Tolstoy Answers
Find answers to common questions about interactive videos, from the basics to the technicalities. We discuss the types of video content, how to create and use it, and the benefits it has to offer your online store.
Recent Answers
How to Make an Interactive Branching Video for Your Online Business
Branching videos are a type of interactive video that allow business owners to create personalized, interactive videos geared toward their customer's specific queries and needs. Basically, interactive branching videos allow visitors to personalize their journey on a website. » Learn how to easily make an interactive video for your store Creating an Interactive Branching Video in 4 Easy Steps 1. Prepare Your Script Having a premade script is essential as it helps you navigate the process of creating an interactive branching video. Each interaction follows a different journey, thus, it needs to be carefully considered and planned. 2. Record Videos and/or Segmentations Follow the script and record videos that will guide your customers to their destinations. Ask relevant questions that correspond to the response choices you plan on adding with Tolstoy's interactive video builder. 3. Customize Your Branching Video Use the Tolstoy video builder to add text, questions, as well as response options, and where the options will redirect the customer. Once all your 'branches' are complete, you can download your video, share it, or publish it on your website. 4. Add the Interactive Video to Your Website Add your completed branching video to your website via the ‘Launch to Site’ button, where you can select to add it as a widget or embed it by pasting the link into the appropriate place on your website. Connecting with your online customers on a personal level is essential to gain leads, convert them into paying customers, and engage them properly. And, the most effective way to do so is with branching videos. » Simplify the process of making interactive videos—try Tolstoy for free
Asked 13 days ago
How to Add Videos to Your Shopify Homepage (Without YouTube)
Videos are a real game changer in an online world where 96% of consumers find videos helpful when making purchase decisions online. It's important to grab attention and increase dwell times by embedding videos on your website. YouTube and Vimeo aren't always the best choice for hosting videos because of ads, lack of branding, and lackluster analytics. Below, we'll show you two ways to use Shopify or other hosting platforms to embed videos on your Shopify homepage. 1. Change Your Shopify Settings and Code Embedding a video on Shopify itself involves using some coding, but we'll show you just what you have to do so you won't be needing any previous technical knowledge. If you're hosting your video somewhere other than Shopify, skip to Step 5. Otherwise, follow these simple steps: Log in to your Shopify admin dashboard.Head to Settings and select the Files tab. If you can't find the Settings option, click on Sales channels and then find the App and sales channel settings option on the popup.Click the Upload files button, select the video to upload, and click Open. You're limited to video files of 1GB and 10 minutes maximum.Now that the video is uploaded, you should copy the video's URL in the box in the URL column on the Files page. Save it somewhere for later.Find your Online Store under Sales Channels and click on Themes.Find the theme you're using. Click on its Actions button and then the Edit code button.Under the Sections dropdown, click Add a new section and name it homepage-video.Once created, a text box with some default code appears. Remove all the code and paste the following in there (remember to replace the https://video.link.goes.here between the quotation marks on the third line with the copied video link you found in Files): <div class="section-homepage-video"> <video autoplay muted loop playsinline class="video-homepage"> <source src="https://video.link.goes.here" type="video/mp4"> </video> </div> {% schema %} { "name": "Homepage Video", "class": "index-section index-section--flush", "settings": [], "presets": [{ "name": "Homepage Videos", "category": "Text" }] } {% endschema %} {% stylesheet %} .section-homepage-video{ width:100%; } .video-homepage{ width: 100%; height: auto; } {% endstylesheet %} {% javascript %} {% endjavascript %} 9. Click Save. 10. Head back to themes (under Online Store under Sales Channels) and click on Customize. 11. Click Add section where you want to add the video, then select Homepage Video from the list (you may need to click on Show more first). 12. Save your changes at the top right. » Breaking into interactive marketing? Check out the best interactive marketing tools 2. Use Alternative Software If you're not up to doing all that yourself, you can always opt to use alternative software. While these plugins make it easier to embed videos, they usually cost money and have their own learning curve. Shogun's page builder has a handy guide for adding videos, and Shop Circle's Video Background plugin is purpose-built for embedding videos. Hosting the videos can take up a lot of bandwidth if your video files are too big for Shopify, you can host them elsewhere. We don't have space to list all the options here, but some good ones for video hosting are Wistia and vooPlayer, both of which have great marketing features beyond hosting itself. The Right Option For You These are just two ways you can still embed videos on Shopify if you're not keen to use YouTube or Vimeo. While the first is a little technical, it's free and foolproof once done, while using alternative software is easier and more feature-rich for those who want deeper insights and better hosting.
Asked 14 days ago
Why Are Videos Effective for Sales Prospecting?
