BIG WSO Courses

I agree.
If I ever have massive success to share in a WSO. Im gonna figure out a way to summarize it in 10-20 simple steps on a pdf and a few screenshots
I just bought one like that and I was able to take action immediately and see returns..small but steady..sometime less really is more.

You should make a WSO about making WSOs.

Funny Maybe one day

Maybe you didn't understand it - It's for newbies.

I used to sell Content Locking LOLmonies as one page report and guess what.. I had 2 kinds of totally different feedbacks.

1st kind - That's the great product, straight to the point, instant knowledge in 2 minutes etc. That's the feedback mainly from intermediate Internet Marketers.

2nd kind - I WANT REFUND! This is only ONE page! -- OR -- Could you please explain me this and that.. That used to be feedback from newbies.

What I did:
I just released 2nd Edition including 2 files as main product:
- Quickstart Blueprint
- Main Guide

And refund rates went down to 0,5 %.

Best regards,
Haris

Sometimes the "fluff" to us is golden to others. While I agree a huge WSO/course is not for me, for others it is valuable because they need to know more.

It's difficult writing a WSO or a course. Although you can determine your target market, it is still difficult to reduce the market down to a certain mentality/understanding.

I like the courses that are specific and say, "If you know how to ...., skip to page 25." Just makes it faster to get through it.

It depends.

I specialize in Hotsheets - one problem, one solution, 20 pages or less.

But if it's a comprehensive course that someone seeks, then a huge package is good.

College courses take months to consume. A college degree takes years to complete. Many franchises have training sessions that last anywhere from days to months to complete so that you learn the business system.

If you're learning a complete, legitimate, long-term business system, I don't think needing to put a few days into learning it is too much to ask.

JMHO and YMMV

I feel what your saying but some people would like you to get your "bang for your buck" and some people really like how some WSO's over deliver. Everyone has there own preference and opinions though you know what i mean.

Most people want pure gold.

Most people want things now.

The problem is for some people they can read and understand everything about a certain subject and say out loud, "I know everything about PPC". But they haven't opened up a single adwords account or even know where to begin.

But you are correct, if you are very familiar with a subject, there really is no need to purchase an insane course to figure out certain gems and 20 pages of pure gold is all you need.

I'm gonna go on a hunch and say at least 80% of people here are not on that level. That is where they need or at least are interested in those 100 videos and modules, they will understand how to start campaigns, or can follow step by step to take action. Well they get results? Probably, if they stick to it.

Their are 2 issues here, you have people "want" the answer, but aren't willing to put the man hours into "getting" the answer, and without the foundation of applying what they learn, most of the great protip material is meaningless. Then you have the people (unfortunately) cannot connect the pieces together, where they follow things step by step and might have success, but they cannot critically think or pick up patterns in what the Author is trying to say so whenever a real issue happens, they don't know how to react and either give up, or will buy more WSO's for answers.

IMO, if you don't know much about a subject but are really interested, either browse the forums (which for some reason people hate doing) or save some time and buy a super in-depth WSO and absorb everything and then create your own ideas to improve upon the basic knowledge and grow.

If you are pretty familiar with a few subjects and there is a 100 page course on "cool trick for facebook conversions", then it's more buyer beware since you may or may not find what you are looking for. But at the same time, it's that one idea, one gem that you haven't thought of that can turn one campaign from decent, to life-changing almost overnight that happens to be on page 71 of 100 in a big WSO course. After a certain point, it's just paying for ideas.

That's the way I view it.

PS/Edit: I just realized I wrote almost 400 words in 20 minutes. That's about the average article length, heh. I'm not even that good of a writer, I just amazed myself. +1 in self confidence in making useful blogs.

It's not how big it is, but how you use it.




Sorry, couldn't resist.....

RoD

As others have said, separate it into a short report and the long videos/PDF, that way you can please everyone and decrease your refund rate.

QUALITY NOT QUANTITY

I think the OP is right. WSO courses are getting too big, and not because they need to be. I think it's more about making it look like you are getting alot. Giving it lots of 'bulk', but it' usually not necessary. The best are often just a tightly written PDF and maybe one short video.

Well according to http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ute-forum.html no WSO sellers will ever see them

It's part of their marketing plan.

Perceived value, so they can charge more money.

I actually like videos...It's just when people read directly off of their PowerPoint slides, that is annoying! Why not just give is a copy of the Slides instead of making us sit through the 10 hour video series?

I'm offering a 397 DVD set of time saving tips.

