Do you hate being FORCED to watch a sales video?

[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

[jefferybaxter]

Yes I hate watching long videos. I even hate reading long sales pages lol. I'm one of those guys who's like ok...what are you selling? How much is it? Money Back Guarantee? Where are your testimonials? Why is your product so good that I should buy? If all satisfies I'll pull out the debit!

~Jeff

[Louise Evans]

I think they are a powerful sales method, but some do go on a bit (I'm just as guilty as anyone for this).

[Steven Wagenheim]

Nobody is forcing you to watch anything.

See that little X at the top right hand corner of your browser?

It performs a wonderful function.

[Lisa Gergets]

I dislike having to watch them also because my time is pretty limited. Like jefferybaxter, I want to know what, why, and how...that's it. But I realize that's not necessarily what sells product, that's just me.

[Shenlord]

I click them off or leave the site.

[Drew Castle]

Originally Posted by jefferybaxter

Yes I hate watching long videos. I even hate reading long sales pages lol. I'm one of those guys who's like ok...what are you selling? How much is it? Money Back Guarantee? Where are your testimonials? Why is your product so good that I should buy? If all satisfies I'll pull out the debit!

~Jeff

I'm the same way.

[Thomas Belknap]

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

[Robyn8243]

I agree...I don't like it.

And while you have the choice of just x ing out, sometimes you just want to skip to the end to find out what is being offered. I want the option to see what is being offered before I spend my 20 minutes.

Of course, that is probably the point....you have to watch the whole presentation, subjecting yourself to 100% of the hype/presentation/sales tactics before you learn the price/details....kind of like a lot of teleseminars.

At least with a long sales page, you can easily skim and skip to the end.

Ultimately people are going to go with whatever results in more sales.

Robyn

[sbucciarel]

I was on HughesNet broadband which limits your daily bandwidth and I fired them so now I'm on dialup ... so video sales pages are not an option. The only sales pages I bother with are the ones you read.

[BlueSquares]

Yup...so do quite a few others.

Video Squeeze Pages that AutoPlay...with No Controls...for 30 Minutes!

[alexanderberson]

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

Really?

I am surprised that you could not fast forward. And in your case if you wanted to know what the price then fast forward to the end of it to see the price?

[la dominatrix]

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

You do not have to sit through the whole video you can turn it off
La dominatrix

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by David Chamberlain

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

Not me. I learned how to click the "close" button and get out of them. It's an enormous time-saver.

[Stevie B]

Yup, totally agree. I tend to 'x' out of them now if there is no fast forward control or slider so I can 'speed watch'.

The other thing that gets my goat is that, if you wanted to watch one offline when you have more time, they usually can't be downloaded either.

Steve

[David Chamberlain]

Sometimes, I'm genuinely interested, but don't want to sit through it all! Sometimes I do just press the x, but it's good to know you can fastforward through some....

[bizideas]

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

I do believe it's poor taste to try and take away someone's control choice. As Steven said, there is an easy way out.

However, my view is more like this:

Let's say that you're at home scanning channels with your remote and find something interesting. AH HA...an infomercial.

You decide to stay on the channel and keep looking because it's fascinating to you. Never mind the fact that you're a marketer yourself.

There are plenty of 30 minute infomercials that've been produced over the years that don't force you to watch but somehow you end up sitting through their entire presentation anyway...whether you end up being a customer or not.

If you feel like you're being "forced" then it's not an effective video.


Eric

[mrmagos]

Video? I like to treat sales videos simply as audio and continue about my business in another tab. Typically, the only things I miss are any "visual proof" or images of the creator and/or the shiny things they have bought with their vast fortunes or otherwise claim to own.

[DAS_Matt]

There isn't a chance in hell I would force someone to watch a 22 minute long video. Personally I can't think of a much more stupid thing to do. That's somethnig I can't imagine helps sales one bit. I generally don't mind very aggressive sales tactics but that's one I would just say "bleep you" to the owner and then find and buy from their competitor.

[Kay King]

It seems to be an increasing trend - but no one forces me to watch them.

If I'm interested in a product and that is my only option to find out more - I lose interest and move on.

I realize it is supposed to be "effective" but clearly I'm not the target audience so don't need the product.

kay

[webdiva]

I totally understand the 'concept'. However, being a really BUSY webmistress, it annoys the HELL out of me.

I just wanna know
1. what is it/what does it do
2. how much does it cost
3. is there a guarantee
4. if anyone else likes/dislikes it

If the vid is less than 6-7 minutes, I sometimes hang in. But more than that, with out a visible fast forward button, I'm outa there.

But then, I HATE to miss anything that may prove to be the most useful, powerful tool or new strategy... so there's the rub for me. And that's the motive behind removing the video contols, right? Taking away the 'remote control' and appealing to (preying on) people's curiosity or fear of missing out.

[Mary Gallivan]

Nobody ever 'forces' me to do anything as I have free will.

I also dislike long videos and much prefer text unless it's a step by step guide on how to do something.

If I'm really interested in what's on offer and it's from someone familiar, respected and has a good reputation then I may watch it if it suits me at the time, or save it for later viewing.

Mary

[Peter Bestel]

Video is just plain old text copy, but with moving pictures and a soundtrack!

It should be easy to navigate just as you would a sales page of text - omitting controls is not a good idea and will prompt the viewer to click the X.

All the rules of writing good copy apply just as much for video as they do for text.

A.I.D.A. will always hold true - it's just a shame that it's apparently easy to forget the basics when producing a video, thinking that the medium itself is exciting enough to hold interest - it often isn't the case.

But being 'forced' to watch all 22 mins in order to find the punchline is unacceptable - very few people have either the patience or time.

Peter

[mrwoods]

It seems to me if the video is 5 minutes or less and the nuts and bolts can be scrolled through on the info sales page, that would be the best of both worlds. What benefits get each of us to buy is different anyway. Is it the testimonials, the price, the money back guarantee, or the TIME the product will help us save making the money in the first place.

[Ricardo-Acosta]

I love videos I rather watch the video than read the sales letter, but what I dont like is when theres no freakin pause or rewind button. Darn you gurus.

[chameleon]

Yeah, I'll more than likely leave the page if there are no controls on the video...especially if it's a long one.

[Daniel Brock]

Anytime you see a forced video you know right away that the product is going to cost a lot of money.

The other day, I saw a re-sale rights offer and they made you sit through the entire 20 minute video before they told you the price. The entire time I was thinking to myself, this thing is probably going to cost like $1000. Sure enough, that was the price.

[Vaan]

you are very funny sthepen LoL..
You forget something, there is one more obstacles...

POP UP EXIT!

That's right, it's very anoyong if I meet this kind of pop up >.<

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Nobody is forcing you to watch anything.

See that little X at the top right hand corner of your browser?

It performs a wonderful function.

[Black Hat Cat]

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's called the passing lane.

[TheRichJerksNet]

I am not forced to do anything I do not wish to do .. Have video, auto play, no controls then you just got one less visitor... There is a reason a browser has a "close" button. I use it as often as I need.

James