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

[intromaster]

shame....some warriors are starting to do it now too!

[Greg guitar]

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.

You stole my thunder;-) .... exactly right!

[mbacak]

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.

Couldn't been said any better.

[mbacak]

Originally Posted by Greg guitar

You stole my thunder;-) .... exactly right!

We must have said that at the same time. :-)

[fernando avila]

I was watching one of these sales videos one time and I was almost at the end to see what the price was. Then I had to get up to check on something, and my little girl comes to the computer and closes the freakin page. I went crazy cause i was gonna have to watch all the same crap again

[mbacak]

Originally Posted by fernando avila

I was watching one of these sales videos one time and I was almost at the end to see what the price was. Then I had to get up to check on something, and my little girl comes to the computer and closes the freakin page. I went crazy cause i was gonna have to watch all the same crap again

Now, that would be frustrating.

[fernando avila]

When I did see the price it was ridiculous. I think i was better off when my daughter closed the window

[Aith]

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.

Exit scripts are a must on these sites. When some looses attention and goes to leave, you can try and send them to another page with a short written sales copy and a bit of a discount.

[SeanIM]

I was speaking with a friend and partner just the other day that got advice to 'force' the full video watch....I was not in agreement as I think giving the customer the option to make a purchase action at the point they are ready to buy is a better practice than making them hang out for another 5 minutes before the purchase link is given.

It's a very strange practice imo...would have to split test this to speak more intelligently on the topic though.

S

[twistedpixel]

Even long-form Infomercials have calls to action every few minutes, they don't make you watch all thirty minutes before telling you how to take action.

I imagine that something similar could be done with an overlay link in the video every 5 minutes?

[SimonHarrison]

In a niche I work in a colleague of mine who does big volume, $20k+ per day has removed all their sales copy and replaced it with just a 21 minute video, nothing else on the page at all, you can't FF it or even Pause it!!!!

He has some code scripted so when the video finishes his buy button appears.

That's it.

He added thousands per day with this annoying as hell video and the video is no more than voice over text frames.

Expect to see a lot more of them to come, I've been testing with opt in pages and it's working like gangbusters.

I'm still not 100% sure they work other than it removes anything from the page that somebody may not like and focusses their attention, but bottom line, people interested in what you have to tell them watch the entire thing and buy. They also get invested time wise and I think that forces them to watch the entire video rather than calling it a day.

Always remember as well we are jaded IM'ers who look at everything with a "what are they selling me " head on.

A huge number of regular joe's just looking for information don't enter a site with that mind set and if there's nothing there but a video to watch, they don't see a big buy button early on it , it increases sales.

Who knows how well this pans out across all niches, but damm it works well in some, and on opt in pages, I'm finding it mind blowing, especially (and here's the winning gold nugget) when you have an on exit script allowing them to get something for free if they fail to watch the entire video.

Please ignore this information, I don't need the technique being overused, thanks.

[Oscar D]

Yes, I do hate it

So I just leave the site most of the time, I don't have time to waste

[Ralf Skirr]

I don't like it when a page does not offer written info that I can browse quickly.

I never watch those 20 minutes blahblah videos.

I start some videos, but if after 30 seconds the guy is not very focused and on topic I go away.

Ralf

[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.

[catherine ford]

To me that is the downside of videos - with a sales page that you are reading you can speed read you cant do that with a video. I normally switch it iff after only a few seconds and then fail to purchase
Catherine

[Pete Egeler]

Don't watch ANY videos myself, no matter what length. But then I'm on dialup, too.

And, I don't read long, wandering, here's a million testimonial sites either.

A recent report I read said it best. "Write like it's for a newspaper. Short, targeted, and to the point".

In other words, cut the B.S., and get on with it.

Pete

[JustVisiting]

Where I live some days the ADSL is pretty slowwww... Videos are then totally impossible to watch. I'd prefer the option of a short sales letter.

[Technista]

I don't like it at all. It's presumptuous to assume that people will endure a lengthy video without the ability to control it. Under those situations, I usually close the window.

I wonder how effective it is for conversions, forcing people to see the entire presentation? (Reminds me of those time-share presentations that you have to sit through to get the "free" vacation... except the marketer isn't giving you a gift for watching!)

[Simo]

What's that sound?

That's the sound of hundreds of simultaneous "close browser" clicks on sales page videos over 5 minutes.

Warriors - If you can't get your sales pitch done under 5 minutes then refine it. Otherwise I (and my clickhappy friends) am gone.

[rockstarinlife]

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 dont come accross those kinds of video often but I do dislike them. I came accross one of Russell Brunsons at http://www.bodyevolution.com/freedvd/ . I really wanted to skip ahead but couldnt.