Sales prospecting is getting harder with today's consumption culture that prefers short, content-rich media such as videos. Grabbing attention requires more than just some convincing text or pretty images. Between 2000 and 2013, attention spans dropped by 50% to 8 seconds according to a 2015 Microsoft study. What's more, website dwell time dropped by 49 seconds between 2017 and 2019. The statistics are telling: customers prefer quality over quantity. Let's discuss 3 reasons why video is the best tool to face this challenge. 1. Video Is Versatile One difficulty with content delivery is making it friendly to all types of devices and internet connections out there. Videos can be consumed on any device with an internet connection. They can also be delivered at a lower resolution if needed, giving you an easy way to connect with prospective customers on all kinds of platforms. 2. Video Is Consumable Short, punchy, and information-rich videos are appealing and easy to consume. While text and images are visual and audio stimulates hearing, video engages both visual and audio senses in one compact medium. A video can explain a complicated subject in a few minutes while reading an entire article communicating the same idea will take much longer and bore prospects quicker. » New to video prospecting? Avoid these beginner's video prospecting mistakes 3. Video Is Shareable Videos can be uploaded and shared on many different platforms and through a variety of mediums. They can be emailed, shared on social media, embedded on a website, or transferred over networks. This helps you reach all kinds of different prospects. Since they exist as one file, it's easy to make recommendations and increase brand awareness using videos. Shorter attention spans, multiple communication mediums, and a need for rich content are making videos much more effective for sales prospecting. Don't get left behind—partner with Tolstoy to get started.
Asked 15 days ago
How to Use Shoppable Videos to Target Specific Demographics
Shoppable videos are a great way to target specific demographics because they allow you to customize the experience for each user. Additionally, you can use analytics tools to track how users interact with your video content and identify trends that will help you better understand the needs of your target demographic. 1. Identify Your Target Audience Make sure to research the common trends in behavior and interests (demographic targeting) among different demographics to create content that resonates with them. Essentially, shoppable videos should not be used as a one-size-fits-all tool, but rather should be tailored to your target demographic. By researching, personalizing, and utilizing analytics tools, you can create engaging videos that convert and keep customers coming back for more. 2. Focus on the Right Message Make sure the message and visuals in your video content are relevant to the target demographic as this will help make your message more memorable and engaging. 3. Personalize Your Content Personalization is key when it comes to shoppable videos. You want users to feel like they are part of their own unique experience when they watch the video. To do this, you should use personalized graphics and interactive elements like clickable links and call-to-actions. » Read our tips for making your video content stand out 4. Create an Engaging Experience Your content should be as engaging as possible to encourage viewers to take action at the end of the video. This means making sure there is a clear storyline with eye-catching visuals that are easily digestible. Additionally, you should make sure the video is not too long as viewers may lose interest. » Learn how to increase your customer engagement with video content 5. Use Analytics Tools By using analytics tools like Google Analytics or Hotjar, or the built in analytics with Tolstoy, you can track user behavior and measure the effectiveness of your shoppable videos. This will allow you to identify trends and adjust your video strategy accordingly to reach the right target demographic. Final Thoughts By following these tips, you can create compelling shoppable videos that are tailored to specific demographics and drive conversions for your business. With strategic use of shoppable videos, brands can start building relationships with their customers, an essential part of increasing revenue with brand loyalty.
Asked 23 days ago
Can You Cross-Sell or Upsell Using Shoppable Videos?
With the right tactics, your customers' value could go far beyond just checkout. By utilizing cross-selling and upselling practices, you can open yourself up to a world of potential revenue—no limits! But what about cross-selling and upselling in shoppable videos? Can shoppable videos be used to promote additional sales of supplementary items or upgraded versions of existing products? The short answer is yes! » Discover the top ways videos can increase your conversion rates Cross-Selling Using Shoppable Videos Shoppable videos are an effective way of cross-selling as they can show customers related products in an engaging and visually appealing way. By providing helpful information and inspiring customers through video, businesses can create a positive buying experience and encourage sales of additional items. Essentially, a good and effective video for cross-selling can : Showcase the product in detailProvide information about related products/servicesExplain why these items would be beneficial for customersInspire customers to buy additional items How to Cross-Sell in Videos Cross-selling videos should be tailored to customers’ interests, so the information provided should be relevant to the product being sold. For example, if you are selling a laptop, your video could include information about other items such as accessories or software packages that would complement it. Another example is a marketing video on cross-selling skincare products under the heading "Best Paired With"—customers are not inclined to buy just one product, but add two or three more to fully experience their skin transformation. » Learn how to make your video content stand out from the competition Upselling Using Shoppable Videos Shoppable videos can be used to upsell to existing customers by persuading them to purchase an upgraded or higher-priced product version. Unlike cross-selling, which focuses on getting customers to buy more products, upselling focuses on getting customers to purchase a better version of what they already want. How to Upsell in Videos Similar to cross-selling videos, the key to successful upselling is to focus on the customer’s needs—show them why they should upgrade their purchase with helpful information and persuasive visuals. Make sure your video showcases the upgraded product version in detail and explains why it is worth upgrading to. You can also use visuals such as an animated comparison between the two versions of the product or a “before” and “after” to help customers understand the differences. Final Thoughts There you have it—essentially, your primary goal for upselling and cross-selling may be to increase sales, but it’s important to consider the customer experience when creating upsell and cross-sell shoppable videos. Nudging customers to buy seemingly random products can leave them annoyed and confused. Carefully consider what makes the most sense to offer your customer and at which point of the buyer’s journey. » Create your shoppable videos with Tolstoy
Asked 23 days ago
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