Do you hate being FORCED to watch a sales video?

[Richnana]

Thanks for the comment. what is really bad is when you are trying to sneak to see what someone is offering and the video comes on your computer LOUD and LOUDER. okay so you are at work and probably got FIRED!. Give me the option of listening to you drone on and on Okay?

[Jack Sperot]

That's a good trick. I don't really those videos either .. and some are like 45 mins long!

Although I do agree that it is a good selling method, but I'm starting to get tired of them.

[ebizman87]

Originally Posted by David Chamberlain

Hi Guys

Sometimes, I just don't have 22 minutes to sit there and have someone sell to me, and kinda just wanna get to the point (usually the price) and then I'll make a decision!

David

Yes.It just piss me off to see that. The worst part is that they won't get straight to point AND WASTE your time. Nowadays If I saw any video salespage,I'll just close the WINDOW and mind my own business unless it's a software program where I'll sit and watch how does the bot will work.

[Martin.Avis]

Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap

I hate being behind drivers that go below the speed limit. I still haven't found the little x for that.

It comes up on you Heads Up Display when you press the 'lock' button on your dashboard.

At least it does on my car now I've paid for the F16 upgrade.

Martin

[Madam X]

Yeah, I totally HATE to watch them too. Often the big guru's blather on & on -- eventually I glean one or two valuable points to use in my biz. About six days ago I downloaded a product called, "Enounce MySpeed" (has a playback variable from .3 to 3.0 times the speed). So, if you need to slow things up, you can. If you can understand REALLY Fast, like me -- then 3 times the playback. I love it. They gave me a 7-day trial and I'm buyen!!! I don't make any money off this Boys -- I just love the product.

[dannyart]

Definitely, especially when the sales video is more than a minute.

[TChiu]

Personally i will watch something if its interesting. And if im thinking of buying it, i want to hear what they want to tell me. Overhyped?? yeah usually, but you can usually cut through hype with a little logical thinking.
Fomr what i've heard, the thing that makes the video sales letter so powerful is the ability to control the sale (ie. no controls).
IBut if you really want to get aroung the controls, just use the download helper tool on firefox and download it. then you can skip ahead or rewind whenever you want.

[Flareman]

Same goes for me. I dislike watching sales videos, such as the one from fat burning furnace where it doesn't tell you how long the video is, can't let you fast forward or pause. Whats more, the video is nothing more than words and a few pictures here and there and the guy is narrating word for word on whats on screen. Surely theres more to web video than that.

[Gemsy40]

For me i prefer video to those long, long sales pages, it also depends on whether the information will be of use to me or teach me something new. I have unsubscribed from one or two of the Guru's out there just because the emails they were always sending enclosed a link offering a new product but as soon as you click on it was one of them long videos and they all started the same way and ended up being the same type of product under a new name.

[SimonHarrison]

I have to say, I do wonder if they have a limited shelf life.

I use them in various niches now and they have shown us
a HUGE increase in conversions in some niches, I mean
sickening, adding tens of thousands yearly to revenue,
BUT...

In the IM niche... I'm starting to get mighty tired of it
fast and only yesterday, the big guys were all promoting
something, the only option was video and I just couldn't
be arsed to watch it, I saw it was a video and just left.

One of the things we did on one our niches which worked
well is we made a text version of the copy appear on
on exit, we are still making good sales from the text copy
when they close the video.

It's to early to tell but I do wonder in the IM niche if these
could get old fast.

The issue you always have to look at it is does the increase
in conversions using video make up for the sales instantly
lost from people like me just clicking away.

I think there's also a big factor played here in the traffic
source.

For example if you're lead to a video after being in a launch
funnel from somebody you trust from a previous product
etc, then I'm far more inclined to watch.

It's not the video format I hate on sales copy , it's the fact
I just can't tell whether it's going to be a waste of my time
or not.

For reference, depending on the player, you can't expand
to full screen and FF, entirely depends .

[TChiu]

Originally Posted by SimonHarrison

I have to say, I do wonder if they have a limited shelf life.

I use them in various niches now and they have shown us
a HUGE increase in conversions in some niches, I mean
sickening, adding tens of thousands yearly to revenue,
BUT...

In the IM niche... I'm starting to get mighty tired of it
fast and only yesterday, the big guys were all promoting
something, the only option was video and I just couldn't
be arsed to watch it, I saw it was a video and just left.

One of the things we did on one our niches which worked
well is we made a text version of the copy appear on
on exit, we are still making good sales from the text copy
when they close the video.

