Will Video Turn The Rest Of Us Into Dinosaurs?

32 replies
I've noticed that there seem to be more and more blogs which feature posts that just have a video, with very little text, vs. a written post.

I know video is getting bigger, but I'm thinking this could be part of a larger shift. I'm starting to wonder if we might get to a place within the next decade where a very large part of search engine results will actually be video, and not written text. What if the landscape of the web changes significantly?

If this is the case, then it's only a matter of time before those of us who base our businesses on written content are going to have a harder and harder time appealing to customers. Will video turn the rest of us into dinosaurs of the past? What if text starts to seem outdated and boring?

Hopefully I'm reading too much into this, but think about mobile internet, for example. Watching a video on a smart phone just seems more convenient than reading text.

What do you all think? Hopefully text will stick around for a good long time.
#blogs #dinosaurs #mobile internet #rest #turn #video #web
  • Profile picture of the author DotComBum
    I don't think so, written text will always be the way to write a blog, that's what a blog is in the first place. If you want to use video to put out your message then it's better to use YouTube for better result.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7138681].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author doshmachine
    Videos are definitely going to help your bounce rate as people stay on the page longer. This going to affect your ranking. As for on form of content out dating another I think it's often different horses for courses so a mix of both has maximum appeal.
    Signature
    >>>FREE WordPress Squeeze Page Plugin<<<
    > Easy to Use - Totally Cool <

    >>>>>>>
    Click Here: www.wpoptins.info <<<<<<
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7138812].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Tayman
      A lot of people are lazy these days and would rather watch a video than read.

      However, text will always be important in IM.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7138876].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author celente
        Originally Posted by Tayman View Post

        A lot of people are lazy these days and would rather watch a video than read.

        However, text will always be important in IM.
        sort of hit it on the head there.

        Videos will outpull text as far as we see it on our clickbank products. Since testing on our specific niches.

        But again it comes down to words, and copy when you are writing your videos or sales videos.

        I actually think having a sales page with several pages of text and VIDEO always works better. I remember that back to dan kennedy when he said the more you tell, the more you sell.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7138993].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Pathway Insurance
        Originally Posted by Tayman View Post

        A lot of people are lazy these days and would rather watch a video than read.

        However, text will always be important in IM.
        I agree 1000%
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145684].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MarketingMonk
    There are two kinds of people in my opinion, the ones who are too lazy to read and the others who will settle for nothing but text. I think text is here to stay.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7138978].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Willie Crawford
    Ten years from now, search technology will have changed
    so much that it may not matter what format you put your
    content in... the search engines will be able to understand
    exactly what it's about.

    At the same time, there will still be a lot of people who
    prefer reading over watching video.

    Willie
    Signature

    Here's A Ready-Made High Ticket Product To Make Your Own.
    Click To Go BIG!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7138999].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
    Well Google does seem to be investing a lot in voice recognition. What does that tell you about the subject?

    What I can see in the near future is people driving down the road listening to their favorite blogs.

    Re's
    Rob Whisonant
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7139135].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ksmusselman
      I really have to majorly disagree with the thought that people who prefer video to text are "too lazy to read." I'm an AVID reader. I read A LOT. I read so much that I actually ran out of books to read once and my stepdaughter said, "Maybe you should read slower." ROFL

      But when it comes to learning about various subjects relative to IM, I prefer video! And along with my love of reading, I'm a self-proclaimed YouTube junkie!

      I love webinars that are a combination of voice, PowerPoint and screencasts because I can see AND hear what people are discussing.

      So really, preferring one over the other has not one thing to do with being "lazy." It's just a personal preference.
      Signature
      Do You Vape? Submit a Guest Post! SmokersLogicEcigs.com
      Info Blog about Ecigs & Personal Vaporizers
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7139158].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Nics
        I agree with this totally. Liking to learn via video has nothing at all to do with being lazy. When learning something technical especially you get so much more out of being able to see it being done rather than someone trying to explain it via the written word.

        Also...I really enjoy creating video. Does that make me lazy too??...I don't think so.

        Originally Posted by ksmusselman View Post

        I really have to majorly disagree with the thought that people who prefer video to text are "too lazy to read." I'm an AVID reader. I read A LOT. I read so much that I actually ran out of books to read once and my stepdaughter said, "Maybe you should read slower." ROFL

        But when it comes to learning about various subjects relative to IM, I prefer video! And along with my love of reading, I'm a self-proclaimed YouTube junkie!

        I love webinars that are a combination of voice, PowerPoint and screencasts because I can see AND hear what people are discussing.

        So really, preferring one over the other has not one thing to do with being "lazy." It's just a personal preference.
        Signature
        List Building Demystified --> http://internetpoweredincome.com
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7139999].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Marco P
        Originally Posted by ksmusselman View Post

        I really have to majorly disagree with the thought that people who prefer video to text are "too lazy to read." I'm an AVID reader. I read A LOT. I read so much that I actually ran out of books to read once and my stepdaughter said, "Maybe you should read slower." ROFL

        But when it comes to learning about various subjects relative to IM, I prefer video! And along with my love of reading, I'm a self-proclaimed YouTube junkie!

