The future of video communication: 5 trends for 2021

Advancements in technology provide small businesses with new ways to communicate. The increase in remote work due to the coronavirus pandemic has also increased demand for clear, affordable communication solutions. It's expected that the shift to virtual meetings, brainstorming and presentations will continue through 2021. As a small business, it's important to understand the latest trends, software and technologies available to improve your team's video communications and productivity. Here are five video communication trends to watch in 2021.

5 Video communication trends for 2021

1. Video Will Make Work from Home Effortless

One of the communication trends that's here to stay is video communication for virtual meetings. COVID-19 forced many small businesses to go remote and use cloud-based video communications software to keep in touch with their team. While this shift has raised some concerns about employee productivity, video conferencing is still considered a better communication tool than phone-based audio conferencing alone.

The best video conferencing solutions will continue to enhance their offerings by including more advanced virtual backgrounds, moderation controls and cloud recording functions for those who are unable to attend group meetings.

2. Telehealth coverage will increase

Consumers' ability to access telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic has been crucial for maintaining communication between patients and providers. Telehealth made it possible for people in remote areas to consult doctors and receive a contactless diagnosis. It also opened the possibility of receiving therapy from anywhere there's a stable internet connection. In many ways, the pandemic has showcased the power of digital communication and how using video can lead to greater efficiency in the health care system.

3. Businesses will use video to provide in-depth information

Many industries are continuing to undergo a digital transformation, and this means using video to reach more consumers. Communication trends in the world of finance have seen many banks and financial institutions adopt video banking during the coronavirus pandemic.

4. Distance learning will continue

The use of video in education grew significantly during 2020 as many students switched to distance learning. These online classes featured video lectures, collaborative discussions and even virtual field trips. It wasn't just students who were using video content to learn. People used video content to answer questions and learn new skills. It's estimated that remote learning will continue for some students in the fall, which means that mainstream distance learning is here to stay.

5. Social videos

Video in social media is gaining traction as one of the most effective methods of communication, and it's preferred by more than 50% of consumers who are younger than 55. Social media is an easy way to use all five channels of communication, which helps to clearly communicate a message. As a small business, clear and relevant communication with the right people can lead to customer acquisition and increased sales. Video allows you to communicate with facial expressions, body language, voice, verbal content and verbal style. The ability to connect with your audience in such a complete way makes video one of the top business communication trends 2021 will experience.

If you're looking for high-quality cloud-based video communication software for your company, we've got you covered. At 8x8, we're constantly improving the quality of our conferencing tools. Contact us today to learn more about our video communication solutions.