Good afternoon and happy Monday! We are back again with another #trending in video blog where we focus on all things related to videography and video production.
Today we have a great article from AV Magazine which talking about the ever-exploding word of streaming video solutions with the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Although this article is specifically talking about video streaming as it related to churches and other houses of worship, I have to think that all sorts of live events will have to start incorporating some element of online video streaming at least in the short term until people are able to leave their houses again.
“2020. The year of unpredictability. We’ve seen it all, and we’re only four months in. During the changing and developing times that we live in, connectivity is vital. Since Covid-19 has hit, nearly one third of the world’s population are now in total isolation, making face-to-face contact nearly impossible. But are ‘virtual’ touch points the solution to isolation?” The article starts out really painting a picture of the world in which we find ourselves in right now. Imagine if this pandemic had happened 50 years ago, without any sort of video technology, video streaming or otherwise. People have and are certainly now relying on video steaming and live content in a way they never have before.
The article notes that video streaming and live content are increasing on a daily rate the likes of which has never been seen before. This in turn has caused innovations and trends to increase their pace as well at an almost “alarming rate.” Certain video technologies are other innovations which might have previously been seen as a luxury are now becoming essential as a way to keep the world running as “normal” as possible.
This article points to churches and other houses of worship who have seen an immediate growth in video streaming as a way to continue broadcasting their message and to remain connected to their audiences. “Houses of worship are some of the fastest-growing groups online, with video streaming increasingly being used to reach out to congregations and enhance the way they practice their faith. With video technology constantly evolving, it is vital for churches and temples to understand how to respond to these updates and reach audiences on the devices they are most comfortable using.”
The article points out 5 key ways that these houses of worship are leveraging video and some of the trends that have evolved as the use of video streaming has risen to an all-time high level. As I mentioned before although many of these video trends specifically mention churches and their video broadcasts, the takeaways from this article can be applied to almost any live event or broadcast.
Implementing video analytics as a way to gauge who is viewing your content, where and how is a great place to start in terms of analyzing your own use of video streaming technologies as you are able to adjust your means of video broadcast in order to reach the most people. “Video analytics can provide users with more personalized and accurate data, and with these insights, churches are in a better position to understand the viewing behavior of their congregation and create deeper and more in depth connections. This will lead to accurate personalized recommendations, including related video content that will resonate with their congregations.” By using video analytics, the broadcaster is able to gain insights into what their audience likes and dislikes, what they want to see and what they don’t want to see. “This will give places of worship excellent scope to tailor their services to the needs and desires of their congregation in a way that might not be possible from a face-to-face perspective.”
Another excellent idea to keep in mind while using online video streaming technologies, is the idea of having people donate while they are watching. “The coronavirus pandemic is putting a huge financial strain on houses of worship, with some cutting staff or closing buildings, as congregants cannot attend services or show their gratitude in person. This is even more prevalent for places of worship that do not stream their services and accept donations electronically, prior to and during the virus shutdown.” While a normal church service, according to the article, might only have 10-25 percent of their congregation donate money while at a face-to-face service, recent reports have seen over 33% of those same members are donating online when viewing a live video stream. Part of that simply has to do with the ease in which people are able to donate nowadays when viewing video content online. Being able to link to a payment processing method directly from the video viewer is a great way to capture your audience while they are already viewing and engaging with your video. Reports also show that millennials actually prefer digital ways of donations rather than donating face-to-face, which should also encourage this sort of fundraising as well. This idea of digital fundraising is not only limited to houses of worship either, as any sort of club or event can ask for donations while they are video streaming their own content or performances online.
Another thing to keep in mind is how to share the links to your online video streaming to your audience. While many might think the most straightforward way to is stream your video live directly on a social media platform like Facebook or Instagram, sharing the links on social media and linking back to your own site might be a better option. First by sharing your video stream across various different social media platforms, you are not tied to one specific audience who might favor one website over another. Also, you are driving traffic and viewership back to your own home website, which gives people a destination to head to in the future if they are trying to view more video streams, or learn more about your company, brand or organization. “Social media can be used to reach out to both new audiences and the existing congregations, but won’t be held back by social media algorithms. Churches can also seamlessly integrate it into video content to build a community, convey their messages, and engage with their digital audience.”
In conclusion this article notes that for faith-based, or any other organization for that matter, keeping ahead of the curve of the latest trends in video technology and video production might not be at the top of mind right now in dealing with everything else that is going on in the world, but those that are able to are going to be in the best position moving forward once all of this is hopefully past us. “Considering mobile optimization, as well as social media integration and donation opportunities, will also give churches better opportunities to engage with congregations and extend their reach. Digitalization is especially important during times of crisis, and none so more than during the global lockdown, where online communication is our only real contact with the outside world and loved ones.”
By video streaming and maintaining or hopefully building your audience today, not matter what industry your business is in, you should be able to keep a portion of that new audience, or hopefully more, as we slowly move towards whatever our new normal is going to be. The companies that leverage these new video trends the most successfully, will hopefully be set up for the most success not only today, but for years in the future.
Thanks again for checking out our newest issue of #trending in video! And as always make sure to keep this page bookmarked so you can continue to educate yourself on all of the newest tips and trends in the world of videography and video production. Take care and stay safe!!