What Are the Benefits of 3D Modeling for Businesses?
We’ve said it before, but we don’t mind saying it again – we’ve been working with some of the most prominent furniture manufacturers in the region for years now.
Some days, it feels like we’ve lived a few lifetimes.
But these collaborations revealed a new potential for us – 3D modeling. We have a whole blog post about why we, a marketing agency, started 3D modeling, something that’s not obviously marketing (but it very much is). Despite the production and sales process getting digitalized left, right, and center, we still get probed about the time we spend 3D modeling furniture and how that’s helped our clients.
So let’s talk about why we do it and what it’s done for us.
The Great Things About 3D Modeling
We get it, it’s a new(ish) concept, and you’re skeptical. But we’ll keep on doing it because:
It Saves Time
Does your team still build an entire product, cross their fingers, and then realize it’s a dud? That may not be horrible if you’re working with small products. But, if you’re in the furniture industry, it can set your production and launch back months. With 3D modeling, we can tweak and twirl things and slash the time it takes to get the perfect design. Plus, you’ll virtually eliminate those trial-and-error headaches. You’re welcome.
It Makes Fantastic Prototypes
It just makes sense, doesn’t it? You can visualize your creation before spending a dime on manufacturing. It’s like you can see the future – the bed would be too bulky, the chair wouldn’t go with that dining table in a set, etc. With 3D modeling, your business won’t have to invest in creating costly physical prototypes – it’s all digital. Maybe it’s time to add ‘manufactures furniture’ to the CV…
It Saves Money
We know you business owners will love this one! If your agency can prototype and experiment with your product digitally, you won’t have to shell out big bucks for physical trials. Traditional prototyping involves not only the cost of materials but also the labor-intensive process of physically building the product. 3D modeling won’t make your accountant sweat bullets because the development process is leaner, faster, and cheaper.
It Allows for Customization
We’ve heard it loud and clear from our clients – generic solutions are out. Nowadays, every business wants tailor-made solutions and custom features to stand out. Well, 3D modeling can do just that – offer you a customized solution with a few clicks. Imagine you’ve got a design on the screen, and something doesn’t quite sit right. With 3D modeling, you’re not stuck with a ‘take it or leave it’ scenario. You can change it. And then you can change it again. Sure, it might test the patience of the designer, but they knew what they signed up for, right?
It Makes for a Great Online Presentation
As we said, a good 3D render can show the product from multiple angles. This experience mimics the way a buyer would inspect a product before purchasing it in the store. While they can’t touch it, they can see it in a dynamic environment – rotate it, zoom in, and scrutinize every detail. After all, you wouldn’t buy a shirt without checking if it has an open chain back, would you? That’s exactly how your customers feel when they can only see your product head-on. Digitally though, customers can visualize the product because the renders are exceptionally lifelike.
It Boosts Sales
A survey conducted by The Harris Poll reveals that 60% of online shoppers are more likely to buy a product if they see it in 3D or augmented reality (AR). Online shopping is quickly becoming our ‘default’, so visualizing the products you’re buying is crucial. This is a testament to the power of giving your consumers a closer look at your products without hauling them to your physical store. In the end, you must make the experience smooth. Don’t make your customers jump through hoops to buy your product. We’re all getting lazier anyway!
Best Visual Content to Use in Your Content Marketing: 6 Popular Methods
Nobody cares.
Nobody cares about what you have to say. I know reading this sucks, but it’s the truth. And the sooner you accept it, the sooner you can shift your focus to something that will make people want to care.
That something is visual storytelling.
It isn’t a sort of dark magic (that we know of); it’s just visual content at play.
Plus, you don’t need the brain of Stephen Hawking to visually communicate a complex concept; you just need a few ideas.
The water’s warm and we’re diving headfirst.
What Is Visual Content?
Visual content (or visual content marketing if you want to get fancy) means conveying your story using compelling visual elements. Unlike text content, visual content hinges on imagery, design, and aesthetics to communicate ideas and information.
But if your audience doesn’t care about what you say, why would they grace your visual content with a second glance?
