Do you prefer videos or E-books?

15 years ago

I think there is a place for both.

You will see that more and more people, particularly the long established marketers, are using video to describe anything these days.

However, sometimes the information can only be produced as a book.

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Istvan Horvath

15 years ago

A service is service. It doesn't come in video or ebook. It is a service... isn't it?
(unless you are talking about the sales page which is an entirely different discussion!)

As for products offer it in both formats. E.g. videos + transcript in pdf

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Rose Anderson

15 years ago

I prefer the book. I never buy an informational product that is on video only. But I'm probably in a minority. I do understand why many people prefer video if the point is to show you how to actually "do" something. It's good to offer both when possible.

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TiffLee

15 years ago

I'd prefer .PDF files.

... I'm usually not patient enough to sit through videos where the creator of the product rambles on and on.

Just give me the details and be done with it. I don't need to know about your dog or the peanut butter and jelly sandwich you had for lunch.

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Strangiato 15 years ago

Agreed with Tiff - I much prefer a written document. I like to go back and re-read several things until I fully digest the information.
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- JohnMcCabe 15 years ago
  
  It depends...
  
  For things like software tutorials, I like good videos. Sometimes a two minute video is more effective than a twenty page pdf full of screen shots.
  
  On the other hand, narrative information is better in a form I can read.
  
  Use the right tool for the job at hand, and you'll do fine.
  
  Thanks
  
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dcc1980

15 years ago

When I polled my subbies they liked videos better especially when it involved how to do things. I myself prefer an ebook though.

You'd be amazed at how many people are online that do not like to read.

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FtlLuke

15 years ago

Well, it would greatly depend on what the product is but typically, I prefer detailed videos over eBooks. I'm a very visual learner though.

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PhilipT 15 years ago

I like the belt and braces approach of having both a set of videos AND a pdf transcript. Videos are great for "how to ..." products. To see something being explained and being shown how to do it can rapidly increase your level of understranding.

However the written word enables you to go back and look at something again without having to remember which video to look at. It's there instantly.

The use of videos has improved a lot of products but videos will never fully displace the written word.

Philip
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Michael Meaney

15 years ago

It also depends for me, if it's a "how to" product, I like the 'over my shoulder' style of videos.

If it's theory then I prefer ebooks.

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Anonymous Affiliate 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Mick Meaney

It also depends for me, if it's a "how to" product, I like the 'over my shoulder' style of videos.

Exactly my thoughts. I like "over my shoulder" tutorial videos.
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impact-productions

15 years ago

I personally prefer reports. Which is why I generally product reports as WSOs, rather than videos.

However, I know I'm leaving money on the table, as any kind of straw poll (using Warrior+Plus) will show you that the video products outsell the text only ones.

It is worth remembering that there are two different markets, and there are ways to appeal to both of them (if it's worth the time investment).

Thom

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Marketing Merit

15 years ago

I prefer ebooks but agree that there is a place for videos, if used in an appropriate context.

There is nothing more frustrating than watching someone show you how to register for a Clickbank account or demonstrate how to do a search in Google adwords...and I'm not talking about newbie type products here either.

To most of us, time is precious and if I prefer the ability to skim read the bits I already know and get to the real meat of the product.

Nonetheless, it is a bit of a catch 22 situation as videos are essentially perceived to add value to a product.

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Nathy Curiel

15 years ago

Prefer video because I like to outsource things. This way I can send to VA and let her test it .

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Susovan

15 years ago

I would prefer PDF to video. Reading is though provoking while video will guide you.

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Margo Tuul

15 years ago

I prefer ebook. But again, videos are sometimes easier to follow.

The reason i said ebook was because once i was away from home and i had very slow internet connection....so it was really painful to follow a video course what was almost 1GB in total.

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adamj2 15 years ago

I have really started to like products as videos.

As I like to watch them just comfortably sitting on the sofa and connect my laptop to the TV...is a nice break from the desk.

If it is a step by step guide, then a PDF guide is also useful to refer back to as sometimes you cannot find the exact spot in the video where that point is discussed.

Also for product creator's video and audio is great. They have higher perceived value and a video is much easier and quicker to produce as you can just fire up camstudio etc, and talk over a demonstration or a number of bullet points in a presentation...and you have a product containing just as much information as an eBook but in a fraction of the time.
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Mattie

15 years ago

Before anyone makes a decision about books or videos, take time to read this, it might surprise you.

