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How to engage your audience using new video trends

Readers, users and potential customers have access to content 24 hours a day.
How do you truly engage with them?
Thanks to digital marketing it is easier than ever to reach out to your target audience. Almost every demographic spends hours a day on social media and online, meaning it is easy to get in front of the right people based on their interests.The issue that so many brands struggle with is not just how to get in front of users, but how to be sure to get them curious enough to hold on to their attention. This is a huge challenge as consumers come across hundreds of marketing messages as they go about their day.

Using video to get ahead

In 2016, Facebook updated its algorithm to favour video, giving priority to this medium over static pictures or lines of text. According to website Entrepreneur, it is much more effective for a content creator to produce a one-minute video instead of 500-word article with the exact same content. The publication explains that video content is on a mind-blowing rise and that it is more engaging because of its ability to involve multiple senses. Indeed, YouTube reports a 100% rise in mobile video consumption every year.
People aren’t just watching video, they’re using it to research purchases. Effectively too – marketing destination Hubspot reports that 64% of users are more likely to purchase a product online after watching a video.

Video for business

Major brands are harnessing the power of video up front and centre, with examples on the Microsoft HoloLens website and the homepage of Alaska Tours.
Popular CRM Zendesk has a homepage video execution, as do clothing brand Uniqlo and portable camera sellers GoPro (which makes sense!).
Beginning a user experience with video makes sense as the medium is a short, intense and engaging way of sharing a brand’s ‘story’.
While homepage videos are modern and compelling, they do lack an essential ingredient – interaction between the product and the user. You can watch a video and enjoy what’s presented to you, but you can’t change the perspective or control the video yourself.

Taking video to the next level!

Thanks to 360 videos it is now possible to put customers directly in the action of a video.
This goes beyond changing perspective and allowing a view from any angle, even though this feature provides a stunning point of difference.
As a marketer, you can now push the effectiveness of your video even further by creating ‘hotspots’. When clicked on by a customer, these spots will take them to different destinations.

You can use a hotspot to direct customers to websites in new browsers, take viewers to specific viewpoints and to allow users to ‘click to buy’. Adding hotspots is something that video editors can do without too much trouble during the post-production process.
A recent execution shows a 360degree view from outside and in the lobby of Sydney’s Governor Macquarie Tower. Included in the video is a hotspot that will take you inside the lobby of the tower. Filmed on behalf of one of Sydney’s largest property companies, this videos is the beginning of the company’s strategy to roll out 360 immersive experiences to clients and partners. The video has the potential for extra layers to be added, providing viewers with information relating to the building on display.
In 2017, more and more businesses will come on board with the power of video.
The most progressive ones will use it as an active rather than a passive way of engaging with their audience.

What kind of business are you running?

To find out more about 360 degree and interactive video, contact us via www.360dgrees.com

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VR trends to embrace in 2017

VR trends to embrace in 2017

How to leverage VR for the best outcomes this year

2016 Was Just a Warm Up!

Many people around the world received VR headsets in their Christmas stockings. This coupled with the rising popularity of 360video is putting more and more people in the center of the action, so to speak. According to research from tech marketing firm Jon Peddie, 2.7 million VR sets are expected to be shipped to customers in 2017.

If your business has been considering embracing VR (and it should be!), here are our recommendations for getting it right over the coming 12 months.

Experiment with Virtual and Augmented Reality Across Verticals

There are endless applications and creative ways to apply VR, AR and 360 video technology.

You can start small with a short video campaign or go large and create entire worlds for your audience to engage with.

Many outlets are already doing this, sharing 360 degree mountain views, the insides of beautiful temples and even footage of their CEO’s children beginning to walk (so cute, Zuckerberg!).

Videos don’t have to be long to have impact, as long as they showcase something worth looking at.

Embrace Innovation as a Long Term Investment

The new ‘realities’ are here to stay, however many organizations are afraid to try something new.
It is important not to fear failure and to incorporate an element of trial and error into getting your use of VR right.

Some companies experiment for years before releasing things publicly.

Not that you have to spend that much time, but it is reassuring to consider how some of the most successful companies fail time and time again before they launch a winning product.

Give, Give, Then Ask

A marketing strategy that is growing in popularity is one that is promoted by industry expert Gary Vaynerchuk is ‘give, give, then ask’.

This means sharing things of value with your users more than once and instead of using thinly veiled messages, simply asking for their business.

VR and AR can easily fall into the ‘give, give’ of this tactic – providing you an opportunity to share new information and experiences with your target customers before inviting them to make the most of your product or services.

Making the most of social media means you can spread your content far and wide, especially if it is compelling or amusing.

Have Fun!

Tech site Slash Gear points out that while there are multiple applications for VR, games are what people think of first.

Rather than trying to beat them – why not join them? Creating a game that can be played with a virtual headset will put you ahead of the market.

You can try other fun visual experiences as well – these are what will be talked about and shared on social media and can be created for a fraction of the cost of games. Be playful and enlist the help of expert video producers to create content that will turn heads – literally!

