Which Matter to You Most? The Quality of the Content or the Types of Medium Used (Audio, Video, PDF)

by fated82

Posted: 13 years ago 17 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I was wondering if the medium makes any difference for buyers? Do you tend to buy video tutorials compared to just PDF files? or it doesn't matter to you as long as the quality of the content is superb?

#audio #content #matter #medium #pdf #quality #types #video

Dan C. Rinnert 13 years ago

The quality of the content but it has to be delivered in a way I consider accessible.

I prefer PDFs. Text & photos. I can read faster than I can watch a video. And, I can re-read as needed, and it's easier to flip through text than to try to fast forward and reverse video to find something.

But, other people prefer video.

So, the best option is to offer the content in both formats.
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Josiah Grimes 13 years ago

I agree with Dan.

If you can deliver in both formats it's the best. I can learn the easiest from videos. So, I tend to buy video courses more. PDFs are awesome for all the reasons Dan related though. It definitely allows one to process the information quicker.

Regards,

Josiah
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Keithsco 13 years ago

Research has shown that people learn in a variety of ways.

Apparently there are " visual learners", " Readers" and "listeners'.

This suggests that to gain maximum exposure, appeal and therefore sales that you would offer whatever product you are selling in all forms (written, audio and video where and when possible). If video is not appropriate perhaps a walkthrough of procedure using screenshots is more suitable

of course the method used to deliver doesn't matter squat if the content is rubbish so it is a combo of both excellent content and availability by a variety of mediums that will win out at the end of the day
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webfighter 13 years ago

Of course the quality of content matters the most.

However, like Dan, I prefer PDFs as the medium. I'm not the type of guy who can sit down for hours watching someone show you "how to do it".
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Dennis Gaskill 13 years ago

Quality is always important, but the format matters to me as well. PDF is preferred. You can't easily find something in audio or video if you want to go back to grab some details.

Of course, it the video is short, say 1-2 minutes, it's not so bad. Audio just sucks, IMO, except for music, of course.
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- The Bad Blogger 13 years ago
  
  I will prefer content, it doesn't matter whether is audio or video or just pdf... because even pdf or may be a book can sell at a $1000, I mean Jay Abraham had a book that sells for $1000 dollars... I heard it from one of Eben's course... I forgot which one...
  
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BloggingPro 13 years ago

The quality of the content matters regardless of how it is served. It seems the only thing I want to watch in a video though is a review. I don't like reading those for some reason. However when I'm looking to learn something resourceful I'll read before I watch any videos as informational/educational videos seem to drag on and be boring.

In a nutshell if its a movie review, a video game review or a device review I search for a vid. If I want to learn a new marketing technique I will search for something to read. In either case, if the content is crap I'll move onto something else.
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NateRivers 13 years ago

To newbies I think video seems sexy... but for me things keep pointing back to the written word. The best product/training I've ever gone though is badly-formatted PDF.

So.... I would say PDFs.
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Andrea Wilson 13 years ago

Nothing beats the quality of course it doesn't matter where it is compiled. But if you are talking about which one is the most convenient then I say it is pdf. I dont have a superb internet connection and a single video takes forever to load so I prefer an easy to read and open pdf.

Andrea
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- Kev Stevenson 13 years ago
  
  Quality of content is of course paramount! No matter what the format.
  
  I worked in education for while and the question of format ties in to 'Learning Styles...
  
  Some people learn best by reading.
  Some people learn best by watching.
  Some people learn best by listening.
  Some people learn best by doing.
  Some people learn best by asking questions.
  
  Many people can use a combination of all or some. i.e they have more than one effective learning style.
  
  If you are lucky, you will be able to learn effectively no matter how the lesson is presented (i.e no matter what format).
  
  The benefits of certain formats can be useful tho'...
  i.e 4 short vids rather than one long one (allows easier retrieval of info)
  or
  The ability to load audio to your MP3 player so you can learn while gardening or whatever.
  or
  Being able to print out useful pages of a .pdf
  
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  JohnMcCabe 13 years ago
  
  Bad content is worthless, regardless of medium. So, assuming good content, my personal preference is a blend. Use the medium appropriate to the content. For most things, for me, that means a pdf. I can read a pdf much faster than you can read it to me over a PowerPoint of the text. On the other hand, some things benefit from a video presentation, like software demonstrations.
  
  I don't mind videos of seminar-style presentations by a good presenter, either. I'm currently working my way through Rob (ccmusicman) Howard's WSO. The videos included are mainly Rob in front of a whiteboard, teaching. His enthusiasm and knowledge are obvious, and it sucks you in.
  
  I like audios for more conceptual kinds of information because I like to rip them to CDs and play them in the car while driving.
  
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paulie888 13 years ago

The quality of content definitely matters. While I personally prefer PDFs for the ability to scan through and access information quickly when I need it, it seems that many people prefer videos.

I think the best course of action would be to make the information available in at least two formats - PDF and videos. By doing this, you'll have a product that has the broadest appeal, and this should help you get higher sales.

Paul
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Istvan Horvath 13 years ago

Personally, I prefer reading, so PDF. But I am old school... Of course, we are talking ONLY quality content: if there is no quality the medium will not save your product

If I offer teaching/training/guide type of info... I make it as a video (screenshot) and add a pdf transcript. Customers seemed to be happy with this solution.
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Barry Unruh 13 years ago

I want to point out a simple fact, so you don't overlook it.

Quality Content = VALUABLE INFORMATION

It does not necessarily mean beautiful packaging. Some of the best items I have every purchased look like crap. (Sorry to a few Warriors, but it's true.)

I enjoy video as an added bonus to my PDF files. If you try to sell me a video only course, FORGET IT. I don't have the time to sit through most of them. Hopefully you caught that "most of them" there have been a few really HIGH QUALITY INFORMATION videos I made time to watch.

MP3/Audio files are another great addition, but not replacement. I will load them onto my MP3 player and listen when I'm doing boring manual labor, sitting waiting for my wife, etc. Once again, I most times could care less about the fine technical quality of the recording if the information is outstanding. (It must be "listenable")

My vote would always go for PDF files first.
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Josh Richardson 13 years ago

I would say definetly the quality of the content. I prefer videos / PDf personally, but if the information is THAT good, i dont care if you spell it out in Alphabet Spaghetti, i'll still read it!
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Charlotte Jay 13 years ago

I am a big advocate of the written word, so I'll say PDF is my chosen medium. I loathe videos, I get restless watching them and zone out. Text makes more sense to me and as others have said, you can back to a certain point without having to constantly rewind video. BUT, I will say if the content is horrible or worthless, it doesn't really matter at all. Make it valuable and I'll give your videos a chance
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TomBuck 13 years ago

I prefer video courses, they are easier to understand and quicker to do and get through in most cases.
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