Video has become the latest craze out there on the Internet Marketing scene.
Everybody is rushing to put their educational material and ezines into videos and mp3s. Some of my favorite marketers have their material as videos.
There are a number of options available to create videos and publish them for public consumption. Sites like Youtube.com allow you to effortlessly make available your creation to your consuming public.
A lot of ezines have already jumped on the band-wagon. But is video the answer for all your ills?
If you have not already converted your ezine to video format; hold on. Pull back for a moment and think.
Yes, a video will make you appear more human.
Yes they will connect more with you when you are doing the talking and you appear playing with your kids in the midst of talking about the recession.
Yes, a video will prove that you are up-to-date with the latest technology.
But if you are providing some serious information, to business consumers, think again!
If your consumer is a busy professional, will he have the time to sit through your 30 minute video to see what you have to say?
Or would he rather pick up an e-book or e-report which he can glance through at will?
I would!
I’ve begun avoiding videos in favor of books because I have the ability to go back and forth in the text. At a glance I can see what chapters I must read and what I already know. I really don’t want to spend 30 minutes to learn that I already knew the subject matter.
Another issue is that of printability. Your ebook can be printed and stored for future reading. I can carry it with me on the subway to read on the way to work. Can’t do that with your video unless I am very technology savvy or put additional effort into it.
Find the number of customers who routinely print out your ebook to read later. You may just be amazed at the number. Some like to make notes along the margins. Some like the feeling of holding the book in their hands. Some like to read on the bed. All this becomes impossible if your material is in the form of a video.
Having said that, there are reasons your customers may prefer to use your mp3 or watch your video. Its up to you to determine if your customers actually use your video.
You may also provide a transcript along with your video. This will help those customers who want the information, but do not have the time to sit through a 40 minute video or listen to an mp3 recording.
But if your customers do not overwhelmingly prefer the video, the amount of effort expended to create a video may just not be worth it.
You’ve been warned !