For some inspiration, take a look at applications like Game of Thrones 4D, the Paranormal Activity VR game and the many VR roller coaster rides that will literally make your stomach drop.

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Disney goes 360

Disney goes 360

Some of the world’s biggest players are now going virtual

These holidays are shaping up to be extra magical, with even The Wonderful World of Disney getting in on the excitement of Virtual Reality. In November it was announced that MANDT VR, a northern hemisphere 360 video content company, has partnered with Disney to create bespoke, 360 degree videos in time for the Christmas period. Drawing on the magic of Disney, the content will be available on many Disney channels around the world and will showcase the traditional Christmas shows held at Disney’s popular theme parks.

For MANDT, this is an opportunity to work with one of the world’s biggest names in entertainment. For Disney it is the chance to enhance its world-class storytelling, bringing beloved characters and experiences to life.

According to website Kitguru.net, the Disney videos will be full 360 degree experience. They will let viewers look in any direction they please to watch any part of the shows from any angle. It will also give them front-row seats at shows that are traditionally rather packed, making this a unique perspective for most Disney fans.

How exciting for children all over the world to be able to experience the magic of Disneyland in full 360 degrees at the special time of Christmas

Not the only one

Disney is not the only company to be embracing the magic of 360 vision and sharing it with the younger generation.

Children lucky enough to find a Virtual Reality View Master in their Christmas stockings will be able to go on 360 degree adventures through Gotham City with Batman and battle Skeletor alongside classic hero He-Man.

Where the View Master of the 1980s only shared static images with something of a 3D feel, the latest version is a whole new experience.

As well as travelling with their favourite animated characters, children will also be able to take educational journeys back to the time of the dinosaurs, under the surface of the ocean and into the furthest reaches of space, immersing themselves completely in wondrous surroundings.

While not available in time for this Christmas, tech giant Samsung is also developing 360 experiences for children, announcing in early 2016 the prototype of ‘Bedtime VR Stories’ which will take children on a 360degree journey while still allowing their parents to narrate. The best part about this concept is that parent and child won’t have to be in the same room to share the experience – an ideal way for people who regularly have to travel for work to stay connected to their children.

Big names like Disney and Samsung are joining other companies such as Microsoft, Google and even Facebook in the race to deliver world-leading virtual reality experiences, showing that this technology is shaping up to be less of a fad and more of a trend that is here for the long-term.

It will be exciting to see what 2017 brings to the world of virtual reality and 360 video. No matter what happens, 360Dgrees will be keeping its finger on the pulse of this exciting niche in entertainment, education and marketing.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! Don’t forget that if you would like to explore the possibilities of 360 video for your business, we are always just a phone call away!

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VR and the automotive industry

VRoooom! Virtual Reality is revolutionising the manufacture and sale of vehicles

As with many industries, the rise of Virtual Reality is a total game changer.

This technology makes the world smaller and brings details ever closer. Customers can ‘go for a drive’ in their dream car from anywhere in the world, experiencing everything but the wind in their hair and that new car smell (although who knows what will be possible in the near future!)

As mentioned in a recent Car Advice article, headsets like HTC Vive and Oculus Rift are now readily accessible. Because of this, forward thinking car brands have been working behind the scenes to create new and engaging customer experiences.

At a recent tech day in Europe, Audi demonstrated their large scale virtual reality unit, which combines with the HTC Vive headset to provide a customer experience in 360 degrees. Those using the goggles can select the car they’d like to trial and the colour. They can choose from a range of configurable options and even select a landscape… anywhere from Paris to the moon!

The goal is to provide customers with the opportunity to inspect a vehicle as though they were right there on the sales floor. They can see every detail, checking the shine on the rims, the make of the engine and the leather quality on the seats.

Other uses for VR in the automotive industry

From a manufacturing perspective, using virtual reality empowers car makers to create better products. Engineers are able to use VR to share prototype designs with customers, gathering feedback without having to spend money on creating the real thing.

Safety also comes into play when listing the benefits of Virtual Reality. It is possible to model how a car will be impacted by a crash and how the safety features will perform.

Testing in a virtual environment is a way to establish weak points without the expense or the risk or testing a full sized machine.

In terms of customisation, VR will make it easy to present the ideal vehicle to each customer demographic. Want extra cup holders? Done.

Can the steering wheel be changed? Show the customer every option at the press of a button. Add or remove security features, seating layouts and more in a snap and make the sales process a breeze.

VR – How it works

Virtual Reality headsets are wearable ‘goggles’ that can transport you literally anywhere. They combine with the technology of 360 degree footage, meaning that when you wear the goggles you can race down a Grand Prix track, view a car in a distant showroom or take a test drive along the side of the Swiss Alps. The video technology allows you to look left, right, up and down, taking in the experience from all angles.

Marketing + VR + Car Sales

The car industry has always been about staying ahead of the curve and presenting the audience with the newest, most exciting options.

Discerning customers expect an entire experience, especially when investing in a luxury vehicle.

