Christopher Columbus was a brave soul.
Here’s a man who decided on his own he wanted to cross the ocean in search of a whole new world. No Waze to guide him. No iPhone or Surface Pro to distract him and keep him busy during those 5 weeks -- and sadly, no GoPro to record the event.
What three boats guided him along his journey? The Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. They helped him arrive safely on the other side of the world in America, which he claimed in the name of Spain. In retrospect, it’s too bad Waze wasn’t invented since he was looking for Japan instead...
Where Are We Headed?
But I digress. The point I’m trying to make here is that digital marketers are about to enter a whole new world in 2017. One where you must explore uncharted territory like Christopher Columbus before your company gets left behind by bigger and more technology-driven companies.
And I’m here to tell you that if you don’t hop on the Santa Maria yacht known as 360 video, standard video ads may end up drowning you in the ocean.
Most of your competitors aren’t even thinking about video. They’re reading blog posts from companies like HubSpot, GrowthHackers, and KissMetrics to look for the latest “trick” to get a leg up.
Video
But you know what they’re not doing? Becoming leaders in an arena that standard video can’t even touch.
Don’t believe me? Here is an example that proves that videos are not all created the same. Specialized video destroys standard video.
Seth Godin has talked before about going to the edges. Taking the risks that other companies won’t try. Zigging left while everybody else zags right. Ultimately, become a leader in your industry on the cutting edge.
Video, well done, will help you become that digital marketing leader, if you decide to take a leap of faith. Go out and get your company the best camera on the market, especially if you have an in-house agency. If you don’t, invest in working with a company that knows what they’re doing when it comes to creating compelling 360 content.
Content can be 10x better and more engaging than mere text if you employ video. And, by the time everyone else finally lands on Plymouth Rock of video, you will have already built your mansion with a 6-car garage, spacious pool, and indoor petting zoo (just because you can).
Dear Old Chris
Christopher Columbus had the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria. You have video to up your game in content, and it's right at your fingertips, ready to take you to a whole new world in 2017.
Will you take advantage of it, or be left behind? The choice is yours.