Which do you like best-video or no video sales pages?

by 79 replies
90
I just finished changing up this sales page.

If you were interested in this product...

Which would compel you to buy...

the sales page with video...
Article Writing Fast and Easy - Step by Step Videos Show You

or without the video...
Article Writing - Fast and Easy - Conquer The Internet and Create Success

I'd like your honest opinion on what you would change or if you think it's on target.

I'd also be willing to give away some review copies to some WF if they were serious about reviewing it for me.

Let me know you thoughts!

Thanks Greatly,
Burt
#main internet marketing discussion forum #article marketing #bestvideo #no video sales page #pages #sales #video #video sales page
  • Hi Burt,

    I would go with the Salespage with Video. Videos sell. Many don't have the time to read through all the details.But, it shouldn't be too long. Also, it'll be good if you were in the vid - even for a while. It makes it personal.

    Cheers!
    Shawn

    Just my 2 cents.
    • [1] reply
    • [QUOTE=ShawnPeter;3088002]Hi Burt,

      I would go with the Salespage with Video. Videos sell.
      Cheers!
      Shawn

      I agree Shawn, thanks for your input!

      Eagle: And something else to consider would be offering an option to read the text of the video for those people who would rather read than listen to a video or audio recording.

      I actually had or have a sales page with both...
      Article Writing Fast and Easy - Step by Step Videos Show You

      but the feed back I recieved from some WF...have either sales or video...

      Still debating wheather to have the video auto play or not.

      Thanks for the input!

      Blessings,
      Burt
      • [1] reply
  • This is strictly my personal opinion, but if I find that I have arrived at a sales page where a video starts automatically, I just leave.

    I would highly recommend that you allow the visitor to start the video when he / she is ready for a whole host of reasons.

    And something else to consider would be offering an option to read the text of the video for those people who would rather read than listen to a video or audio recording.
  • Hi Burt,

    I like the last one with both video and text. However I feel that the
    video should be above the text not below it.

    Just my 2 cents
    • [1] reply
    • Burt, you asked for opinions based on the assumption that I'm a consumer interested in the product. So here are my purely personal opinions...

      I don't like the first one, with just the video. One, I'm in the camp that doesn't like autoplay videos - especially ones that rely on a strident noise to get my attention. Two, you're pitching a product about how to write, yet you use a video for the squeeze. There's a disconnect for me. something in my head is saying "if he's good enough to teach me how to write for all this money, why doesn't he walk the walk?"

      The second one is better, although I think there's too much white space. You could tighten things up, and get everything above the fold.

      As for the third option, the one with both, we still have the problem with the autoplay. Since you really aren't doing anything in the video besides flashing a few stock images, it doesn't need to be that big. Again, in your place, I would tighten up the design so I could get the important stuff into one screen. On my 17" monitor, the video is off-screen, so the sudden loud music is startling. I'd be more likely to bail out with the back button than scroll down to see what it was.
      • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • I think that a video page is far more better than a text-page. People like me are far too lazy for reading all information .

    @Burt

    For my part, I don't like auto play videos because I don't have the free decision to watch the video or not. I'm gonna watch the video but I don't want to be "forced". I always leave pages with autoplay video.

    Regards.

    Daniel
  • I'm biased because I teach Video but Video works for me in combination with some short text.

    Video really taps into the senses and helps you get to know the person offering the product.

    jules
  • Hi Burt,

    I would suggest the text layout but put the video at the top.

    I am glad to see you have left the video controls available for the visitor, as there is little I hate more than not knowing how long a video will last.

    I don't think that auto-play is a problem, just as long as you allow people the option to stop it if they wish; which you have done.

    Cheers,
    Colin Palfrey
  • One suggestion would be to put some moves on the images, so slow zooms ins, pan them across, basically jazz them up a bit.

    Also use big text on a plain background to visually narrate some of the key points which brings it back to the topic of articles and words.

    j
  • Read John's comments about a dozen times. They are really good.

    I like video on sales pages, but dislike video alone.

