Anybody else tired of the videoisitus going around?

[carlos123]

Yup. It seems that a full onset of videoisitus is going around in internet marketing circles.

Internet marketers of all stripes have seemingly ceased to be able to write and instead can only talk through videos now LOL.

Thing is I don't have time to sit and listen to the talk through a video. I usually listen to the first 10 seconds, look around for a text version that I can scan through (to see if I might be interested in what the internet marketer has to say) and then, if there isn't a text version...well...I just move along to the next web site.

It boggles my mind how internet marketers seem to have gotten into the habit of thinking that everyone drops whatever they are doing to listen to their slow video talking.

If I don't read more than a sentence from emails before deciding whether they are worth reading at all why in the world would I sit here and listen to a whole video when I could read 40 emails in the time it takes to watch the one video?

Makes no sense to me.

Oh...I know that videos supposedly appeal more than text. At least in theory.

But I don't get it. Have we all gotten so dumbed down that we can't read anymore?

Are internet marketers trying to reach out to the least able to digest what they have to say market now? Such that the audience needs a video to get the point?

Anybody else fed up with all the videoilising going around? Just curious.

I watch videos to be entertained. Not to get information that I can read in 1/10th the time. Maybe that's just the way I am but I am curious to see if anyone else thinks that way.

Carlos

[StephenT]

I agree that some videos can be pretty slow moving, but I like them. Invideo I feel I get to know the person a little better. Sure, I know they can be a heck of a liar, but still I like putting a face with the offer.

Yes, I do think we have dumbed down that much.

[ScottTousignant]

I enjoy watching some video on sales pages or during a prelaunch because it helps you connect with the product owner... but for goodness sake, keep it under 5 minutes please and do a series.

The first thing that I look at is how long the video is. Unfortunately the norm seems to be around 35 minutes. When I see a video over 10 minutes I click off. And yes... that goes for people like Frank Kern, Mike Filsaime, Brad Fallon...

I know there's going to be great info there, but I'd rather quickly read through a letter and find the meaty info.

I use video in nearly every blog post, but I also include a written condensed summary of the video as well.

Again, I like video... it's just the length that bothers me.

[TraciKnoppe]

I do both video and text. I personally like video to both connect with my market and also to get a better sense of others marketers too. But I agree with Scott, keep them short unless it's a course of some sort that I've paid for in video format. But for online promos, conveying free information on your site, keep it short and to the point. ;)

[Marya_Miller]

Videos are the bane of my existence. I live in a small geographical pocket where there is just no high speed available for love or money, and I'm so grateful when someone gives me an option - text or video. The ones I particularly hate are videos that open automatically, the moment you reach the page.

Often, I have to access videos, whether I want to or not, as part of research for my work-at-home copywriting/ghostwriting job. Viewing them is agonizingly slow.

My next house will be high speed all the way.

But I'll probably still hate marketing videos that don't actually demonstrate something that can't be communicated any other way.

[WAHumor]

This is so helpful!

Even when she's not trying to be, that "Quiet One" is helpful. :eek:

I'm trying to break through videophobia and start doing some of my own. Well, all of my own 'cuz I'm the only me I've got.

I too HATE long videos. I believe you can entertain and educate in a whole lot less time than most take. Also, knowing that a text option would be so valued is a very good thing to know!


Dan

[Lynn Terry]

Welcome Susan :)

Great thoughts everyone! Speaking of video length, unless it's a training course like Traci mentioned... I prefer even less than 5 minutes, like TWO. And I try to keep my own videos around the 2 minute mark for that very reason.

Also, ALWAYS include the text version. I know of at least 2 deaf subscribers that enjoy my blog, and it would be rude of me to leave out at least some context of what is discussed in the video.

[WAHumor]

I once had a deaf subscriber who unsubscribed and told me why: he couldn't "read" my newsletter well because of those extra little characters in the spammy type words like "money" and such.

Audio might be good there too!


Dan

[carlos123]

I woke up a bit ago and in my usual half awake state of being where I hardly know who I am or where I am....I found myself on this forum in the middle of some thread about a guy who doesn't like videos....hmm...oh...that's me! LOL.

Now that I have had a chance to compose myself and digest what I just read from everyone....

I must say that this looks like the thread with the most responses of any that I have started. Hmm...must be that people have strong opinions of this issue :).

You know speaking of autostart videos....I don't know if it's happened to anyone else but there have been times when I have been startled out of my socks (figuratively speaking of course) by some video starting up on a tab I opened but did not focus on.

Some guy starts yelling (or it seems since I keep the volume pretty loud) about how I have won some prize or something. In my state of half-awakeness in the morning...well...let's just say that I am jolted into reality by a voice telling me I have won some prize. Not a good morning greeting from my computer to say the least.