Over 6842 hour of solid content!

* order now and get the 11,000 page companion manual - ABSOLUTELY FREE!




BTW ... thread = TL;DR

A lot of WSO sellers are selling to newbies.. so it makes sense to include basic info that covers very simple steps.

For example, a WSO about list building could be summarized in a few words:

Drive paid traffic to a squeeze page, collect leads in exchange for a freebie and include affiliate links in the freebie.

To most of us, that's straight forward stuff.

But to a newbie, they have so many questions that need to be covered (otherwise they won't get the same kind of value as you or I).. for example, from a newbies point of view.. how does PPC work? How do you make a squeeze page? Which autoresponder? How to make a freebie? How to know which affiliate products will convert?

You get the drift.

Thank you for reminding me of this..That sometimes more information is TOO MUCH information, causing information overload (and unhappy customers). I am in the process of creating a membership site and have to keep reminding myself to keep the info in manageable chunks...and not to try to teach EVERYTHING under the sun to them. Every niche has so much that can be taught, and if you are a perfectionist, it's hard to know when to stop.

Clarity and focus are more important than an abundance of info. And actually it might even be harder to trim and narrow down to the essentials than to just put all the info you know out there willy nilly...As a content creator this is my struggle!

You know why it is.

Some people do it because they think it will mean everyone gets enough detail to be happy.

Some people do it because they prefer to make videos that write reports.

Some people do it because they think it has higher perceived value.

Some people do it because they just want you to think they're offering a lot of value and they only actually have a few things to say which they know you've read before.

If I'm understanding right, WSO sellers should take the time to present the material in a way that will please every individuals varying learning preferences (greatly increasing productions costs), without regard to what method is best suited for conveying the material. Is this correct?

And they should do this for the ridiculously low prices that most WSOs are offered at, for the convenience of those that are unwilling to deal with anything but spoon fed gold nuggets? Am I off?

Seriously folks... overgeneralizing is a waste of time. Not every WSO fits every person, that's why most vendors offer some kind of refund policy. If you know it's a video course and you dislike videos, just pass it by...

There are some topics that simply can NOT be taught effectively via PDF, or if it could, you would be just as mad at all the screen shots you have to wade through.

Bottom line, most good product creators are not trying to please every person, nor is it possible that they could. They have to balance the needs of the material with the needs of their INTENDED audience (which may or may not be you), with time and dollar constraints for producing the material.

Even with the best thought out and most appropriate delivery, creators will always have a handful of people whining about stuff like "this is too long", or "this is too short", or "I whaaaaaanted a PDF!" Sorry, you get what they make, and I don't have a clue why you would demand more from them.

Do you demand that you get a PDF with "just the nuggets" every time you buy a new movie too?

Do you expect a set of videos when you buy a repair manual for your lawn mower?

Didn't think so.

i hate these wsos now that are all video!

I have a Massive WSO course about list building and over the years I've received both kinds of feedback. In my shorter courses I get people who say I'm missing stuff and in the longer courses I get people saying it's quality info but too long.

It comes down to the target market. Trouble is the people that are buying don't know what they need. This was proven when a guy bought one of my WSO's because the copy was awesome and even though it was for newbies as it clearly states, he was not a newbie which he self admitted.

I guess it comes down to the individual who makes the purchase. You should know what you are buying before you hit the "Buy Now" button.

So it isn't a matter of is it too long or too short.. it's a matter of "Is it targeted towards YOU?"

In a perfect world everything would be just right for each of us... You cannot expect the product creator to read your mind.

I have both extremes, and it's because the best way to present the information depends on what you are teaching.

As my smallest WSO I have a 10 page PDF, and my largest is a 200,000 word course that is delivered over 30 weeks, not counting the bonus material lol.

If you are only sharing a tip on one specific thing, I agree a little report is best. However, if you a lot to share then I see no harm in doing so.

Nobody goes to study law at uni' and says, "Could you condense this down into a tip sheet? I'm a bit busy."

The REAL problem is not whether it's video or PDF. The real culprit is people want something where they don't have to do any work or figure anything out for themselves or make any kind of decision on their own whatsoever. Why do you think hyped up ClickBank products still sell into the millions. It's because a lot of people are still looking for the "pipe dream" instead of working hard at something that actually works.

I really think it depends on the buyer...and every buyer is different.

For me...I know my business model, and I don't really buy WSO's that are going to teach me some new, magical business model...therefore, I tend to stay away from long courses that contain 40 videos & such.