    I like video which gets to the point, talks to me directly, and does not throw noise and distractions at me. I'm a BIG talking head fan, reinforced with graphics to prove points.

    You definitely need to tighten up the text page and get the opt-in form above the fold.

    Last point....Create 3 pages. One only text, one only video, one with both, and test....our opinions are worthless.
  • Burt, I would do both. I can only get dial-up access and you know how video really suck's using it. You might be suprised how many people only have dial-up and rely on the written word.Besides, in my opinion you are leavng money on the table by not incorporating both
  • Neither of these are sales pages - they are optin pages. They should be kept simple and plain for best effect.
    • [1] reply
    • Hello Burt,

      Personally I don't have any particular preference for video or non-video; it depends on the topic and the presentation for me. Therefore I think that the comment "video sells" made a couple of times in previous posts, can be a bit of a sweeping generalisation.

      Having said that I find that the video version held my attention much more than the text-only one. There is too much of a gap between the bullet points on the text version and I found the yellow highlighting distracting.

      In my opinion the video version would be improved if there was more text to accompany the spoken word. A bit of a contradiction, I know, but as someone who has a slight hearing problem I like to read and listen at the same time.

      Hope these comments are of some help - sounds like a great product.

      George
  • I'd love to have videos on sales page. They create more emphasis on the product and give the product better appeal to people. Some also aren't inclined to reading. Viewing a product video would easily catch the audience's eyes and have easy understanding of the product. Hope this counts.
  • Hi Burt,
    I personally like having both the videos and the pdf. I think the videos should be first and the pdf right below it. I think the key is to not make the videos or the pdf's too long. People's attention spans are not very long. Great job!
    • [1] reply
    • I have two words for you "T" "V". That should tell you everything you need to know about how engaging video is. Just remember don't start the video with anything that is going to annoy the visitor. You want to engage them not frighten or startle them. I also think for the purposes of a squeeze page or sales page autostart is good, just leave the controls on the player so they can stop it if they need to. Make sure your volume levels are moderate when you create the video. Some people are at work when they visit your page.


      Bottom line is you can't please all of the people all of the time. But video starts delivering your message immediately with no effort or action required from the visitor.
  • Autoplay videos are the worst! That said, having an option for video is never going to steer you wrong.
  • I am all about the video sales page personally. I have tested time and again, and even with just a plain video and an email opt-in my squeeze pages convert at 30%
    • [2] replies
    • I really like the layout of the non video page, it is veryclear and easy to flow with.
      However, the video page will entice you to look inside, but a downside will be for people with slow computers and internet connection.
    • I really like the layout of the non video page, it is very clear and easy to flow with.
      However, the video page will entice you to look inside, but a downside will be for people with slow computers and internet connection.
  • I don't like the look of the text site at all. Needs serious work.
    That said, I like the look of the video site but the voice over on
    the video needs to be re-done. That's not a personal criticism.
    Many people just don't have the experience required to do good
    voice over work. The tone is far too melodramatic.

    Tsnyder
    • [1] reply
    • Here is my take on both of your pages. This is a bit blunt but it is meant in the right way to help you make your site better.

      Having looked at both sites there is a common problem.
      The layout of each site is very poor.

      On your text based one the opt in box is below the fold so I have to scroll down to see it. Also the layout is very poor and there are yellow dashes between your bullet points. I personally dont like the background image - I know you are trying to portray a newspaper but i just find it very distracting as the header and the background just merge into one.
      Your heading does not convey any benefits "Article writing fast and Easy" is more of a feature than a benefit. Something more along the lines of " I will take you by the hand and show you step by step how to create articles in less than 10 minutes" (this is not very good as its just off the top of my head) but your headline should give your main benefit straight away.
      Overall the page looks amateurish.

      On your Video page again your headline is very poor also the text on your sub headline is in different font sizes. On your opt in box there is no distinct call to action to make people actually sign up.
      Again I don't like the overall design as it looks a bit amateurish
      With regards to the Video itself. the intro graphics are a bit blurred and to be honest does nothing for the actual content you are trying to get across. The first 30 seconds have nothing to do with the actual subject matter.
      I also concur with most posters that I personally hate Videos that start automatically. Also Videos that have loud noises and high tempo music put me off.

