Making 360-degree Videos for YouTube

It was in January 2015 that YouTube started rolling out a support mechanism for 360-degree videos, available on its web and mobile platforms. That was pretty much a smart move because virtual reality was just beginning to gain traction, and platform users wanted to experience something different. In that period, YouTube’s primary user base (18 to 49 years old) spent 74 percent more time on the platform and 4 percent less time on TV. Today, YouTube is known to be the second-largest search engine, having more than two billion users.

When it first planned to launch 360-degree videos, YouTube sought to support the viewing of this video type on its Android app, website, and Chrome’s embedded videos. Jump to today, and you will see the impressive growth trajectory of 360-degree videos. It may not be very pervasive, but people have come to love the immersive experience they get while watching visual content.

How to create 360-degree videos?

For novice video-makers, creating 360-degree videos for YouTube will be comparatively more challenging than traditional videos. But here are some tips to keep in mind:

Know the objective

The first question you need to ask yourself is “Why am I creating this video?” There are a few instances where creating an immersive, detailed experience becomes a promotional necessity for some brands. Travel or real estate brands like to up the experience of their offering for customers through 360-degree videos. So, you should know why you are creating this video and what objective you wish to achieve.

Invest in the right camera

After you figure out your reasons behind creating a 360-degree video, you should plan your shooting. First and foremost, you need to have a high-resolution camera to shoot the video. You can even buy one that allows you to add additional hardware to capture your content. Always look for versatility for the price you pay. Do keep in mind YouTube’s specifications for creating and uploading 360-degree videos.

Be careful about your content

Viewers don’t like distractions while they are experiencing a piece of content. As such, you should be careful about how you shoot and what you shoot. The content of your 360-degree video should give your viewers a good sense of autonomy and control. It should give your viewers a feeling that’s close to the real feeling of using your product or service. Always keep your viewers’ experience in mind.

Test your video

Lastly, you should always test your work to know if any reiterations are needed in your content. You should pay attention to the different scenes that you have included in your final 360-degree video. After making the necessary edits, you should run it on a device to check if it creates the desired experience. If you feel that everything is working right, then you can upload it on your YouTube channel.

Watching 360-degree videos

Your viewers don’t need a headset to watch 360-degree videos on YouTube. They will only need a desktop or a mobile device. Instead of plugging in a headset, your viewers can explore your video content in all directions. They just need to make a few easy gestures. When watching it on desktop, your viewers can watch it by simply clicking and dragging with a mouse or by clicking the arrows seen in the upper left corner of the screen. On the other hand, they can watch it on a mobile device by dragging their finger across the screen or moving it around in multiple directions. Since 360-degree videos don’t require any viewing accessory, your viewers can watch them with Google Cardboard too. That’s because the screen is monoscopic, and only one set of images is displayed.

360-degree videos are pretty popular on YouTube, especially when experiential marketing is the primary focus of brands. By using the right strategy and technology, you will surely be able to create 360-degree videos that grab people’s attention and garner high likes and shares on YouTube.