It's to early to tell but I do wonder in the IM niche if these
could get old fast.

The issue you always have to look at it is does the increase
in conversions using video make up for the sales instantly
lost from people like me just clicking away.

I think there's also a big factor played here in the traffic
source.

For example if you're lead to a video after being in a launch
funnel from somebody you trust from a previous product
etc, then I'm far more inclined to watch.

It's not the video format I hate on sales copy , it's the fact
I just can't tell whether it's going to be a waste of my time
or not.

For reference, depending on the player, you can't expand
to full screen and FF, entirely depends .

One thing for sure about the IM niche, things change REALLY quickly. And it forces people to look for new things that work in IM. Luckily Im not in IM so most of the stuff that doesnt work anymore for the IM niche works great for me!

[MichaelHiles]

Originally Posted by Bjarne Eldhuset

It is a bit different from a 30 minute infomercial, because in infomercials they often have a phone number on screen that you can call and order anytime during those 30 minutes.

THIS is the takeaway for video sales pages.

There should ALWAYS be a order link present.

In sales, there's this concept of "talking yourself past the close".

If you're using a sales video and have no means of transacting, and a person's particular objection or issue is met earlier in the video, you should give them the means to order right there.

That's why infomercials do it. Delaying their close and introducing more concepts could raise new objections.

Even in major product launches with multiple video sequences, when it goes live with a sales page video, the order button is persistant at all times.

[Kevin_Hutto]

I love them... actually thats probably because I am using them :-) They convert about 50% better for me than regular.

[jamjar919]

What i really hate is one of those ones that won't let you get into a mebers area, even if you log in and out first.

[SimonHarrison]

Originally Posted by MichaelHiles

There should ALWAYS be a order link present.

Actually our tests showed otherwise. Timing the order button
consistently delivered better conversions. The order button
with video can be a no no, they pop to the price before you
have even the slightest chance to sell to them.

Depends on market, also on approach (presentation versus
sales tool) and very much on the type of traffic sent to it.

Even in major product launches with multiple video sequences, when it goes live with a sales page video, the order button is persistant at all times.

Actually not, some yes, some no, although I think more and
more it's going to be a case of adding it , especially in IM.

[MichaelHiles]

Originally Posted by SimonHarrison

Actually our tests showed otherwise. Timing the order button
consistently delivered better conversions. The order button
with video can be a no no, they pop to the price before you
have even the slightest chance to sell to them.

Depends on market, also on approach (presentation versus
sales tool) and very much on the type of traffic sent to it.



Actually not, some yes, some no, although I think more and
more it's going to be a case of adding it , especially in IM.

Well, yeah, my canned answer to everything is "you should test it". The funny thing is that I've tested it both ways myself and having a link persistant outstripped the timed link.

What I need to do is split test the actual script timing to see exactly where a persistant link is clicked on average across the timeline. That way you know your sweet spot in your pitch.

It also depends on the structure of the content of your presentation. If you're following a traditional ADIA sales letter model, etc... in your script, et al.

So there are a million variables. But in general, when a prospect says, "OK, I'll buy it" in their own mind, you'd better be ready to close the deal pretty quickly. When you continue selling after the prospect has already decided to buy, you risk missing the closing window.

[Kevin_Hutto]

Michael,

Did you use an exit splash if they tried to hit the back button or exit? That was the key for us... We use the exit splash that takes them to a trial offer and between that and the normal conversions, we saw a 50% increase in conversion...

[deloriagod]

I like watching a good sales video that can really keep my attention (I hated these videos before I got into IM though). But if I'm FORCED to watch it, I'll close the browser and continue on my way. If I'm not forced to watch it, I'm more likely to watch it.

[AaronJones]

Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap

I hate being behind drivers that go below the speed limit. I still haven't found the little x for that.

Those are just old people, and they are hard of hearing and sight as well.

Just honk the horn so they can hear you and drive as close as you can to make sure they can see you.

Also try hand signals to get them to speed up or move out of the way and yell if that doesn't work.

[Marc2008]

Sometimes I don't like it unless you have the option to speed it up. Ryan Diess usely does not give you that option. But in the end, I agree with Steve Wagenheim, no one is forcing you to watch anything. So if you want to watch it the - hint- the Marketer has you hooked - pay attention.

[shamabamma]

What tuns me off are those delayed videos that startup after you've been on the page for a little while. I hate having to click on all of my tabs just to find out where the darn noise is coming from. Once that happens, I close the tab and they just lost a sale.