      Sorry to be so critical but hopefully this review will help you improve on your pages.

      many thanks
      mark
  • If I am buying software then a video showing what the software does is a must for me. For ebooks I would rather just read a sales page.

    But I rarely buy ebooks as opposed to software.
  • Banned
    I like a combination of text, images, and video. But I don't tune into video to see some guy talking into the camera. I only look at them if it's for something useful...like showcasing a tour of the membership site.
  • I've found that what's been working best are hybrid pages where an emotionally compelling video sits above a more logically fulfilling sales letter below. It delivers the most effective type of persuasion in its most effective format of consumption.

    What I mean is that the part of the brain that parses video is more directly connected to the emotional centers because video information needs no translation. Written information is processed by the part of the brain that is more advanced and logical, because text needs to be "translated" in the brain.

    The emotional high of the video leaves people grasping at logical justification for that state of arousal, and the copy delivers it. Now, I haven't been able to actually test it, but I also think that more logical people prefer text, they'll skip the video and read what is essentially a hype-free sales letter. Which they like.

    Emotionally motivated people will watch the video and want to buy immediately, and they aren't forced to slog through a letter with WAY more info than they needed to make a decision.

    Anyway, not quite what you were asking, but I hope it helps!
    • [1] reply
    • Although I am aware that videos are supposed to be the next best thing to sliced bread when selling on the net, I dislike videos intensely (If I can avoid it, I don't even watch TV or go to the movies). Having said that, I am also not above using the medium even if I don't happen to enjoy it.

      Most of the time if confronted with video sales, I will delete an auto-start. If it is not an auto start, I will look at the timer. More than 5 minutes and once again I will shut down the page.

      When it comes to a straight sales page, I honestly don't care how many thousands of dollars you have paid to have it created. Tell me what I am going to get in as few words as possible and tell me how much I am going to pay for it. That is the bottom line.

      I appreciated the fact that your video page was short and sweet and I didn't care that your written sales page was not particularly "pretty". With both, I did feel compelled to buy. On the other hand it might be interesting to put the two together - I suspect you are likely to get more conversions.

      Something that must be asked is who are you marketing to? If it is to the baby boomer generation then a written sales page with the addition of video is very likely to go down well. But if you are marketing to todays youth then go video all the way.

      Obviously this is just my personal opinion.

      Sandy
  • I really like the video and sales page together because I understand that some don't like to read and entire sales page providing them with a video gives you 2 opportunities to capture their attention...
  • Hi,

    I'd suggest you to go with video but don't use autoplay, when I see autoplay on a long sales page I just close window.
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
    • [1] reply
    • Video is good but I do wish that videos would not auto start, people that do this with videos fail to take into account that you could well be sat in an open plan office, and when a video starts up from your PC that clearly has nothing to do with your day job then this can get you funny looks or in trouble with your boss.

      Video is good for sales, but auto starting videos are not so good
      • [1] reply
  • Videos convince the visitor more to sign up I believe.
  • Although it's hard to give good feedback based on just "imagining" I'm interested in the product (real site visitors will show you more than 100s of Warrior opinions)

    I tend to like a combo of both video (at the top of the page) and text so I get a good overall idea of what I'm about to opt in for or buy.

    But I do have to say... looking at your pages, the layouts, colors, extra large white space, fonts, & video voice ... I think it all needs a bit more work to tighten it up.

    I like videos that come across friendly & hit all the hot buttons. I like text that's has a nice layout, is easy to read, & again, hits my hotbuttons. That's what would get me to sign up.

    Although the content should be what really persuades someone to do what you want on a webpage ... I have to admit that layout is a big factor in the back of my mind. Makes me go "Ah... this guys looks like he knows what he's doing... lemme see what he's got..."
  • I like both video with text.

