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In-person facility tours have been a staple of the sales process forever. They are a fantastic way for prospects to see an unfiltered look at how you operate and literally kick the tires on your company. But with the pandemic making those visits difficult or impossible, technology is stepping in. Of the options (virtual reality, 3D content, a live tour, a traditional video), the most immersive balance of accessibility and scalability is an immersive 360-degree video.
Unlike VR or 3D content, viewers will not need a special device to view 360 content.
Major platforms like YouTube and Vimeo now offer native 360 viewing. A viewer just taps the video like any other and is immediately transported somewhere else, able to look around in 360 space. On a desktop, click and drag to move the camera. On a mobile device is where it really shines: swipe to look around, or physically point your phone around the room as if you were there. Want to glance left? Swing left. Want to see the ceiling? Point up, and the footage responds in real time.
Tip: open the video while holding the phone directly in front of you, at a 90-degree angle to your face, because the video's default position is looking straight ahead and all movement is based on that starting point.
Rolling your own on a budget
If you do not have much budget and do not mind getting your hands dirty, you can pull off a basic 360 video yourself for around $500. A solid starter kit:
- Insta360 One R: a capable camera that produces a clear image, with free software that handles basic edits and uploads straight to YouTube.
- A spare battery: always a good idea.
- A sturdy tripod or monopod and plenty of light.
Prefer to leave it to the pros? That is where we come in. A professional 360 production adds polish, planning and a distribution strategy so the finished tour actually gets watched by the right people.