[redicelander]

Interesting to see this particular thread revived, as it was from last year, but there have been many topics on this lately...

Well, in my own opinion, it sounds like it has been increasing conversions for most, so I find that interesting, I guess it's a way to get rid of those prospects who are not ready to buy in the first place, and helps convince those to buy who are ready for it.

As a prospect, though, for IM products if I cannot stop the video then I am just turned off right away as I figure it's going to be a high priced product as the high priced products seem to use this tactic. So, it gets me out of the way because I'm not prepared to buy any high priced products in the near future!

[Dr Livingston]

Videos have proved time and time again to be the best for conversions. Ryan Deiss says that it has always outperformed every other method for him.

There is a software that John Jonas uses... enounce... I believe that can speed the videos up to 3x faster without changing the pitch... he swears up and down by it.

[createyouwealth]

I most definitely know what you mean by the long video you have to sit through. I also just hit the close button to get out fast and start on more productive things in my business.

[lazersgopewpew]

I really can't wrap my brain around all the resistance to video. Are a lot of you ADD by any chance?

I like watching well produced video. Andy's launch videos for video boss were highly entertaining and very well done. Walkers videos for his recent launch were outstanding. Frank's video for list control is the best sales video I've ever seen. It's like a work of art.

Good video is great. It's so much more engaging than long form copy. Bad video though, is hard to get through. Really hard.

I think it takes even more skill to create compelling video than long form sales letter. It will be a while before most of the videos move beyond the "ugly duckling powerpoint presentation with voiceover" phase, and move into more dynamic, Andy Jenkinson produced style video because there's a LOT involved.

[Dennis Gaskill]

A lot of you good people seem to be missing the main point of the OP. He's not really complaining about being "forced" to watch the video, he's telling you how to fast forward videos where the controls have been taken away from you so you can get to the end faster. I think it's a useful tip and thanked him for it.

Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap

I hate being behind drivers that go below the speed limit. I still haven't found the little x for that.

Thomas, I just lightly bump into their back end until they get out of the way. You'd be surprised how fast most people pull off the road, it usually only takes one bump!

Originally Posted by MichaelHiles

Well, yeah, my canned answer to everything is "you should test it". The funny thing is that I've tested it both ways myself and having a link persistant outstripped the timed link.

That's why I tell people they have to test for themselves. Most of the time we're not serving the same audience, and even when we are we're not serving the exact same people. Marketers all have their own style too, even the copycats do to a small degree. These differing styles can attract different kinds of people. The only way you'll know what works best for you is to test for yourself.

(I know you know that, Michael. That comment was for those who aren't doing their own testing and those who believe someone else's testing applies to them.)

[mcmahanusa]

Isn't this a lot like an ice cream store that only sells vanilla ice cream? You will sell a lot of vanilla ice cream to the customers who want it, but a lot of traffic is going to walk back out or not come in at all. But if you offer not only vanilla, but chocolate, and maybe even strawberry - Wow! You'll sell a lot of ice cream.

Those marketers who give you no option other than to watch the video to the end are losing a lot of sales in the process. Perhaps they should offer other options, like a text transcript, that someone could return to at any time, or a speed-up button, or as someone else stated, an exit flash or another exit option. Perhaps separate marketing campaigns, each using a different approach.

As for me, I no longer will watch a 30 minute video, no matter who is presenting it or what is being marketed. I just don't have the time or patience. But that's just me.

[Robert Puddy]

Originally Posted by SimonHarrison

they pop to the price before you
have even the slightest chance to sell to them.

Thats why there used, thats why they make you wait for the price and the close, to stop you popping to the price before they sold you

Its why the conversions are higher no bail out becuase of the price, no bail out becuase they skimmed and missed stuff.

If they bailed out it was because they werent curious enough to find out more, thats usually the people who dont buy anyway.

No sales process will be 100%, this one though gives a higher average of sales. even 2% increase is a lot

Anyway, i'm sure folks will carry on hating them, just as im sure they will carry on giving a higher conversion rate overall.

People say they hate pop ups but they increase sales, people say they hate junk mail but they keep sending it because it keeps generating sales.

What people say they hate and what they respond too are usually two different things

ducks for incoming
Robert

[JustinBrooke]

Yes everyone hates these videos you should all stop
using or never try to use them.

I repeat please let me be the only idiot using these videos

They don't work and you'll just waste your time and
piss people off. Don't even bother.

