Will Bad English and Pronouciation Cause You to Request a Refund on a WSO?

Not from the voice being "annoying" as you say. The english would have to be bad to the point where I can't understand what's being explained.

As long as I can understand the majority of what's being taught, the language won't cause me to request a refund.....now the product not delivering on it's claim is another story.

eric w

Since you asked: I would not buy any kind of WSO if the writing was anything like your post above, and even if the sales copy was good and I did buy, if any contents of the WSO had poor english, I would request a refund immediately.

Hire someone to edit the WSO for you, not only will you come off MUCH more presentable, but you will sell more..

Most people have a wide tolerance for poor English. As long as it's readable most people are ok. If you're really concerned, ask the customer to "excuse the English", this type of self deprecation can smooth the road and let the customer will know what to expect. Alternatively you can find an editor to go through and clean it up for you.

Hi Lester,

I don't think I need to mention that there are some hugely successful Internet marketers from Singapore. Just keep that in mind. If there is written material in your WSO you should be able to find someone to clean it up very inexpensively.

Of course the video is something you want to do yourself. Personally, if you can show me a way to make more money, as long as you can get your point across--I'm happy. Your command of the English language is certainly better than the people here have of Malay, Chinese or whatever your native language is.

If you'd like me to take a peek at one of your videos before you launch them I would be glad to. I'll give you my thoughts. Just let me know. Hope you make a ton of money!

As long as I can understand it and the content is good I don't care. It needs to be useful, actionable, and original info. If its a lot of fluff and hard to understand, I would request a refund.

Why don't you hire a VA or someone to help you record it if you are worried about it?

Hey thanks everyone for your responses so far!

Even though I spent a couple of hours and recorded 3 videos through the night (only sleep for 3 hours), after going through the videos earlier and I found them kind of "painful" to listen to. Maybe I should go back and re-record everything again.

Very few "native" English speakers can hardly speak or even write perfect English. If your products have compelling value and the presentation has an engaging and logical flow, minor mistakes in grammar and pronunciation is not a significant issue. If you are considering higher priced products, however, an unprofessional package would be progressively less forgiving. There are services available to polish up such rough edges, including right here in WF.

Hey Chris

Nice to see you around!

I will be re-recording the videos when I get back home from work in the evening. It is 1158am in Singapore now.

Can pass a copy for your critique as well once I'm done!

P.S. I have also started a thread in the copyrighting section asking for critique on my salespage.

http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...salespage.html

Cheers,
Lester

IM is a communications game. Those who communicate best, in writing or by speaking, are generally the most successful. Of course, there are exceptions, but not that many.

Personally, I don't think the fact that there are poor native English speakers/writers is relevant. That should not affect you. By all means, be better than them.

I have no idea about the level of your communication skills. If you doubt they are acceptable, I would not release a product, if I were you, until you have full confidence that you are being understood.

If you cannot convey your ideas effectively in idiomatic English, perhaps you should target Asian markets. It is huge and growing.

I won't. In fact, I rather enjoy the ideosyncrasies of non-native English speakers, which often lead me to think about old things in new ways.

For being annoying i don't think so. For bad English maybe. Depends if the person makes sense while talking.

Yea.. I will try my best to put my points across in the videos as best as I could, and yes! It is important to make sense of what I'm talking as well!

I think the fact everyone has understood your original post in this thread should give you a pretty good indication as to how things will go. As long as the information can be understood and is what was promised, you shouldn't have many problems.

Those people who do try and request a refund because of your English skills would probably be those people who would try and get a refund from you regardless.

Even as a professional writer, I feel it's the message that matters and I think most reasonable intelligent people would agree. Just be aware that you'll have the select few who can't see past the language barrier. I had someone unsubscribe from my leadership skills series that other day because they found one misspelled word.

No. as long as i can understand what the author is trying to say and the content is good and a reasonable price then no I generally won't refund it...

Hi Lester...

Can you add subtitles to your videos? It can be very helpful to see and read the words as you speak them.

Well, as I recall, most of the people in singapore generally do well, and better than you. Although it is hard to compare, the other person that said that he did fine, inspite of english not being his first language, ALSO seemed better.

The quality of english abroad varies from "WOW he MUST have been brought up with english as his first language, must have gone to an english speaking university, and speaks really well!" to "Is this guy kidding? Did he even get through grammar school?". The good news for you is I have heard far worse. And some do OK. You definitely aren't the worst. But you do seem to be kind of far from the best.

So it depends. Doing a video can be hard enough, it would probably be better if you did it as a PDF, and had someone proofread it. That is just my opinion, but a LOT of things could happen and you can see the doubt in even some of the positive responses here.

Steve

I would refund it if I couldn't understand the speaker at all. Mild pronunciation and grammer problems, I can deal with.

