I'm not camera shy. I'm not new to the video world either. In fact I started out with how-to VHS videos 8+ years ago, have done quite a few camtasia screencasts over the years, and have tons of personal digital video footage. But when it comes to online video, I simply dont like it...
My full confession via video? Ironic, yes - but I couldnt resist 😀
Top 10 Reasons I Dont Like Online Video
10. Its hard to reference dictionary.com for the right word while you are live on video.
9. My neighbors like to start their weedeater at the same time I decide to shoot a video from the back deck (my outdoor office).
8. I type over 100wpm. In the time it takes to shoot, download, edit, render and upload a 10 minute video... I could write a weeks worth of blog posts.
7. The equipment & software can be a royal pain. I recorded an awesome 8-minute video, but for some unknown reason none of the audio captured. Lovely!
6. I say "um" a lot.
5. I'm pretty goofy in person.
4. I get "camera block". That little red light makes me lose my entire train of thought.
3. It takes the focus off of the point I am making. The majority of the feedback I receive is on my shirt, my lack of eye contact, etc, etc. Anything but the topic of the video.
2. I cant chew gum while I'm vlogging.
But the #1 reason I dont like online video is...
1. I rarely like to watch videos online myself.
Some people guessed that my biggest reason for not doing more video is the trouble of getting dressed and making myself presentable. Its true that I work from home and am often blogging in my flannel PJ bottoms and fuzzy slippers - but that hasnt stopped me yet. Several of you saw that fun video, I know.
In the video above I had just woke from a long afternoon nap, put on a clean shirt and threw my hair in a twist. What you dont see is my boxer shorts and fuzzy slippers 😆
I'll be publishing more video now, and for two reasons: some people actually enjoy it, and its good for reaching new readers and making a more personable connection. But for those of you that dont enjoy it (like me), dont worry - I'll continue to blog in plain text as well!
There's a good lesson to be learned here, of course.
My primary reason for not producing more video than I have is simply because I dont enjoy watching it. I find it time consuming to sit and watch a how-to video when I can read (or scan) much quicker to get what I need out of the content. A sales letter that boasts "Over 18 hours of video instruction!" turns me off immediately. I just dont care to sit in front of the computer that long. Speed reading is great. Speed videoing just doesnt really work out lol.
But the lesson is this: never assume everyone else thinks just like you do.
Just because you dont like something yourself, doesnt mean you shouldnt consider including it in your business model. It might be video, it might be red headlines, it might be blogging even. But if its proven to work, and your target market would respond well to it... you just might have to give in and consider it.
I'm actually having fun with the video, now that I know some of you really do enjoy it. So watch out - there's no telling what goofy um thing I might um do next 😉
Best,
p.s. Sherman Hu has a good video on Facebook that you should check out if you are creating videos yourself: 5 Tips To Short, Punchy, Value-Added, Natural-Looking Videos
Enjoy!
About Lynn Terry
Lynn,
You need to market that VHS as your $1,497 course! Good stuff. 🙂
You bring up very good points. I find myself fast-forwarding through videos online all the time.
I think for a lot of folks who use videos over text blogging, use it as a short cut because they can't write well. So they'll shoot a silly video instead.
I enjoy and use videos myself but it shouldn't be the only method of blog communication.
Good point, Alan. Those people should sign up for my upcoming guide: Easy Unique Content 😉
Two things to take away from my "confession" (if they werent obvious): Offer multiple formats, and - dont make assumptions about your target market based on your own thoughts/feelings.
I am really enjoying doing the videos now that I know people actually watch them. One thing I've already decided though is that I'll keep them short and to the point - to avoid being a total time-suck.
I look forward to hearing more opinions on the topic. I've heard a lot of people say they dont like video, and a lot say that they do. I think the key is balance - short videos, alternate formats, etc. Your thoughts?
You're wearing the same shirt as your last video. You must work really hard to not change your clothes, Lynn. haha j/k.
Hi Lynn,
I thought it was just me! I really don't like video. I don't have the patience to sit and watch them. Short ones aren't too bad, but too many people seem to want to redo War & Peace for the IM world!
I'm like you, I much prefer to speed-read the printed word. Video courses put me off.
Ta ra
Juliette
Sorry, I read the text part of this post after I made my first comment. I guess you were right about people giving feedback on the shirt. lol
Lynn,
I'm glad that you decided not to tailor your readers' choices by your own preferences-good call!
Not everybody is a word-learner. They can see you do something or hear it once and they've got it for life.
Which brings me to my final point...
Keep them short. Period. The primary objection I hear constantly to video is a person(like yourself)can skim or read the content TONS faster.
To me, this says that a lot of people suffer through videos that are too long and feel like they've been set free when they get a chance to read something instead.
Katherine's right also-offer both. I believe you have been crowned the queen of repurposing several years running. Am I right?
Great stuff-no comments about the shirt. LOL
Jeff
I really like how that you go on to type into the blog what you say on the video. Although I sometimes do watch videos I do appreciate having the choice on how I access the information
LOL Jeff 😀
And Chris - your two comments cracked me up lol. For the record, I shot all 3 videos in one sitting on the same evening. When I get in the mood, I do a few. So you'll probably see that happen again -- with a different shirt 🙂
Lynn,
You really need to try iMovie on a Mac if you think video takes a lot of time.
