Video Lengths - What's the magic number? | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

13 years ago

You didnt mention where will this video be put to use?

Is this for the sales page? Or the videos for your clients?

For sales page: 15-25 minutes works for me
for download page: Concise and short 5-10 minutes per video.

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Warrior X

13 years ago

Copywriters put it this way: It can't be too long, only too boring.

Good luck with it,
Jeremy

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andy moore

13 years ago

Hey Dan,

I can't speak for most other people but personally if I've lost interest after about 20 seconds I'm off so the subject matter better be very interesting.

Assuming I am interested in the subject matter and the person talking, in this case yourself, sounds very interested and enthusiastic then I am willing to listen.

I would go for putting over the important points - say three to five huge benefits - and talking briefly about each one.

I would try to keep the video down to about 2 - 3 minutes. That's long enough to get the message over, grab someone's attention and ask for their name and email addy. That's my humble opinion.

Remember, a lot depends on your product and target audience and where you're going to be putting this video.

Andy Moore

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awarum

13 years ago

Don't focus on the length, just get to the point and don't waste viewer's time. I hate videos where they go on and on about some BS in videos at the beginning.

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dorianjohn425 13 years ago

Originally Posted by awarum

Don't focus on the length, just get to the point and don't waste viewer's time. I hate videos where they go on and on about some BS in videos at the beginning.

Exactly my thoughts.
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Turpen

13 years ago

I agree with awarum, if you admit to having a tendency to go on and on, make an outline, and stick to your talking points

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Michael Oksa

13 years ago

There are no magic numbers for anything.

The length of your video will not determine its success, the content and how it's promoted will.

No magic.

Hard work.

All the best,
Michael

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NicoleBeckett 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

There are no magic numbers for anything.

I always wonder why people ask about "magic" numbers, word lengths, etc. :confused: The answer is always the same - there is no "magic" solution.

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

The length of your video will not determine its success, the content and how it's promoted will.

No magic.

Hard work.

^^^ This is the advice that the OP needs to look at.

People have VERY short attention spans. If your video isn't amazing, don't expect people to stick around - whether your video is :30 or 10:00.

If you think that you have to come up with "long" videos to showcase your expertise, that's not necessarily the case. When I was in TV news, we got a whopping 1:30 to tell the LEAD story of the day (2:00 when you included the anchor intro). If I can tell a story about corruption in city government, the plane that crashed into a nearby office building, or a stabbing at the local high school in 1:30, you certainly don't need 5:00 or 10:00 to tell me why I need your product
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spearce000

13 years ago

There is no magic number. It needs to be as long (or short) as it needs to be.

Like Andy mentions above, you need to hook the viewer's attention early; once you've got their attention, once you've drawn them into what you have to say, once you've got them spellbound, you can talk for as long as you like as long as you keep their interest. Think about it: how many times have you watched a TV programme on a subject you're very interested in? If you're totally absorbed, an hour can pass like it's 5 minutes!

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Praveen Kumar

13 years ago

Obviously Video Marketing got a MAGIC Number,

MAGIC Number for Video Sales letter - 12Minutes-15minutes (Max. Because visitors ar TOO busy)

MAGIC Number for FREE Stuffs/Tutorials - 6Minutes - 30 MINUTES (they will even wait for a hour because you're giving away something FREE Stuff)

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Michael Oksa

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Praveen Kumar

Obviously Video Marketing got a MAGIC Number,

MAGIC Number for Video Sales letter - 12Minutes-15minutes (Max. Because visitors ar TOO busy)

MAGIC Number for FREE Stuffs/Tutorials - 6Minutes - 30 MINUTES (they will even wait for a hour because you're giving away something FREE Stuff)

Those numbers MAYBE work in SOME cases for SOME people at SOME times, but they are NOT magic numbers.

If visitors are "TOO busy" they sure don't want to sit through a 15 minute video. The exception is IF you can be incredibly engaging and are able to hold the visitor's attention, THEN and only then may you be able to get away with a video that long.

Again...

There are NO magic numbers...for anything.