Probably anybody will refund the product if the english is not good and hard to understand. But if you have subtitles in the video, i think anyone will not refund the product. But i suggest a VA and ask to do the video. A VA that is good.

I think some other people's suggestions are really good. Preface the videos with something like "Please excuse my English" and most people would probably be ok as long as they can understand the majority if what you're saying.

WRITTEN copy should have at least decent English however. It doesn't have to be perfect but if it's really bad, I would refund a WSO or other product if the WRITTEN copy is hard to understand.

Good luck. Sounds like you're really excited about your first WSO. I look forward to checking it out!

Over the years and being in here and chatting to all sorts of people. I must admist there is a language barrier.

most people do not car too much about spelling and grammer if what you are giving them is great content. You just have to be able to be understood, otherwise there will be problems.

I want info that I can use. As long as I can understand what you are saying, it's fine.

Unless your pronunciation was so bad as to be incomprehensible, I don't see why see why any genuine person would if your content's solid.

I've actually seen videos by people with foreign accents that have been more precise in their instructions, perhaps because the speaker has been more aware of their need to speak clearly than a native speaker might be.

I would only ask for a refund if I found it difficult to interpret the ESL English. I don't like paying for something then have to figure out the intent because of language problems.

If you get the videos transcribed, I suggest you get a native English-speaking person to do it, then instruct the transcriptionist to edit it so it reads like it was written by a native English speaker. There isn't much point in having it transcribed for clarity if it's verbatim.

You could also have it transcribed, cleaned up and then re-record the audio for the videos, reading from the transcript.

I travel a lot and know a lot of people who use English as a second language. I am really comfortable with all kinds of accents, and don't mind them at all.

On the other hand, I really don't like videos. I read about 10 times faster than the person doing the video is talking, and can skip the parts I want to skip. I would not buy a video wso unless there was something exceptional about it.

I can understand your concerns... when I made my first IM related video in English I have asked a few nice people around here to check it out and to give me feedback regarding the "understandability" (is there such a word?) of the audio; i.e. me speaking in English.
I did NOT want to replace my audio with a voice-over artist, I wanted to be present in my videos.

Now, I have to add, as a linguist by trade and having languages and linguistics still my hobby - usually, I don't make many grammatical mistakes, my spelling is way above the average, so that part is covered.

However, as you can see in the quote I put in my sig I do have a heavy accent because I've learned English as an adult when it's very difficult to address pronunciation issues.

Since my first trial I decided (and turned out I was right) if I give excellent content people will forgive my accent. Hopefully...

Make a PDF version to go along w/ it. If your English is very broken, add captions to the video too.

People may not refund but may not purchase again.

Garrie

Hey Lester,

Have you watched any of Ewan Chia's video? His command of English isn't that superb either but he is at least making some good money every month. Do not let it stop you from progressing further.

Keep doing what you need to do and soon enough, you won't have to wake up early for the rush hour.

Great thanks to all for sharing your opinions and the suggestions to me! I am about to finish recording the videos - total 5 videos with pretty short duration.

I will be including a quickstart guide as well. So for those who do not wish to view my videos (included demo) can dive straight to the quickstart guide. I hope this can give my prospective customers higher perceived value by doing this.

Off to finish up my videos again!

Cheers,
Lester

Good luck, man.

Ya, as long as people can understand the general points you are trying to get across, I really think it doesn't matter, that much.

So keep on going and making those videos and see how people receive them.

I have watched videos where the speaker was not that great at English, but I still understood what they were trying to say.

Maybe being an ESL teacher before helped, I don't know...

Uhmmm... annoying, I guess its not. For me it doesn't matter as long I understand how you convey. That's it!

I enjoy the variations in English! I don't think I ever bought an IM related product where the presenter's English could not be understood. Sometimes, the accent and mispronunciations actually keep the audiences attention more - at least that's what I think (a guy from the USA.)

If a customer complained and said they could not understand the spoken material, which I assume happens, I think a refund would be in order.

I take my hat off to you guys. Even though many of you are "non-native" English speakers - you have the guts and the drive to offer up tutorials in your own voice. I think it's fantastic!

Hey, it would have been cool if you included a sample of your instructional voice, so that we could really tell you for sure.

What really irritates me with a non-native English speaker is how they go off topic a lot, to make themselves feel better during the recording. (all just my opinion).

Remember, editing is your friend. Write a script, or outline, so that you don't go off tangent. However, if you do, edit it out.

If you people can get results from what your product says it does I don't think anyone would care.

Hey all!

Thanks a lot for all the advices and suggestions! I really appreciate that! I have finally completed the whole package after spending the whole day in my room doing the editing and finishing touches!

Cheers,
Lester

as long as I can understand what you are saying and the content was helpful I wouldn't mind.

I certainly wouldn't because I focus on the content. As long the message got through and I got value, I would keep the product.