This isn't really a link its an educational reference

hxxp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704025304575284981644790098.html

In part:

People who read text studded with links, the studies show, comprehend less than those who read traditional linear text. People who watch busy multimedia presentations remember less than those who take in information in a more sedate and focused manner.

............

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RobCopywriter

15 years ago

Both are good but its the same as ads, people take more in with text and text also converts better so affiliate marketing works best with text but its really up to you, if you don't have time to do an ebook then do some video's!

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pcdoctor

15 years ago

I'd prefer to learn by watching videos. I'm not much of a big reader.

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PMinc 15 years ago

Personally, I'll always prefer books, but given the amount of time I can spare to information, videos (and audios) tend to win out with me, simply because I can consume them while doing some of my work (but not when writing).
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timpears

15 years ago

Videos every time.

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Bill Lassiter

15 years ago

I'll concur with most everyone else said here. A combination of the two would be best. I think most folks like and respond to video's best but for me, I also like having the text in a PDF ebook.

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roosevelt

15 years ago

I prefer both but it depends on the content. For example, if I'm looking at some kind of software, I prefer to watch videos than read a boring manual. Similarly, if you're talking about some kind of informational product like making money. I don't want to waste my time watching your video, but I'd rather just get all that stuff in a ebook and jump to the nugget

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JOleng 15 years ago

I prefer txts, just because I can set my own pace and read as fast as I want to. with videos I have to adapt to person talking in it.

On the other hand, sometimes for very specific things, videos can be better, but I still would like to read a step by step guide how to do something, because I can see all the steps in front and fast forward the ones I already know.
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aduttonater

15 years ago

Video is great for visual learning, but an eBook you can go back and reference sections by chapter. It really all depends on how fast I'm trying to learn.

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Jake Gray

15 years ago

Reports are awesome, but videos are even better.

If you can pump out quality videos, that is even better.

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Chris Cole

15 years ago

Why not just provide both?

This is how I like to both learn, as well as teach.

You should cater for both styles of student as there are the high visual who only love videos and there's the bookworm type, who like to print and study the material.

Two ends of the same scale IMO

So give them both.

Chris

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Cherrelle

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris Cole

Why not just provide both?

This is how I like to both learn, as well as teach.

You should cater for both styles of student as there are the high visual who only love videos and there's the bookworm type, who like to print and study the material.

Two ends of the same scale IMO

So give them both.

Chris

I agree, its not worth losing customers on this. Also from a product creation perspective you should always be making use of varying formats so not only are you catering to the various learning styles of your customers but you can use the different formats as upsells of different products for sale later.

Get the vid done, go to fiverr, get it transcribed and sleep well

xx

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Willie Crawford

15 years ago

If I'm learning a new topic, and it can easily be explained without
requiring a demonstration, then I actually prefer audio.

My second choice is a PDF that I can print out and make notes
on as I go through it.

I don't have the patience to sit and watch most videos...
although sometimes I go back and watch them later... after
I mess something up :-)

Willi

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Zesh

15 years ago

Thanks for the comments guys, now I have a pretty good insight
as to what formats I can purchase online.

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Goldenboy

15 years ago

I would go for EBooks, because I am a reader myself and like some of my fellow warriors here, the information in text are worth learning. I don't have anything against videos since videos can present visuals on what was written in Ebooks.

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leegs

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Zesh

If you are buying a product or a service would you want it in E-book format or would you want to watch videos?

I find that videos can sometimes take ages! Personally, im a sucker for information!

Hi Zesh,

I believe it would be better to have both ebook and video course to accompany with it.

The reason is because each product format will complement each other as there might be certain aspects/portions that you need another product format to illustrate better and in details.

And secondly, you can market it better rather than just an ebook or video course individually.

Hope it helps...

Raymond

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royhitzat

15 years ago

For a newbie like me, I prefer ebooks.I can read over and over just to understand little things.

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mywebwork

15 years ago

Personally e-books, much more efficient than watching a video. Who has time for a 5 minute video to get 5 seconds worth of information? I specifically recall an absolutely horrible set of instructions in which I had to search through a 7 minute video just to find out how to CHMOD a directory to install something - talk about an inefficient method of conveying information!

But I also realize that video has it's place, and for some types of instruction may actually be better - non-technical stuff like how to paint your fence or how to apply makeup.

In appreciation for the fact that different people learn better with different media I always provide both in my tutorials.

Bill

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Do you prefer videos or E-books?

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