All the best,
Michael

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NicoleBeckett

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Praveen Kumar

MAGIC Number for FREE Stuffs/Tutorials - 6Minutes - 30 MINUTES (they will even wait for a hour because you're giving away something FREE Stuff)

I can't even imagine sitting through a video for 30 minutes or an hour, even to get something totally amazing for free!. No offense, but if you think you can get people to sit still and watch your video for 30 minutes or so, you should give up this whole internet marketing thing and go become a sitcom writer or go produce a reality show

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Marty S

13 years ago

Originally Posted by NicoleBeckett

I can't even imagine sitting through a video for 30 minutes or an hour, even to get something totally amazing for free!. No offense, but if you think you can get people to sit still and watch your video for 30 minutes or so, you should give up this whole internet marketing thing and go become a sitcom writer or go produce a reality show

Hi Nicole. When Andy Jenkins released Kajabi a while back, at least one of his videos was close to an hour long! Most were at least 20 minutes if I remember correctly.

What you are saying sounds reasonable, but I feel there is more to it than just setting a time limit for how long people will watch something. If I was watching a video that could potentially, profoundly change my business, my life style, my bottom line income, yes, I feel I could watch an hour long video from a credible source using solid video production and sales techniques - as AJ so aptly proved before.

Nicole while I agree that most of us cannot pull off that kind of video (and credibility), there are exceptions. And it's not just guys like cuzin' Andy either. I have watched several lengthy TED videos that might not have been sales videos, but certainly drove me like a bullet to the website of that presenter.

I have watched two hour Keynote presentations from Apple (and recently) Amazon. In my mind, those are the most effective sales videos on the planet.

If you can watch a movie for 2 hours, an IMer can certainly watch a 30-60 minute sales video that has a compelling "story" woven into it as well as masterful copy. Recently I got such a sales video from Sean Donahoe full of valuable content.

Now for us mortals, I do agree in keeping the sales video shorter, but also to keep the instructions simple as well. Get them signed up by offering valuable chunks of information or teasers so they are in your system where you will have a better chance of building a relationship and eventually closing.

Short answer: It's not about length, it's about credibility.

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Dan C. Rinnert 13 years ago

Originally Posted by NicoleBeckett

I can't even imagine sitting through a video for 30 minutes or an hour, even to get something totally amazing for free!

I did. ONCE. Never again.

Sat through a video that was maybe 25-30 minutes long to get some amazing free tips. It was extraordinarily boring and largely the speakers patting each other's backs over how much money they made and how they were going to help you join their circle and whatnot.

Never got any free tips. Only a sales pitch at the end. Guess I needed to buy their product to get the free tips.

So, never again. For the most part, I will not even watch a sales video. Generally the only exceptions are when it's an actual demo (from a reputable company with physical products) or if a video is recommended by someone.

And, typically, in the IM niche, the videos that tend to get recommended in my circles are the ones that are really bad, and you share the link so you can talk about how bad it is.
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MontelloMarketing

13 years ago

If you're doing a video intro or proof video for the top of a sales page, or on a squeeze page... the shorter the better (under 2 minutes)...

However... if the video is to be the sales letter... you need it to be a persuasive and complete sales pitch. And that takes time. You need to set the scene... stir the pain... introduce the product... the proof... the offer... That can take anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes.

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GregSilva

13 years ago

I agree with everyone that says it doesn't matter the length. Just get to the point and K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Don't make any long and boring intro and give some long spiel. Keep it on point.

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Tsnyder

13 years ago

Here's the magic formula... as short as possible but as long as necessary.

Yeah... that doesn't sound like I said much... that's why it's magic.
Most people will have no clue how to arrive at that number.

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Michael Oksa

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Tsnyder

Here's the magic formula... as short as possible but as long as necessary.

Yeah... that doesn't sound like I said much... that's why it's magic.
Most people will have no clue how to arrive at that number.

...and some people, even after seeing how the trick is done, still want to believe in magic.

~Michael

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go4wealth 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Tsnyder

Here's the magic formula... as short as possible but as long as necessary....

I have listened intently to long videos because they had my attention and was on a topic i was interested in. I have turned of short videos because they did not capture my attention. A lot of times I scan the text first ... especially when I am in a hurry ... so if there is no text explaining.. or sales pitch I skip the video because I am in rush.

Lon Naylor sent me this link this morning and even though I don't plan to take his course I did watch the videos produced by his students Virtual Video Marketing Event In Orlando – SIMPLE 4 « Simple Video Velocity I give you the link because I found I was more captivated by those with music than not and one without I only listened to the beginning and quit.... just to boring
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Raydal

13 years ago

I watched a sales video recently that was over 1 hr long.

