We all Hate Them
“Thank your for writing such a great installation instruction sheet, I loved it so much I printed it out and set it on my nightstand so I can read it every night before I go to sleep” – said nobody . . . Ever.
If you are in the building product or building material business, chances are you have installation instructions. You hate them, your customers hate them, but you have to have them.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to turn this normally painful situation into an opportunity to set your brand / product apart in the marketplace?
Ever find yourself sitting on the floor at 3 am on Christmas morning putting together a toy and cursing the person who wrote the instructions? That’s how your customers feel about you, let’s fix it!
A 3d animated video can demonstrate exactly how your product is installed and explain the features and benefits of your product, all in just a few minutes.
Why you Hate Them
Every word you put down on a ordered list of step by step instructions must be mulled over, pushed, prodded and cajoled until it has the least chance of being misunderstood. If you say too little, they will call you with questions – or worse they will install it incorrectly and someone in a very bad mood will call you about black mold.
Why your Customers Hate Them
Instructions are boring, impersonal and often confusing. It is extremely difficult to explain spatial relationships with text or a few diagrams. Sometimes there are conditional situations, contextual differences that must also be addressed in instructions. If this, then that, etc. etc. Moreover, reading them takes time, and time always seems to be at a premium. Everyone is always so busy that it is likely they won’t actually read the instructions anyway.
Offer an Alternative
Sure, you’ll have to have the dreaded install instructions, but here is an alternative, the 3d animated installation video. Create a professional video which opens with a few features and benefits about the product and then takes the viewer step by step through the installation process. The act of demonstrating an installation procedure visually, coupled with voiceover audio, engages more of the senses, connects in a more intimate way and reduces problems due to language barriers.
Turn a Burden into an Opportunity
When your customers are reading your installation instructions, it is an opportunity. You have their eyes and they will either leave the experience feeling better or worse about your brand. A dynamic video will leave a positive impression, eliminate confusion, reduce technical calls and can also serve as a sales tool. These videos are also very useful at trade show booths, continuing education presentations and internal training.
Here is an Example