    People can watch the video but also read some text. The text will give the jumpy people the main facts right away while the video will work for the people who take the time to view it. Videos are proven to help increase conversions. So video/text in my book is win win.
  • Personal preference:

    video (that loads fast - I hate the big files that keep stalling while they buffer)
    AND
    text below the video - allows me to go back and review certain portions, like actual product contents and benefits or bonuses, usage rights, etc. Videos (if they even allow it) are difficult to rewind to a specific spot.

    Some videos I've seen don't even tell you the price. They tell you to click the link to buy. Until you get to the order page (usually ClickBank or PayPal), you have no idea what you're paying. At that point, you might decide it's not worth the money and don't buy.

    Just a few things that have turned me off in the past.

    In the end, it depends on how well your video is done, if it is easy to remember, if it provides all the necessary information, and who is looking at it. Some people really like videos and don't need anything else. Other people, like me, prefer the written word.

    Rather than turning off 1/2 the people who visit your site, I'd say go with both video and text.

    Sylvia
  • I like video - if they're well done.

    I hate crappy videos - and will stop them and read the text if the videos are poor. If there is no text, no pause or stop button I will almost always press the 'Back' button.
  • If you do a video on the sales page, make sure the text of the sales page has sufficient information for the visitor to make a buying decision.

    For me, odds are great that, if I have to watch a video to get that information, I am not going to watch it and I am not going to buy.

    If the text convinces me this might be a good buy, then I might watch the video for additional information before making the buying decision.

    But, if the sale depends on me watching the video, the sale isn't going to happen.
  • The worst kind of sales videos are the ones where the script is in the slides, and they're literally reading out loud to me. Here's a tip - you're driving away at least 2/3rds of your audience if you do that.

    First, you have folks like me, who can read to ourselves FASTER than you can speak. So basically I get bored waiting for you to catch up.

    Second, you have folks whose reading speed is SLOWER than you talk, and what you're saying is distracting them while they're trying to read and listen at the same time. It frustrates them.

    Which only leaves the segment of your audience who reads at the exact same speed as you not being potentially bored and/or frustrated, and even then, listening to someone read aloud isn't really very entertaining for anyone.

    Giving the exact same info in 2 channels (eyes and ears) is unnecessary. Stimulate both, but deliver information in one at a time. Show me something interesting while talking to me - use the slides to punctuate and abbreviate, not list literally every word, word-for-word.

    It's cool if you need a script, just print it and read it. I feel insulted if you're just reading your slides at me. I can read, guy. Thanks for nothing!

    Maybe that's just a pet peeve of mine? Regardless, it's LAZY video-making. If you want ME to care, YOU have to care.
    • [5] replies
    • No, Colin, it's not just you. I find that such videos appear unprofessional when they do that. And as you say, you hate having to wait for them to catch up to you.

      When using the script slides tactic, it's best to verbalize a deeper explanation, expand on what the script slide says.

      And I agree with your first point. If I can't turn off a video, I can't concentrate on what I'm reading. Fortunately, I have the ability to MUTE, so I do, but it's still just one more thing I have to do just to read the copy. And that's never good.

      You have to make it "easy" for people.

      Sylvia
    • I prefer video with some text too. That way if the video is loading slow the visitor has some information they can go to immediately.

    • It's not just lazy video making - it's bad video making.

      If you're going to use video you need to add visual interest to your video. If you don't know where to start try reading BEYOND BULLET POINTS and/or RESONATE. Both are cheaply available from Amazon - and if you implement the material your videos will be substantially more effective.
      • [1] reply
    • Just wondering where you get these statistics from? Have you actually tested this? Can we see the two different videos you tested? My sneaky suspicion is that you have tested nothing and your comments are nothing more than side-line commentary.

      Until you have tested both and have proof to back it up then all this is just speculation. I have tested both types of videos and I will tell you right now that those types of videos DO work and they work well. You will also find some of the most fanatical testers in IM such as Ryan Deiss/Perry Belcher also use these videos. In fact he was one of the first to ever use these videos. Why? Because they tested a whole lot of different videos in a whole range of different markets and they found these videos gave the best results.

