I’m really ticked. There was a headline that sounded interesting and I wanted to know more. When I opened up the link it was a video. I didn’t have time right at the moment for a video; I was just checking my email. But my upset and frustration about not having instant access to the information I wanted helped me got really clear about why I don’t like video.I want to consume information in that moment
I don’t know what this video says, what it’s going to teach me, whether I even want to know what it’s going to say because it is behind a closed door – the video. That means I have to either stop what I am doing and look at it and consume the information right then or skip it. I usually skip it.
I don’t know how much time I have to spend if I listen to it.
I have plans for my day. So now I don’t know if I really want to know what it says because I am only operating on a response to a headline and I also don’t have a clue as to the time I need to invest if I do take time to watch . Again I skip it.
I cannot scan it quickly to see if it is something I want to learn.
I read very rapidly. I can scan the subheads and tell in seconds if it’s something I already know or something I want to learn. I can’t do that with a video; I have to take time to open the video and sit there and maybe learn something and maybe not. I usually skip it.
I cannot easily copy and paste an article of interest and save it for future reference.
Here’s my biggest beef. If I find something useful in a video I have to find a way to take notes while watching the video which is tricky. With a written article I can copy a paragraph that interests me and put it in my idea folder. I always put the URL with the idea for future reference. Sometimes these notes inspire an article of my own take on the topic; sometimes a concept is developed in my unique way for a telecourse, sometimes I quote the source verbatim. If it’s something technical I need to learn but sure don’t want to stop and do it at this moment, I copy and paste and save the article in a resource file that is organized by projects. When I’m ready to work on that project there is great stuff collected over time waiting for me. I do not have to consume it at the moment. Saving a video or the URL to a video is a bit trickier. I usually pass.
What I do like about video
I am very grateful for the teaching videos – the ones that show me step by step how to do something in WordPress that I don’t know how to do. When I’m up for it I like to schedule time to listen to a speaker I want to experience. But I’m in a definite mood to take time to absorb new information when I actively search on a topic in order to learn how to do something. Otherwise I want my information available to quickly consume. I guess I’m impatient. I want to be able to quickly make an informed decision about the value of the information to me. I want my knowledge easy to consume and easily available when I want it. And that’s not the case with video.
But wait, is there a solution?
I believe that if you find a problem you offer a solution. Not everyone wants to view a video. That’s why I suggest we all use a combination of written, audio and video depending on who our target community is and how they access their information. And I definitely have coaching clients who want to use video. So what do you have to do to get a grouch like me to look at your video?
- List how long the video is so I can make a decision as to when I’ll view it. I’ll do a minute and a half then and there.
- Give me some bullet points – what will I discover if I watch so I can tell if I already know that or not.
- Get to the point. Give me the message. Make it clear and compelling
- Do give me a clear URL link to go find out more if I’m interested.
- There is no solution to my desire to take a lot of notes while watching unless you wanted to offer a free PDF for me to sign up for. Depending on the content that would be a rather good move.
The "How-To" videos also need to be short so that the viewers have control of their learning experience. If you’re posting about starting a blog you’ll have a whole series of short videos on things like "How to load an image" to "How to add keywords to your post." Think in terms of sort, succinct, meaningful messages.
Does your target community use video?
The major decision making factor for using or not using video is whether your target audience will watch it. Different age groups have different consumption habits. My grumpiness is typical of my senior citizen age group. Here’s how it breaks down:
(2009 est.) People who watch videos
- · 0–14 years: 20.2% male 31,639,127/female 30,305,704)
- ·15–64 years: 67.0% (male 102,665,043/female 103,129,321)
- · 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 16,901,232/female 22,571,696)
If it is an easy medium for you to use, if your target community likes to consume their information through video, if you add a short summary to your video page for the visual learner and you tell me how long it will take me to watch it maybe, just maybe, I’ll look at it.
What’s your take on video?
© 2011 Cara Lumen
About Cara Lumen
Cara Lumen, MA, Your Idea Optimizer helps you earn money forever for work you do only once! Her Magnetic Content Development System helps you develop outstanding information products that educate, motivate and inspire your choosen community. She helps you teach what you know!
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