I HATE video!

[mwoeppel1]

It seems like it's all the rage, to have video as help documents. They are soooo slow! I don't want to listen to you. I want to scan, find the info I'm looking for, and move on. 90% of what you're telling me is obvious!

Please give me something to read.

/rant

[Mukul Verma]

I LOVE Video.

For help desk if you have video, you should also have written instructions as well.

Reall depends of the topic. If you are using a software or something then just video good, but if you are cooking or home improvement you should have both.

[mwoeppel1]

I agree you should have both. I can read a LOT faster than you (or anyone else) can speak, but not everyone is like me. I just don't like not having an option. I usually navigate away from long videos and start clicking until I break something.

[InternetMarketingIQ]

Video is awesome. And while you hate it... people love it. There is a reason why Youtube is pulling so much traffic.

You need to learn how to leverage it. I get a lot of traffic with video.

[mikeyman120]

Video rules. I now sell video courses over ebooks because who wants to read when you can sit back and watch and learn. Video is so slow if you have a 56k but not if you have dsl or cable, for me any way.

Mike

[Mukul Verma]

Originally Posted by mikeyman120

Video rules. I now sell video courses over ebooks because who wants to read when you can sit back and watch and learn. Video is so slow if you have a 56k but not if you have dsl or cable, for me any way.

Mike

I thought you meant for a second that you sell courses about video over ebooks after saying they rule. Had to read it twice to catch it.

I think it depends on the purpose. For help desks and instructions, again I would suggest both!!!

[mwoeppel1]

Originally Posted by mikeyman120

Video rules. I now sell video courses over ebooks because who wants to read when you can sit back and watch and learn. Video is so slow if you have a 56k but not if you have dsl or cable, for me any way.

I guess I'm a bit like a salmon swimming upstream. I don't like video, because it's too slow - meaning, the rate of information communication is too slow. One can speak at say, 100 words per minute. One can read at 2 or 3 times that. I don't want to sit back and watch a video. I want my information, not an instructor.

For example, I went to Virb.com they have no written overview of the site or its purpose; I have to watch a video. I don't want to watch a video!

The problem with video is that it communicates information in sequential fashion. When I want to learn something, I skim the table of contents and go right to where I'm interested. Can't do that with video. so I'm forced to listen to a bunch of useless (to me) information.

That's not the same as using video to sell or get page rank. It's what I prefer to get information.

Thanks for letting me rant.

[SKWeaver]

Video is great for tutorials and instructional purposes. But for crying out loud, give me the controls so I can pause, stop, rewind, fast forward. Don't force me to watch a 20-minute video when all I need is a 30-second answer! Written manuals are easier to use when you need to review the info or find a quick answer. Give me both and I'll be a happy camper.

[midasman09]

You may "Hate" Video BUT....for "Sales" it is magical!

When I started my "Info Sales" carreer in the days of Mail Order, I discovered that PHOTOS of my products and people using them, boosted sales 3 to 5 times.

Then, fast forward to 2009 and Selling products with a 6 to 8 minute VIDEO will boost sales by 5 TIMES! (In my experience)

The reason I chose 8 min MAX Vids is because the "Average" tv show (CSI, Numbers, Price is Right, Fox News etc) has 8 minutes of show and break for 3 min commercial so...your audience has been "Accustomed" to see 8 min of content and break for commercial.

And...when prospects SEE...with their own eyes...the product you are selling....and YOU....expounding on the merits of it....they BELIEVE!....and then....BUY!

A key intro phrase, nowadays, on any ads are, "FREE Video Reveals.....!

These words WILL grab them and their curiosity wil cause them to click on your link to watch the vid. We make the "Intro Vids" 2 min long at the most. Plenty of time to build their interest and desire to "sign in and watch the Sales Vid".

Do NOT disregard video!

Midas Man

[Mukul Verma]

I am taking it we all are saying the same thing. Video is EXCELLENT, I LOVE VIDEO. There are certain times that both are better, other times videos are better.

I would agree video for sales is quite amazing. I have done EXTREMELY WELL with Videos selling for me. You can explain something to a customer and they will still hestitate, but a 2-3 min video and they will trust you and be ready to sign up

[IdeaLady]

Bottom line: What you or I like is less important than what our customers like. Best is to provide information in more than one format, so customers may choose the format/delivery method they prefer. Next best is to offer the format preferred by most of your customers.

I come down on the side of text for most things, because I can read much faster than I can watch any video. However, nothing beats video for demonstrating how to do something. So that's another of my "rules": Use the medium that is right for the message. If it is only you, talking into the camera, why does it have to video? Text (or audio) will work. But if you have something to show, you have a purpose for video.

Of course, this is just my opinion...your customers' may vary.

[zerofill]

There are a lot of things that need to be visual. You can't allow the customers imagination to dream up what the outcome should be. Just isn't possible in some instances. Not to mention you can record a video to show the outcome faster then you can type a 50 page ebook. So video is fast to me hehe.