      Once again, it does NOT matter what YOU think. What YOU think is not going to sell my products. I only care about what the results say and that's all you should care about too. To say these videos are crap and do not work when you have done nothing to test and validate your observations just shows a lack of marketing experience.

      Sorry, but it's true...
    • I wonder what Lee McIntyre would think -- he's currently using the "read it off the slide" video and making a lucrative $115,000+ a month doing it.

      You can't balk at what works...

      Personally, I don't mind the "read it off the slide" video sales letter because if the material is going to be written on the page or read to me, I'd rather have it narrated in exchange for needing to read.

      But that's just me.

      ====================

      Burt,

      I like having video and text on a squeeze page. For me, the text only needs to highlight the benefits. I have enough noodle juice to put two and two together and figure out what it all means.

      Yet, this isn't the point is it? Meaning, I don't need to learn how to write articles.

      Your target market can speak volumes to you. I'd suggest doing a 3-way split test to decipher what works best:

      1. Text only
      2. Video only
      3. A combination of both

      There are a few things I would consider changing:

      I would remove the image from the back of your squeeze page, it detracts from where you really want my attention.

      I would remove the graphic from the top of the squeeze page as well. It takes up quality real estate. This is where your captivating TITLE should be. (A writer always wants to keep the audience reading, right?) Follow your title with a subtitle that drives the point home.

      I would turn off the automatic play feature. This would allow your visitors to read the Title | subtitle combo above the video and gives them ample time to decipher if the rest of the page is relevant to them.

      If there is a video playing before I'm done reading, it's annoying. If your visitors share my plight: Unable to focus on reading with noise in the background, you could lose the opportunity to get the sign up.

      And finally... she stops, pauses and adds this:

      I administered an article directory, for 9 years, that reached an Alexa ranking under #20,000 before I moved on to do bigger and better things. If you need someone who can preview your product (not only from a writer's standpoint, but from an article director's standpoint) -- send me a copy of your complete package to review.

      I'd be glad to help. Just PM at your earliest convenience.
  • Of course, we won't know for sure which version will convert better until actually split tested, but just from quickly looking over both versions, I feel that the video squeeze page will probably convert better.

    The "written" squeeze page doesn't really seem to convey the benefits as well as the video in this case, IMHO. In addition to that, the video is short and to the point, and I don't think it'd be a nuisance to watch like those long 20 minute sales videos many of us have come to know and detest!
  • Video is hot but with a squeeze page I think the only way to know for positive is to do a test not just on conversions but on how long people are staying and when they are clicking off the page once you got some hard data you can adjust accordingly and again test-this year that is something I need to do a lot more than last so thanks for the post it served as a reminder
    cheers
    -WD
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • I like video page instead of text page. Video is more comfortable and easier for everyone and help understand quickly.
  • The video version had me hooked, while I just scanned the text version. Nice video BTW.
    • [1] reply
    • Watching the Colin/WillR scrap from the sidelines, I do have an observation to make...

      Will, Colin, you may be talking at cross purposes here.

      Much of Colin's opinion appears to come from his experience doing high dollar product launches. Almost by definition, those launches take place with a constrained time line. If you have to make your impact within 30 days or so, there isn't time for extensive testing. By the time you have any meaningful results and can react to them, the product is launched.

      This is a different animal than your basic squeeze page as practiced by your garden-variety IMer. These are designed from the beginning to be used for the long haul, else why combine them with long-term traffic strategies like SEO and article marketing and such?

      In that long-term context, continuous testing may make sense, although I believe that unless there is a drastic change in the market you reach a point of diminishing returns. At that point, testing new traffic sources may be a more profitable use of time.

      Just my opinion from over here in the cheap seats...
      • [ 2 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • You clearly have way too much time on your hands... continuing this argument will help no one. I'm moving on.
    • [1] reply
    • There's a reason I have that line in my sig, lol. Thanks for the apology though. Real big of you.
  • Test both With video VS Without video, and see what gives better results.

