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Long Copy Vs. Shorter Copy W/Video

by Kevin AKA Hubcap
9 replies
I've been seeing more and more sites like this popping up and was wondering what you fellow warriors think about the copy or lack of it on the site.

Do you think more copy would increase or decrease sells? Why?

I always hear that long copy outsells short copy but how long is too long and is there a point where having too much copy decreases conversions?:confused:
#copy #long #shorter #w or video
  • Profile picture of the author spressnell
    I've been learning from various sources that video is THE way to go now because so many people want short (5 minutes or less) blocks of information and that they are tired of mounds of information being thrown at them from every direction. I believe that is true since I see so many videos in various ads and promotions.

    Shirley
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
      Shirley

      We're always told the long copy out performs short copy but I wonder if that's always true or does it depend on a certain niche or some other variable.

      I know I've read some sales letters that seem to be long just for the sake of being long. Almost like the author finished and decided it wasn't long enough and added a few more pages.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Malave
    When was the last time you saw a tv commericail with just text that you had to read, no video or audio?

    I'm sure if old school direct response writers could have sent you a device where you could instantly watch their sales presentation they would have done so.

    Video has the potential to create trust and proof way faster than print can.
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    Depends on the whether your target market has the
    bandwidth to get the video fast and whether they
    prefer watching TV to reading.

    Young people probably do prefer the TV. They may
    have broadband more often as well. Be careful though,
    lots of people in rural areas cannot get broadband at
    all and are frustrated by the more BW-heavy internet
    because it makes their experience frustrating.

    You have to make an educated guess about your market
    and perhaps test.
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  • Profile picture of the author cnr
    John Reese talks about short copy with video in the Rebirth of the Internet ebook.
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  • Profile picture of the author bambi211
    I think people of today prefer media like videos with short copy unlike long articles.
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    • Profile picture of the author MaskedMarketer
      Originally Posted by Alex Malave View Post

      Video has the potential to create trust and proof way faster than print can.
      Alex,

      excellent point. research has concluded that WHAT you say is only a tiny percent of what effects the listener. Its HOW you say something that matters, and of course body language.

      Also, videos are more passive and don't require as much work from the prospect.

      Originally Posted by cnr View Post

      John Reese talks about short copy with video in the Rebirth of the Internet ebook.
      like big mike says, testing is key, as it depends on your market.

      since ADD/ADHD is now becoming more widespread in the US (25%) it makes sense that less is more. I personally like videos with copy.
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      • Profile picture of the author Capone
        I know everyone is saying video is the way to go but let me be frank. I can't stand it. The person in the video is usually annoying. Video's usually come on to loud and piss me off and a lot of time there's some kind of glitch with it. I immediately click off these sites and look for another option. The other thing is I can speed read or scan written copy and I can't do this with video. I can also re-read a paragraph or phrase several times with text but constantly re-winding a video is a hassle. Video slows me down and I don't have time for it. From all the reading I do on-line I'm starting to here the same thing being said by many others.

        I do like youtube though if I'm in the mood for something funny or music. For business...please give it to me with the written word only. Thanks.

        PS: Find out what everyone else is doing and do the oposite
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        • Profile picture of the author MaskedMarketer
          Originally Posted by Capone View Post

          PS: Find out what everyone else is doing and do the oposite
          You mean like, create EFFECTIVE videos? lol

          Visuals and videos of yourself can help you connect with the reader better.

          Probably around 80%+ of your communication is based on tone and body language alone, which is not always translated 100% with copy.

          If the market can view the video, it would be worth testing a video out.

          But I agree, a long ineffective videos are boring.

          Some videos I can't get enough of. Those are the speakers and presenters that know what they're doing. (none are IM gurus)

          Me personally, I like video + writing.
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