It held my interest because it gave value while trying
to sell me something.

Of course that experience is personal, but generally
speaking if you give value in the video rather than
just a sales pitch your prospects would be more
attentive and stay around longer.

-Ray Edwards

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Nathan2525

13 years ago

Originally Posted by DanVsWorld

I want to create videos that will help others get a good idea of a product or service. I can kinda go on and on when I'm talking about something I'm interested in...so I was wondering if there was a MAGIC NUMBER when it came to video lengths?

Is 10 minutes too long? Should I try to stick to 5 minute videos? Is that even too long? 2 min?

It also depends what source of traffic is going to be viewing it.
If it is for your subscribers who know, like and trust you, they will
watch any video you put out.

If it is cold traffic I would definitely keep it short. A great example is
DoubleYourDating.com

Eban runs this 10 Million Dollar business. A great example of what to do.

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NicoleBeckett

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Marty S

Hi Nicole. When Andy Jenkins released Kajabi a while back, at least one of his videos was close to an hour long! Most were at least 20 minutes if I remember correctly.

I've seen a few of Andy's videos, and you're right... They are great, and they definitely held my attention for the 20 minutes or so that I watched them! However, what are the odds that "Joe Blow Marketer" is going to be able to create something that's as compelling?

Unfortunately, alot of the people who ask about videos plan on doing one of two things:

1. Making a few slides, having a monotonous voiceover (or, worse, getting one of those computer-generated voices)

or

2. Sitting in front of their webcam while they speak "off the cuff" (and, thus, have a video that's chock full of unprofessional "ums" and "ahhs" in it)

They (mistakenly) think that people are going to listen to them drone on and on just because they heard someone say that 20 minute videos, 30 minute videos, or 60 minute videos are the "magical" solution to their internet marketing woes

I'm just trying to point out that ALOT of information can be shared in a short period of time (hence the news example I used). If you can be compelling and informative for 20 minutes with an awesome video, go for it. Unfortunately, though, most people can't - or, they simply don't have a subject that lends itself to a long video.

Bottom line - do what works best for your product and your target audience. Don't focus on "magic" lengths, because there isn't one

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scottallison

13 years ago

I had very good success with 2-3 minutes videos.

3 minutes was long enough to present all my services. I will eventually test 10 minutes.

Scott

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Mark Hess

13 years ago

Here's a pretty interesting article on the topic: YouTube Insight HotSpots: Viewer Attention Spans for Entertainment & Informative Video

The site has a lot of good information in regards to video marketing...

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leomanzo

Banned 13 years ago

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Jeff Henshaw 13 years ago

This might be a bit off topic - but unless you grab my attention at the beginning of the video and keep me interested throughout it; I'm gone. Especially if it's a sales pitch.

My attention span is not long by the way.

My particular hate is the video that has no controls on it, gives you no idea of how long it is going to be and starts off telling you a life story or sob story, which alone lasts more than five minutes. That sort of time wasting sh*t - gets wasted, by me - sorry for the pun.

Life is too short to spend listening to people with over inflated egos and who like the sound of their own vioces.

Now some of those videos with no controls or idea of a time line may have offered the 'Crown Jewels' from a free link at the end. Sadly then I've missed those free jewels hundreds of times. I'll have to grin and bear it!

I'm simply happy to be jewel less, poor and have a short attention span :p

Just my thoughts,

Jeff.
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Fraser SellHealth

13 years ago

less is more , thats is all

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blackhawkup Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Fraser SellHealth

less is more , thats is all

epic fail..

thats definitely not right..

your videos should be as long as it takes to achieve the purpose of the video.

All of your videos have a specific action that you want your viewers to take. so however long it takes you to convey your points, over come objections, excite fear or excite other emotions and/or actions is how long your videos should be.

sometimes, this will be a short video sometimes this will be a longer video.

thats up to you to figure out..research.
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World Marketing

13 years ago

Keep it on the short side but provide a lot of value...People lose interest very quickly nowadays it is pretty pathetic!

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MLMLEADZ

Banned 13 years ago

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SheridanMelrose 13 years ago

I like to try to keep videos five minutes or less. I think people are short on time and attention span. You could consider splitting a longer video into multiple videos. If you're going to go longer then 5 minutes or so, I would try to consider getting the important stuff out in the beginning in case you loose them after a couple minutes.
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Video Lengths - What's the magic number?

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