        I love webinars that are a combination of voice, PowerPoint and screencasts because I can see AND hear what people are discussing.

        So really, preferring one over the other has not one thing to do with being "lazy." It's just a personal preference.
        I gonna have to agree with ksmusselman;,simply because I 'm the same way,
        I love to read ,but also love a well produced video tutorial,
        I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you could offer both options it will have a better impact and conversion on your offer,which is definitely our ultimate goal
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145001].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Marty S
          The only thing we know for sure about 10 years from now, is that none of us has a clue as to what the internet (if in fact it will still be known as "internet") will look like then. "Video" and "text" may very well be non-issues a decade from now.

          Currently - and for at least the near future - both video and text do rank with common strategies discussed in this forum everyday, but because of how search engines are work and crawl, text documents hold an SEO edge.

          In order to remain competitive in the current climate to me it is ideal to be using both formats. Use text based content for niche and keyword focused content on your blog and use video to create a social media presence. Video is much more likely to be shared, so I don't bother with any of the common arguments (above) about who reads vs who watches. It's irrelevant. People will find amazing content, no matter what format.

          However, since most of us are a notch or two below amazing, we need to reach out to an audience that can convert for you. That's why video on your blog, on Youtube, and shared via Twitter and Facebook can help grow your audience significantly faster than by simply just writing.

          Now you also noted that many blog posts have just a video, but I don't agree with that entirely either. What I like to do is add additional notes or opinions about the video content, typically adding 2 to 4 paragraphs to my blog (video) post. I also embed it from Youtube and really pay close attention to keywords, titles and descriptions, as well as linking back to my blog post.

          I feel that this is about the minimum you have to do NOW, but as for 10 years from now... like I said. No clue. Just a guessing game.

          Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145171].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michelle Strait
    I don't think video will run text out of town. On websites that feature video, checking the comments often shows that many people would have rather had a quick article to read. A person on a website like YouTube is looking for a video, but in other cases, many people still like to read.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7139151].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author shane_k
    I think the "too lazy to read" theory is crazy, lol

    I mean when have you every heard someone say, "I'm too lazy to read. Put a video on instead."

    That's like someone saying, "I'm too tired to listen. Write it out and I will read it later." lol

    @OP I think you are reading too much into this.

    It probably has more to do with 2 things.

    1) That blogs target audience might prefer video and find it more entertaining and engaging

    or

    2) That blogger either finds it easier to get their message across through video than writing (some people are terrible writers) or they just prefer recording video and getting in front of the camera and acting things out, or it just feels better to them.

    Also I am sure that people thought the same thing way, way back when TV first came into being and they thought that it would be the end of books.

    But here we are decades later still reading and writing.

    and it will be the same in the future, there will be video, there will be writing, audio, etc
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7139221].message }}
  • It is all about good content. If your blog is good stuff, your readers will consume your content regardless of the format.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7140035].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Long Beach Nathan
    For those of you that say some people will always prefer to read, that does seem to make a lot of sense. I myself always look to see if information is available in text. I actually think it's easier to concentrate on.

    Let's hope the case will merely be that people will get used to seeing the option of both video and text, instead of expecting just video.
    Signature
    Need Music For Your Videos, Podcasts, Sites, etc? Get It Now On My YouTube Channel!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7143248].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ksmusselman
      Originally Posted by Long Beach Nathan View Post

      For those of you that say some people will always prefer to read, that does seem to make a lot of sense. I myself always look to see if information is available in text. I actually think it's easier to concentrate on.

      Let's hope the case will merely be that people will get used to seeing the option of both video and text, instead of expecting just video.
      I'm seeing a lot of my favorite people now including video with their written blog posts. We "may" start seeing more of that since it gives both options.

      Also, if you're doing video along with the written article, you can actually convert that into more traffic by using the audio as a podcast.
      Signature
      Do You Vape? Submit a Guest Post! SmokersLogicEcigs.com
      Info Blog about Ecigs & Personal Vaporizers
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7143275].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mac Wheeler
    Text will always be the fastest way to get facts across.

    We will always jot down notes to remember things.

    We will always copy and paste text to save information.

    Think about it. You are at the bus station, and need to find the number of the bus to catch, which you know is due any moment. Do you have time to watch a video explaining which number buses can be caught where?

    However, I do think the combination of video and text can be killer. Video to tune the viewer in to the key concepts, open their mind. And then text to drill the facts home.
    Signature
    Freelance Writer & Web Author
    FREELANCE WRITING OPPORTUNITIES - GET THEM NOW!
    Like my Facebook page, or add me to your Google+ circles, for free writing tips and techniques.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7143284].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sharon Hayes
    Personally, I prefer reading over video unless there is a *reason* for video. One of the big problems with video is that people tend to take too much time to get to the point and provide actionable information. Marie Forleo does an excellent job of providing meat without fluff in her weekly videos. If you can get the point across in 1-5 minutes, there's no reason to drag it out for 20 minutes.

