Do you Prefer Video Products or Written Products

August 7th, 2007 | 9 comments

I just finished a new 3-part video series explaining exactly how to install, modify and market a successful, SE friendly article directory and put it up as a WSO on the Warrior Forum for $9.

This product in particular is doing great, with over $500 in sales. BUT, I’ve received a few emails from fellow Warriors saying they would prefer a detailed report instead.

I’ve always known that some people do prefer written products. I’ve also always known that some people, including myself, prefer video products.

One person in particular said I was losing loads of sales by only offering video. I totally disagree and this is why:

1. If the customer is truly interested, MOST are going to purchase whether it’s a report or video. As long as they get the promised info, the purchase was worth it.

2. Videos require very little thinking. You just click the play button and listen! I mean come on, there is a PAUSE button as well and it’s not like you can’t replay the video if you missed something.

3. As I mentioned above, there are many people who prefer videos over written products.

I guess the only way we can know for sure is to run a poll.

So here it is — Do you prefer Video products or Written products?? I’d love to know!

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9 comments

Jenn (1 comments.)
7th August, 2007 at 10:20 am

Honestly, Josh, I would never buy a video product, regardless of how interested I might be in the subject matter. I’d just wait for someone else to come up with something that was written for the same topic. Since there’s no such thing as an original idea, I’m always certain that I will not have long to wait.

When it comes to learning, I absolutely do not want to watch a video. I need to read in order to absorb information. I also want information I can return to quickly by punching in a page number. Fast-forwarding in a video just does not work that well (if you can even do it at all).
Josh Spaulding
7th August, 2007 at 5:38 pm

Hi Jenn, I understand what you’re saying. I guess it really depends on how many others feel the way you do. I have a feeling the majority share your feelings on the subject. I think I’m going to run a poll on the main site and see how it turns out. It looks like a product that offers both would be ideal.
Kal (1 comments.)
8th August, 2007 at 12:12 am

I think both written and video products are great. It depends on the person really. Some are visual learners like Jenn (1st Post/Comment), but others are kinesthetic learners. They both have their ups and downs but a good learner will be able to stregthen both sides.

Many online products, i.e making money online and internet marketing packages are written in the form of ebooks (PDF files) and I suppose a lot of people like it that way. But nowadays a new surge of videos and live DVD illustrations are emerging and capturing a lot of interest.
Amber (1 comments.)
8th August, 2007 at 7:54 pm

I guess it depends on both the topic and the person, theres a place for both. In the case of your WSO, I think video was a good choice.

I was wondering how hard it would be to transcribe a video product? That would offer both ways, plus even increase percieved value of the product.

Or, mabye it would be possible to use a speech to text program while you record. I don’t know, never tried it but if it did work that would be super cool. Or better still if Camtasia would think about adding that as a feature.

Ideas, ideas!
Lindsay (2 comments.)
8th August, 2007 at 9:17 pm

Hi Joshua,

Why not create a video product AND a written guide that goes along with it? You could even hire someone to do the writing, just basing the information on what’s on the video.

I think that when you’ve got video/audio and writing, you can charge more for the product, even though they’re eseentially covering the same thing. People just feel like they’re getting more, ya know?
Josh Spaulding
8th August, 2007 at 9:40 pm

I put up a thread on the Warrior forum related to this as well. The thread received loads of replies.

The result, from what I got from it, is that, like you guys said, both written and video is your best bet.
mel green (2 comments.)
13th February, 2008 at 8:01 pm

i would go for the written word – even though both formats are available.

i dont like the video’s unless i am forced to ! i can save the written text & read it over & over again! just my 2 cents!
Steve@amazingexperiencedays.co.uk (2 comments.)
6th January, 2009 at 9:07 pm

Hi Josh
Interesting post & interesting to see the resulting comments. I would tend to agree with Kal, that there are basically 2 different learning types of personality. However, I think the majority of people would actually prefer both, apart from catering to both groups & effectively ‘covering the market’, I think that most people would like to watch a training video to actually ’see’ how things are done, but then after that I think people would prefer an accompanying notes report for easy & quick reference afterwards, rather than re-trawling through a video & stop-starting in a separate window whilst trying to emulate the lesson
Simon (10 comments.)
27th October, 2009 at 3:55 pm

I completely agree with you on this one Josh. Videos require less brain work for the prospect/user and can contain more persuasive language, just look at the adverts on TV, they’re never the same when they’re printed in a magazine!

If an advert/sales letter can be more persuasive and attention grabbing to the end-user it will stand a much higher chance of converting into a sale.