A quick look around the net these days and everyone is doing video, why? I talk about the importance and the added traffic it can bring to your website in my soon to be released workbook, but my point was backed up by watching Keith’s LiveStream Q&A last night;
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Maybe I’m out of line with the rest of the world here, but I much prefer written blogs to video.
A written comment I can skim through quickly and digest what I want from it. A video, on the other hand, I have to sit through from beginning to end.
What’s more, it’s not always convenient for me to watch a video – I could be in a a busy office, or sitting on the sofa in the evening while my wife’s watching TV. Reading is much less intrusive.
That said, what I do like are podcasts and audiobooks, which I can listen to while I’m driving – which I do quite a bit of.
Cheers
Phil
Hey Phil, yeah totally my point you prefer written content, which is why this site does both to catch both markets. Some people only prefer videos, while some in restricted bandwidths can’t watch video at all so by providing content for both camps you’ll increase your net
Thanks for the shout out and I am glad you liked the show too! That livestream show has steadily grown since I started it almost a month ago, and the hour literally flies by! I could probably go on for hours on it.
One thing I try to do because I realize some people don’t watch video, and other may have handicaps, is add summarized text to the video as well.
.-= Keith´s last blog ..Can You Do It All Yourself? =-.
Yeah manthat’s a good idea I’ll steal that one!
I haven’t done video yet, but I will be as soon as I get a decent camera. I really enjoy the face-to-face feeling I have when I watch your videos and those of other bloggers. Like you said, it’s a great way to offer a mix of content to readers.
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..Eating Live Leeches, Kissing Dick Cheney, and Marketing =-.
it really does, it adds that mix and puts in more options and nets to catch more readers and visitors
…why do you have a photo of Derren Brown in this post?
Is it some kind of mind trick?
.-= Lewis´s last blog ..Using Squidoo for Marketing Purposes, or , Some Basic Squidoo Advice =-.
Hey Lewis first person to notice that! To be honest I love Darren and he is the master of video and visual engagement!
Having a mix is good as you stated above because you really are giving them twice in the mix. I strongly believe it’s important to connect with your readers in whatever way works for everyone so if they prefer written content I’ll give them that. I may throw a video in here or there but ultimately it’s what works and what keeps communication and connection at it’s strongest point.
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Twitter Is Powerful When Used Correctly =-.
yeah you have to play to your advantages for sure, your videos are good brother, you should do more!
I agree fully. I’ve been writing content on the web for years now, but recently I’ve noticed that trend that you’ve talked about.
Over the past six months, I’ve really become serious about creating videos. But one of my problems is that I really obsess over the videos, adding cool graphics, making it as perfect as I can, so it’s a really time consuming process; at least seven hours for a ten or so minute video.
But people seem to love them. I get a lot more feedback whenever I do a video, because people love to see a real person, and videos are, in many ways, much more engaging. For each major post and for every page, I try to create a video. I think I’m going to start adding a quick video to the less important posts.
Creating videos also really helps from YouTube. YouTube drives a lot of traffic to my various sites, and getting views on YouTube is not difficult granted you can leverage the video using social media and optimizing the video with tags.
hey Daniel yeah video actually takes longer than most think, for me anyway it’s the editing that takes an age really, good point man. What’s your youtube channel?
One other reason why video is awesome… Time on site! If you have just text, people will scan the page and may leave in a minute. But with video, people will generally stay on the site longer and watch the vid. It will take your Time on Site higher and will make you look better in Google’s eyes!
Yeah good point I forgot this one, offering both options will bring in more people
I guess both will do, I love reading so I don’t mind seeing written blogs
But I agree that video is really important too, because it can cater to other readers that prefer this.
Hey Kay yep exactly the point there I love both while some prefer on or the other, so by offering both you’re keeping both camps happy which will mean more visitors
Video is sooo good! I have been encouraging Michael over at incomediary to start using video more as people love it! Youtube is so popular which just goes to show that video is the way to go.
And yes give them both mediums – video and text. It truly is a win win!
Thanks James
.-= Aaron Darko´s last blog ..Michael Dunlop Interview in Washington DC =-.