RoD

The bottom line is effectively communicating. I understood everything you said

No! Never!

I agree with others that say you can include a transcript of the videos if you are worried that your English isn't good. You could have those edited/written by a native English speaker. However, I do think you should go through with the videos since it will only help you develop your English.

Personally, I wouldn't refund as long as I know what you are trying to say and can understand you.

If you wrote the copy in your sales page your English writing skills are just fine. I also listened to a little bit of your proof video (where you're on the Date and Time website) and your English is fine. Sure there is an accent but I could understand you just fine.

So you're good to go. Stop worrying and get your product out there.

And when it comes to audio most folks hate how their own recorded voice sounds. Same thing happened to me. The more videos you do the more comfortable you'll become.

It certainly should not!

But let the market be your guide! Put it out there and ask for feedback. When you ask your audience for feedback (and respond) you might just develop a rapport that transcends any language issues.

Lastly, if the product has real value, you audience will be so busy applying your brilliant advice they will never complain!

Good Luck!

I respect that you are honest enough about your skills to ask this question.

I suggest you hire someone to proofread the written parts of your work. You can also hire someone to do a voiceover for your video series. That would eliminate any concerns regarding pronunciation, grammar, and <perceived> unprofessionalism.

Good luck to you!

Of late, I have become increasingly intolerant of flaws of all sorts in WSO's. By marketing in this particular forum you are declaring that your product is so outstanding that you can market to marketers. If you intend to teach the teachers, you better damn well put out a professional product. Typos and bad English doesn't really scream out professionalism to me. If I can't understand what you're saying, you better believe I'll want a refund.

Lester

Admire your courage

No I wouldn't refund...I count myself lucky at learning one valuable thing, no matter what the cost...sometimes. Your starting well by the sound of it...a good fair price.

Some one mentioned subtitles...if your accent is too strong, might be a good idea.

I have been to Singapore...find a native English speaker and ask them to listen.


Good luck buddy ...I like what I am reading from you.


Jim

You will be alright if you have a good fire suit on, make sure it is a three layered one (hint: prepare to get flamed). Most people (not all), especially in this niche, judge the value of a product by the look and feel. That is why silly products still sell in big numbers and get rave reviews. I picked up a few based on reviews and was dumbfounded. My latest experience was yesterday.

But that is not a good reason to back out though. If you have something valuable to share, you will find some people who would appreciate that. And those are the people you want to do business anyway.

So go ahead and finish your product. Do your best and you will be fine.

All the best

Tanvir

hey Lester,

interesting post! And I can surely relate to this as well...

I had the same concerns when I first started... And after selling a handful of video courses so far, I'm happy to conclude that most people care more about the value you deliver rather than your accent or level of English.

Like most Warriors have mentioned, as long as they are able to understand your message, they can accept it.

Will you have people who ask for a refund because of your English? Yes of cos! That's just life and you just have to accept it and move on.

If anyone were to be so anal about the lack of professionalism because of a few typos, my guess is they are probably living a VERY frustrated life and I certainly won't mind losing them as a customer.

All sorts of people exist in this world... Some people are just plain mean & grumpy, while some people are really really nice...

Just give your best, learn to accept that there are ppl who won't like you and continue to over-deliver to the best of ability... I'm sure you'll do fine doing just that!

My friend, just do it,
if you are worried on this issues,
i think is not necessary,
as there are just too much factors
that cause people to refund a product.

So take it easy,
but if you think your pronouciation are
really terrible, try finding someone to do
it for you or pay for it.
These will take off your worrying mind.

Wish you best of luck and success,
Terrence

Thanks for the overwhelming responses my dear fellow warriors! I am very encouraged by your words and will definitely do my best to over-deliver in terms of value!

I have also completed my product and is waiting to hear some feedback and comments from some warrior reviewers, on what I can do to improve the various aspects of my product such as salespage, pdf guide, and flow of information.

I have also started to ask around to see if anyone is interested to promote the promote before I launch it proper in 3-4 days time.

In a nutshell, I am very fired up, and is very grateful to everyone here who have commented and given your valuable suggestions and recommendations!

Cheers,
Lester

Definitely not an issue if the content is good and well delivered. I've seen many videos where it was clear that English was not the presenters first language but the content was fantastic.

One of the guys from the World Internet Summit, think his name is Tom Hua, can be a little difficult to understand at times but the guy knows his s**t so you tend to want to listen to him.

As long as the idea is sound and the info is actionable I'm not too fussed.

Content that is jibberish would cause me to request a refund.

More than one misspelled word may not cause me to request a refund if the content is sound, but for some reason, it greatly devalues the purchase for me. It can be the best thing since sliced bread, but a misspelled word just makes me think that the person was just trying to crank it out for a quick buck and didn't put enough due diligence into the product.