How to Incorporate Pause Functionality Into Your Videos

According to 88% of marketers, interactive content helps their brand stand out from their competitors as it provides viewers with a unique way to share their information. Videos with interactive elements can boost viewer engagement levels which can result in a higher understanding and interest in your topic and likely more conversions. 

While videos allow you to condense a lot of information into digestible content, the viewer can still get overwhelmed if you present too much information in too little time. Having the option to pause during important information gives your viewers a chance to fully comprehend and retain the information.‍

Mindstamp is an interactive video platform that includes features that not only boost interactivity and engagement, but also includes features like the pause functionality that increase variety, understanding, and emphasis of a topic.

Benefits of using pausing between interactive elements in videos:

1. Enhance audience understanding of the topic
2. Increased engagement levels
3. Reinforce important information

There are two different ways to incorporate the pause functionality within your video:

1. Using pause to emphasize an interactive feature
2. Using pause to confirm topic comprehension
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Let's discuss how to utilize pause within Mindstamp:

1. How to Pause a Video to Emphasize an Interactive Video Feature

You can add a paused timeframe to any interactive feature (questions, buttons, etc.) to deliberately pause the video and give your viewers a moment to view/read an interactive element that’s displayed on the video. Here’s how to use the pause feature in Mindstamp:

1. Login to your Mindstamp Account. If you don't have one, click here to create one for free.
2. Select a video or add a new one. You can use Youtube, Vimeo, or Wistia links, or upload a new video from your device.
3. Add your chosen interactive feature to your video using the interactive feature bar. In this example, let’s use a button.
4. On the right-hand side add your Button CTA text. For example, “Continue Video” or “Learn More.”
5. Select “Pause for button.” Next, you’ll select the “Show Time” to determine when you’d like this feature displayed within your video. Then you’ll select “Pause length” to determine how many seconds you’d like the element paused on the screen. 
6. Save and play the video to check for inaccuracies. Then you are ready to share!

Watch the demo below for a quick tutorial:

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2. How to Pause a Video to Confirm Topic Comprehension

Pause your video to confirm your viewers understand the material before moving on to the next action in the video. Here you can pause the video by using the questions feature to ask the viewer if they understood the information. If they say yes, the video will continue. If they say no, the viewer will be taken back to the information they want to investigate further. This will guarantee the viewer is paying attention and confirm the topic is understood.

1. Login to your Mindstamp Account. If you don't have one, click here to create one for free.
2. Select a video or add a new one. You can use Youtube, Vimeo, or Wistia links, or upload a new video from your device.
3. Click “Add Question” from the interactive feature bar.
4. Click “Question Time” to determine when you’d like this feature displayed within your video.
5. There are many different question types (multiple choice, free response, etc.) to choose from. In this case, we’ll select “Multiple Choice” for the question type.
6. Under prompt, type in the question, such as “Do you understand X topic?”
7. Under “Answers,” one option will be “Yes, I understand” with the “Answer Action” being set to “Track and Continue.” When this option is selected, the video will continue playing. The second question answer option will be “No, show me again” with the “Answer Action” being set to “Change Time.” With the “Choose Time” option, you can select where in the video you'd like to take viewers back to. When this option is selected, the video will start over from the time you choose within your video.
8. Save and play the video to check for inaccuracies. Then you are ready to share!

Watch the demo below for a quick tutorial:

Incorporating areas to pause within your video can allow your viewers to pay attention to what is on the screen, allowing higher engagement and deeper understanding of your material, which is why it’s considered one of the Top 10 Best Practices for Interactive Video in 2021. To see the remaining best practices and learn more tips on creating successful interactive videos, visit “The Top 10 Best Practices for Interactive Video in 2021” or start your 14-day free trial with Mindstamp’s interactive video platform to see these video best practices in action.
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