The brands that harness the excitement of virtual technology will find themselves ahead in this competitive space in the next few years as will be are able to provide something their competitors don’t have.

Interested in starting your VR journey?

Talk to 360dgrees.com about creating high quality videos for promotional and instructive purposes.

Visit www.360dgrees.com

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Four uses for 360 video

Hospitality, Real Estate, Training and Travel can all benefit from 360 video

360 degree video is relatively new technology and is only now starting to creep towards the mainstream. It was widely used during the 2016 Olympics and is being harness by creative marketers who are looking for new ways to engage with their audiences.

Many people believe 360 degree video is just for the gaming and entertainment industries, however it has many other applications.

The following four industries can benefit no end from this surprisingly easy to implement technology.

Hospitality

Imagine being able to walk your patrons through a 360 degree video of your premises, showcasing the facilities, the view and the best seats in the house. You can take it a step further by allowing diners to click on their table of preference, see if it is available and book it for the night of their choice.

Large scale function planners can preview venues and with the help of virtual reality you can also stage different themes and decorations and provide walk-through tours.

Real estate

In Australia and around the world, often the most cashed-up home buyers are expats and foreign nationals. Many make a purchase without ever setting foot inside a house. Now, real estate agents can take them on a tour as if they’re there with 360 degree video.

This technology can also be combined with virtual reality to provide tours of apartment developments that are yet to be built. The process requires help from the professionals, but it can make a huge difference to overall sales.

Training

Devices like HoloLens are set to revolutionise the way people learn. By popping on a 360 degree headset students and new recruits can be fully immersed in a dangerous or far away environment, gaining the skills they need without being a risk to themselves or others.

Virtual training using 360 degree video will open a whole new world of streamlined, fast education.

The medical and military fields are two areas where this has the potential to be applied for great benefit.

Travel

Journey around the globe without ever setting foot on a plane with the help of 360 degree video. This was demonstrated with impressive tours of the backstreets and beaches of Rio during the Olympics, many of which were conducted on the back of a motor scooter.

The adventure hungry can experience jumping off cliffs or riding the world’s wildest roller coasters, as demonstrated by one of KitKat’s most recent marketing campaigns. Those looking for a cultural experience can visit a different museum, in a different country, every day of the week.

Imagine being able to spend the morning at the Louvre and the afternoon at the Guggenheim in New York! It’s all possible with 360 degree video.

The most exciting thing about this technology is the opportunity to reach an audience that is wider than ever. With relatively low production costs and the high potential for return on investment, it’s no wonder so many companies are grabbing the opportunity to share their products and venues in 360 degrees with both hands.

Find out more about what 360Dgrees can do for your business by visiting www.360dgrees.com and checking out our upcoming events.

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HoloLens, AR and the future of Business Intelligence

Join us for two exciting events

Find out more about HoloLens and the future of Augmented Reality

Sydney’s most in demand 360 video agency is presenting two special events for marketers, brand experts and business owners.

This who are interested in integrating the latest techniques in modern technology to discover new outlets for product promotion will find this session highly informative.

HoloLens, AR and the future of Business Intelligence

Session One:
Thursday 17th November, 6pm @ Lakeba HQ
Click to book

Session Two:

Thursday 24th November 4pm @ Microsoft Brisbane

Hosted by 360Dgrees’ Darren Younger, this session will deliver exciting insights into the soon-to-be-released Microsoft HoloLens. Darren will introduce the technology of HoloLens and cover topics including how business can access this groundbreaking product to better reach and engage with their customers.

When combined with Augmented Reality, Microsoft HoloLens has the power to shape the next generation of business intelligence. Ivan will be discussing the big ideas and the simple ways to harness HoloLens to improve all of an areas of your business.

This talk will include guest speakers from Microsoft, who will deliver first-hand accounts of how Microsoft HoloLens is already infiltrating the marketplace.

Join us at one of these sessions for your chance to be let in on industry secrets and for the opportunity to network with industry peers in your city.

What is Microsoft HoloLens?

Haven’t heard of HoloLens? Get ready for the onslaught!  Look like a virtual reality headset, HoloLens uses Augmented Reality to overlay ‘holographic’ objects, combining them with the reality of what you are seeing around you.

HoloLens is being worked on by developers around the world who are exploring its potential to completely revolutionise the worlds of design, training, gaming, education and marketing.

By combining the real world with the digital one, Microsoft HoloLens is creating an entirely new dimension where people can work, play and be entertained. Users will be able to use swiping motions to control their HoloLens world and will also be able to direct what they’re seeing using simple head movements.

Think about the possibilities – viewing your overseas colleagues as 3D holograms during meetings, learning on virtual products in real time and gaming in an environment that combines your lounge room with a fantasy world.

Customers will be able to pop on HoloLens to see what their entire home would look like completely redecorated or even to superimpose new outfits onto themselves from home. The possibilities are endless!

To hear more examples of how Microsoft HoloLens can integrate with your business, book your seat at our information-packed session today!