[crossing fingers hoping this trick works]

[Winlin]

I agree, if your going to keep my attention... 10 minutes max. Long videos are not my preference. Give me the PDF version and I'm a happy camper.

Unless there's a compelling lesson to be learned I do as many others have already suggested and hit the little X up in the corner.

But there's a reason marketers do it... it works.


"To your success" - Winlin

[Bradshaw]

Originally Posted by Dr Livingston

Videos have proved time and time again to be the best for conversions. Ryan Deiss says that it has always outperformed every other method for him.

There is a software that John Jonas uses... enounce... I believe that can speed the videos up to 3x faster without changing the pitch... he swears up and down by it.

Videos just have that personal touch to them. In real life you can see the person's face and observe their body language which gives you an idea of how trustworthy they really are. Their voice tone says a lot about them too.

Words alone are a poor medium compared to words, voice and body language.

[thescribe]

I hate these videos as my time is limited, but apparently they work. Those using them have claimed big increases in conversions. I agree that they help you relay your message better (hearing the tone of voice), though, in a way that simple words almost never can.

[Phillip Lambert]

I haven't reached the stage of being annoyed at these little beauties - I actually find them quiet persuasive. LOL Am using camtasia too create my one video sales letters - I wonder how long this sales device will last?

[JaneMorgan]

No, i mean I can just click off if i dont like it that much

[tpw]

Originally Posted by David Chamberlain

Recently, many sales pages have been set up so that you are forced to watch the whole video.

Sometimes, I just don't have 22 minutes to sit there and have someone sell to me, and kinda just wanna get to the point (usually the price) and then I'll make a decision!

I despise people who FORCE me to watch the video according to their schedule instead of mine...

Of course, I could always hit the back button, then I am not forced to do anything...

But if I want to watch something, I will watch it...

The forced play is only annoying, because if a kid comes and interrupts the message I am watching, then I am forced to start the message again from the beginning... I am forced to watch things I did not need to see again, just so that I can see the things I missed...

Forced play often forces me to abandon videos I might have watched otherwise... Esp in a house where the 3yo, 7yo and 10yo are constantly vying for daddy's attention...

[Ken Strong]

Nobody's ever FORCED me to watch a video, sales or otherwise...

[Kathryn Mc]

I hate those videos, and I also hate those visual-learner formats where they try to teach you how to do something by showing you pictures instead of words (there's probably a better way to language concept this but hopefully you know what I'm talking about). This might seem slightly off-topic, but in both cases, there seems to be the presumption that people are too stupid to read and think for themselves. (And judging from what Simon Harrison reports, people apparently really are that stupid...)

[Kathryn Mc]

*probably a better way to language this concept* is what I meant to say. An ironic typo.

[Robert Plank]

I've tested fast-forward vs no fast-forward.

My webinar replay converted at just under 1% with fast forward and just over 2% without.

I haven't tested the delayed order button, all I'm saying is, before you badmouth it so much, split test it yourself.

Also, when I have access to fast forward I do what most of here are saying you do... I skip to the end... I scroll around... I miss most of the presentation.

Go on YouTube, search "google website optimizer" ... figure out how to setup an A/B split test... and try it for yourself, seriously.

[N4PGW]

That depends on the video. First of all, I don't like videos that are info-mercials with no time limit or speed bar. Worse yet are the ones that freeze the page until the video is completed.

Mike Filsaime and Chris Ferrell have two long videos. One is 32 minutes, the other about 22 minutes. They have slide bars and are full of usable, valuable content rather than infomercial hype. I don't plan to buy their product, but I added the nuggets I learned from it to what I am working on. I appreciate that kind of video.

I also recently visited a site with a 30 minute notice. There was no scroll bar, but I knew how long it would be so I let it run in the background until I got tired of hearing the infomercial rhetoric constantly repeating what they say they will tell you but never get around to saying. I turned it down and later, the page was there with the price of the product. While the first five minutes got my attention and might have sold me the product for $27, by the time it was over, I was no longer interested. They lowered the $47 price to $37 then to 27. FORGET IT! They sold me off the idea trying to tie up my time for 30 minutes.

I hate hearing what it is not It is not $1000, it is not even $999, and I am not selling it for $998, and guess what, buddy, you aren't selling it to me for $1.00 after that. GO AWAY!

Buck

[N4PGW]

Originally Posted by JustinBrooke

Yes everyone hates these videos you should all stop
using or never try to use them.