It really takes seconds. It does not take forever.
Automatic upload from iMovie to Youtube, one shoot and it's done.
Easy Peasy!
J-Mo
Hmm, I am surprised.
You look good (you are not some troll under a bridge or anything), present yourself well, and deliver good content.
I love watching videos - with valuable content that is.
Maybe you could mix it up with videos of you and others with screen shots as you show us how to do something.
I've had good luck with those kinds of computer screenshot "teaching videos."
Please keep them coming. I could care less if you say "um" now and then. It makes you human.
BYW, the videos I like least are the super-slick "professional" kind, unless they have exceptional value.
It works, Lynn - go for it.
😉 Robert
I'm the same way as you about watching videos, yet I keep thinking about doing them. I haven't yet because that would probably require a lot more peace and quiet from the kids than I normally get.
Hi Jason,
I've been thinking about getting a macbook pro, so thats another point to consider. On the "forever" - I was exaggerating just a hair 😉 Though it does take longer in general than just sitting down to tap something out on the keyboard.
What about editing, rendering and uploading - all of that really only takes seconds?
Thank you Robert! I agree, and I also added a few 'screencast' videos to blog posts last week and will continue to do a combination of both. But I am also working on a few that are actually combined - including both video footage and screen capturing in the same 'movie'. It will be fun to continue testing & tweaking the videos and working with some different variables!
I hear ya, Stephanie - thank goodness for the editing software 😉 lol
I'm just new to blogging and trying to start a blog but I've read and enjoy your blog here for a while and tried to get some pointers. BTW, your videos are very good and SOME of the reasons for your not liking videos are hilarious! I would like to see your boxers and fuzzy slippers too. Please don't HIDE THEM from us ! We are YOUR FANS ! lol
Thank you Debbie 😀
I actually shared my fleece pants and fuzzy slippers video with a small group of people after the weekly webinar last week - everyone enjoyed a good laugh on that one haha.
I'm with you, Lynn. I don't like video for the very reasons you mentioned. And yet, I do believe it has its place, especially given that people remember so much more of what they see, hear and read.
And if you're like me, with a face (and physique) made for radio (LOL), making a self-video is just not in my future. Besides I can't afford one of those cool little cameras. But even if I could, I'd still be saying, "Amen, sistah!" to everything you said in your video.
BTW, the dress was a surprise. And boy were you two nervous! You were so personable in this video (and the one in the car).
Just be careful out there.
Deb Gallardo
LOL Deb - that old video 😳 haha
But dont let the dress shock you. I wont be wearing that one again, but its not uncommon for me to whip one out now and then. I even have a skirt that matches my (now famous - ha!) Google shirt. lol
You do have a GREAT voice though, Deb - so definitely look into the ways you can use that to your advantage. You can do screencast how-to videos, audio interviews and more 😉
Just for you, Deb:
This was taken over the weekend 😀
I just want to add to the comment about using iMovie... I use it for everything since I've got my iMac back in January. Shooting, editing and uploading literally takes 3-5 minutes. I especially love the one click upload tie-in with YouTube in different formats.
Not only that, but there's thousands of effects/sounds/music built-in to iMovie that will make the project more appealing to viewers.
I too am a convertee imovie - most of the time. But for simple and quick screencasts (like the product overview on our homepage), nothing beats camtasia. Hands down!
_j
community manager
CorePage | Know more. Sell faster.
http://www.CorePage.com
Interesting - does this mean you have to have your mac laptop with you wherever you want to shoot the video? Isnt it difficult to shoot something besides self?
Lynn, I don't like to watch video for many of the same reasons you have, and that's probably why I don't do them. But I probably should, for the reasons you and others note.
One person mentioned the expense of the cameras. A popular and cheap alternative (not sure how good is the Flip Video camera (I'm pasting the links I sent to someone else):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V1PXMI?ie=UTF8&tag=searchcollect-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000V1PXMI
There's also an RCA that's not quite as good, but a lot cheaper at $90:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000T9U4O4?ie=UTF8&tag=searchcollect-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000T9U4O4
Hi Lane,
That 2nd link is the camera I am using and the quality is great. Its call the RCA Small Wonder and the feature it has over the Flip is a flip out screen:
Great camera, great price!
Lynn, it's great to know you have and like that camera. Mine will be here Tuesday (I love Amazon Prime) and then I'll take the plunge. Hope I'm not all wet!
Anyone as good looking as you should not be reluctant to do web videos, Lynn.
One thing to consider, though is echo affecting the sound. You apparently have some pretty smooth walls. Compare your sound to Chris Pirillo's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNtnjkw2FGY
He uses a pretty expensive mic and has fabric wall coverings, but there are cheaper alternatives.
I like the Plantronics microphones, myself.
