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PDF with videos or PDF with screenshots for WSO

by Baadier Sydow
19 replies
Which is considered the easiest to work with by the purchasers of WSO's? I'm putting together my first WSO and I've made a PDF for the "theory" aspect which teaches the method and video's for the practical aspect, like installation etc

An alternative is to have the PDF with screenshots embedded into it.

Which is the better method or considered better? I know many don't like videos as they drag on.
#pdf #screenshots #videos #wso
  • Profile picture of the author Mr. Ken Russell
    Video marketing is better then screenshots.
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  • Profile picture of the author minisitetycoon
    Videos are good if each one is short, people like short times on each video.. but PDF's with screenshots are also great if the illustrations in it are clear and the use of a snippet tool for each step, along with a 'circle it' psd, and arrows.

    I am a person who likes both personally, but as I am bouncing back in online marketing, I am going with the PDF and clear steps, as they are fun to make.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      If you script the videos so that they don't run on and on that would be OK. If you are going to do instruction you will have to make a lot of screenshots if you are doing multi step processes. So that the flow of the process is understandable.

      Either way can work well, it really kind of depends on the quality of the instruction and I suspect that you will probably do a great job either way you choose. :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author jaggyjay
    If you include videos as part of your product deliverables then you'll be able to charge for money. So, from that perspective, videos are a good idea
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  • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
    I think perhaps a combination of the 2 would be a good idea. Quite possibly even do both where I can to over deliver. I cant stand video's full of fluff especially where its some guy waffling on for an hour. I can grasp a concept in a minute, I dont want to lose 30 minutes of my productive time to your waffle. Thats my thinking at least.
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    Baadier Sydow
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Originally Posted by Baadier Sydow View Post

      I think perhaps a combination of the 2 would be a good idea. Quite possibly even do both where I can to over deliver. I cant stand video's full of fluff especially where its some guy waffling on for an hour. I can grasp a concept in a minute, I dont want to lose 30 minutes of my productive time to your waffle. Thats my thinking at least.
      Many of the videos full of fluff and waffling are ones in which the recorder has not practiced his presentation and thinks his delivery will be able to pull off a winning product.

      I have heard guys do the same presentation word for word on 2 or 3 occasions and their delivery is excellent. Same with videos, they can be great, but that comes with practice.

      I script mine and practice them a few times, especially if I am doing powerpoints, I do adlib during them most times, but I have the main content down pretty tight.

      I'm American and I have a New York accent, modified by a few years of living in the South and even more modified by living in the desert part of Southern California and speaking Spanish on a daily basis, and no one has ever complained about my accent, so I wouldn't worry about that much.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie
    Video combined with a mindmap is sometimes good as well. But I would certainly go with video as most people have suggested so far. Just script it and run through the script several times first. This will give you a better result. And make them no longer than necessary. That said, you would be surprised the number of people who prefer reading a pdf than watching a video nowadays. I guess a lot of people are fed up with boring long winded videos. Just another reason to make yours better!
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    Paul Anthony.

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  • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
    Im a bit concerned about my South African accent but otherwise I think that settles it. Video and pdf it is.
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    Baadier Sydow
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  • Profile picture of the author Aegir
    most people speak at a rate of 120 words per minute.
    newreaders are 150 words per minute.

    Few people read less than 400 words per minute.

    PDF's are quick and easy to scan. Always have a transcript.

    20,000 word script would take most people about 50 mins to read.
    However it would take 93 minutes to watch ...

    Why would anyone invest that extra time when only 3 in 10 words matter?

    Visual process map of takeaways is always a good way to summarize because not everyone loves mindmaps. Infographics are another option.

    Video without any movement is Zzzzzzzzzz.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeatherH
      Originally Posted by Aegir View Post

      most people speak at a rate of 120 words per minute.
      newreaders are 150 words per minute.

      Few people read less than 400 words per minute.

      PDF's are quick and easy to scan. Always have a transcript.

      20,000 word script would take most people about 50 mins to read.
      However it would take 93 minutes to watch ...

      Why would anyone invest that extra time when only 3 in 10 words matter?

      Visual process map of takeaways is always a good way to summarize because not everyone loves mindmaps. Infographics are another option.

      Video without any movement is Zzzzzzzzzz.
      The only problem with this answer is that people are lazy. Most don't look at it that way, and would rather watch/listen to a video than read a wall of text.
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      • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
        Originally Posted by HeatherH View Post

        The only problem with this answer is that people are lazy. Most don't look at it that way, and would rather watch/listen to a video than read a wall of text.
        Its not about being lazy for me and more about being productive. I would rather read the condensed ideas in a pdf than sit through an hour of someone delivering the same concept. I could probably get through the pdf and implement in an hour.
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        Baadier Sydow
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  • Profile picture of the author George Lee
    I personally prefer screenshots. I hate to search a video trying to find the exact frame that I need when I'm busy trying to do something.
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  • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
    I think these are strong arguments. Perhaps most of what I want to demonstrate can be done with screenshots. I have already recorded the videos but it wont take too much time for me to retake the screenshots from them.
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    Baadier Sydow
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    If you can clearly make the point with screenshots then do it that way. If a concept is more involved and requires step by step detailed instructions, then video is the way to go.
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  • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
    The majority of the concepts illustrated in the videos involve the technical aspect of the wso. From past experience it can be cumbersome pausing the video to do what the product creator is doing in the video. It appears to be the norm however.
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    Baadier Sydow
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Originally Posted by Baadier Sydow View Post

    The majority of the concepts illustrated in the videos involve the technical aspect of the wso. From past experience it can be cumbersome pausing the video to do what the product creator is doing in the video. It appears to be the norm however.
    Getting video right is a skill. Most people using video would be far better off with simple screenshots. How many times have you gone to Youtube to get some instruction and watched a video that confused you more than helped? I've been there many, many times. Or the video has some mind-numbing, head banging tune blasting away and you're supposed to concentrate through that crapola. What the hell is up with that?

    If you do use video, do a good job. Your customers will love you for it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Getting video right is a skill. Most people using video would be far better off with simple screenshots. How many times have you gone to Youtube to get some instruction and watched a video that confused you more than helped? I've been there many, many times. Or the video has some mind-numbing, head banging tune blasting away and you're supposed to concentrate through that crapola. What the hell is up with that?

      If you do use video, do a good job. Your customers will love you for it.
      Thanks for the advice. I was concerned with the overall quality of the videos. I think its better that I convert most to screenshots and then reshoot the ones I intend to keep. I don't want to stick my name and face on something I wouldn't purchase myself.

      I've never understood the need for music on a instructional video. How to setup filezilla with a dubstep background?!
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      Baadier Sydow
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  • Profile picture of the author rizanirama
    I personally like the combination of pdf screenshot and short tutorial video. People prefer reading a pdf than watching a video nowadays, but it is better to add more value to our product by adding short tutorial video, and mindmap and action step checklist.
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  • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
    I think the mindmap as a basis for laying out the structure of the course is important. A printable action plan adds a lot of value for users looking to get started as fast as possible.
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    Baadier Sydow
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