Creating video content is a great way to keep audiences engaged while getting across your important messages. While you may think that anyone with an internet connection and computer may be able to access and understand your video, that may not be the case unless you’ve considered inclusion. Inclusive videos are videos that ensure content doesn’t exclude or discriminate against specific groups of people based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or any other personal characteristics that is unique to them. Below are some tips for making your next videos more inclusive:
Ensure your language is inclusive:
Avoid language that might be interpreted as exclusive or discriminatory. This includes avoiding offensive or derogatory language directed at certain groups of people. Be sure to do your research and use language that’s respectful and puts smiles on everyones faces, and won’t make groups of people feel alienated or upset.
Understand that different cultures see things differently:
Different cultures may have different conventions and norms that you should consider when creating video content. For example, in some cultures there may be different gestures and body language that may be considered offensive or disrespectful (e.g. thumbs up isn’t a good thing everywhere). If you include gestures in your videos be sure to research and understand these differences beforehand.
Represent as many groups as possible:
This may seem obvious, but different cultural representation is important in ensuring your video content is inclusive. Make sure your videos include people from different backgrounds (races, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, etc). This makes your content more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience. In some of our animated videos, we exclude people altogether and instead use inanimate objects as characters. This makes the video fun to watch and avoids inclusivity issues altogether.
Include subtitles and closed captions:
Remember that not everyone watching your video content can actually hear the audio. To make your videos accessible to these audiences, be sure to using closed captions and subtitles, which to provide transcribed text of what’s being said and heard for deaf and / or hard of hearing audiences.
Be positive and respectful:
The tones and messages in your video content can also impact how inclusive your videos are. Be careful to avoid language or tones that could be viewed as offensive or discriminatory. Instead, try to craft positive, inclusive messages that respect everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, etc.
When you make video content inclusive, you’re recognizing and respecting the diversity of your audience. By following these tips, you’ll be off to create content that is accessible, enjoyable, and understandable by audiences everywhere.
Contact us to get started on your next video today.
Speak With A Video Producer Today
Let Sharp Eye Animation create affordable, high-quality video content for your brand!
