Use video alternatives... PLEASE!

DavidO · 09-02-2009, 05:47 AM

I've read enough other Warriors complaining about this that I know it's an important issue: If you're offering your WSOs, reports or courses on video please include text alternatives for readers.

I know video is all the craze right now but, seriously, for pure information delivery nothing beats text. I've just sat through another 10 minute WSO video that would translate to 30 seconds of reading. I'm not kidding.

If there are things I really have to see (not read) you can use screenshots. PDFs with screenshots are ideal. Only the most technical topics really require video.

Please stop wasting my precious time!

FifthDimension5 · 09-02-2009, 05:55 AM

I concur with that. If its purely information delivery then text with illustrations/screenshots are better to convey the message rather than having to sit through videos. Videos are good for screencasts and technical demos but I have seen videos which translate roughly as an automated powerpoint show, they might as well create a powerpoint and use slideshare/slideboom for sharing the presentation, it is easier to navigate, as you have control over the navigation aspect when it comes to slides. They could also use liteshare to embed slideshare without the flash.

beninewie · 09-02-2009, 05:58 AM

I think you should be given options.

If you're doing video, it's usually not much more work to add a pdf to go along with it. And doing an audio version should be easy too.

While I am like DavidO and prefer text, I know lots of people prefer video: give us the choice!

Side benefit: If you provide video, text and audio you have more perceived value for a little extra work, so you can charge more. Happy customers and more money in your pocket

Cheers,
Ben

Shannon Herod · 09-02-2009, 08:54 AM

I personally hate reading ebooks. I enjoy reading, but ebooks are generally brain dumps with very little or no editing, and I rather just watch a couple videos on in it.

Shannon

Kelly Verge · 09-02-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon Herod

I personally hate reading ebooks. I enjoy reading, but ebooks are generally brain dumps with very little or no editing, and I rather just watch a couple videos on in it.

Shannon

Depends on the video.

I'm SOOOOO glad they started adding PDF recaps for the 30 Day Challenge. I like going through their stuff to see if I can learn a tip or two, but the volume of videos makes that a very painful proposition.

Concise bite-sized videos are best IMO. Save the fluff for the PDF.

Nicolaas Theron · 09-02-2009, 09:24 AM

I think the big problem with videos is that people tend to waffle on instead of getting to the point. I too have watched many 10+ minute videos that needed to be no longer than 2 minutes to show what they were meant to show.

If you're going to use only video, get to the point. Demonstrate what you want to demonstrate and get it done. Don't sit there talking for 5 minutes with a frozen mouse pointer about what you're about to demonstrate, you don't need to waste video time on that.

Being in the video tutorial business I do know that making a screenshot PDF tutorial is much more of a pain and takes considerably longer than making videos (for me anyway), so I can somewhat understand people's reluctance to include them. I guess with speech to text software it can be done a lot quicker. In the end though it's something you do once and then it's done.

Personally I don't mind video only too much, as long as the video gets right to the point from the very start and as long as it's clear in what it demonstrates.

09-02-2009, 05:47 AM	#1
DavidO Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: United Kingdom, Spain Posts: 2,031 Thanks: 10 Thanked 101 Times in 58 Posts	Use video alternatives... PLEASE! I've read enough other Warriors complaining about this that I know it's an important issue: If you're offering your WSOs, reports or courses on video please include text alternatives for readers. I know video is all the craze right now but, seriously, for pure information delivery nothing beats text. I've just sat through another 10 minute WSO video that would translate to 30 seconds of reading. I'm not kidding. If there are things I really have to see (not read) you can use screenshots. PDFs with screenshots are ideal. Only the most technical topics really require video. Please stop wasting my precious time!

09-02-2009, 05:55 AM	#2
FifthDimension5 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 186 Thanks: 4 Thanked 24 Times in 20 Posts Social Networking	Re: Use video alternatives... PLEASE! I concur with that. If its purely information delivery then text with illustrations/screenshots are better to convey the message rather than having to sit through videos. Videos are good for screencasts and technical demos but I have seen videos which translate roughly as an automated powerpoint show, they might as well create a powerpoint and use slideshare/slideboom for sharing the presentation, it is easier to navigate, as you have control over the navigation aspect when it comes to slides. They could also use liteshare to embed slideshare without the flash.

09-02-2009, 05:58 AM	#3
beninewie Ben Vaughan War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 56 Thanks: 13 Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts Social Networking	Re: Use video alternatives... PLEASE! I think you should be given options. If you're doing video, it's usually not much more work to add a pdf to go along with it. And doing an audio version should be easy too. While I am like DavidO and prefer text, I know lots of people prefer video: give us the choice! Side benefit: If you provide video, text and audio you have more perceived value for a little extra work, so you can charge more. Happy customers and more money in your pocket Cheers, Ben

09-02-2009, 08:54 AM	#4
Shannon Herod Focused2Win.com War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida , USA. Posts: 2,355 Blog Entries: 18 Thanks: 73 Thanked 519 Times in 231 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Use video alternatives... PLEASE! I personally hate reading ebooks. I enjoy reading, but ebooks are generally brain dumps with very little or no editing, and I rather just watch a couple videos on in it. Shannon
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09-02-2009, 09:24 AM	#6
Nicolaas Theron Graphics Trainer War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 59 Thanks: 6 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Use video alternatives... PLEASE! I think the big problem with videos is that people tend to waffle on instead of getting to the point. I too have watched many 10+ minute videos that needed to be no longer than 2 minutes to show what they were meant to show. If you're going to use only video, get to the point. Demonstrate what you want to demonstrate and get it done. Don't sit there talking for 5 minutes with a frozen mouse pointer about what you're about to demonstrate, you don't need to waste video time on that. Being in the video tutorial business I do know that making a screenshot PDF tutorial is much more of a pain and takes considerably longer than making videos (for me anyway), so I can somewhat understand people's reluctance to include them. I guess with speech to text software it can be done a lot quicker. In the end though it's something you do once and then it's done. Personally I don't mind video only too much, as long as the video gets right to the point from the very start and as long as it's clear in what it demonstrates.
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