    I'm in the position where I can DO video - I have the resources and team - but try to stick with the appropriate medium and don't include fluff in it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7143330].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ksmusselman
      Originally Posted by Sharon Hayes View Post

      Marie Forleo does an excellent job of providing meat without fluff in her weekly videos.
      OMG I LOVE Marie!! I wish I could sign up for her B School. She is AWESOME!!
      Signature
      Do You Vape? Submit a Guest Post! SmokersLogicEcigs.com
      Info Blog about Ecigs & Personal Vaporizers
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7143413].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gpwilson
    When the tradition of online news were going on then some of critics said that within few years people would forget news paper. But did it happen. So don't worry about that. The demand of good and quality article would always be huge.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7144049].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    I ******HATE******* this stupid trend! A LOT of people have lost my business because of it. I saw one stupid video that mentioned it wa s"FAST PACED INFORMATION"? OK, MAYBE if information were movement, and we were swimming through mud, and he was running above he woud be right. But it IS'T, we WEREN'T, and he WASN'T!

    SERIOUSLY? Someone is supposed to wait potentially HOURS, not knowing how long it could take, put u with buffer breaks, spotty sound, uneven volume, nasty frequencies, and potentially have to listen multiple times to catch missed items, deal with bad accents, and mumbling for potentially NOTHING!?!?!?!?!?

    DREAM ON!!

    And YOU think that is state of the art? NO WAY! There is a REASON why book stores deal mostly in BOOKS! There is a REASON why the kindle, nook, etc... are primarily READING devices! READING is mostly on the READERS terms! Video is on the presenters terms. And ONE wrong word could lose the ENTIRE sale before the customer even has a chance to make a move!

    IMAGINE what this FORUM would be like if it were video or audio!

    SERIOUSLY, WHO thinks this stuff up!?!?!?!?!?

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7144500].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    BTW Video was around before I was even a BABY! I think it was around in a similar form about the time my PARENTS were born. And they USED it! HECK, look at the old I love lucy shows where the ricardos were talking about avoiding the appleby's or the mertzs were talking about avoiding the ricardos videos!

    That used to be COMMON! Some even had SOUND! Though that probably didn't get real popular until like the mid 60s. Dinosaur! YEAH RIGHT! Some things are just HARD to improve on! Look at the WHEEL! The basic concept and form hasn't changed ONE BIT!

    And on early shows, ads were LIMITED to about 30 seconds. OK, maybe they talked about them a lot, or even had 5 in a series, but it was still SHORT! GO AHEAD and waste your time. It may end up saving ME a LOT!(Because I will just click to another site when the sound comes on or pictures flash by.)

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7144567].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    I think I remember hearing that YouTube is the second largest search engine....
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7144890].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dv8domainsDotCom
    *agree* with most of what's here. I like video, but NOT for material that should be presented as text... I read ungodly fast. I LOATHE videos that speak that which I can read 15x or more faster. Video CAN help with your bounce rate though, if done effectively.
    I don't think video will replace text as far as SEO goes though. Although they can be used in combination.
    Signature
    Support a Warrior, Save Money!
    Rock Bottom Prices on Domains and Website Hosting
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145072].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SuperDJ
    Yeah.....

    that's why I'm beginning to embed videos into my articles from now on. Might as well have both of them.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145162].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DenisBalitskiy
    I really have to majorly disagree with the thought that people who prefer video to text are "too lazy to read." I'm an AVID reader. I read A LOT. I read so much that I actually ran out of books to read once and my stepdaughter said, "Maybe you should read slower." ROFL

    But when it comes to learning about various subjects relative to IM, I prefer video! And along with my love of reading, I'm a self-proclaimed YouTube junkie!

    I love webinars that are a combination of voice, PowerPoint and screencasts because I can see AND hear what people are discussing.

    So really, preferring one over the other has not one thing to do with being "lazy." It's just a personal preference.
    I agree with you, text is not, and will not die. EVER.

    But what will change our lives are the Webinars. So i think you are right...
    Signature

    Never give up.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145183].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author businessframe
    Text is what is getting indexed..not only by google, but by amazon search, ebay search, ..even WF search...not videos...sure, voice recognition will improve, but we are a long way off from that being able to impact search results.

    Videos certainly help improve the visitor experience and bounce rate though.

    My advice - include both!

    Its super easy to record an interview, screencast, or review...then have it transcribed.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145635].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    I still prefer to read text vs. watching a video. I'm sure there are millions of people out there who feel the same way that i do. I dont think text is going anywhere anytime in the far future.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145673].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CBusiness
    Video/Youtube hosted Adsense CPM is already higher than Website CPM with exact same written content

    This thesis is pretty accurate.

    Once they figure out easier marketing & ranking strategies @ YouTube , I believe adsense payments will be trash(ier than now).
    Signature
    Buy YouTube Views, No Way! ! ! Force Youtube Videos To Go Viral. Contact Me For eBook or check my WSO
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7145879].message }}

Trending Topics