More useful stuff:
http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/06/20/usb-desktop-microphone/
http://twit.tv/podcastequipment
Great! I'll check those out - thank you. On the echo, its probably because I just moved into this home. The walls are pretty bare yet, as are most rooms - I'm still settling in 😀
Your video/blog post couldn't come at a better time for me, as I am still quite undecided about vblogging, for all the good reasons that you are stating, in particular the (waste of) time involved in simply watching videos.
Item 9 for me, I would also have to contend with aircraft flying over, and my tiny but vocal dog deciding to take part in the recording...
It's great to hear from you that you also don't care for videos. I'm top on that list myself for pretty much the very same reasons as you.
However, I could throw in probably a bit of camera shyness (although, I wouldn't really let that hold me back) and the fact that I am literally technically challenged, lol! That I of course could always learn.
What does hold me back though is I'm sure it's time consuming and double that time when I don't know what I'm doing in the first place. My time is so limited anymore - I have to weigh my options. I too am a fast typer - probably not quite as fast as you though, lol!
I also like the fact that when I'm typing, I always have that delete button and backspace - not to mention yeah, I can head to dictionary.com and make sure I'm using the right word. But that's just me.
The reasons for me not watching are pretty close the reasons for me not shooting. Again, it's the time issue. I don't have time to sit and watch a video the whole way through. I'd rather skim an article or print out an ebook.
Anyway - you made me feel better about the way I've been feeling. And I too have been thinking that I need to start doing a little bit anyway.
Your title on this piece
"Shocking Confession: I Dont Like Video…"
was a great hook. Seems like folks are intrigued by what someone else doesn't like.
I like your attitude, "I don't like it, but I do it anyway, BECAUSE IT WORKS!"
I read your newsletter and have picked up on your posts In BANS.
Gene
I can relate to your reasons for not vlogging. It's always in the back of my mind that I should do some 'how to' drawing videos, but there are already so many out there, done by professionals, and when I consider the time it would take me to learn the process and get going with it, I could have been completing a portrait commission. I also feel that by the time I get the hang of it, the novelty of vlogging will have passed. But I do enjoy watching a blog entry that's a video sometimes.
Just realized that you could order a cardboard cut out of your favorite celebrity or politician, set him/her up next to your camera, and focus on the cutout's face instead of your camera...
http://www.incrediblegifts.com/stanbysec.html
A cheaper option would be just to print out a life size photo of a friend's face and put that next to your camera's lens so you will be better able to ignore the camera's red light.
Great post, Lynn, and I've loved all the comments. Made me feel better, since I've been shy about vlogging, too...
Yet I see the necessity. Today, we need to deliver the content to the customer/fan/viewer/visitor the way that person wants it, when they want it. For some that's MP3, others iPod, others watching video on YouTube or our blog or via RSS feed, and others... (like me most of the time, and apparently like you) skimming the text to get what we can as fast as we can and move on....
Is it a woman thing... multi-tasking... always running?
Any way, you are a great video personality and do excellent work, even if it does take longer than regular text only blogging. You meet people where they are... and they love you for it, and trust you for it.
I hate long videos... get filed for "later, when there's time" ... so short segments are better than one long video. I know I'm not alone.
I love videos when I need to seen "how to" do something. But then, screen stills on the page sometimes work even better.
Bottom line, you are doing things right. Thank you so much for teaching us and sharing. We love you!
Margaret
Darla.....great idea and I'll ad a little twist !
These are some figures that I would suggest that you put over the camera and cut a hole in the mouth for the lens to shoot you, where you can't see it for the camera shy: use Richaed Nixon, SpongeBob, Homer Simpson, Austin Powers, Fabio, Jesus, The Devil, Elvis Presley, a playboy bunny, Sadam Hussan, Hitler, Hugh Heffner, to name a few. Then you could see which person you talked to gave you the best results. It might make a difference !
First and foremost! There is nothing wrong with PJ's, boxers or fuzzy slippers. Do what ya wanna do, do what ya gotta do. If you must please all, throw a sport coat over the tweety bird t-shirt 🙂
I commented in another post how I feel the same as you about video, but the hotness of it currently would certainly put us in the minority. So you're right, do it for them - not ourselves.
You mentioned vlogging and typing posts from now on. I'm not sure if this is what you meant, but another blogger I read religiously does both in the SAME POST.
Very cool in the fact that he doesn't just speak what he writes, so in most posts your getting double info...double, not duplicate. Short videos too.
Neat idea I think.
My RCA Small Wonder just arrived, and I've already done a stupid test, just enough to see that it's really cool. Now I have to think of some worthwhile things to do.
I know you can embed YouTube code on your site, but I'm not too happy with the videos the site suggests at the end of a video. Is there any other service that provides this capability?
Good question, Lane. There are quite a few options from what I understand. You should post that for discussion in the new SMO (social media optimization) category at the SSWT Forum: http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/forum/
I am actually one of those people that LOVE videos. Maybe it's because I am a former actress, but whenever I see a product with video I jump at it. I'm also a very visual learner. My preference is Video, Print and then Audio. I always drift off when listening to audio.
It's a great reminder that not everyone is the same type of learner and having a full cache of products catering to different ways of learning is so important.