[adriano9]

Originally Posted by mwoeppel1

It seems like it's all the rage, to have video as help documents. They are soooo slow! I don't want to listen to you. I want to scan, find the info I'm looking for, and move on. 90% of what you're telling me is obvious!

Please give me something to read.

/rant

I LOVE VIDEO

So you can see exactly what they mean you can do that with text. well it can with images but its not the same.
But i get your point do.

[FormerWageSlave]

I love video! I've made a lot of money as a Producer in film and television and in selling products on TV. BUT I can't stand how poorly it is used most of the time to sell products on the web. I agree with the OP when he says the rate of information transmission can be too slow. And what about the typical poor lighting quality and even worse, the audio recording that sounds like it was done using a pair of tin cans attached by a string.

And as a consumer, most of the time I'd rather scan text to find the info I am looking for, but there are times when a video demonstrating the product or presenting the person are exactly what I am looking for to make a buying decision. But I'm sitting through a lot of garbage video sales pitches lately, waiting for someone to deliver on the promise the video title or description made to me. Get to the point!

Just like the quality of your site should inspire trust in me to buy your product, how you present yourself or your product in video matters too. I don't want to buy from the guy sitting in a poorly lit room, wearing boxers, stumbling over his money making secrets or his latest wonder product with a lot of "ums" and "uhs".


Here are some basic tips:

Learn basic three point lighting.

Get a good microphone and learn to use it properly.

If you're not going to get dressed up, then just use GFX and voice over.

Learn to edit! It's gotta be succinct and to the point. Only as long as it needs to be.


Yes, video is powerful and it definitely SELLS, but don't think for a minute that it isn't possible your customers are buying IN SPITE OF your videos and not because of them.

[artwebster]

To get back to the OP - video as a help document is useless. If you want help and video is the only option the video needs to be clearly indexed with 'go to' options so you cab¡n find the help topic of your choice.
Most help videos are badly produced and in some of them it is obvious that the person offering the help isn't quite sure how to say what he would cover so succinctly if he had to write the topic.

[wisecrone333]

I think I am a bit old school here too and I will go for a transcribed version of an audio or video over the original any time. I have heard that sales works well with videos, but if I had to sit through 20 mins of a support video or audio file I would just click off and do something else. Likewise if I have no choice but to listen I am always doing something else like checking my emails or this forum or something similar.

Even with sales videos I would prefer it if they just came to the point - one shot of earning potential is enough, i don't need it spelled out for me; one shot of how wonderful the person behind the product is - I am not dating him (or her of course) - in fact the only videos I do pay attention to are when they are more personal, rather than purely sales in nature. If you keep it short you might get a sale for me - video over ten mins and you had better be really good to keep my interest that long

My 2 cents
Lisa

[Kurt]

In most cases, I also dislike video. I do like them for entertainment.

1. I'm travelling a bit and have a mobile connection which limits me to 5 Gs of bandwidth transfer per month.

2. It takes too long and most videos are too long-winded. A 10 minute video is a 1 minute read.

3. I have a friend that is trying out Market Samurai, but he has trouble hearing and all their training is done through videos...Which is useless for my friend.

4. You can't copy/paste things from a video.

5. I can't print out a video and they make me sit in front of my monitor.

[Lance K]

Originally Posted by mwoeppel1

The problem with video is that it communicates information in sequential fashion. When I want to learn something, I skim the table of contents and go right to where I'm interested. Can't do that with video.

Yes you can.

[Lance K]

As far as help documents go...

Developing repeat customers is a goal of every good business. And not all customers are the same.

So it's wise to offer your help "documents" in all forms. Audio, video, and transcription. Also, you should "chunk" the audio and video into as short of segments as you can. Remember, you're trying to HELP your customers not FRUSTRATE them.

[Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter]

When it comes to a tutorial I prefer a book (or ebook) so I can be looking at it and working through it step-by-step or skip easily to a step I need to understand without having to listen to the whole thing.

When it comes to creating a product, most people like to buy video tutorials.

[Mukul Verma]

Originally Posted by IdeaLady

Bottom line: What you or I like is less important than what our customers like. Best is to provide information in more than one format, so customers may choose the format/delivery method they prefer. Next best is to offer the format preferred by most of your customers.

I agree it is in what is the best interest of your customer

Originally Posted by FormerWageSlave

I love video! I've made a lot of money as a Producer in film and television and in selling products on TV. BUT I can't stand how poorly it is used most of the time to sell products on the web. I agree with the OP when he says the rate of information transmission can be too slow. And what about the typical poor lighting quality and even worse, the audio recording that sounds like it was done using a pair of tin cans attached by a string.

