you to communicate information, tone, and context in addition to information. It enables you to establish a more personal connection with your audience, building trust and commitment. The real brilliance of a video first strategy, though, is in its capacity to move beyond passive viewing as we know it.

Interactive Video: The Game Changer

The Video First Strategy is advanced through the use of interactive video. The viewer is changed from being a passive observer to being an active participant. Imagine being able to click on objects in a video to learn more about them or making decisions that affect what happens as you watch it. The level of interest generated by interactive video is what makes it so captivating.

          One of the key benefits of interactive video is that it encourages viewers to spend more time with your content. When viewers are actively engaged in making choices and exploring the video, they are more likely to stay engaged for longer periods. This extended engagement can lead to a deeper understanding of your message and a stronger connection with your business

Creating Interactive Video Content

Creating interactive video content may sound complex, but it’s more accessible than ever thanks to various tools and platforms. Here are some essential steps to take first:

• Define Your Objectives:  Determine your objectives before beginning to produce interactive video content. What are your goals for your audience—education, entertainment, or engagement? Understanding your objectives will guide the content creation process.
• Storyboard Your Story: Create a defined storyline at the beginning, just as with any video project. Outline the narrative’s curve, key moments, and key choices so that viewers can participate.
• Choose the Right Tools:  For making interactive videos, there are several tools and platforms available, from specialised software to online platforms. Choose the one that aligns with your needs and budget.
• Design for Engagement: Ensure that your interactive elements are intuitive and easy to use. Try to avoid giving viewers too many options or complicated interactions.
• Test and Iterate: Test your interactive video with a small group of people first to get feedback before making it available to the general audience. Utilise this feedback to enhance and improve the experience.

Benefits of Interactive Video Content

         Interactive video content has many advantages, making it a desirable choice among businesses and content producers:

• Increased Engagement: Interactive videos hold viewers’ attention for longer durations, leading to higher engagement rates compared to traditional videos.
• Better Understanding: You may deliver complex material in a way that is easier to understand and remember by letting visitors explore and engage with the content.

• Data Collection: Interactive videos can gather valuable data on viewer behavior, preferences, and choices, helping you refine your content and marketing strategies.

• Personalization: Make the watching experience more relevant and individualised by customising it based on user preferences.

• Brand Differentiation: Using interactive video sets your brand apart as innovative and forward-thinking, helping you stand out in a competitive landscape.

Real-World Examples

         Let’s look at a few real-life examples to show the effectiveness of interactive video content:

• Netflix’s “Bandersnatch”: This interactive film allows viewers to make choices that shape the outcome of the story. It attracted an abundance of interest and showed what interactive narrative can be capable of.

• Tasty’s Cooking Videos: Tasty, a popular food-focused digital media brand, often uses interactive elements in its cooking videos. Clicking on ingredients or steps allows viewers to get additional information or jump to certain sections of the recipe.

• eLearning Platforms: Interactive video is a game-changer for eLearning. Platforms like Coursera and edX use interactive videos to enhance the learning experience, enabling quizzes, branching scenarios, and more.

          An interactive video first strategy can be an innovator in a world where focus is in limited supply. It enables you to keep your audience interested in and involved in the content in addition to gaining their attention. The scope for interactive video is limitless as technology develops, and those who use it are certain to engage their audiences like never before. So, if you haven’t already, it’s time to give preference to video and explore the world of interactive content to leave a lasting impression on your viewers.