The role of digital media for businesses of all kinds has grown significantly in recent years. Video media, in particular, is one of the most effective ways for businesses to communicate their brand, values, and latest news. Digital storytelling has naturally grown immensely alongside the proliferation of video media via handy smartphones and tablets. Despite the immense potential of video media and digital storytelling, however, many businesses struggle to use this tool effectively.
Digital media more important than ever - and video is #1
Video and digital storytelling have significant advantages. The crisp and concise format makes it possible to produce well-polished and engaging video content. Using video media, companies can quickly deliver highly-targeted videos and digital stories that gain attention from potential customers, tantalize them and make them curious to learn more and engage further with your brand. Video content that shares your company culture and news can be highly effective at generating engagement on social channels and building brand awareness. Many companies also leverage their video to create training resources.
First impressions count
While you can’t always cover all the important details with a short video, the engagement it can build mustn’t be ignored. Good-quality video media and digital storytelling is the most effective way to drive traffic and engagement with your brand.
Numerous studies have shown that around 80% of customers generally prefer to learn about a product or service via video, compared to any of the alternatives. According to Statista, around 3.5 billion of us will watch video content on a regular basis in 2023, and HubSpot estimates that 88% of companies have a dedicated video production team.
Video content may be the first point of contact a customer has with your company. Given the pivotal position of video content and digital storytelling in forming a good first impression, the quality must be good. Your content needs to reflect the professionalism and capability of your company.
It may not be logical, but slick, professional quality video translates to being a ‘trusted partner’ in the minds of your potential customers.
Virtual Studios have become an intriguing solution for companies looking to grow their business with first-class video content, as these enable staff to generate incredible results without needing to rely on post-production teams or special effects. Virtual Studios use high-definition LED screen soundstages to produce video content against a totally customizable background. This background is then ‘extended’ using software tools, so it stretches beyond the screens themselves. You can see it in action with this example of a Virtual Studio.
Virtual Studios have held a strong position in the motion picture industry for this same reason – no green screen is needed, as the effects and backgrounds are already there - in real-time.
How Digital Storytelling Software extends the functionality of a Virtual Studio
Virtual Studios are widely misunderstood. There are several misconceptions about them that persist today, and might dissuade businesses from learning more about the possibilities they can offer. Let’s look at each of these misconceptions.
Aren’t Virtual Studios expensive?
Virtual Studios can provide incredible ROI, which will justify the expense of getting one set up for your company. While the equipment is a significant investment, it’s important to realize that you’ll be able to produce much more video content in a shorter time. This can deliver value across more departments than just the Marketing or Sales teams.
Is a Virtual Studio hard to use?
Virtual Studios are often set up as a bespoke configuration, and this can make them technically complex and hard to use. However, there are some Virtual Studio solutions that can be operated with just 1 to 2 people. Using capable digital storytelling software is the key to making the studio easy to operate.
Surely, the expense isn’t worth it - unless you’re a media company?
Not true! Marketers are seeing much higher returns from video content than they ever have before – mostly because people are using smartphones more to watch videos and explore digital stories. ROI is extended greatly with capable digital storytelling software. As we’ll see, digital storytelling software is essential for hybrid events and helps you reuse your Virtual Studio content in new ways.
How Digital Storytelling Software gives Virtual Studios more capabilities
Virtual Studios are built with some of the most complex AV hardware, but with an easy to use digital storytelling software controlling it, it’s easier to manage and deploy your content and assets the way you want.
Without a smart ‘brain’ behind your amazing new studio, it can only do dumb tricks. By using the most capable digital storytelling software, you can get the most from your hardware and extend it to entirely new applications. Virtual Studios can do much more than producing video content and digital stories.
What else can a Virtual Studio do?
The important thing to note is - with each of these - the quality and consistency will be far beyond what can be done with post-production editing or ‘standard’ video production techniques.
Webinars
You can show your company in the best light with a professional-looking webinar. No more fuzzy footage, shaky cameras, or poor sound quality. Switch between speakers smoothly and embed charts, graphics, or videos from external contributors easily.
Long-form video content
In addition to prolific short-form video content production, a Virtual Studio can help create long-form video. This can range from onboarding and training videos to in-depth product or service presentations.
Hybrid events
While many people prefer to attend hybrid events in-person, these events ultimately reach a wider online audience. This is extended further with on-demand viewing much later on. Your own studio makes the perfect setting for these popular and worthwhile events. Not all digital storytelling software can manage hybrid events, so choose one that can.
Immersive content for Experience Centers
Customer Experience Centers use digital signage and immersive experiences to acquaint customers with their brand. Immersive content can help customers explore your value proposition. The ‘virtual’ background of the studio can use the same 3D environment as your immersive content, opening up new ways of exploring and interacting with customers.
Video content for Briefing Centers
An executive briefing center can become more impactful with fresh video content that always surprises and engages. Large screens in briefing centers can be used to display customized video content that has been made especially for that customer. With traditional video production techniques, this kind of rapid turnaround would not be possible.
Make the most from your studio to get the best ROI
Enterprise-grade digital storytelling software is absolutely the critical factor in making the most from your AV hardware – and Virtual Studios are no exception.
By carefully selecting a digital storytelling platform that is capable and easy to use, you can ensure that the maximum number of staff and departments can make the most from this resource. The digital storytelling software is the brain behind the studio’s hardware, and a suitable solution can include the numerous features that are most useful for business applications.
If you’re put off by the high acquisition cost, it’s good to know that there are compact versions of the Virtual Studio that fit in the corner of an office but still offer many of the same capabilities - with less of an initial outlay. These can be useful ways to prove the value and get to grips with the technology - though many may prefer to go straight for the full studio option.
Contact Purple if you want to learn more about this!