Venturing into the Sphere: Exploring the Potential of 360° Video in B2B Content Marketing

How are you? I know we've been talking a lot lately about ways to improve B2B content marketing, so I'm glad you're here today because I'd like to talk about something a little bit different: 360° video. This technology opens up so many ways to tell stories and get people interested. Now, you might be thinking, "Bigbobby, this is a tech for B2C, isn't it?" Well, if you stick with me, I'll show you why you're wrong.

First, let's talk about the basics. Immersive video, or 360° video, is a video that records everything at once. Like in virtual reality, the user can choose which way to look in. Isn't that cool? But what does this have to do with B2B marketing? To answer that, we need to think about how the B2B buyer's journey has changed over the past few years.

Remember when all you needed to close a deal was a good PowerPoint presentation and a firm handshake? So, those times are over. Today's B2B buyers want an experience that is more engaging, specialized, and led by technology. Here's where 360-degree video comes in. It can give a level of engagement and interaction that can't be matched by any other medium. 

Let's use some examples to show what I mean. Imagine that you make tools for businesses. You could send a 360° video to possible clients instead of a leaflet or a regular video of your production line. The clients can virtually walk through your building, zoom in on specific pieces of equipment, and even see the manufacturing process from different angles. It's as close to a site visit as they can get without actually going there. Doesn't it sound interesting?

Or, say you work in the shipping field. With a 360° film, your prospects can get a thorough and interesting look at your warehouse, delivery centers, and transportation operations. They can see how you handle their things, which makes them more likely to trust you and your services.

Now, you might be thinking, "Bigbobby, this sounds great, but won't it be expensive and hard to make a 360-degree video?" The truth is that it doesn't have to be, but it can be. In the past few years, technology has gotten easier to use. There are affordable 360° cameras on the market, and there are many editing programs that can help you put the footage together and change it. But the most important part of a good 360° film is not the tools, but the story.

Yes, the real magic happens when people tell stories. No matter if you're making an expensive ad or a simple video blog, the story is what gets people interested. It's important to think about the story you want your 360° movie to tell. What are the most important parts of your business that you want to show off? How can you set up the experience for the user so that it is as interesting as possible?

Also, don't forget the interactive parts. One of the unique things about 360° video is that watchers don't just sit back and watch; they can also move around and explore the area. You can use this to make the user experience more interesting and dynamic. For example, you can add "hotspots" that can be clicked on to get more information, or you can make a guided tour where users can choose their own way.

But how do you know if your 360° film was a success? As with any digital marketing strategy, it's important to set clear goals and keep track of the right data. These could include the number of views, the time spent watching, the number of clicks on engaging parts, and the number of shares on social media. Check the temperature.

You can also look at maps. These show you which parts of the video people look at the most.

In conclusion, 360° video is a powerful tool that can give your B2B content marketing a whole new level. Yes, it can be harder to make than a regular film, but the possible benefits are huge in terms of connection, user experience, and standing out. Content marketing is exciting right now, and I can't wait to see how this technology will change and shape the field.

So, my friend, are you ready to step into the sphere and see what 360° video is all about? I promise you that the trip will be worth it.