I'm sure some of these courses are fantastic...and I am not knocking them at all. What I'm saying is that my personal preference is to buy something that can shed some light on how I could make some facet of my current business better.

Generally speaking, I've found the short reports tend to accomplish this better than the longer, massive courses.

It really depends on how much direction a person needs, and where they are in their internet marketing career (plus their personal preferences & learning style of course).

Long WSOs are awful, why am I going to waste all that time reading/watching it when I can just go and make money or make my own WSO?

I guess they are only enticing to people who aren't currently making money online.

@OP

Looks like you've found an unsolved need in the market. Now you can make millions.

I used to be one who wanted the big course, now I am with you in only wanting the short report. I guess it has something to do with how new you are to the game.

-Simon

I agree 100 %.

I generally won't touch anything that comes with a video, especially if watching the video is required to utilize the system. It's a shame because I've passed on lots of great looking WSOs because I couldn't implement the systems without the video, but the videos didn't come with a transcript.

I simply don't have to time to watch them. Besides, if I wanted to watch something, I'd stop working 18 hour days and go watch Criminal Minds or something.

My suggestions to remedy this:

• Videos should come with transcripts by default (especially the short videos!)
• We shouldn't be charged extra $10 or $20 for text unless the original video is more than 30 minutes long
• On the other hand maybe sellers could offer a straight text option instead of their videos

Just a thought.

Good point. To me it is the quality that counts. I have gone through huge course but the content was awesome so its great. Really though I don't have time for any course, regardless of size.

I prefer video with duration of 10 minutes or if the 20-page pdf may suffice. but sometimes there is a more complete training course to be made ​​more compact.

On my latest project, I've combined both embedded video and text into the document. I give an outline of the techniques in text and there's a short video showing the techniques right above the text.

I think part of the problem is that people use PDF instead of HTML. With HTML you can embed videos directly into the text.

And you can use Youtube's "private" feature so that only those that have the HTML file (or those that steal the URL from the source code) can see the videos. The great thing about using Youtube for this is that users don't have to download the videos and they can "stream" the ones they want to watch.

Sadly a lot of product creators AND customers determine the worth of a product by it's size. A big video course is going to be worth more than a single PDF document... or so they think.

A few years ago there were some well known Internet Marketers who went around telling everyone to turn their simple text PDF courses into videos because you could then charge more money for that same information.

The trend continues to this day.

Videos are needed for certain types of teaching. A lot of times though I have received much more value from short PDF courses than long drawn out video/audio courses.

I agree that you should include a short summary or blueprint along with your full report. Just my 2 cents

I don't think that it should ever be shortened. Why? Because the Warrior Forum consists mostly of beginner or intermediate-level members that need as much information as they can get.
What you need is a "If you know how to _____, then skip to video #x".

Another example of people trying to get rich quick. This is a fairytale and you better believe that these "too long for me" WSOs will always mention one thing that makes it worth watching the few hours of videos.

Everyone is willing to watch 3-hour movies that do absolutely nothing to improve your quality of life and some of these same people are actually voicing their frustration with a WSO that is too long.

I'll never understand....

From my limited experience, there's 2 reasons for a huge course.

First, the thud factor. That thing shakes the whole house when you drop it on the table.

Second, it takes so long to go through that most people won't have the time and energy to complete it. Most people don't get results from the info products they buy. Sad but true. We all know that. Maybe they didn't follow the instructions, maybe they didn't take action, maybe they didn't even open the product. Psychologically, if you don't finish the massive course, I believe that moves the responsibility for 'failing' from the seller to the buyer. They think "all the info's here, I just didn't get to the success secret yet" or "I just haven't put it all together in a way that'll make me successful yet". Therefore, lower refunds.

Sure, I may have taken some creative liberties with the psychology rant, but the bigger the course, (other factors being equal) usually the lower the refunds. I've seen it.

I'm totally with you on this. I appreciate all the work that went into these courses; truly I do. They are not something just thrown together to make a quick buck. But they take so long to get through, I just don't usually have the time for them. And like most folks, I have a lot of potential distractions during the day, and sitting through one video after another does not work well for me. It may be my "learning style", too...I prefer to read so I can get to the parts I DON'T know. I suspect video courses do work well for some types of people.

you can embed videos directly into pdf documents as well. You do need adobe software to do it though. They actually come out looking slick.

The videos have a stop / start player control much like the limited controls of many video sales pages now.

It does make the pdf much bigger though because essentially there is a video file inside the pdf.