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What media format do you prefer when digesting an IM-related info-product.

by TrafficGuy Claude
24 replies
I know that we all learn the best through different modalities, but I'm trying to get some idea of what medium is the most desired here on the Warrior Forum.

Personally, I prefer PDFs and/or Physical Books for learning new materials.

My second favorite is MP3 or other audio files that I can burn to CD and listen to in my car.

Video comes in last for me.

While it can be a good format for somethings that need an actual demonstration, like software tutorials, contrary to popular belief I don't think its the end-all-be-all of media.

Not everyone is created equal, some people have boring voices, thick accents, talk too fast, too slow, are too excited, or not exciting enough.

With video there are just too many variables that can get in the way of the content if you're not working with a professional production company.

I really hate sitting through 20 minute Camtasia fueled borefests, when the same guy could have easily gotten his point across in 2-3 pages of written text.

Please vote and discuss...
#digesting #format #imrelated #infoproduct #media #prefer
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Originally Posted by TrafficGuy Claude View Post

    What media format do you prefer when digesting an IM-related info-product.
    I tend not to eat my IM products but if I were to, I would definitely prefer a PDF report if it's something fairly easily explained. If it's a demonstration or tutorial that requires a lot of step by step instructions then I would also like to have a video I can follow along with as well, if need be.

    Nothing beats having both formats available. That way the customer can choose what works best for them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Hamida Harland
    PDFs for me as well.

    I'm not a fan of video at all, unless it's teaching something technical that might otherwise be difficult to understand.

    I find videos are often really drawn out - most times the contents of a 20 minute video could be summarised in just half a page.

    It's much easier, and saves a WHOLE lot of time, to quickly scan through a pdf, pick out the bits I want to know, and leave the rest. It's difficult to do that with a video without missing something crucial.
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    • Profile picture of the author Greggg
      I third that. I much prefer PDF's as well. And more so, PDF's that are in a printable format without an ink heavy header or footer that doesn't add any value to the report.

      Like the two comments above, video for step by step info (like setting up an autoresponder in Aweber if it's something completely new to you) but not unnecessary video the way so many products do, just for the higher perceived value of video. I do not need to watch a video of google.com while you talk for 15 minutes.

      Hope that helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Christian Little
    I prefer PDF for most things so I can assimilate the information at my own pace instead of having to pause a video and go back 30 seconds to try and listen again to something important.

    If it's information on using a tool though, I prefer both PDF and video examples. The video's usually show how to do something, but I tend to fiddle with advanced settings in any program I use so having a guide for them is always ideal.
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  • Profile picture of the author Terri LC
    I love PDF's too if the right font/size. I'll go for video for tutorials but you have to have a really awesome voice!

    Cheers,
    Terrir
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  • Profile picture of the author NateC
    I like the video/ pdf also option. I like to watch the videos so you don't have to flip through a ton of screen shots on the pdfs. I do like using the pdfs as a reference so I don't have to skim through the videos.
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  • Profile picture of the author scriptstar
    I like to watch a video on any given day and then PDF and then MP3 last. There is a reason for youtube to be the second biggest search engine. There is a reason for MSMM 2.0 is the 9 million launch. It's all video. But sometimes, I like to read like when I am traveling in a bus or train.

    I bought hundreds of books but never finished one from cover to cover but I bought video products and watched almost all atleast once.

    An image is better than 1000 words.

    Cheers..
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    • Profile picture of the author marcuslim
      Personally for myself, I prefer PDFs because I can quickly scan and pick out the main points and ideas without sitting through the videos. This saves a lot of time. However, when creating products, remember that video has a much higher perceived value, and let's face it, we live in the YouTube era where people are reading less and less, and to cater to the masses, video is the way to go.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bradley J Anderson
    I usually prefer PDFs, myself, but there are times when video is more appropriate.
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    • Profile picture of the author andynakamura
      I like them all, but prefer PDF. However, that said, as IM goes you should make them all. Video has a higher perceived value so its easier to sell a $97 if you have video, even if its not the highest quality.

      The problem I face is information overload. I get so many stuff its hard to concentrate on one thing and make money, which is the determining factor eh?

      So yea, pdf is great, but if ain't gonna make you money, then don't spend too much time!

      Andy
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  • Profile picture of the author Transcripts
    I prefer written words, because I can read parts over and over if I have to and easily go back to things that were not clear. I agree, with the others, if it's a visual concept I would prefer video. I like podcasts for downloading, so I can listen to when I'm doing other things. But, I will get to and through something in print the quickest and get the most out of it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Charles Washington
    With pdf's, I can scan past the fluff and uneeded info and get to the things I find new and interesting. With video, I am held hostage by the length of it. I cant scan past the fluff or anything.

