Branching videos put your user in the driving seat and let them steer through your content in their own way. Here are our top tips to help you get the most out of your videos and boost engagement.
Get planning
Before you start to think about building your branching videos, it’s a good idea to have a roadmap or script for your entire learning scenario. Once you’ve got that in front of you, you’ll be able to spot the objectives and bits of content that’ll work best as interactive branching videos. They’ll normally be the stages that require the most interaction, the tricky bits that need breaking down into chunks, or the parts where you want to give your user a choice.
How to create an interactive scenario
Keep it simple
Now that you’ve planned which videos are going to be interactive, you’ll know how you want them to be shot. Although a realistic and relevant setting is important, your user needs to know what to click, where and when. Think of your content as a conversation, the kind that you enjoy being a part of. It needs to be clear, inclusive and the fewer distractions, the better.
Encourage interaction
Keep in mind that not everyone will be familiar with interactive videos. It’s a good idea to explain what’s happening, how to make your choice and what might come next. This makes the whole experience much more personal and is another way to make your content even more engaging and conversational.
Have fun!
The most memorable experiences are the ones that we enjoy. Not all topics or training materials are meant to be fun or entertaining, but there are plenty of ways you can make your user feel comfortable. You could think about incorporating the latest VR tech in your scenario or shoot some back-and-forth interaction with any actors you might be using.
Learn from your content
Another benefit of branching videos is the amount that you can learn from each use. With every interaction, you get real-time, genuine insights into how your content is being used and what people are responding to. This invaluable data will help you to improve each video you create.
Keen to find out more about branching scenarios? Check out our handy guide.