And as a consumer, most of the time I'd rather scan text to find the info I am looking for, but there are times when a video demonstrating the product or presenting the person are exactly what I am looking for to make a buying decision. But I'm sitting through a lot of garbage video sales pitches lately, waiting for someone to deliver on the promise the video title or description made to me. Get to the point!

Just like the quality of your site should inspire trust in me to buy your product, how you present yourself or your product in video matters too. I don't want to buy from the guy sitting in a poorly lit room, wearing boxers, stumbling over his money making secrets or his latest wonder product with a lot of "ums" and "uhs".


Here are some basic tips:

Learn basic three point lighting.

Get a good microphone and learn to use it properly.

If you're not going to get dressed up, then just use GFX and voice over.

Learn to edit! It's gotta be succinct and to the point. Only as long as it needs to be.


Yes, video is powerful and it definitely SELLS, but don't think for a minute that it isn't possible your customers are buying IN SPITE OF your videos and not because of them.

Great points and this is something I have come accross before. People who do it in the real world have really really high standards for video since that is a norm. Online the standard of acceptable quality is lower. People do not expect professional video, they expect you to get your point ac cross (humour, instructional, marketing whatever). I find most people who are offline will wait months for professional lighting, green screen etc and not make the video, where the person who takes a flip camera and does it today half as good started enjoying the benefits. Both sides have points, but the standard of You Tube is not movie or TV quality.


Also on the last point. I am creating smaller to the point videos about 2-5 mins long, that way people can browse if they need to. I think putting all your information in a longer video can be tough to watch sometimes and hard to scroll back and forward.

[DavidO]

I couldn't agree more. Please stop with these boring and ridiculously inefficient instructional videos.

Sure, you can always argue there's a place for them. But their place is way less than 10% of their current application.

[Mukul Verma]

ok Let me ask a question here? To get idea.

Instructional Video. You are learning how to use a software (lets say article or press release or whatever submitter).

Would you prefer
1. Video and Written
2. Written only would make you happy
3. Video only would make you happy

I would prefer both Video and Instruction. I need to see it to understand it better.

[teleam]

For people like me Video is a nightmare as I cannot hear I believe Kurt was referring to me. It won't be bad if a set of written instructions comes with the video or at transcribed. I have to work twice as hard to understand the program.

[mwoeppel1]

Originally Posted by Lance K

Yes you can.

haha! true, one can, but most producers don't let you.

[mwoeppel1]

Originally Posted by Mukul Verma

ok Let me ask a question here? To get idea.

Instructional Video. You are learning how to use a software (lets say article or press release or whatever submitter).

Would you prefer
1. Video and Written
2. Written only would make you happy
3. Video only would make you happy

I would prefer both Video and Instruction. I need to see it to understand it better.

for me, written along with screenshots is my preferred mode. but if I were doing it for someone else, I would have BOTH video (in short bursts) and written content. Just because I know that others do not learn like me.

For those who produce technical and education products, you must understand different learning styles so you are able to maximize your audience reach.

[Mike Hersh]

You're weird man

Video is the future, and 99% of the people prefer video on PDF files or any other reading material.

How can everything be obvious to you? Are you god or something?

Relax man, take your life easier

Cheers,

Mike G

[ladyshadowrider]

Originally Posted by mwoeppel1

for me, written along with screenshots is my preferred mode. but if I were doing it for someone else, I would have BOTH video (in short bursts) and written content. Just because I know that others do not learn like me.

For those who produce technical and education products, you must understand different learning styles so you are able to maximize your audience reach.

While I don't "hate" video, at least not the ones that show some action on the screen (i.e. how to use software or set up something on a website, etc.), I find the "videos" of PowerPoint presentations where someone is just reading words on the screen and MindMap videos pretty useless as an educational tool. They are okay for a short promotional video.

If you're developing a video product to show someone how to do something, for goodness sake, have the video transcribed (or do what I do and use the video's narration script).

Then add in the important screen shots and publish it in PDF format so your customers can have a way of referencing the material without having to go back thru the entire video or videos.

It really doesn't take long to put together a PDF with screen shots to accompany the video and you're adding value to your product.

JMHO,
Tamara

[jjjroy]

I agree that video can be a powerful sales tool. It can also be a great tool for tutorials and help desk issues.

That said, my personal preference for all of the above is text with lots of screenshots thrown in.

Like many of the commenters above, I read very quickly. And I can scan right to the screenshot that shows me what I need to know, rather than wait through 10 (or 20) minutes of droning speech.

So many of the video tutorials I've seen are made by people who have not planned out in advance what they want to say. They don't use a script of any kind, so they ramble on as they wait for their computer screen to load; backtrack to explain something that they forgot to mention at the appropriate time; mumble or speak with a heavy accent; etc.

And, if all they're going to show me in the video is their own face smiling into the camera, why bother?

So I won't say that I HATE video... I just prefer good old-fashioned text and illustrations. Give me a choice, OK?