How Different Industries Use Video to Grow Their Business

At Ideal Insight, we always say: video isn’t just content, it’s connection.

Across every sector, businesses are realising something powerful: video has become the most effective way to reach, engage, and inspire their audiences. It’s not just about glossy visuals or fancy editing, it’s about creating moments that stick. Moments that spark emotion, tell a story, and, ultimately, drive results.

In today’s fast-paced world, attention is the currency every brand is chasing. Whether it’s a consumer scrolling through social media, a buyer exploring property listings, or a student revising for exams, video has become the common language. And the brands that speak it fluently are the ones growing fastest.

Here’s how different industries are using video to fuel growth and what we can learn from them.

1. Retail & E-commerce: Turning Browsers into Buyers

The online shopping world is crowded. Shoppers are bombarded with thousands of options at the click of a button, and the challenge for brands is to stand out. This is where video transforms the game.

Product pages that feature video aren’t just informative, they’re persuasive. A 30-second clip of a model wearing a dress, a chef demonstrating a kitchen gadget, or a beauty influencer showing how a serum works creates a sense of trust that photos alone can’t deliver. It answers the shopper’s unspoken question: “But what does it really look like?”

Brands today are embracing product videos, user-generated content, unboxing reels, and even live shopping events. These formats feel authentic, relatable, and immediately turn sceptical browsers into confident buyers.

Takeaway: Video bridges the gap between curiosity and conversion. It doesn’t just showcase a product; it makes customers imagine owning it.

2. Real Estate: Bringing Properties to Life

Property buying is one of the most emotional decisions people make. Static photos might show the layout, but only video can capture the soul of a space.

Estate agents now lean heavily on cinematic property tours, sweeping drone footage, and 360° virtual walkthroughs. Potential buyers don’t just see the home, they experience it. They can picture themselves cooking in the kitchen, relaxing in the garden, or working in the office space.

Video also gives international buyers and busy professionals the chance to explore multiple properties remotely, speeding up decision-making and widening the pool of interested clients.

Takeaway: In real estate, video doesn’t just showcase bricks and mortar, it sells the lifestyle, turning “just looking” into “let’s book a viewing.”

3. Healthcare: Building Trust Through Clarity

Healthcare can feel daunting. Patients want clear answers and reassurance, and video has become the go-to medium for building that trust.

Hospitals and clinics are using explainer videos to demystify procedures, from how an MRI scan works to what to expect before surgery. Doctors step in front of the camera to speak directly to patients, breaking down complex medical jargon into friendly, digestible language.

Meanwhile, patient testimonial videos carry a different kind of weight, real people sharing real stories. Hearing someone describe how a treatment improved their quality of life makes healthcare feel human and relatable, not clinical and intimidating.

Takeaway: Video turns healthcare from intimidating to approachable, creating credibility and comfort in equal measure.

4. Education & Training: Learning That Sticks

Education is no longer confined to classrooms. From universities delivering lectures online to companies training global workforces, video is reshaping how knowledge is shared.

Lectures are broken down into short, focused videos that match how students prefer to learn today: bite-sized, engaging, and easy to revisit. Animated explainers bring complex theories to life, making learning not only more accessible but more enjoyable.

For businesses, training videos offer consistency at scale. A well-produced video can train thousands of employees worldwide in the exact same way whether it’s onboarding new hires or teaching health and safety. Add in interactive quizzes and subtitles, and suddenly training becomes dynamic, memorable, and effective.

Takeaway: Video makes learning stick. It’s flexible, accessible, and proven to boost understanding and retention across every age group.

5. Hospitality & Travel: Selling Experiences Before They Happen

If there’s one sector where emotion rules, it’s hospitality. Hotels, restaurants, and travel companies know that they’re not just selling a bed for the night or a plane ticket, they’re selling experiences. And nothing sells experiences better than video.

Imagine scrolling past a hotel’s website and seeing a 60-second video of sparkling pools, sunset dinners, and smiling guests. Or a restaurant showing behind-the-scenes clips of chefs plating dishes with precision. Or a travel agency sharing a traveller’s vlog exploring hidden gems in Rome. Instantly, you’re transported. You’re not just watching, you’re daydreaming.

These videos spark wanderlust, build trust, and shorten the booking journey. Because once someone has already imagined themselves there, booking is the natural next step.

Takeaway: Video makes people feel the experience before they ever arrive. And when people feel, they book.

6. Technology & Start-ups: Explaining the Complex

Technology often suffers from one problem: it’s brilliant, but complicated. Try to explain cloud computing or AI software in a brochure, and you’ll lose your audience in minutes. Explain it with a 90-second animated video, and suddenly, it all clicks.

Start-ups and tech giants alike use video to simplify the technical and showcase the practical. Explainer animations break down big ideas into clear concepts. Product demos highlight real-world applications. Customer case studies prove impact in a way no technical document ever could.

In the competitive world of tech, being able to communicate value clearly and quickly is everything and video delivers that in spades.

Takeaway: Video takes complex innovation and makes it understandable, relatable, and investable.

That’s a Wrap!

No matter the industry: retail, real estate, healthcare, education, hospitality, or tech, video is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s the bridge between businesses and their audiences, turning scepticism into trust, curiosity into action, and ideas into results.

The businesses that thrive aren’t just those with the biggest budgets or flashiest visuals. They’re the ones that use video strategically to tell stories, inspire emotions, and guide decisions.

Because at the end of the day, video isn’t just content. It’s persuasion. It's a memory. It’s growth.

Ready to harness the power of video to grow your business? Let’s make it happen together.