    What we like, and What converts better are 2 different things, so test to see what gives the best conversions.

    Matt
  • Ryan Deiss always comes up with the videos with just the plain text and voiceover and autoplay. I know he had said that he has done a lot of tests and found that these style salespage convert the highest. Again those may be his results but unless you test you never know.
    • [1] reply
    • Armand Morin doesn't do too badly either.
      • [1] reply
  • First, good luck with whatever you choose!

    I'm trying to help. Both versions need work. Personally, I hate video sales pages for a number of reasons. Your video has too much drama. You come across as selling but it isn't a sales page. If I do watch a video sales page it's because the person comes across as talking to me one-on-one in a conversational tone. Your video doesn't do that.

    I vote for the text page, but honestly, it needs help--and I'm telling you that as a Warrior friend.

    1. Way too much white space.

    2. The opt-in is below the fold.

    3. There is way too much color. Two colors are plenty (and use the second color sparingly).

    4. I know you want a spiffy look to the page but spiffy doesn't convert. Words convert. I would loose the header, footer and background image. They're nice but distract. Everything needs to focus the visitor's attention to the opt-in box. That's the business part of your page but it is camouflaged in with the other stuff.

    5. I would make the container, the box your stuff is in smaller (narrower) and have just a white background outside of it.

    6. The product image of your book needs work. It's titled Write Articles. Again, I'm trying to help, but the title is very, very weak. You need a compelling title that pulls people in.

    7. Last tip. I have one question. Don't answer me--answer this to yourself.

    What is your pitch?

    In one sentence, what is your pitch? Suppose we met at a social gathering. You told me you just wrote an ebook. I asked what the title was. If you tell me the title is "Write Articles" like it says on your book cover, I will walk away. If you give me a title name that pulls me in I will ask, "What can your book do for me?"

    If it takes more than 10 seconds or two sentences to answer that question, I will walk away.

    Give the ebook, report, whatever... give it a title that pulls people in and in your headline hit them with a one sentence pitch (It could be a question) that makes them say to themselves, "Hey, I want what this guy's got and I want it now."

    Hope that helps. --Mike
  • I think the video squeeze page would be better than the plain text.

    1) I get lazy sometimes, so anytime there is a video, I'll let it pitch to me.
    2) The text squeeze page looks "old" and unattractive

    I would put up a video page, then put testimonials or just the bold facts to reiterate what was said in the video. But the approach is going to be different for everybody.

    One effective way I found is to set up a comment box under your video and have it set up so that people will be opted in whenever they comment about your video/product. But be sure to tell the visitors they will be opted in so you don't get spam complaints. The comment provides social proof and you'll have a better chance of people actually sticking and watching your video instead of taking an instant glance at the site and leaving.
  • Well, as long as your videos sales letter load fast, it is better though. I guess a live presentation is better then just powerpoint. Have both is recommended with presentation of proof or how the product work will be great.

    I just hate video sales letter that load very slow, my net speed is fast here but if the video take long to load with no alternative to the written sales page then I will close it.

    Cheers

    Leno
  • I personally do videos myself for all my products. In fact, if you click on my signature links, you will see examples of my own sales videos.
    • [3] replies
    • it depends on the product. If the certain product requires videos then I will create videos. Since if a video will be provided for others to fully understand what I am emphasizing then I will proceed in creating this videos.
    • I honestly think it depends on what the product is -

      Videos can also put many people off - especially if they are sitting in a office and music starts to fire out of the speakers - im sure they wont think twice before hitting the back button

      I dont personally have any figures to what has worked best for me - however when i put something up on my sales page I will look to see if a video would add value - I would also keep my targeted audience in mind

      thanks
    • Nice websites. Who does the graphics? Very impressive.
  • To add to my previous post:

    I would take out the last section of your video (showing a replicated copy of your sign up box). If you want something in there -- put an animated arrow pointing towards your sign up box.

    I don't think it's necessary to have a copy of it inside the video.
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