Well, if you insist on going sciencey – a study found that people who follow directions presented with text and illustrations do the task 323% better than those who follow plain text. Studies like these are even more prevalent in this era of information overload, as brands need to capture and retain the audience’s attention with a visually stimulating and resonant experience. Studies also show that people remember 65% of the visual content they see 3 days later.
Let’s take Apple’s product launches as an example. When the company reveals its latest gadget, they don’t throw a wall of text at you. While you will eventually read the text specifications, Apple will draw you in with animations, short videos, and scenography.
Do you think they would’ve generated the same buzz with 20 lines of sterile text?
Debatable.
What Are the Best Types of Visual Content Marketing?
The key to success in visual content marketing lies in harnessing different tools and tactics. Although there are many out there, here are the 3 favorites that yield the best results:
1. Infographics
Infographics are royalty and we will bend to their every will and desire. They convey information in an easily digestible format and increase the drive to read an article by 80%. This is because it boosts information retention and is 3x more likely to be shared on socials.
the drive to read an article increases by 80% when an infographic is included
2. Videos
Video accounted for 82.5% of internet traffic in 2023. What does that tell brands?
It says that your audience are likely to spend much longer on your website or social media platforms if you engage them with video. Not only that, but video content helps build brand awareness and interest in your product or service. Plus, it’s a great way to show off your personality and values.
Video accounted for 82.5% of internet traffic in 2023
3. Photos
Although the popularity of a regular photo has waned a bit, we still have to underscore the significance of high-quality images as part of your content strategy. Photos and screenshots contribute to a positive user experience and have been shown to boost engagement time and time again.
For example, some case studies cite that tweets with images get 313% more engagement than those without. This isn’t a statistic to sneeze at.
3 Tips for Using Visual Content in Your Content Marketing
To create successful visual content, you need strategic choices and creative decisions. Here are 3 tips to make the transition easier for you and your brand.
Remember – creating content doesn’t have to be complicated, so don’t overthink it.
Use UGC
UGC (User-Generated Content) is a goldmine for any content marketing strategy. According to studies, up to 93% of customers mention it informs their purchasing decision. This content showcases your customers’ experience with your brand and isn’t just you shouting about how awesome you are.
Here, you leverage authenticity. Use case studies of before-and-after images to create powerful narratives that resonate with your audience or use branded hashtags and challenges to get your community involved. Who knows, you might even go viral.
Maintain Your Visual Identity
Consistency in visual identity is a non-negotiable element of effective branding. A cornerstone, so to speak. Your brand’s colors, fonts, and design style are the language your brand speaks. It’s how you convey your brand’s personality, values, and message.
If your brand colors are green and orange, for example, posting visuals doused in red and blue can create confusion and dilute your recognition. This is not to say you should ONLY post content in your brand colors, but make sure that when you venture beyond your primary palette, there’s a thread that ties everything back to your identity.
Repurpose Written Content
Turning your text content into engaging visuals like infographics or videos is a tactic that can elevate your content marketing efforts. Like a good teacher, you’re giving your students (readers) an opportunity to take in the information in a manner that suits them best, whether through text, images, or audio.
For example, since infographics can simplify complex topics and make data more understandable and memorable, you can summarize your blog posts and integrate the image at the top. This way, you’re delivering information in a format that’s not only aesthetic but also effective.
Are Businesses Without Digital Marketing Doomed to Fail?
Nowadays, it’s almost unthinkable for a business to neglect digital marketing. Even companies that have observed fantastic results with their campaigns will be forced to continuously adapt to stay in the game.
The automobile industry is a great example of this, i.e., Tesla has developed an innovative approach for constructing vehicles to resemble smartphones in that they contain touch screens and lack dealerships. In the beginning, everyone thought this was impossible, but Tesla has remained the fastest-growing vehicle manufacturer.
We can see a similar trend with many other businesses. The pandemic has shown us that business models which cannot be modernised or digitised will be left behind and forced to shut down to avoid unnecessary repercussions. In fact, underdeveloped countries are the only ones allowing state intervention for failing businesses under the pretext of protecting employees. Unfortunately for those involved, this inadequate practice leads to further indebtment and a more catastrophic collapse in the coming years.
Business leaders who want to maintain a competitive edge and keep up with trends need to ponder which aspect would benefit from automatising, new technologies, and digital marketing.
