How to Create a Captivating School Virtual Tour
School virtual tours are revolutionising the way schools showcase their environment and connect with prospective students. Here at SVT we help schools create immersive 3D experiences that showcase your unique environment and attract prospective students and families.
But how do you translate your vision into a captivating virtual tour? This guide will walk you through the entire process, from planning and onsite scanning to post-production and distribution – all with School Virtual Tours by your side.
Step 1: Planning Your Virtual Tour
The first step to producing your School Virtual Tour is the planning process. Your School Virtual Tour project manager will work with you to assess your school’s identity, facilities, site layout, learning culture and key aims. Having a clear vision will ensure that your School Virtual Tour package includes all the elements to display everything that makes your school special and to create an engaging experience for viewers. Here are some key considerations:
Know Your Audience: We'll work with you to define your target audience. Are you creating the tour for prospective students, parents, or both? Understanding your target audience ensures the content and narrative resonates with them.
Brainstorm Your School's Highlights: What sets your school apart? Is it a cutting-edge science lab, a vibrant arts’ programme, or a beautiful outdoor learning space? Highlighting these unique offerings will showcase your school's strengths.
Craft a Compelling Narrative: Together, we'll craft a captivating narrative that guides viewers through the virtual experience. Think of it as a story that showcases the best aspects of your school in a way that's engaging and informative.
Map Your Tour Route: Decide which areas you want to include in the virtual tour. We'll prioritise key spaces like classrooms, labs, libraries, cafeterias, and common areas, ensuring a well-rounded tour experience that demonstrates the breadth of your facilities and curriculum.
Work with Your Budget: School Virtual Tours can range in cost depending on the complexity and features included. School Virtual Tours offer flexible packages to fit your needs, and we'll work with you to determine the best options for your budget.
Step 2: Preparing for Your Virtual Tour Shoot
Once you have a plan in place, it's time to prepare your school for the virtual tour scanning day onsite. Here's what you need to do:
Declutter and Arrange Spaces: Create a welcoming atmosphere! We'll provide guidance on ensuring all areas to be scanned are clean, well-organized, and welcoming. This includes decluttering classrooms, arranging furniture to create a positive atmosphere and displaying your exciting learning resources.
Obtain Necessary Permissions: If the virtual tour scans will capture student or staff photos or names (which are frequently on displays), ensure you have obtained the necessary permission slips and consent forms. All confidential paperwork and materials must be removed to meet safeguarding and data protection requirements. Respect everyone's privacy and adhere to all legislative and school policies regarding the production of publishable media.
Schedule Filming: We'll work with you to coordinate a scanning time that minimises disruption to the school schedule. Weekends or after-school hours are ideal times when classrooms are typically empty.
Plan Lighting: Natural light is best, but if filming during off-hours, ensure adequate artificial lighting to illuminate all spaces effectively. Avoid harsh shadows or overly bright areas.
Step 3: Scanning Your School Virtual Tour
Now comes the exciting part – capturing your school's magic in a virtual format. School Virtual Tours provides expert guidance and equipment to ensure a smooth filming and scanning process.
Equipment Recommendations: School Virtual Tours will recommend the ideal 360° camera for your needs to be operated by our experienced team of photographers. Having the right equipment is crucial for capturing high-quality, immersive footage.
Creative Camera Angles & Drone Footage: Our team will offer guidance on experimenting with different camera angles to create a dynamic and engaging experience. Capturing panoramic views of classrooms, close-ups of unique features, and even drone footage for the exterior adds depth to your tour.
High-Quality Audio: School Virtual Tours can advise on sound recording equipment to capture clear audio, without background noise. This is important for narration and background sounds if you wish to include them.
School Virtual Tours Expertise: The School Virtual Tours team will be present during all scanning and filming to offer guidance and ensure you capture all the essential elements of your school.
Step 4: Editing Your School Virtual Tour
Once scanning is complete, School Virtual Tours completes the editing process. Their dedicated editing software allows them to:
Stitch Together 360° Footage: We utilise professional editing software specifically designed to seamlessly stitch together 360° footage and create a polished virtual tour experience.
Incorporate Narration and Music: School Virtual Tours can arrange for a professional narrator to provide a captivating voice-over that guides viewers and highlights key features. Upbeat background music can further enhance the user experience.
Integrate Interactive Elements: School Virtual Tours can add interactive hotspots that provide viewers with additional information about specific locations, programs, or facilities when clicked. This can include text descriptions, photos, or even videos.
Creating a captivating school virtual tour is an investment in your school's future. It allows you to showcase your unique environment, reduce student anxiety, and enhance the learning experience for all. School Virtual Tours is here to guide you through the entire process, from planning to production and beyond. We even provide digital marketing coaching and management packages to ensure that your School Virtual Tour package is fully utilised to provide you with the results you want to achieve.
Here's a recap of the benefits you'll gain by partnering with School Virtual Tours:
Expert guidance and support throughout the entire process
Flexible packages to fit your budget
High-quality equipment and experienced operators
Professional editing software and post-production experts
Hosting on a reliable platform for seamless accessibility
Digital marketing coaching and ongoing management packages
Ready to take your school virtual?
Contact School Virtual Tours today for a free consultation! We'll discuss your vision and help you create a stunning virtual tour that truly reflects the spirit of your school. Imagine the impact it will have on prospective students and families – a chance to explore your school virtually, anytime, from anywhere in the world!