I repeat please let me be the only idiot using these videos

They don't work and you'll just waste your time and
piss people off. Don't even bother.

[crossing fingers hoping this trick works]

I can count at least four times in the last three or four months where I had my hand on my wallet wanting what they were selling and was talked out of buying it by being locked into a long video. Those were real sales lost because some idiot didn't have respect for my time.

[Lance K]

Originally Posted by N4PGW

I can count at least four times in the last three or four months where I had my hand on my wallet wanting what they were selling and was talked out of buying it by being locked into a long video. Those were real sales lost because some idiot didn't have respect for my time.

Personally, I don't care for them most of the time either. It depends on who is making the offer and who recommended it.

However, regardless of the delivery method the VAST MAJORITY of prospects are NOT going to purchase from a direct response offer. Especially a high ticket offer. So if a vendor has test data that tells them it's ok to piss you and I and others off to the point they lose our business, then so be it. If they have a handle on their lifetime customer value and videos without controls convert better, they'd be foolish to not make that their control offer.

Besides, with the quick hitting, high ticket launches that sell out in a matter of days (or less) the people who are willing to sit through a 20+ minute sales video and still buy will likely be worth more over time than those who won't.

So if you're going to use the launch strategy and sell out anyway, you might as well present your offer in a way that puts the most "rabid" buyers on your customer list. And leave the "luke warms" to somebody else.

[Edk]

Originally Posted by David Chamberlain

Hi Guys

Recently, many sales pages have been set up so that you are forced to watch the whole video.

Sometimes, I just don't have 22 minutes to sit there and have someone sell to me, and kinda just wanna get to the point (usually the price) and then I'll make a decision!

Anyway, I was watching one of these videos the other day, and decided to put it in fullscreen mode (right click on the video and select switch to fullscreen).

Low and behold..you can then fastforward through the video, saving you from having to watch the whole thing!

Hope this saves you some time guys...and if you use these videos, I'm sorry!

David

What a great service you've done the many of us who didn't know that. I lived in dread of those things. I can't wait for the next to come along. Many many thanks

[Emmanuel Inyang]

I hate Video Salespages - especially the ones without control buttons. What happens if I miss a few lines?

Video Sales Pages only work effectively when all your visitors have High-Speed Internet, otherwise it becomes Frustrating. If you REALLY need to use a video, at least give an Option to switch to a Long Copy.

[mihir]

Yeah, I hate them too. Many of them start auto playing, disturbing any music going on my machine.

Some ppl try to attract to watch video by saying "use coupon provided at the end of this video" and the worst part is, that video player would not support seeking to last.

[stevecane]

Just switch it off if you don;t like it... if you don;t need the sales video then you can make a decision without it.

S

[paulie888]

Those long sales videos can really drive me nuts, especially when there's no way to fast forward through them. This is actually intentional, as I believe Keith Wellman had outlined this strategy in his sales video creation process so as to ensure that you listen to the entire presentation, and apparently from his research he found that NOT enabling a fast forward button and/or slider bar increases conversion rates.

Lately I've seen some considerate marketers who give you the option of either watching the video or reading the sales letter immediately below it. I really like this approach, as I can read through the sales letter far more quickly (and absorb more) than sitting through the time consuming video!

[Anonymous Affiliate]

I personally like video sales letter because I'd rather watch a 10 minute tutorial video than read through a long ass sales page with dubious testimonials, a weird "farmer turns into millionaire" story, etc.

What I don't accept are videos without the control bar, or those videos where the price only pops up at the end of the video. That kills it for me, but videos themselves are cool.

[N4PGW]

Originally Posted by Robert Puddy

No sales process will be 100%, this one though gives a higher average of sales. even 2% increase is a lot

Anyway, i'm sure folks will carry on hating them, just as im sure they will carry on giving a higher conversion rate overall.


Robert

There has to be a better way, because someone selling "Learn Photoshop in one hour" wasted my hour after I was committed to buying it. 50 minutes after I was ready to buy, I had to go so they did not get the sale.

I found out later this was a $97 product and I was ready and willing to buy.

Don't waste my time by spending an hour telling me how much time your product will save.

At least have the courtesy of telling me how long the video is before I start watching. Otherwise you are abusing your prospect and disrespecting their time.

[Intrepreneur]

They only make them long to make you click exit and land on the squeeze page part.. I guess those annoying hover ads scared of the super affiliates so they dreamed up a new way of getting it done!