Then there is the way that I will open up a bunch of tabs (without actually focusing on them while I continue scanning Google search results for other links to open in background tabs) and a bunch of them will start talking with autostart videos all at once! LOL.

Quite a cacaphony (I think that's the right word) starts up. Can you imagine? A bunch of internet marketers all talking at once LOL!

I completely agree that a video maker should always make a text version available. I like the part about helping those who are deaf mentioned above. I hadn't even thought of that. Wow...that must be difficult not to hear all these videos but then again...perhaps in one sense...it must be heavenly LOL. I mean in the sense of waking up to peace and quiet without all these videos trying to get one's attention.

Ahhh...I now don't feel so bad having come to realize through this thread that I am not weird or out of touch with reality to not like videos so much.

If I was retired and could leisurely mill about (as if that's all retired folks do :D) then I might not mind videos so much I guess but for now....I'd rather not have them. I'll take the text any day. Text which I can quickly scan to tell me if it's worth reading at all before I get back to more pressing things....like figuring out what to eat for breakfast (once I wake up sufficiently to figure out how to cook it now that I have figured out who I am and where I am LOL).

Carlos

[Citigurl]

I thought I was the only person who did not like videos! I personally don't have the patience to watch an entire video nor do I always have the time. They are so time consuming!! I prefer text because it is easier to quickly read and refer back to when needed. I like to be able to highlight when I read and I also like to be able to take the info with me when I travel on a plane. Can't do that with videos. I think this is something marketers should consider when making videos. They should always include a text version if they feel the need to make a video. When I see a marketer come out with a new product that is a "video series", I move on.

[carlos123]

They are so time consuming!!


You can say that again!

Carlos

[Elizabeth Ashe]

I love videos and I think they are so much fun to watch.

I do agree with Scott however, sometimes the length can throw me how. Videos that are longer than 10 minutes I start to get bored.

Not sure if it is dumbing it down with the videos, I think it just depends on the persons learning style. For example I am a auditory learner, so I love audio based products and so on.


Depends on the person.

I like them.:)

[KathleenGageSpeaker]

I recently invested a considerable amount of money in a home study course based on a 1 minute video that took me on an up-sell journey.

The hook was it started with a one minute version. Then a 3 minute.

I have found 1 - 2 minutes for most videos that are introducing something or are a video testimonial optimal. Actually on a testimonial video 30 - 45 seconds can be more than enough.

The success of a video has a lot to do with content, how dynamic the person(s) on the video are and how engaging.

[Lynn Terry]

I must say that this looks like the thread with the most responses of any that I have started. Hmm...must be that people have strong opinions of this issue :).

I tweeted the link to this thread this morning :cool:

[kdbbiz]

I too have to admit I would rather take text over video. For a few reasons really.

1. I have a 2 yr old and 8 month old. How am I supposed to tune everything out to concentrate on what is being said or shown on a video?

2. I do not like to miss parts and have to replay a video. In a report, you can skim right to where you want to get into and re-read, copy as text for notes, etc.

3. Finally, having a slow laptop that often acts like a first generation IBM, I often get service interruption/computer freeze just in the most crucial part of the video which causes me great distress. Too annoying to try to derive any form of enjoyment out of the process.

Just my 2 cents from my chaotic world.....

Melanie

[KathleenGageSpeaker]

A lot has to do with the way people are able to optimize their learning time. The beauty of all the choices is there are plenty of people who prefer any one of the learning styles.

[Kayla Fay]

Text which I can quickly scan to tell me if it's worth reading at all before I get back to more pressing things

I agree - for news, for salesletters, for 'how-to's'. I can read something in about 1/4 the time it takes to listen to it.

[carlos123]

I tweeted the link to this thread this morning :cool:

Goes to show you that one never knows when what one says in a lowly little thread in our corner of the world will be broadcast far and wide.

I better go back through my thread posts to make sure I didn't mispell any words LOL.

Carlos

[lindastacy]

I look at it this way... marketers who are using video are targeting a specific market (whether or not they know it). The beauty of Internet is that because I'm not in the target market for video, I can find the information in text form somewhere else.

(And my cure for auto-start videos or audio?... I keep the volume turned off and only turn it on when I want to hear something. :) )

[watzzupsport]

Definitely there needs to be a blend of text and another media format.
I know for me If i do not know the message or the presenter I will not bother with more then the first minute of the video.

With a straight out marketing message, If it has text explaining the content on the video I am more inclined to play it.

For sure there is nothing worse then video's that auto play when you visit a site.

[NicoleDean]

lol. You're not the only one. I wrote this back in March:

Am I the Only one Turned Off by Video? (http://nicoleonthenet.com/2009/am-i-the-only-one-turned-off-by-video/)

I think video has it's place, but I'm way too impatient for most videos and don't make it to the end -- that is if my internet even let's me get to the end before freezing up! :)