    PDF FTW!
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  • Profile picture of the author incliner
    I really like videos for teaching how to use software, etc. It's all too common that a person just drags out the information and that is boring so that you almost wish you didn't have to watch it. In those circumstances, I like the PDF so I can just "get through it".
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    Definitely PDF for me. I like to be able to go back and reference anything....very quickly. PDFs also allow for people to learn at their own pace.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    PDF/text - I read faster than the average and remember it very well
    Video - if something really needs a step by step demonstration, only
    Audio - useless for me: my auditive memory is poor (compared to my visual "photographic" memory) and after a few minutes I can't focus on it

    EDIT. As a "producer" - my last product was videos with a pdf transcript: people loved that combination!
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    • Profile picture of the author SuResearcher
      Like most on this poll, as a consumer I prefer PDF's with videos for instructional material that needs to be shown. For me talking head videos/bullet point videos take up too much of my time. I can consume text way faster than video.

      Many products these days are videos because it's easier for the creator. A few people even teach that videos have more perceived value and hence that's what should be created. For me, a video just for the sake of a video does not enhance the value of a product.
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  • Profile picture of the author NateRivers
    I like text and audio. I love listening to audio, but that's most useful when it's concepts and big-picture type stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Faber
    Originally Posted by TrafficGuy Claude View Post

    I know that we all learn the best through different modalities, but I'm trying to get some idea of what medium is the most desired here on the Warrior Forum.

    Personally, I prefer PDFs and/or Physical Books for learning new materials.

    My second favorite is MP3 or other audio files that I can burn to CD and listen to in my car.

    Video comes in last for me.

    While it can be a good format for somethings that need an actual demonstration, like software tutorials, contrary to popular belief I don't think its the end-all-be-all of media.

    Not everyone is created equal, some people have boring voices, thick accents, talk too fast, too slow, are too excited, or not exciting enough.

    With video there are just too many variables that can get in the way of the content if you're not working with a professional production company.

    I really hate sitting through 20 minute Camtasia fueled borefests, when the same guy could have easily gotten his point across in 2-3 pages of written text.

    Please vote and discuss...

    I agree with you for many of the same reasons. Sure, there are some things that are best described/demonstrated in video. Those are definitely not the norm. Many marketers are taking the whole video thing too far.

    With a printed guide, I can digest it much more readily at my own pace, I don't need audio, and too much of the videos I see is overblown and, in many cases, too promotional, rather than educational. I can usually get far more out of printed/pdf materials in much less time than video, and time is something I definitely have too little of.

    I also really like MP3s that I can listen to in my car, when that time is otherwise wasted listening to the radio.
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  • Profile picture of the author Linda_C
    Originally Posted by TrafficGuy Claude View Post

    I really hate sitting through 20 minute Camtasia fueled borefests, when the same guy could have easily gotten his point across in 2-3 pages of written text.

    Yep. That sums it up. Too much borefest in videos.

    PDF for me. I speed-read, so it kills me to sit through 20-50 minutes of vid-fluff when I could have read the thing in minutes. Unless it's a product demo. Then I want video AND pdf so I can refer back to the pdf after.

    I hate wasting time even more than wasting money. Money I can get back if I waste it. Time I can't get back. And I'm old, so I don't have time to waste.
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    • Profile picture of the author ThrillerAuthor
      Originally Posted by Linda_C View Post

      Yep. That sums it up. Too much borefest in videos.

      PDF for me. I speed-read, so it kills me to sit through 20-50 minutes of vid-fluff when I could have read the thing in minutes. Unless it's a product demo. Then I want video AND pdf so I can refer back to the pdf after.

      I hate wasting time even more than wasting money. Money I can get back if I waste it. Time I can't get back. And I'm old, so I don't have time to waste.
      I love PDF - read very fast and can quickly scan through parts I know about or would like to come back to later.

      It just goes beyond me - these camtasia borefests - it's so easy to cut out the pieces you don't want, why don't they do it? Is it just plain laziness, or just being in a hurry to get that WSO out to start making money?

      I just cannot sit through a video and listen to the presenter while demonstrating something and going "uhm...aahh...uhhhhm...ahhhh..." all the time. It's a huge waste of time.

      So please, any product creators reading here, pretty please just cut the fluff out of your next video - we don't like fluff in e-books, nor do we like it in video!
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      • Profile picture of the author Transcripts
        Originally Posted by ThrillerAuthor View Post

        I love PDF - read very fast and can quickly scan through parts I know about or would like to come back to later.

        It just goes beyond me - these camtasia borefests - it's so easy to cut out the pieces you don't want, why don't they do it? Is it just plain laziness, or just being in a hurry to get that WSO out to start making money?

        I just cannot sit through a video and listen to the presenter while demonstrating something and going "uhm...aahh...uhhhhm...ahhhh..." all the time. It's a huge waste of time.

        So please, any product creators reading here, pretty please just cut the fluff out of your next video - we don't like fluff in e-books, nor do we like it in video!
        And, if you are a product creator, and you prefer to use video or audio then hit me up, so I can turn your product into text for your clients
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Can't vote because that means only selecting one answer.

    I'm a firm believer in "horses for courses".

    For things like software demonstrations or physical procedures, video is my choice. Sometimes a two-minute video can teach better than a twenty page booklet or pdf.

    For conceptual things which lend themselves to audio, I like having both audio (for the same reason mentioned in the OP) and text, which I can read more quickly than someone can speak clearly.

    The packages I've had the most value from, format-wise, are the ones where the creator has put his thought into the most effective means of communicating, rahter than what might be most popular.
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